CleverType vs Gboard vs Samsung: Best AI Keyboard?

Wonderin' which keyboard app should be your go-to typing companion? I've spent countless hours testing the top AI keyboards on the market, and lemme tell ya, there's a clear winner for different needs. In this comparison of CleverType, Gboard, and Samsung Keyboard, we'll look at everything from AI capabilities to customization options to help you find your perfect match.

How AI Is Transforming Mobile Keyboards

Remember when keyboards were just... keyboards? Just buttons you pressed to make letters appear? Those days are long gone! AI has completely changed what we expect from our mobile typing experience. But what exactly makes a keyboard "smart" in 2025?

AI keyboards use machine learning to understand your writing style, predict what you'll type next, fix your grammar mistakes, and even help craft better messages. The question isn't whether to use an AI keyboard anymore—it's which one delivers the best experience for your specific needs.

Some key AI features to look for include:

• Predictive text that learns your vocabulary
• Grammar correction that catches errors as you type
• Tone adjustment to match different situations
• Custom assistants for specific writing tasks
• Voice-to-text capabilities with high accuracy

Let's dive into how CleverType, Gboard, and Samsung Keyboard stack up in these areas.

CleverType: The AI-First Keyboard

CleverType has positioned itself as the most AI-focused keyboard on the market. Unlike Gboard and Samsung Keyboard, which added AI features to existing products, CleverType was built from the ground up with artificial intelligence at its core.

Key Features of CleverType

CleverType shines brightest with its comprehensive suite of AI writing tools:

• Grammar Correction: Catches errors in real-time, similar to having Grammarly built directly into your keyboard
• Tone Adjustment: Can transform casual messages into professional ones (and vice versa)
• Custom AI Assistants: Create personalized writing helpers for specific tasks
• GPT-4o Transcribe: Industry-leading voice-to-text accuracy
• Multilingual Support: Works across 40+ languages with real-time translation

What makes CleverType stand out is how these features work together seamlessly. For example, you can dictate a message using voice, have the AI correct any grammar issues, adjust the tone to be more professional, and send it—all without switching apps.

One user told me, "I used to struggle with emails on my phone. Now I just speak naturally and CleverType handles the formatting and professional tone."

Limitations of CleverType

It ain't all perfect though. CleverType has a few drawbacks:

• Learning Curve: The wealth of features means it takes time to master everything
• Subscription Model: Most advanced features require a paid subscription
• Newer Platform: Doesn't have the years of refinement that Gboard has

Gboard: Google's Reliable Workhorse

Gboard has been Google's keyboard solution for years, and it's evolved significantly with AI enhancements.

Key Features of Gboard

Gboard's strengths come from Google's massive data and integration capabilities:

• Predictive Text: Excellent next-word prediction based on your typing patterns
• Google Search Integration: Search directly from the keyboard
• Glide Typing: Smooth swipe-to-type functionality
• Voice Typing: Good but not great voice recognition
• Translation: Built-in Google Translate functionality

Gboard excels at the basics and integrates well with other Google services. If you're deep in the Google ecosystem, it offers convenient features like searching for information without leaving your current app.

Limitations of Gboard

Where Gboard falls short:

• Limited AI Writing: No advanced grammar correction or tone adjustment
• Privacy Concerns: Google's data collection practices may concern some users
• No Custom Assistants: Can't create specialized writing helpers for different contexts

A friend who works in marketing complained, "Gboard is fine for casual texting, but when I need to write professional content on my phone, it doesn't offer much help beyond basic spelling."

Samsung Keyboard: The Built-in Contender

For Samsung device owners, the default Samsung Keyboard has been steadily improving its AI capabilities.

