How Langou Compares
Langou is a fundamentally different product from traditional IMEs. While most IMEs focus on improving how you type, Langou offers an alternative to typing altogether. Below is a comprehensive comparison with the most popular input methods.
AI Capabilities
Langou: Context-aware AI reply generation in 6 styles. Powered by 420B-parameter MiMo model. Prompt optimizer for other AI tools. Emotion and intent analysis built in.
Gboard: Smart Compose offers basic reply suggestions in limited apps (mainly Gmail, Messages). No context awareness. No style selection. No prompt optimization.
Sogou IME: AI writing assistant available but limited to specific scenarios. Less accurate context capture. No multi-style system.
Microsoft IME: No AI reply generation. Pure input method with basic text prediction.
Chinese Input Engine
Langou: Full RIME-based engine (Zhongzhou). Full pinyin, double pinyin, abbreviated pinyin, handwriting, voice. Million-word dictionary. Custom schemas. Import/export .dict.yaml.
Gboard: Good pinyin input but limited customization. No double pinyin or schema support. Smaller dictionary.
Sogou IME: Excellent Chinese input with cloud-based predictions. Massive dictionary. However, cloud dependency raises privacy concerns. No RIME compatibility.
Microsoft IME: Basic pinyin and handwriting. Limited dictionary. No double pinyin or schema customization.
Privacy & Data Collection
Langou: On-device OCR and NLP. Ephemeral context capture (max 10 messages, immediately discarded). E2E encrypted sync. No data sold. No ads. No training on user data.
Gboard: Uses voice and typing data for model improvement. Sends some data to Google servers. Privacy depends on Google's data policies.
Sogou IME: Known for aggressive data collection. Cloud-based predictions require sending typing data to servers. Has faced privacy controversies in the past.
Microsoft IME: Basic telemetry. No cloud AI features. Better privacy baseline but limited functionality.
Customization & Themes
Langou: 3 built-in themes with granular customization (fonts, colors, sounds, key shapes). Theme gallery with community creations. Material You support on Android. Cloud sync for themes.
Gboard: Extensive theme support including custom images, colors. No cloud sync for themes across devices.
Sogou IME: Rich theme ecosystem with thousands of community themes. Very customizable.
Microsoft IME: Minimal customization options. Basic dark/light theme only.
Pricing Model
Langou: Completely free. All features, unlimited AI replies, no ads, no hidden costs.
Gboard: Free. Revenue comes from Google's data collection ecosystem.
Sogou IME: Free with ads.
Microsoft IME: Free. Bundled with Windows.
Platform Support
Langou: Android (IME + Trime-based). Windows (floating overlay). iOS, macOS, HarmonyOS under development (2027 target).
Gboard: Android, iOS. No desktop version (Windows/Mac).
Sogou IME: Android, iOS, Windows, Mac. Extensive multi-platform support.
Microsoft IME: Windows only. No mobile or Mac support.
Multi-Language Support
Langou: Chinese (simplified/traditional) and English. AI replies auto-detect and match conversation language. Japanese and Korean in development.
Gboard: 500+ languages. Best-in-class multilingual support with auto-detection.
Sogou IME: Primarily Chinese-focused. Basic English support. Limited other languages.
Microsoft IME: Chinese, Japanese, Korean. Strong East Asian language support but limited elsewhere.
Want to try what makes Langou different? Download now or see our Features page for a detailed overview. Read about our Security & Privacy architecture for more on data protection.