Virtual keyboards allow users to interact with a screen when not incorporating a physical keyboard. Although this function is the only way to interact with mobile devices and tablets, it is not exclusive, since it is also available on Windows, and not only on devices that include a touch screen. If you want to know which are the best virtual keyboards for Windows, then we will show you the best options currently available, both for Windows 10 and Windows 11.
A virtual keyboard can get us out of trouble when one of the keys on our computer has stopped working, if we want to use the mouse to enter numbers on the screen or if we simply want to do without the keyboard of our computer without it incorporating a touch screen, although it is not the best method to write long texts.
Microsoft native keyboard
Although many users are unaware of it, by offering a touch interface, both Windows 10 and Windows 11 natively incorporate a virtual keyboard , a keyboard created by Microsoft that allows us to interact with the screen just like a physical keyboard, with the exception that not offer a haptic response that allows us to identify the keystroke.
Despite being the native Windows keyboard, the layout leaves a lot to be desired. On the right side of the keyboard are the keys for Home, End, Page Up and Page Down, Print Screen and so on, leaving no room for the numeric keypad. In this section, there is also a button that allows us to dim the color of the keyboard so that it appears semi-transparent on the screen.
We can activate this keyboard through the Windows accessibility options or by pressing the key combination Win+Ctrl + or . With the same keyboard shortcut it is shown and hidden on the screen.
The good
The best thing about this application is that it is available natively in both Windows 10 and Windows 11. In addition, it shows the keyboard in the same language that we have configured the keyboard of our computer, so we will not have to go changing the language.
The bad
The design of the application is quite poor, with the text of the keys in different sizes. In addition, it does not include a numeric keyboard, forcing us to use the upper line of the keyboard.
Comfort On-Screen Keyboard Pro
Comfort On-Screen Keyboard is presented as a keyboard designed for ultraportables, touch screen tablets, the Microsoft Surface range and to be used simply with the help of a mouse. Unlike other applications, Comfort On-Screen Keyboard allows us to customize the appearance and behavior of the on-screen keyboard, as well as the position, the number of keys, the colors as well as the layout.
Although all the keyboards that we compile in this article are ideal for people with vision problems, this one stands out especially above the rest due to the large number of functions that it incorporates, thanks to the different color combinations that it offers us. It is compatible with a large number of languages and also allows us to create keyboards only with icons, ideal for users who usually express themselves with these symbols.
Comfort On-Screen Keyboard Pro is priced at 28.95 euros and is available through its website. It is compatible from Windows XP onwards and from Windows Server 2003 onwards. We can download a free version of the application from the following link .
We like
Comfort On-Screen Keyboard Pro stands out especially for the large number of customization options that it makes available to us, options that allow us to modify any aspect of the keyboard. In addition, it is compatible from Windows XP onwards, so we can use it on old computers without problems.
We do not like it
The only negative point that we have found in this application is that it is not free, but if we do not mind paying for a virtual keyboard, it is an excellent option to take into account.
Touch-It Virtual Keyboard
Touch-It Virtual Keyboard is another paid option that allows us to enjoy an on-screen virtual keyboard with a fairly simple design that meets most user needs. Within the customization options, the application allows us to change the font of the letters, ideal for people with vision problems, as well as the background colors.
The keyboard can be displayed in a floating window (ideal for working with applications remotely) or full screen. It is only displayed when text input is necessary, it is compatible with several monitors, it is compatible with a large number of languages, languages that we can select from the keyboard itself, it allows us to create specific themes for each language, it allows us to execute several commands by pressing a key and many more. This application is priced at 19.95 Swiss francs, about 20 euros to change. Touch-It Virtual Keyboard is available for download in a free version through its website by clicking on the following link .
Advantage
This keyboard is compatible with Windows XP onwards and Windows Server from version 2008. It allows us to try a trial version for free to see if it suits what we are looking for.
Drawbacks
The main and practically only negative point of Touch-It Virtual Keyboard is that it is not free, something very important in this type of keyboard considering the wide variety available on the market.
On Screen Keyboard
With this very descriptive name, we find a complete keyboard that includes a numeric block and all the function keys, including the arrow keys, the numeric lock, print screen, the Windows keys, Esc… Come on, the developer has based on a complete physical keyboard to recreate it in the form of an application.
If our computer has a touch screen, we can interact with it through keystrokes on the screen, but if not, we can use the mouse connected to our computer and thus be able to access certain keys on our keyboard that have stopped working. function or that it is difficult for us to remember its location when we are forced to use the Fn key to access it.
The design of the application leaves a lot to be desired, however, it more than meets what it offers us. In addition, it includes a prediction system that will help us finish the words through suggestions, thus reducing writing time, just like on mobile devices. We can download On Screen keyboard completely free through the following link .
