Emoji Keyboard 2018: Top Features You Need to Know

Best Emoji Keyboard 2018 Apps — Quick Guide & ReviewsSmartphone keyboards in 2018 went far beyond simple typing: they became hubs for expression, offering rich emoji sets, GIFs, stickers, themes, swipe typing, and integrated search. If you wanted to spice up your messages in 2018, choosing the right emoji keyboard made a big difference. This guide reviews the best emoji keyboard apps of 2018, explains what features to look for, and gives recommendations based on device, privacy, and user needs.

What made an emoji keyboard great in 2018?

By 2018, several capabilities separated the excellent keyboards from the mediocre:

• Extensive emoji and sticker libraries — More emoji, frequently updated collections, and regional/skin-tone support.
• GIF and sticker integration — Easy searching and inserting of animated content.
• Customization — Themes, fonts, key layouts, and size adjustments.
• Typing enhancements — Swipe/gesture typing, smart predictions, autocorrect, and multilingual support.
• Speed and low resource usage — Fast input, small footprint, and minimal battery drain.
• Privacy controls — Local-only learning and clear permission policies.
• Compatibility — Support across Android and iOS and with popular messaging apps.

Top emoji keyboard apps of 2018 — reviews

Below are the leading emoji keyboard apps that stood out in 2018, with concise reviews and who they were best for.

1. Gboard (Google Keyboard)

• Overview: Google’s keyboard combined a clean layout with tight integration of emoji, GIFs, and search.
• Highlights: Emoji suggestions while typing, integrated Google Search (including GIF search), multilingual typing, glide typing, voice typing.
• Pros: Fast, accurate predictions, regular updates, minimal permissions.
• Cons: Google services integration raised privacy concerns for a few users.
• Best for: Users wanting an all-in-one keyboard with strong search and Google ecosystem features.

1. SwiftKey

• Overview: Microsoft’s SwiftKey emphasized prediction and personalization, learning from your typing style to suggest emoji and words.
• Highlights: Excellent emoji prediction, themes, swipe typing, cloud backup for personalization, multilingual support.
• Pros: Highly accurate predictions, adaptive learning, large theme store.
• Cons: Some users found initial setup and permissions invasive.
• Best for: Heavy texters who value predictive accuracy and personalization.

1. Fleksy

• Overview: Fleksy focused on speed and extensions—letting users add GIFs, stickers, and shortcuts while keeping typing fast.
• Highlights: Rich extension ecosystem (GIFs, emoji, web search), customizable themes, gestures for editing.
• Pros: Very fast typing, unique gestures, strong customization.
• Cons: Smaller user base; some extensions were paid.
• Best for: Power users who like gesture controls and customization.

1. Go Keyboard (and Go Keyboard — Emoji)

• Overview: Popular in 2018 for abundant themes and emoji packs, though it drew criticism over ads and permissions.
• Highlights: Massive theme and emoji/sticker libraries, font options, emoji prediction.
• Pros: Huge visual customization library.
• Cons: Intrusive ads, heavier app size, privacy questions reported by some users.
• Best for: Users prioritizing visual customization over minimalism.

1. Kika Keyboard

• Overview: Kika offered a large collection of emojis, stickers, and animated emoticons alongside themes and fonts.
• Highlights: Regularly updated emoji/sticker packs, chat wallpapers, emoji prediction.
• Pros: Broad sticker/emoji variety, playful themes.
• Cons: Ads and in-app purchases; occasional performance issues on older devices.
• Best for: Users who want a playful keyboard with a wide sticker selection.

1. TouchPal

• Overview: TouchPal combined emoji prediction, a large sticker library, and AI-driven suggestions.
• Highlights: Smart emoji suggestion, clipboard manager, themes, and mini-apps.
• Pros: Helpful AI suggestions and built-in tools.
• Cons: Mixed reviews on privacy and ad frequency.
• Best for: Users looking for extras like clipboard and mini-app features.

Comparison table

Privacy considerations (2018 context)

• Many keyboard apps request full access or broad permissions to provide features like cloud backup and GIF search. Full access can allow keyboards to read what you type, including sensitive data.
• If privacy is a concern, prefer keyboards that process suggestions locally (Gboard and SwiftKey offer modes that limit cloud sync) and check app permissions. Remove or avoid keyboards that demand unnecessary permissions or show intrusive ads.

How to choose the right keyboard for you

• If you want reliability and frequent updates: Gboard or SwiftKey.
• If you want customization and themes: Fleksy, Go Keyboard, or Kika.
• If you prioritize speed and gestures: Fleksy.
• If you want maximal sticker/emoji variety: Kika or Go Keyboard.
• If you’re privacy-conscious: look for local-only learning and minimal permissions; Gboard and SwiftKey offered better-balanced privacy controls in 2018.

Tips to get the most from an emoji keyboard

• Enable emoji prediction—many keyboards suggest emoji based on typed words.
• Install sticker packs you actually use; remove bulky packs to save space.
• Use theme and size settings to make keys easier to tap.
• Limit cloud backups if you type sensitive information.
• Keep the app updated for new emoji and security fixes.

Final thoughts

In 2018 the emoji keyboard landscape balanced expression and utility. Gboard and SwiftKey led for overall performance and smart suggestions; Fleksy appealed to customization and speed enthusiasts; Go Keyboard and Kika targeted users who wanted maximal visual flair. Your ideal pick depended on whether you prioritized privacy, prediction accuracy, or creative sticker options.