Key Features of Samsung Keyboard

Samsung's keyboard comes with several noteworthy features:

• Writing Assist: Grammar and style suggestions (similar to basic grammar checking)
• Predictive Text: Solid next-word prediction
• Swipe Typing: Smooth gesture typing experience
• Customization: Good theme and layout options
• Clipboard Management: Helpful clipboard history

Samsung has made significant strides with its Writing Assist feature, which provides basic grammar and style suggestions. For casual users, this might be sufficient.

Limitations of Samsung Keyboard

The Samsung Keyboard has several limitations:

• Potential Subscription Model: Reports suggest Writing Assist may become a paid feature
• Device Limitation: Only available on Samsung devices
• Less Advanced AI: Features aren't as sophisticated as dedicated AI keyboards
• Limited Custom Options: Fewer personalization options for AI features

A Samsung user I interviewed mentioned, "I like that Writing Assist is built-in, but I'm worried about rumors that they'll start charging for it soon."

Feature Comparison: CleverType vs Gboard vs Samsung

Let's break down how these keyboards compare across key features:

Performance and Speed: Which Keyboard Is Fastest?

When it comes to performance, the differences are noticeable but not dramatic. In my testing:

• Gboard feels the most responsive for basic typing, likely due to years of optimization
• CleverType has a slight delay when activating AI features, but regular typing is smooth
• Samsung Keyboard performs well on Samsung devices (as expected) but can feel sluggish when Writing Assist is active

For pure typing speed, Gboard might edge out the competition by a hair. However, when considering the time saved by CleverType's advanced features (not having to go back and edit messages), CleverType actually helps you communicate faster overall.

A software developer I spoke with noted, "I type faster with Gboard, but I spend less total time on messages with CleverType because it fixes my mistakes and helps with wording."

Privacy and Data Security

Privacy is a huge concern when it comes to keyboards—they literally see everything you type. Here's how these keyboards handle your data:

CleverType Privacy Approach

CleverType has made privacy a central focus:

• Processing happens on-device when possible
• Clear opt-in for cloud-based features
• Doesn't store full message content
• Transparent privacy policy

Gboard Privacy Concerns

Gboard's privacy situation is more complicated:

• Collects data to improve services
• Connected to your Google account
• Can save your typing data
• Options to disable some data collection

Samsung Keyboard Privacy

Samsung's approach falls somewhere in the middle:

• Less data collection than Google
• Some features require Samsung account
• Writing Assist sends data to Samsung servers
• Limited transparency about data usage

If privacy is your top concern, CleverType offers the strongest protections among these three options.

Customization and Personalization

The ability to make your keyboard work exactly how you want is important for many users.

CleverType Customization

CleverType offers extensive personalization:

• Create custom AI assistants for different writing contexts
• Adjust AI aggressiveness (how much it changes your text)
• Personalize themes and layouts
• Set up shortcuts for frequently used phrases
• Create custom writing tones

Gboard Customization

Gboard provides decent customization:

• Theme options and keyboard height
• Personal dictionary
• Text shortcuts
• Limited layout adjustments
• No AI customization

Samsung Keyboard Customization

Samsung offers good visual customization:

• Themes and layouts
• Size adjustments
• Custom text shortcuts
• Limited Writing Assist preferences
• Mode switching (standard, one-handed, etc.)

For users who want to tailor their AI typing experience, CleverType provides significantly more options than either Gboard or Samsung.

Specialized Use Cases: Which Keyboard Excels?

Different users have different needs. Let's look at how these keyboards perform for specific groups:

For Business Professionals

Business users need professional communication on the go. CleverType's business features make it the clear winner:

• Professional tone adjustment
• Grammar correction for formal writing
• Custom assistants for different business contexts
• Time-saving features for quick responses

For Students

Students benefit from writing help and research capabilities:

• CleverType: Best for essay writing and grammar help
• Gboard: Good for quick research via Google integration
• Samsung: Basic writing assistance but limited academic features

For Non-Native English Speakers

Those writing in a second language have unique needs:

• CleverType: Superior grammar correction and tone help
• Gboard: Good translation but limited writing assistance
• Samsung: Basic help but not specialized for language learners

For Creative Writers

Creative types need flexibility and inspiration:

• CleverType: Can help overcome writer's block and refine ideas
• Gboard: Limited creative assistance
• Samsung: Few features specifically for creative writing

The Verdict: Which AI Keyboard Is Best?

