Lightkey vs Windows text suggestions: what's the difference?

The short answer

Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in feature that suggests words as you type on a physical keyboard. It's free and quick to switch on. Lightkey goes further: it learns your writing and predicts whole phrases, up to 18 words at a time, accepted with a single Tab. If you mostly want help finishing words, Windows may be enough. If you write a lot and repeat yourself, Lightkey saves far more typing.

Side by side

	Windows text suggestions	Lightkey
What it suggests	A short list of words above your cursor	One prediction inline with your text: a word or a whole phrase, up to 18 words
How you accept	Up arrow, Left/Right to choose, then Enter	Tab
Learns your phrases	Suggestions are based on what you've typed so far	Learns the words and phrases you repeat, and your field's terms
Spelling	Suggests words based on your spelling	Suggests the right spelling as you type
Languages	About 40, with an optional multilingual mode	80+
Privacy	Built into Windows	Runs on your device and works offline
Price	Free, included with Windows	Free 30-day trial; Pro from $49.95 a year

How to turn on Windows text suggestions

Windows 11

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).

2. Go to Time & language → Typing.

3. Turn on Show text suggestions when typing on the physical keyboard.

4. Optional: turn on Multilingual text suggestions if you type in more than one language.

Windows 10

1. Open Settings → Devices → Typing.

2. Under Hardware keyboard, turn on Show text suggestions as I type.

When Lightkey is worth it

• You repeat yourself. Sign-offs, product descriptions, standard replies, contract clauses: Lightkey learns them and offers the whole phrase after a few letters.

• You write in a specialist field. Choose from 68 content domains, from law to medicine, and Lightkey suggests the terms you actually use.

• You type fast. Lightkey adapts to your speed and holds back short suggestions, so it never slows you down. See Lightkey for professional typists.

• You work across many apps. Lightkey works natively in virtually every Windows desktop app, and in web apps through its Chrome and Edge extensions, together with the desktop app. See the full app list.

Can I use both?

You can, but you'll see two sets of suggestions at once. Most people who install Lightkey turn the Windows feature off to keep things simple.

Try Lightkey free for 30 days · How multi-word prediction works

Questions

Does Windows have predictive text?

Yes. Windows 10 and 11 can suggest words as you type on a physical keyboard. It's off by default; turn it on in Settings → Time & language →Typing.

How is Lightkey different?

Lightkey predicts whole phrases, up to 18 words at a time, learned from your own writing, and you accept them with Tab.

Does Lightkey work offline?

Yes. Lightkey learns and predicts on your device, and your content is never sent to the cloud.

Which Windows versions does Lightkey support?

Windows 7 and later. Download the free trial.