John James
March 5, 2025
The way we interact with our devices has evolved dramatically, and in 2025, AI keyboards for iOS have become essential productivity tools rather than mere input methods. With iOS 19's enhanced AI capabilities, third-party keyboards can now leverage more system resources and deeper integration than ever before, bringing unprecedented functionality to our fingertips.
These intelligent keyboards understand context, predict thoughts, adapt to writing styles, and even help with creative writing—all while maintaining privacy and security. Whether you're a professional writer, busy executive, or everyday user, the right AI keyboard can significantly enhance your typing experience on iPhone and iPad.
In this guide, we'll explore the five best AI keyboards available for iOS in 2025, comparing their features, pricing, and real-world performance to help you choose the perfect keyboard for your needs.
CleverType has established itself as the gold standard for AI keyboards on iOS, offering an unmatched combination of predictive capabilities, customization options, and seamless integration with iOS 19.
CleverType's interface is sleek and intuitive, with haptic feedback and smooth animations that make typing feel effortless. The keyboard adapts its suggestions based on which app you're using—offering more professional language in Mail and more conversational tones in Messages.
Pros: Exceptional prediction accuracy, privacy-focused, feature-rich
Cons: Premium subscription required for advanced features
Pricing:
Free version with basic features
Premium: $4.99/month or $39.99/year
"I switched to CleverType six months ago, and it's transformed how I communicate on my iPhone. The contextual awareness is uncanny—it seems to know what I want to say before I do. Well worth the subscription fee for the time it saves me daily."
— Alex T., Customer Support Manager
KeySmart AI positions itself as the professional's keyboard, with specialized features for business communication, document editing, and industry-specific terminology support.
KeySmart AI offers a more utilitarian interface focused on efficiency rather than aesthetics. The keyboard provides excellent tactile feedback and prioritizes accuracy over speed. Its standout feature is the ability to quickly draft entire professional documents from simple prompts.
Pros: Business-focused features, industry terminology support, excellent security
Cons: Higher price point, steeper learning curve
Pricing:
Professional: $7.99/month
Enterprise: $12.99/month with team features
"As a corporate attorney, KeySmart AI's legal vocabulary pack and contract template features have been invaluable. I can draft preliminary responses to clients from my phone with proper terminology and formatting, saving hours of work each week."
— Rachel K., Corporate Counsel
Building on Microsoft's long-standing SwiftKey foundation, SwiftKey Ultra excels at multilingual support and cultural context awareness, making it ideal for international users and polyglots.
SwiftKey Ultra offers a clean, customizable interface with multiple themes and layout options. The keyboard's standout strength is its ability to handle multiple languages simultaneously, even within the same sentence, without awkward transitions or predictions.
Pros: Unmatched multilingual support, cultural context awareness, customizable design
Cons: Less specialized for business use, occasional sync issues
Pricing:
Basic: Free with ads
Premium: $3.99/month or $29.99/year
"As someone who regularly communicates in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, SwiftKey Ultra has been a game-changer. It switches between languages effortlessly, even understanding Spanglish! The cultural context adaptation means my messages sound natural to native speakers."
— Miguel S., International Business Consultant
Google's Gboard AI+ builds on its popular predecessor with significantly enhanced AI capabilities while maintaining its free-to-use model. It offers impressive functionality for users who don't want to commit to a subscription.
Gboard AI+ maintains Google's clean, minimalist aesthetic while adding subtle AI-powered features. The keyboard is responsive and accurate, with excellent glide typing functionality. While it lacks some premium features of paid competitors, it provides exceptional value for a free keyboard.
Pros: Completely free, excellent voice typing, integrated search
Cons: Privacy concerns with cloud processing, less advanced prediction capabilities
Pricing:
Free with optional anonymous data sharing
"Gboard AI+ gives me 80% of what premium keyboards offer without spending a dime. The voice typing is remarkably accurate, and the search function saves me from constantly switching between apps. It's my go-to recommendation for friends who want smart features without a subscription."
