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Best Typing Apps for Students (and Adults)

Best Typing Apps for Students (and Adults)

While it can be intimidating to look at the jumbled alphabet on a QWERTY keyboard, there are plenty of typing apps available in the market to help students and adults to practice and learn to type. 

Typing has become the most essential computer skill and is now required by the Common Core Standards. In 2023, correct touch typing (keyboarding) is the most important technical skill for students to learn. More importantly, students who can’t type properly are severely disadvantaged in computer-based testing because their poor typing slows them down, wasting valuable test time. Many adults take touch-typing classes to prepare for a broader range of job opportunities.

While typing may be faster and more convenient, there are other advantages to students, teachers, and adults. Students with good keyboarding skills can meet and exceed the Common Core Standards. Students with fast and accurate typing will do better in computer-based tests, making doing assignments and dissertations easier. Learning how to type fast is beneficial in general life and work, which will save time and help to be more productive.

Here's our pick of the best typing apps to improve your typing skills on iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

Typesy - Typing Tutor

1. Typesy - Typing Tutor

Typesy is an interactive application that enables you to improve your typing speed and accuracy using a plethora of fun activities, games, and courses.

typesy-wide

Features:

  • Customized word lists, flash cards, videos, and webinars for learning new skills.
  • Integration with learning management systems like Schoology and Google Classroom.
  • Various activities including typing tests and vocabulary list creation.
  • Games focusing on accuracy, speed, and fun, with a mix of quality.
  • Progress tracking through a dashboard displaying typing progress and problem areas.

It includes an evidence-based curriculum that leverages the science of muscle memory, game mechanics, and psychology. It includes step-by-step video teaching, effective exercises, and fun games.

This typing app will save you time and is free from in-app adverts and has a one-off payment for both home and office. Educational institutions and businesses may benefit from generous discounts when the software is used on a larger scale. Typesy gives teachers complete visibility and easy control. Schools can add students and set up entire classes in just minutes. You can easily monitor the progress of students and customize lessons using this typing tutorial tool.

Once the ‘courses’ option has been selected the user is shown an array of options. These include Beginner, Build Accuracy, Build Speed, Power Speed and Accuracy, Mega Speed and Accuracy, Fast Dictation Typing, Master the keypad, Quick revision, and Bonus Lessons. The Beginners course focuses on sub-topics that include; The keyboard Top Row, Bottom Row, Shift Keys, Punctuation, Numbers, and symbols.

This is probably one of the best app to improve your typing skills. This typing software is incredibly easy to use and navigate and the content is truly vast.

Pros:

  • Effective teaching through repetition, covering basics to advanced skills.
  • User-friendly interface with minimal updates and no lags.
  • Initial skill assessment tests to tailor learning paths.
  • Neurologically patterned exercises for enjoyable and effective learning.
  • Improves typing skills significantly, aiding in career development.

Cons:

  • Repetitive games with outdated graphics and unclear instructions.
  • Limited accessibility features, particularly for visually impaired students.
  • Content retention may be challenging due to multitasking nature of activities.
  • Lack of pricing transparency and limited customization options.
  • Some site issues with tracking lesson completion and slow-paced activities.

Animal Typing

2.

( Android, iPhone, iPad )

Animal Typing is a simple and funny way to learn touch typing for all ages. In Animal Typing, the animal you get depends on your typing skills. The faster you type, the faster is your animal (snail, rabbit, horse, etc.). This app offers a simple and fun way for kids to learn touch typing.

Features:

  • Fun, animal-themed touch typing game for children.
  • Available on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows platforms.
  • Supports different keyboard layouts (DVORAK, AZERTY) and multiple languages.
  • Lessons for different age groups, including numeric row and special symbols.
  • Appropriate for all ages, with separate lessons for children and older students.

Pros:

  • Effectively teaches touch typing skills in a child-friendly way.
  • Visual guidance on finger placement and key usage.
  • Multiple user profiles for individual progress tracking on the same device.
  • Engaging game-like experience that appeals to children.
  • Lite version available for trial with in-app purchase options.

Cons:

  • Requires physical keyboard for optimal use, limiting portability.
  • On-screen keyboard use is not ideal for learning touch typing.
  • Website lacks additional resources and support materials.
  • App is relatively expensive compared to other educational apps.
  • Hardware requirements may be a barrier for some users.


Keyboard Fun

3.

( iPhone, iPad )

Keyboard Fun is a very practical and simple app that introduces children to letters, to associate the letters with words and to locate the letters in a keyboard.  The app has been created by an Occupational Therapist to help children with physical or learning disabilities. This is a good app to incorporate into a child’s portfolio of apps as it specifically considers teaching how to type faster and the location of letters on a keyboard as well as teaching the alphabet. 

