Futo
FUTO is an Austin, Texas-based independent open-source software organization building privacy-focused, offline-first Android applications including FUTO Keyboard, FUTO Voice Input, and the on-device AI swipe engine FUTO Swipe, monetized via one-time license payments, merchandise, and grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Futo does
FUTO is an Austin, Texas-based independent software organization that develops privacy-focused, offline-first applications for Android and the web. Its flagship consumer product is FUTO Keyboard, an Android keyboard that operates without network permissions, eliminating the data exfiltration risks associated with mainstream alternatives such as Gboard and SwiftKey. Adjacent products include FUTO Voice Input (on-device speech-to-text) and developer tools Ret (a browser-based assembler/disassembler) and Bitbash (a bitfield visualizer). The organization positions itself in opposition to Big Tech data-collection practices through fully open-source development, active community engagement on Zulip and Matrix, and upstream contributions to projects like LatinIME on GitLab.
The company's business model is built around one-time license payments for premium features, merchandise sales, and grants, with no subscription tier, advertising, or data monetization. Distribution occurs through Google Play, F-Droid, GitHub, and direct APK downloads. FUTO sponsored the Ladybird independent browser project in early 2026, signaling intent to position itself within a broader privacy-first software ecosystem.
The most technically notable product is FUTO Swipe, launched in June 2026, which brings on-device AI-powered swipe typing to Android using a sub-2.5M parameter model that achieves a 4% top-four failure rate on the test set. FUTO also published a one-million-sample crowdsourced swipe dataset and accompanying model weights under the MIT license, providing a rare open asset in this domain. No venture funding, headcount data, or revenue figures are publicly disclosed.
Futo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Futo
- Legal name
- FUTO
- Website
- https://futo.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- FUTO is an Austin, Texas-based independent open-source software organization building privacy-focused, offline-first Android applications including FUTO Keyboard, FUTO Voice Input, and the on-device AI swipe engine FUTO Swipe, monetized via one-time license payments, merchandise, and grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Futo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile Input Methods & Developer Tools
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hardware & Embedded/IoT Programming (Microcontrollers, Raspberry Pi) (EDAMACAL)
Keywords
Where Futo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Futo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Keyboard License Sales: One-time payment license for FUTO Keyboard app. No recurring subscriptions. Purchase supports keeping the app ad-free and fully functional.
- Voice Input License Sales: One-time payment license for FUTO Voice Input app. License is also valid for FUTO Keyboard, creating cross-product value.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of FUTO branded merchandise through merch.futo.org.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | FUTO Keyboard - One-time license |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Futo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FUTO develops and sells privacy-focused, offline-first software products. Its flagship is FUTO Keyboard, an Android keyboard app that runs 100% offline without network permissions, integrating on-device swipe typing (FUTO Swipe), offline voice input, autocorrect, and predictive text. FUTO also offers a standalone Voice Input app for Android and developer tools including Ret (a WebAssembly-based assembler/disassembler/CPU simulator supporting x86, ARM64, ARM32, RISC-V, and PowerPC) and Bitbash (a bitfield visualization tool).
Product overview
FUTO develops privacy-focused, offline-first software products. The main consumer product is FUTO Keyboard, an Android keyboard app that operates 100% offline without network permissions, featuring swipe typing (FUTO Swipe), voice input, autocorrect, and predictive text. FUTO Voice Input is available as a standalone app or integrated keyboard feature. For developers, FUTO offers Ret, a browser-based assembler/disassembler supporting multiple CPU architectures (x86, ARM64, ARM32, RISC-V, PowerPC) running in WebAssembly, which includes the Bitbash bitfield visualization tool. All products emphasize user privacy with no data harvesting.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- FUTO Keyboard: A privacy-focused, offline-first keyboard app for Android with swipe typing, voice input, and no data collection.
- FUTO Voice Input
- Ret
Products and services
- FUTO Keyboard A privacy-focused Android keyboard app that operates 100% offline without network permissions. Features include swipe typing, offline voice input, smart autocorrect, predictive text, and customizable themes. No data is ever transmitted or shared. Sold under a one-time license.
