BiBi Keyboard

BiBi Keyboard is a niche tool done right. If you're an Android user who types by voice often and cares about where your audio data goes, it's hard to beat. The ability to pick from 10+ ASR engines—including local ones—means you can avoid the cloud entirely. We'd reach for this when privacy is paramount or when you need offline voice recognition that actually works. The floating ball feature is thoughtful: it lets you voice-input in any app without ditching your preferred keyboard layout. That said, it's not for everyone. The initial setup—configuring API keys, granting permissions—requires patience. iOS users are out of luck. And if you want a full virtual keyboard with swipe typing, this isn't that; it's a voice-input companion, not a keyboard replacement. Compared to Gboard's voice typing, BiBi Keyboard offers more engine options and true offline capability, but Gboard is simpler and more integrated. The recent Pro version ($4.49) adds useful extras like traditional Chinese and WebDAV backup, but the free version already covers most needs. The SiliconFlow partnership means new users get a pre-configured option, lowering the barrier. In practice, the offline models (SenseVoice, Paraformer) work well, but they need initial download (~50MB without models). The app is open-source and actively maintained—GitHub issues get responses. Caveat: the external Fcitx integration is powerful but fiddly; it requires a modified keyboard and background permissions. For the privacy-focused power user, BiBi Keyboard is a gem. For casual users, the setup may be too much.