A free alternative to the Boards keyboard
Yes. textcuts has a free tier with 8 textcuts, 1 folder and 1 blank per textcut, and it never limits how often you insert one.
Short answer: Yes: textcuts is a free alternative to the Boards keyboard, with 8 textcuts, 1 folder and 1 blank per textcut on the free tier and no limit on how often you insert. It needs no account and no Full Access. The Boards free tier holds 2 active boards and allows 10 keyboard shares a day.
The free tiers side by side
Boards also lists Sponsored Boards that are free and do not count toward the limit (source).
| Limit | Boards Free | textcuts free |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier size | 2 active boards, 50 items per personal board (source) | 8 textcuts and 1 folder |
| Keyboard use | 10 keyboard shares a day (source) | No limit on how often you insert |
| Blanks | No variables or placeholders described (source) | 1 blank per textcut, with recent values |
| Account | Sign up or log in (source) | Not needed |
When the free tier is enough
- You send mostly text, and eight saved messages cover your day.
- You want a name filled in without paying.
- You want everything you saved kept, even if you go over a free limit.
When it is not
If a whole team needs shared media, files and roles, Boards is the better fit. textcuts is text only: it does not send images or files, and it does not bulk send. If you need more than 8 textcuts, more than one folder or more than one blank per textcut, textcuts Pro covers it for 3.99 dollars a month, 24.99 dollars a year or 49.99 dollars once. See the full textcuts vs Boards comparison or the list of alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to the Boards app?
Yes. textcuts has a free tier of 8 textcuts, 1 folder and 1 blank per textcut, and no limit on how often you insert a message.
How many messages can I keep free in textcuts?
Eight textcuts and one folder, with one blank in each. Dark mode, search, iCloud sync, import and export are free too.
What happens if I import more than the free tier holds?
Nothing is deleted or locked. Imports are never blocked, and content above a limit is kept. You just cannot add more until you remove some or go Pro.
Does the free textcuts keyboard need Full Access or an account?
No. It needs neither.
What does textcuts Pro cost?
3.99 dollars a month, 24.99 dollars a year, or 49.99 dollars once for lifetime, in the US. Pro removes the free limits and adds Hebrew gender forms.