Points in favor
On Screen Keyboard is one of the few keyboards that includes an on-screen numeric keypad. In addition, it also includes the same keys that we have at our disposal on any full keyboard. It incorporates a prediction system that will help us write without errors and much faster. Plus, it’s completely free, making it one of the best options available.
negative aspects
The design of the application is quite old compared to more modern versions and this is because it has not received any type of update for several years, however, it works perfectly on computers managed by both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Neo’s SafeKeys v3
Neo’s SafeKeys v3 is a free application initially designed to protect you from applications that record keystrokes , especially from applications with malicious purposes to prevent them from recording our passwords to access social networks, our bank account, or any other platform. Being an application designed mainly to avoid this type of application, it does not allow it to be displayed in a size larger than the window it shows, so it is not an option to write with two hands, but to use the mouse.
Allows you to specify a level of transparency to allow the background of the application it is on to show through. It is available in a portable version and a version that we can install on the computer. Neo’s SafeKeys v3 is available for download completely free of charge through its website, which we can access by clicking on the following link .
We like
One of the strong points of this keyboard is that it is available in a portable version, so we can use it on any computer without having to install it. In addition, it is completely free.
We do not like it
The keyboard size is very small, so it is not ideal for use on devices with touch screens since it cannot be resized. Also, the interface hasn’t been updated for a few years, so it doesn’t fit well into the design of Windows 10 or Windows 11.
Click-N-type
Another interesting option that we have at our disposal to write or interact through a virtual keyboard for Windows is found in Click-N-Type, a keyboard designed by and for people with accessibility problems that, unfortunately, is discontinued by its creator, however, we can still download it and take advantage of all the functions it offers us.
It does not include a spell checker or prediction when typing, since its development ended almost a decade ago, functions that were not available at that time. However, it is a simple and solid solution that will solve any user need, as long as we do not need a full screen keyboard, since it is only available in a floating window. It is compatible from Windows XP onwards and we can download it through the following link .
Advantage
Click-N-Type stands out mainly in two aspects. The first is that it is available for free and does not include any type of purchase. In addition, it is compatible from Windows XP, so we can use it in older versions of Windows without compatibility problems.
drawbacks
Like other options that we mention in this article, Click-N-Type is part of the virtual keyboards that have stopped receiving support from its creator, so, unless it resumes its development, we will not receive new functionalities or improvements in the design.
Free Virtual Keyboard
As its name indicates, we are faced with a completely free application that allows us to use a virtual keyboard to replace the physical keyboard of our computer or as a complement. It doesn’t include visual effects or hardly any customization features, since its main objective is to offer speed. Unlike other keyboards, we can add or hide the numeric keypad, which allows us to gain additional space on the screen of our equipment.
It allows us to select the level of transparency that we want and it is located, like all applications of this type, above all the applications that we have open on the desktop. We can hide and show it again by pressing the Shift key on the keyboard. Free Virtual Keyboard is available to download for free via the link below.
Positive aspects
The main positive aspect of Free Virtual Keyboard is that it is available to download for free. In addition, it enables the option to reduce the size of the keyboard by hiding the right part of the arrows, which will allow us to gain additional space to write more comfortably.
negative aspects
The only negative point of this keyboard, if we have to look for one, is that it does not include any option to customize its design, a design that, by the way, is consistent with what we can find in Windows 11.
Hot Virtual Keyboard
Another of the most complete keyboards in terms of functions and number of options to customize is found in Hot Virtual Keyboard, an application that allows us to customize both the color of the keys and the separation as well as the font. It is compatible with a large number of languages , allows you to program keyboard shortcuts and even macros.
It shows text suggestions as we write, it is compatible with gestures to write capital letters, space and delete words more quickly, it integrates into the system in a very efficient way, consuming very few resources. Hot Virtual Keyboard is priced at 28.95 euros, is compatible from Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP onwards and is available in a large number of languages. We can download a trial version through this link .
In favor
This keyboard is characterized by including shortcuts to certain web pages and system functions such as the volume, the right and left click of the mouse, the calculator, the copy and paste buttons, among others. It is compatible with Windows XP, which allows us to use it on older computers.
Against
Hot Virtual Keyboard is not a free keyboard, since it is priced at 28.95 euros. Also, the design is very dated, especially the shortcuts to Google and Yahoo that are displayed at the top of the keyboard.
Which is the best option?
If we don’t intend to pay to use a virtual keyboard, the solution offered by Free Virtual Keyboard is the best of all the options available for Windows, due to its large number of functions and because it is one of the fastest. But, if you don’t mind investing some money, and you like the level of customization, one of the available options is Comfort On-Screen Keyboard Pro , an application that allows you to customize any element of the keyboard, from the distance of the keys to the color of the letters.