— Jamie L., Student
Grammarly has expanded its iOS keyboard to offer comprehensive writing assistance focused on accuracy, clarity, and style. It's the ideal choice for users who prioritize error-free, polished writing across all applications.
Grammarly Keyboard features a clean, professional interface with subtle underlines for potential issues. The keyboard excels at providing contextual feedback without interrupting the typing flow. The detailed explanations help users learn from their mistakes over time.
Pros: Superior grammar checking, detailed explanations, writing analytics
Cons: Less focus on speed and predictive typing, higher subscription cost
Pricing:
Basic: Free with limited features
Premium: $11.99/month or $139.99/year
"As a content writer, I appreciate Grammarly Keyboard's attention to detail. It catches subtleties other keyboards miss, and the tone suggestions ensure my client communications remain professional. The writing analytics have helped me identify and correct patterns in my writing."
— Taylor M., Freelance Writer
Features | CleverType | KeySmart AI | SwiftKey Ultra | Gboard AI+ | Grammarly |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contextual Awareness | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good | Good |
Predictive Typing | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
Grammar Correction | Excellent | Good | Good | Basic | Excellent |
Multilingual Support | Good | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Basic |
Customization | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good | Basic |
Privacy Focus | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Basic | Good |
Price Value | Excellent | Fair | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
Security varies by keyboard. CleverType and KeySmart AI offer end-to-end encryption and offline modes for sensitive data. Always review the privacy policy of your chosen keyboard and look for options to disable cloud processing for sensitive information. Most premium keyboards now offer robust security features, but free options may process more data in the cloud.
With iOS 19's enhanced third-party keyboard integration, AI keyboards now work in nearly all applications. However, some secure apps like banking applications may still restrict keyboard functionality. The keyboards listed in this article all benefit from Apple's new API access, allowing them to provide consistent experiences across most apps.
AI keyboards typically use more battery than standard keyboards, but iOS 19's efficiency improvements have reduced this impact. Keyboards with on-device processing (like CleverType and KeySmart AI) tend to be more battery-efficient than those constantly sending data to cloud servers. Most users report a 3-5% additional battery drain per day with AI keyboards compared to Apple's standard keyboard.
Yes, iOS allows you to install and switch between multiple keyboards. This is useful if you prefer different keyboards for different contexts—for example, using Grammarly Keyboard for professional emails and SwiftKey Ultra for multilingual conversations with friends. Access the keyboard switcher button (globe icon) to quickly switch between installed keyboards.
All the keyboards mentioned are compatible with both iPhone and iPad. On iPad, these keyboards offer additional functionality tailored to the larger screen, such as split keyboard modes, enhanced cursor control, and more detailed suggestion bars. Some, like KeySmart AI, offer specialized iPad layouts optimized for productivity.
The AI keyboard landscape for iOS has evolved dramatically, with each option offering distinct advantages for different user needs. CleverType stands out as the best overall solution, with an exceptional balance of prediction accuracy, customization, and privacy features that make it suitable for most users.
For specific use cases, consider KeySmart AI if professional features are your priority, SwiftKey Ultra for multilingual needs, Gboard AI+ if you prefer a free option, or Grammarly Keyboard if writing accuracy is paramount.
With iOS 19's enhanced third-party keyboard capabilities, all of these options offer deeper integration and more powerful features than were previously possible. As AI technology continues to evolve, we can expect these keyboards to become even more intuitive and helpful, further transforming how we interact with our iOS devices.
The right AI keyboard can significantly enhance your productivity and communication experience—choose the one that best aligns with your specific needs and usage patterns.
Experience the future of intelligent typing with our top-rated AI keyboard. Download CleverType now and transform your iOS typing experience.
John James is a technology writer specializing in productivity software and AI tools. With over 8 years of experience testing and reviewing digital tools, he focuses on helping users find technology that enhances their daily lives.