Grammarly vs. Gboard: Which AI Keyboard for iOS and Android Is Best?

By Nicole Charlotte•May 08, 2025
Comparison of Grammarly and Gboard AI keyboards for mobile devices

Key Takeaways:

  • Grammarly Keyboard excels in grammar correction and writing improvement but lacks some standard keyboard features
  • Gboard offers excellent typing experience with basic AI features but has limited advanced writing assistance
  • Grammarly is better for writers and professionals focused on error-free writing
  • Gboard works better for everyday users who need a reliable, feature-rich keyboard
  • Both keyboards are available on iOS and Android but with slight differences between platforms
  • Premium features of Grammarly require subscription, while Gboard is entirely free
  • Battery impact is higher with Grammarly than with Gboard
  • Privacy considerations exist for both keyboards as they analyze your typing

Tryna figure out which AI keyboard to use on your phone? I've been testin' both Grammarly and Gboard extensively on my devices, and lemme tell ya—the choice ain't as straightforward as you'd think. These two popular keyboard options approach the typing experience from completely different angles, and which one works best really depends on what you're lookin' for.

What Are AI Keyboards and Why Do They Matter?

Remember when phone keyboards were just... keyboards? Those days feel like ancient history now. Today's AI keyboards do way more than just let you type—they predict your next words, fix your mistakes, understand what you mean (not just what you say), and some even adapt their suggestions based on who you're chatting with.

But what exactly makes a keyboard "AI-powered" in 2026? These keyboards use machine learning models—sometimes powered by the same tech behind ChatGPT and other AI assistants—to understand context, learn your unique writing patterns, and offer suggestions that feel almost telepathic. Think about it—have you ever been typing and the keyboard somehow knew exactly what you wanted to say next, finishing your sentence before you even thought of the words? That's AI at work.

Why does this matter? Well, we spend a staggering amount of time typing on our phones—recent data shows the average smartphone user types for about 4-5 hours daily, whether it's work emails, social media posts, or just chatting with friends. A keyboard that makes this faster and more accurate doesn't just save time; it can literally give you back 5-10 hours every month. That's a whole workday!

The difference between a basic keyboard and an AI keyboard is like the difference between a bicycle and a car—both get you where you're going, but one makes the journey a whole lot easier and faster.

Grammarly Keyboard: Deep Dive into Features

When I first installed the Grammarly Keyboard, I was skeptical. Could a keyboard app really improve my writing? After using it for several weeks, I gotta say—it's pretty impressive for certain things.

Grammar and Spelling Correction

Let's start with what Grammarly does best: catching your mistakes. The app doesn't just spot misspelled words—it catches contextual spelling errors ("your" vs "you're"), punctuation problems, and even suggests better word choices. This happens in real-time as you type, with little colored indicators (usually red for errors, blue for suggestions) appearing at the top of the keyboard.

What's really cool is how it explains why something is wrong. Tap on a suggestion, and Grammarly tells you the reasoning behind it. This is actually helpful for improving your writing skills over time, not just fixing the immediate error.

Writing Style Improvements

Beyond basic corrections, Grammarly also suggests ways to make your writing clearer, more engaging, and more concise. It might suggest replacing repetitive words, simplifying complex phrases, or rewording sentences for clarity. In 2026, Grammarly's AI has gotten even smarter—it now understands nuance better than ever, picking up on subtle tone shifts and suggesting alternatives that actually sound like you wrote them.

The premium version takes this further with tone detection (letting you know if your message sounds friendly, formal, confident, or even anxious) and advanced suggestions for improving sentence structure and vocabulary. There's even a new AI-powered "clarity score" that rates how easy your message is to understand. I found this particularly useful when writing important emails or messages where misunderstanding could be costly.

User Experience on iOS vs Android

Grammarly works pretty similarly on both platforms, but there are some differences:

Privacy Considerations

Here's the thing that gives me pause about Grammarly: to work properly, it needs to "see" everything you type. The company states they encrypt data and don't store full text from most fields, but it's still analyzing all your typing. For some people, this is a dealbreaker, especially when typing sensitive information.

Gboard: Google's AI Keyboard Solution

Gboard takes a totally different approach to the AI keyboard experience. Instead of focusing primarily on writing improvement, Google has built a feature-packed keyboard with some AI elements woven throughout.

Core Typing Experience

The basics are rock-solid with Gboard. The keyboard is responsive, accurate, and offers one of the best swipe typing experiences available. The word prediction is scary-good, especially if you use other Google services (since it learns from your writing style across platforms).

What I love about Gboard is how it handles the fundamentals—spacious key layout, customizable height, haptic feedback that feels just right, and themes that actually look good. These might seem like small details, but they make a huge difference when you're typing all day.

AI-Powered Features

While not marketed explicitly as a writing improvement tool, Gboard packs some seriously impressive AI features that have only gotten better in 2026:

The translation feature is particularly handy—I've used it countless times when chatting with international friends. In 2026, it's gotten good enough that I rarely notice I'm using a translation tool. The real-time aspect means conversations flow naturally, which is pretty incredible when you think about it.

Performance Across Devices

One of Gboard's strengths is its consistency across different phones and tablets. It performs well even on budget devices, with minimal lag or battery drain. The iOS version is nearly identical to the Android one, though some Android-specific features (like direct GIF search from certain apps) aren't available on iPhone.

Privacy and Data Collection

Like Grammarly, Gboard processes what you type to provide suggestions. Google's privacy policy indicates they don't send what you type to their servers (except when using voice typing or search), but they do collect usage statistics and learn from your typing patterns. You can disable personalization, but this reduces the keyboard's predictive capabilities.