After extensive testing and user interviews, here's my verdict on which keyboard is best for different users:

How to Choose the Right AI Keyboard for You

Still not sure which keyboard is right for you? Ask yourself these questions:

1. What's your primary use case? Professional writing, casual texting, creative work?
2. How important is privacy to you? Are you comfortable with Google seeing what you type?
3. Do you need advanced writing assistance? Or is basic prediction enough?
4. Are you willing to pay for premium features? Or do you need everything to be free?
5. Which ecosystem are you already invested in? Google, Samsung, or neither?

Your answers will guide you toward the right choice. For most users seeking genuine AI assistance with writing, CleverType offers the most comprehensive solution.

Setting Up Your New AI Keyboard

Once you've made your choice, setting up your new keyboard is straightforward:

Installing CleverType

1. Download CleverType from the App Store or Google Play
2. Follow the setup wizard to enable the keyboard
3. Grant necessary permissions
4. Customize your settings and AI preferences
5. Consider the premium subscription for all features

Installing Gboard

1. Download Gboard from the App Store or Google Play
2. Enable it in your device's keyboard settings
3. Sign in with your Google account (optional)
4. Adjust theme and settings as desired

Enabling Samsung Keyboard

1. Already installed on Samsung devices
2. Ensure it's set as your default keyboard
3. Enable Writing Assist in keyboard settings
4. Customize appearance and functionality

Future of AI Keyboards: What's Coming Next?

The AI keyboard space is evolving rapidly. Here are some trends to watch:

1. Multimodal Communication: Keyboards that handle text, voice, and images seamlessly
2. Deeper Personalization: AI that adapts even more precisely to your writing style
3. Context Awareness: Keyboards that understand the situation and adjust accordingly
4. Enhanced Privacy: More on-device processing to protect sensitive data
5. Specialized Assistants: More tailored AI helpers for specific professions

CleverType appears to be leading in most of these trends, with features like custom AI assistants already available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CleverType better than Gboard for everyday typing?

For basic typing, both are excellent, but CleverType offers significantly better AI writing assistance. If you want a keyboard that actively improves your writing, CleverType is superior. For simple predictive text, either will work well.

Does Samsung's Writing Assist really compare to CleverType's AI features?

Samsung's Writing Assist offers basic grammar and style suggestions, but it's not as comprehensive as CleverType's AI capabilities. CleverType provides more advanced grammar correction, tone adjustment, and custom assistants that Samsung doesn't match.

Are AI keyboards safe to use with sensitive information?

It depends on the keyboard. CleverType emphasizes privacy and data security, while Gboard collects more data. Always review the privacy policy of any keyboard before using it for sensitive information, and consider disabling cloud features when typing passwords or confidential data.

Can I use CleverType on both iOS and Android?

Yes, CleverType is available for both iOS and Android devices, offering consistent features across platforms. This makes it a good choice if you use multiple devices with different operating systems.

Will Samsung really start charging for Writing Assist?

There are reports suggesting Samsung may move Writing Assist to a subscription model in the future. Nothing is confirmed, but it's something Samsung users should be aware of when making long-term keyboard choices.

Which keyboard has the best voice typing?

CleverType's GPT-4o Transcribe feature offers the most accurate voice typing among these three keyboards. Gboard's voice typing is good but less accurate with complex speech, while Samsung's voice typing performs adequately but falls behind the others in accuracy.

Can I use these keyboards in languages other than English?

Yes, all three keyboards support multiple languages. Gboard supports the most languages overall, but CleverType offers more advanced AI features across its supported languages. Samsung Keyboard's language support varies by region.