Features:

  • Designed by an Occupational Therapist for children with disabilities.
  • Focuses on identifying keyboard keys and learning to type and spell.
  • Interactive learning through matching keys to pictures with audio-visual rewards.
  • Compatible with IPAD on-screen keyboard and standard or BigKeys© keyboards.
  • Customizable display of letters, either in order or at random.

Pros:

  • Specifically tailored for children with physical or learning disabilities.
  • Encourages learning of key placement on the keyboard.
  • Engaging and rewarding for children with sight and sound features.
  • Flexible settings to adjust difficulty and presentation of letters.
  • Supports use with different types of keyboards, enhancing accessibility.

Cons:

  • Does not provide a virtual keyboard with lower case letters.
  • Relies on the standard virtual iPad keyboard which may not be ideal for learning.
  • Limited in advancing reading skills as it focuses more on keyboard familiarity.
  • May not meet expectations for users looking for comprehensive typing tutors.
  • Potential mismatch between the app’s design and user needs for lower case letter learning.


Typing Fingers

4.

( Android, iPhone, iPad )

Typing fingers is a great app attempting to get children to learn and develop the skill of keyboarding at an early age, an essential digital skill, that is sadly overlooked in many an educational system. The gamification of this particular app is another good example of how enhancing a basic skill can be developed by the motivation to win, gain prizes and get to the next level!

Features:

  • Interactive typing learning experience with fun animated characters.
  • Background music to enhance the learning atmosphere.
  • Color-coded fingers matching the virtual keyboard for better learning.
  • 32 levels with two parts each: hand positioning and key memory with speed.
  • Game mode for practicing letter, number, and symbol identification.

Pros:

  • User-friendly and highly interactive interface, suitable for beginners.
  • Competitive aspect encourages self-improvement in typing.
  • Visual aids and animations make learning engaging and memorable.
  • Suitable for teaching children and adults new to computers.
  • Effective for both learning to type correctly and improving typing speed.

Cons:

  • Tutor's accent in the program may be confusing for younger children.
  • Lacks advanced levels for experienced typists.
  • Some technical issues with key recognition and software glitches.
  • Limited language options, focusing only on American English.
  • Inconsistent saving of progress, requiring levels to be replayed.

Typing Master

5. Typing Master

( Web )

Typing Master is a touch typing course that adapts to your unique needs. It provides over 10 hours of customized exercises to guide you step by step to professional keyboarding. As a result, your typing speed is likely to double - or even triple - and you will save hours and hours of valuable working time.

Each lesson introduces a couple of new keys and provides step-by-step drills from key drills to fluent typing. Play their fun typing games to see how far your typing skills will take you. The color-coded on-screen keyboard helps you to quickly learn the key placements and supports QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, India, etc.

Features:

  • Over 10 hours of customized exercises for professional keyboarding.
  • Color-coded on-screen keyboard supporting multiple layouts and languages.
  • Real-time analysis widget in Typing Master for Windows.
  • Typing Magic for a quick boost in typing skills.
  • Typing Review to identify and focus on problematic keys.

Pros:

  • Adapts to individual needs, doubling or tripling typing speed.
  • Personalized lesson plans based on user's performance.
  • Interactive exercises and typing games for an enjoyable learning experience.
  • Detailed progress tracking and instant feedback.
  • Effective for both beginners and those looking to refine their skills.

Cons:

  • Some users find the interface and design unappealing.
  • Repetitive practice on the same words, limiting learning diversity.
  • Issues with software functionality and customer support.
  • Lack of save system and inconsistency in progress tracking.
  • Software may not be considered value for money by some users.

Typing.com

6.

( Web )

Typing.com is by far the best free resource out there for typing software. This typing website has a wonderful range of free games that are perfect for adults and kids. Typing.com is a one-stop solution for those who want to learn typing while gaming and provides multilingual content and instruction.

Features:

  • Free typing platform suitable for K-12 learners and beyond.
  • Diverse typing courses with engaging activities and lessons.
  • Customizable themes, games, and typing environments.
  • Additional courses on computer use, online safety, and coding basics.
  • Teacher portal with advanced features for student guidance and monitoring.

Pros:

  • Real-time progress tracking and performance data for students.
  • Interactive teaching methods with games and choose-your-own-adventure stories.
  • Supports various languages and keyboard layouts including Dvorak and 10-key.
  • Engaging and motivational tools for students, including badges and avatars.
  • Powerful dashboard for teachers to manage classes and customize learning experiences.

Cons:

  • Advertisements in the free version can be distracting.
  • Lack of direct lesson assignment feature in the teacher dashboard.
  • Individual lessons cannot be assigned, only whole units.
  • Interface and user experience improvements needed for smoother navigation.
  • Some users may find the premium plan costs a barrier.

Learn Typing

7.