One positive development in 2026: Gboard now offers more granular privacy controls, letting you choose exactly what data gets processed on-device versus in the cloud. It's a small but meaningful improvement for privacy-conscious users who still want smart features.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Real-World Usage

Enough about features—how do these keyboards actually perform in everyday life? I used both exclusively for two weeks each to find out.

Typing Speed and Accuracy

For pure typing speed, Gboard wins hands down. The swipe typing feature, better autocorrect for common typos, and more intuitive layout made me noticeably faster. In a typing test, I averaged about 45 WPM on Gboard versus 38 WPM on Grammarly—a difference that adds up when you're typing all day.

However, if we're talking about producing error-free, well-written text, Grammarly has the edge. What I lost in typing speed, I gained in not having to go back and fix things. Grammarly caught subtle errors that Gboard missed entirely, particularly grammatical issues and word usage problems. In the end, fewer revision rounds can actually save more time than raw typing speed.

Battery Impact

Neither keyboard is particularly heavy on battery usage, but I did notice a difference. With similar usage patterns:

The difference isn't huge, but it could matter if you're already struggling with battery life.

Special Use Cases

Certain situations clearly favored one keyboard over the other:

When Grammarly shined:

When Gboard excelled:

Customization Options

Both keyboards offer customization, but in very different ways:

Grammarly lets you:

Gboard offers:

For pure customization options, Gboard wins easily.

The Cost Factor: Free vs Premium Options

The cost comparison is pretty straightforward:

Grammarly:

Gboard:

This price difference is significant—$144 a year is substantial for a keyboard app (that's roughly what you'd pay for a couple of streaming services). Whether Grammarly's premium features justify the cost depends entirely on how much you value perfect writing and how often you write important content on your phone. For professionals who write client-facing messages daily, it might pay for itself in saved reputation and clearer communication. For casual users? Probably overkill.

Who Should Choose Grammarly?

After weeks of testing, I've got a pretty clear idea of who would benefit most from Grammarly's keyboard:

The free version is worth trying, but most of the standout features require the premium subscription.

Who Should Choose Gboard?

Gboard makes more sense for:

The good news is that Gboard is completely free, so there's no downside to giving it a try.

Alternative Options Worth Considering

While Grammarly and Gboard dominate the AI keyboard space, they're not the only options worth considering:

Each offers a different balance of features that might better suit your specific needs.

What's Changed in 2026: The AI Keyboard Evolution

Here's something interesting that's happened in the past year—AI keyboards have gotten way more contextually aware. Both Grammarly and Gboard now use advanced language models that understand not just what you're typing, but where you're typing it. Writing a LinkedIn message? The suggestions lean more professional. Texting your best friend? The tone shifts to match your casual style.

This context-awareness goes beyond just tone. I've noticed that Grammarly's 2026 updates include better understanding of industry-specific jargon. If you're a developer typing about "async functions" or a marketer discussing "conversion funnels," the keyboard no longer flags these as errors. It actually learns your professional vocabulary and adapts. Pretty smart stuff.

Meanwhile, Gboard's integration with Google's Gemini AI has made its predictive text feel almost psychic. The keyboard now considers your recent emails, calendar events, and even your location to offer better suggestions. Planning to meet someone? It might suggest "I'll be there in 10 minutes" when you start typing "I'll..." It's convenience and creepiness wrapped into one package, depending on how you feel about that level of integration.

The Verdict: Which Keyboard Reigns Supreme?

After all this testing and comparison, which keyboard do I recommend? It's not a simple answer because they serve different purposes.

If writing quality is your primary concern and you don't mind losing some convenience features (or paying for premium), Grammarly is the better choice. It genuinely improves writing in ways that other keyboards don't.

If you want a fantastic all-around keyboard with smart features that make typing faster and easier, Gboard is the clear winner. It's also the better choice if you're budget-conscious.

My personal solution? I actually switch between them depending on what I'm doing. Gboard for casual conversations and quick messages, Grammarly when writing anything important. It's a bit of a hassle to switch, but it gives me the best of both worlds.

What about you? Have you tried either of these keyboards? What features matter most in your mobile typing experience? The beauty of smartphone keyboards is that they're easy to try out and switch between—so you can find your perfect match without commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Grammarly Keyboard worth paying for in 2026?

It depends on your needs. If you're a professional who writes client-facing emails, social media content, or important messages daily on your phone, the premium version's advanced grammar checks, tone detection, and clarity score can genuinely improve your communication. However, for casual users who mainly text friends and family, the free version or Gboard's built-in features are probably sufficient. Consider trying the free version first—if you find yourself wishing for more advanced suggestions, then premium might be worth the $144/year investment.

Can I use both Grammarly and Gboard on the same phone?

Yes, absolutely! Both iOS and Android allow you to install multiple keyboards and switch between them easily. Many users (myself included) keep both installed and switch depending on the context. You might use Gboard for quick, casual messages where speed matters, and switch to Grammarly when composing important emails or professional communications. On most phones, you can switch keyboards by tapping the keyboard/globe icon on the keyboard itself. It takes seconds to swap between them.

Which keyboard is better for non-native English speakers?

For non-native English speakers, Grammarly generally has the edge. Its explanations for grammar corrections help you understand why something is wrong, which can improve your English skills over time. The premium version's tone detection also helps ensure your messages come across the way you intend, which is particularly valuable when English isn't your first language. That said, Gboard's real-time translation feature (now supporting 60+ languages in 2026) is incredibly useful if you frequently switch between languages or need to communicate with people who don't speak English. The best choice depends on whether you prioritize learning better English (Grammarly) or seamless multilingual communication (Gboard).

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