Gboard is Google’s official keyboard app and a popular choice for many Android smartphone users. It’s often preinstalled on out-of-the-box devices.
Grammarly is a well-known grammar checking app that checks your writing for errors (and suggests corrections). It also doubles as an assistant to help you write better.
Both apps have their own unique features that make them attractive to mobile writers. Which one is right for you?
What is Gboard?
Google’s Gboard is a multi-purpose keyboard that offers a wide range of features that make typing easier on smaller screens. It features an on-keyboard Google Search feature, text and emoji suggestions, and supports around 85 languages.
It also has an extensive collection of unique stickers and GIFs that you can choose from. It also comes with an in-app translation tool that can help you understand unfamiliar words.
If you have a smartphone with an unlocked screen, you can use Gboard’s Handwriting Mode to type by simply scribbling on the screen with your finger or a stylus. You can also customize your keyboard’s visual theme and adjust settings like text correction, glide typing, emoji suggestions, and the dictionary. Gboard also has a built-in clipboard that will keep copied texts for up to an hour before automatically clearing them. It will need to be enabled in the keyboard’s settings though.
What is Grammarly?
Grammarly is a grammar checker that helps you correct mistakes and improve your writing. It can be used as a browser extension or a standalone app that works across most platforms and devices.
Unlike a traditional spelling and grammar checker, Grammarly goes one step further by offering suggestions for improvement and context-based corrections. It will also point out your overused words and suggest more appropriate alternatives.
The app is free to download and use, although it does have a premium version that adds more advanced features. It also has a Business edition that is designed for companies with multiple users.
Unlike Gboard, which can be used on most iOS devices, Grammarly requires a compatible device with iOS 11.2 or later and an internet connection to function properly. It is available as a standalone app and also as a browser extension for Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. The app and browser extension both offer real-time spelling and grammar checks and can be customized to your personal preferences.
Which Keyboard is Better?
Grammarly Keyboard is an excellent tool that can help you avoid grammatical errors while typing on your smartphone. It can also identify common spelling mistakes and recommend corrections. However, there are some limitations to the app.
For example, Grammarly Keyboard does not have a clipboard manager and only saves copied text for up to one hour before it gets deleted automatically. Gboard, on the other hand, has a dedicated clipboard manager that lets you pin copied text for longer.
Moreover, Gboard has more unique features than Grammarly. It has a larger collection of emojis, multiple themes, a floating keyboard mode and an Integrated Search feature.
On the other hand, Grammarly has a better tone detection function and can identify more grammatical errors than Gboard. It is also available on a wider range of Android and iOS devices than Gboard. The app is free to download, install and use. However, it does require internet connection to function.
Which Keyboard is Right for You?
The popular Grammarly app has made its way to Android and iOS phones as a keyboard app. It has a lot of the same features as Gboard and you can easily switch between the two depending on your writing needs. However, the advanced spell-checking and word-correction function is what sets Grammarly apart from Gboard.
For this reason, it may be better suited for those who are often required to communicate professionally on their mobile devices. It can also help improve student writing and even detect plagiarism.
The only downside to Grammarly is that it only supports English – at least for the time being. This includes American, British, and Australian English. In addition, it doesn’t include a clipboard manager like Gboard does. However, this is still a useful tool to have for your mobile device. It will just take some getting used to. In any case, the best option is to try both and see which one works for you.