- FUTO Voice Input A standalone Android voice input application that works entirely on-device with no data stored. Can be used with compatible third-party keyboards or integrated into FUTO Keyboard. Latest version v1.3.6. Sold under a one-time license that also covers FUTO Keyboard.
- Ret A lightweight browser-based x86/ARM64/RISC-V/PowerPC assembler, disassembler, and CPU simulator running entirely in WebAssembly. Supports multiple architectures (x86, ARM64, ARM32 including Thumb mode, RISC-V, PowerPC) with options for Intel/AT&T/NASM/MASM/GNU GAS syntax. Available free via web and GitHub releases.
- Bitbash An online bitbashing tool for visualizing and decoding bitfields, bit structures, and system registers in Little Endian format. Uses a custom DSL language to define fields and decode values. Available as part of the Ret suite.
Quantifiable outcome
- Approximately 4% top-four failure rate on test set for swipe typing accuracy
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Futo
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Futo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature4 records
Futo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Futo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AnySoftKeyboard: Open-source Android keyboard with multilingual support and privacy focus. Direct competitor to FUTO Keyboard in the privacy-respecting, free Android IME category.
- OpenBoard: Privacy-focused Android keyboard forked from the discontinued AOSP Keyboard, maintained by a small open-source community. Competes head-to-head with FUTO Keyboard on offline, no-tracking principles.
- FlorisBoard: Open-source Android keyboard developed as part of the Simple Mobile Tools family. Shares FUTO's privacy-first and offline-capable design ethos and targets the same Android power-user segment.
- Heliboard: Community fork of FlorisBoard offering gesture typing and offline dictionaries. A near-direct alternative to FUTO Keyboard for users prioritizing open-source, ad-free typing.
- Simple Keyboard: Minimalist Android keyboard emphasizing privacy and simplicity, no autocorrect or learning. Overlaps with FUTO's value proposition for users who want a stripped-down, offline-first typing experience.
- Hacker Keyboard: Android keyboard designed for developers and power users with special character access. Comparable to FUTO in addressing a technically inclined niche audience seeking alternatives to default OEM keyboards.
- Compiler Explorer (Godbolt): Browser-based multi-architecture compiler and disassembler used widely by developers and educators. The closest comparable to FUTO's Ret tool in terms of zero-install, browser-based low-level code analysis.
Broad incumbents
- Signal Foundation: Non-profit building privacy-respecting messaging. A broader incumbent in the privacy-first software movement whose mission, donation-funded model, and policy advocacy closely parallel FUTO's positioning.
- DuckDuckGo: Privacy-focused search and browser company. Comparable to FUTO as a privacy-branded consumer software provider with multiple product surfaces and an explicit positioning against Big Tech data practices.
Emerging players
- GrapheneOS: Open-source Android-based operating system focused on privacy and security. Shares FUTO's user base of technically sophisticated users who actively reject default Google services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Futo social profiles
Digital presenceFuto financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Futo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Futo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Futo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Futo
What does Futo do?
FUTO develops and sells privacy-focused, offline-first software products. Its flagship is FUTO Keyboard, an Android keyboard app that runs 100% offline without network permissions, integrating on-device swipe typing (FUTO Swipe), offline voice input, autocorrect, and predictive text. FUTO also offers a standalone Voice Input app for Android and developer tools including Ret (a WebAssembly-based assembler/disassembler/CPU simulator supporting x86, ARM64, ARM32, RISC-V, and PowerPC) and Bitbash (a bitfield visualization tool).
Is Futo a public or private company?
Futo is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Futo founded?
Futo was founded in 2023. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Futo based?
Futo is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Futo make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Keyboard License Sales are the primary driver. The others are voice Input License Sales and merchandise Sales.
Who are Futo's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AnySoftKeyboard, OpenBoard, FlorisBoard, Heliboard, Simple Keyboard, Hacker Keyboard and Compiler Explorer (Godbolt). Broad incumbents are Signal Foundation and DuckDuckGo. GrapheneOS is listed as an emerging player.
Does Futo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Futo.
What industry is Futo in?
Futo's product category is Mobile Input Methods & Developer Tools. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMACAL, Hardware & Embedded/IoT Programming (Microcontrollers, Raspberry Pi). Its NAICS code is 541511 and its SIC code is 3576.