( Android )

Learn Typing is an online free typing tutor. Our free typing lessons have been prepared for people of all ages, experiences and abilities to learn to type.

Features:

  • Free online typing tutor accessible to people of all ages and skill levels.
  • Offers both beginner and advanced typing lessons.
  • Includes timed typing tests and keyboard shortcuts.
  • Structured learning format for self-guided progress.

Pros:

  • Flexible learning with lessons tailored to different skill levels.
  • Encourages consistent practice for skill improvement.
  • Focuses on building a strong foundation in typing skills.
  • Emphasizes the importance of rhythm and relaxation while typing.
  • Provides practical tips and guidance for effective typing practice.

Cons:

  • Requires self-discipline and motivation as it is a self-guided learning tool.
  • May not provide immediate feedback or interactive elements like other typing tutors.
  • Limited in terms of personalised tracking and analytics for progress monitoring.
  • Possibly lacks engaging or gamified elements to maintain interest.
  • Dependent on user's commitment to consistently practice and follow the programme.

KeyBlaze Typing Tutor

8. KeyBlaze Typing Tutor

( iPhone, iPad )

Keyblaze is one of the best typing tutor software available today for anyone to quickly learn speed typing, 10-key and touch typing. KeyBlaze is free to download and best typing software for adults.

Features:

  • Free download with options for 10 key teaching.
  • Typing games and practical exercises included.
  • Compatible with most operating systems, requires download and installation.
  • Basic package with core lessons and activities for free.
  • Paid versions available for home and commercial use with more features.

Pros:

  • Improves typing speed and accuracy effectively.
  • Easy to navigate software, despite dated design.
  • Includes sections focusing on 10 key numbers on keyboards.
  • Well-priced versions for different user needs.
  • Option to add other software to the purchase for a comprehensive bundle.

Cons:

  • Limited customer support with no live chat function.
  • Dated interface design, likened to working in DOS.
  • Software download required, lacking an online platform.
  • Basic package may not include higher quality games and resources.
  • Interface may not be kid-friendly or suitable for a school learning environment.

Keybr

9.

( Web )

Keybr.com is a free online typing tutorial, to give you the most advanced learning experience and let you develop your typing skills faster. The tool helps you to improve typing speed and accuracy dramatically.

Features:

  • Light-screen and dark-screen modes for user comfort.
  • Tracks words per minute, errors, and progress during typing practice.
  • Full-screen mode for focused learning.
  • Anonymous use available.
  • Leaderboard and multiplayer mode for competitive learning.
  • Supports four different keyboard layouts.
  • Available as a Chrome extension for easy access.

Pros:

  • Keybr helps in learning touch typing and improving proficiency.
  • User-friendly interface with no input delay.
  • Immediate practice session availability upon site loading.
  • Clear and uncluttered home screen enhances user experience.
  • Free to use without ads or membership fees.

Cons:

  • Uses random letter combinations instead of real words, causing confusion.
  • Lacks a clear roadmap or indication of lesson progression.
  • Less engaging and fun compared to other game-style typing tutors.

TypingClub

10.

( Web )

TypingClub provides you with an interactive experience with a full range of experiences from games, videos and different typing challenges that make learning fun. TypingClub is the most accessible typing program available. TypingClub is a Google for Education Partner. 

Features:

  • Web-based typing tool with over 600 lessons, including numbers and punctuation.
  • Supports multiple languages and keyboard layouts like QWERTY and DVORAK.
  • Special features include one-handed typing lessons and customisable font sizes.
  • Virtual keyboard, hand guides, badges, stars, games, and videos for an engaging experience.
  • Available for free for individuals and schools, with a Pro version offering additional features.

Pros:

  • Interactive learning experience with games, videos, and challenges.
  • Effective for students of different ages and skill levels.
  • Teachers can manage classes, monitor progress, and customise lessons.
  • Offers a practice calendar and punchcard to track practice time and activity.
  • Option for younger kids to learn about alphabet and simple sentences.

Cons:

  • Introduction videos and lessons may be obstructed by ads in the free version.
  • Lack of direct supervision might allow students to cheat by looking at the keyboard.
  • Advertisements in the free version can be distracting, especially for younger users.
  • Initial setup may be hindered by ad interference.
  • Free version includes targeted ads, which may not be suitable for all users.

SwiftKey is one of the few apps to take full advantage of Android by changing something as fundamental as the keyboard and looks great doing it. With its smart design, powerful engine, and an array of options, SwiftKey seems as perfect a mobile keyboard as there can be.

Here's how the above typing apps will help the users learn touch typing skills and achieve both higher accuracy and speed. We recommend starting with the lowest level of any typing app, even if you have some typing experience. Not only do these typing apps games help to build and improve your typing skills, but hey also can be a lot of fun to play.

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