The best AI keyboards for iPhone in 2026
Updated · 6 min read
Short answer
The best AI keyboard depends on what you need. Swaytype is best if you text in more than one language: it translates what you write and what you receive, and polishes the tone, in every app. Grammarly is best for grammar and writing help in English. Gboard is a solid free keyboard with Google search. Dedicated translator keyboards like Translator Keyboard and iTranslate only translate.
What an AI keyboard does
An AI keyboard replaces your iPhone keyboard and adds smart tools on top: rewriting, grammar fixes, tone changes or translation, right where you type. They all need Full Access on iPhone to reach the internet, and iOS never lets any of them type in password fields.
We make Swaytype, so we list it first. Here's an honest look at all of them, from their own App Store pages and help docs.
Side by side
| Swaytype | Others | |
|---|---|---|
| Translate what you type | Yes, in every app | Grammarly: in its AI assistant. Gboard: yes, but the iPhone app was last updated in May 2022. SwiftKey: not on iPhone |
| Translate messages you receive | Yes, copy and one tap | Mostly no |
| Fix grammar and tone | Yes, Casual or Pro | Grammarly: yes, tone changes are Premium |
| Free plan | 10 rewrites a day | Gboard and SwiftKey are free. Grammarly has a free plan |
| Paid | $7.99 a month, $39.99 a year (7-day trial), $89.99 lifetime | Grammarly Pro: $30 a month or $144 a year on its website |
Checked on the App Store (US) and official help pages, September 2026. Prices change, so check before you buy.
1. Swaytype: best for texting in more than one language
Type in your language, tap Translate and send it in theirs, in WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram or any app. Copy a message you got and read it in your language above your keys. Improve fixes typos and grammar in a Casual or Pro tone and keeps your voice. The app is in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish and Turkish.
🇧🇷 Typed in Portuguese
mano vc viu o jogo ontem?? q golaço no final kkkk to ate agora sem acreditar, bora assistir o proximo juntos
🇺🇸 Sent in English
bro did you see the game yesterday?? what a beauty of a goal at the end lol I still can't believe it, let's watch the next one together
Real Swaytype output
Price: free with 10 rewrites a day. Pro is $7.99 a month, $39.99 a year with a 7-day free trial, or $89.99 once.
Try it in your next message.
Free to start. 10 rewrites a day, no card needed.
Scan with your iPhone camera2. Grammarly: best for English grammar
Grammarly's keyboard checks grammar and spelling as you type, detects tone and has an AI assistant that can rewrite and translate. Tone changes need Premium. Pro costs $30 a month or $144 a year on grammarly.com, and the App Store lists mobile plans too. If you mostly want a translator that also cleans up your text, see a Grammarly keyboard alternative that translates.
3. Gboard: best free all-rounder
Google's keyboard has glide typing, search and a Google Translate button. It's free. On iPhone, though, the App Store shows the last update in May 2022, so newer features from Android haven't come to iOS. More in Gboard Translate on iPhone.
4. Microsoft SwiftKey: smart predictions, no translation on iPhone
SwiftKey is free and still maintained, with good predictions and swipe typing. Its Microsoft Translator feature is Android only: Microsoft says it isn't supported on SwiftKey for iOS.
5. Translator-only keyboards
- Translator Keyboard (Air Apps): 60+ languages, $69.99 a year.
- iTranslate Keyboard: 100+ languages, $5.99 a month or $49.99 a year.
- TransKey: 100+ languages, 10 free translations a day, then from $3.99 a week.
They translate what you type, but they don't fix tone or grammar, and most don't read your replies for you.
