Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

Head-to-head · Telugu Typing Software

Microsoft Telugu Phonetic IME vs Akruti

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Microsoft Telugu Phonetic IME #1 in Telugu Typing Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Microsoft
Akruti #2 in Telugu Typing Software 8.8/10 15-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Akruti

Microsoft Telugu Phonetic IME leads on 1 check, Akruti on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMicrosoft Telugu Phonetic IME · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Microsoft Telugu Phonetic IME
  • Free trialonly Akruti
  • Most featuresAkruti · 1 of 2

Microsoft Telugu Phonetic IME scores higher on our rubric for telugu typing software: 9.1 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

Microsoft Telugu Phonetic IME offers free plan; Akruti doesn't. On input method, Microsoft Telugu Phonetic IME gives you Transliteration where Akruti offers Phonetic.

Microsoft Telugu Phonetic IME is the better fit for windows users who want system-wide Telugu typing. Akruti is the better fit for windows users needing professional language tools.

  • Microsoft Telugu Phonetic IME fits best

    Windows users who want system-wide Telugu typing

  • Akruti fits best

    Windows users needing professional language tools

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Microsoft Telugu Phonetic IME 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Akruti 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.8
Ranking #1 in Telugu Typing Software #2 in Telugu Typing Software
Best for Windows users who want system-wide Telugu typing Windows users needing professional language tools
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 15 days
Deployment Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Docs Email, Phone, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Microsoft Telugu Phonetic IME 0/2 · Akruti 1/2
Offline use Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Custom dictionary Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Input method Transliteration Phonetic
Supported platforms Windows windows
Telugu layouts Telugu Phonetic; Telugu INSCRIPT English Phonetic, DoE Inscript, Typewriter, Executive
App compatibility Not checked yet Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PageMaker, CorelDraw, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, other Windows applications
Our review
Pros
  • Converts English-key transliteration into Telugu-script suggestions.
  • Enter and cursor keys let users accept or navigate suggestions.
  • Includes both Telugu Phonetic and Telugu INSCRIPT layouts.
  • Offers English Phonetic, DoE Inscript, Typewriter and Executive layouts.
  • Supports Unicode and non-Unicode fonts across Office and DTP applications.
  • Includes language utilities and Akshar Lochana OCR for Indian scripts.
Cons
  • Designed for Windows rather than cross-platform use.
  • The phonetic dictionary is downloaded through Windows Update.
  • Phonetic typing involves selecting from Telugu-script suggestions.
  • Runs on Windows only.
  • Has no free plan; the published trial is 15 days for Akruti Next.
  • USB-dongle licensing permits multiple installations but not concurrent use.
Our verdict

Microsoft Telugu Phonetic IME is a Windows input option for people who want to enter Telugu text using a standard English keyboard. As users type a transliteration, it offers Telugu-script suggestions; Enter accepts the first suggestion,…

Read the review →

Akruti is a Windows desktop application for typing and creating content in Telugu and other Indian-language scripts. Its editions range from personal typing in Microsoft Office to broader desktop-publishing workflows, making it relevant to…

Read the review →
  1. Microsoft Telugu Phonetic IMETelugu Typing Software 9.1Free plan
  2. AkrutiTelugu Typing Software 8.815-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Microsoft Telugu Phonetic IME — where it wins

    • Converts English-key transliteration into Telugu-script suggestions.
    • Enter and cursor keys let users accept or navigate suggestions.
    • Includes both Telugu Phonetic and Telugu INSCRIPT layouts.

    Where it doesn't

    • Designed for Windows rather than cross-platform use.
    • The phonetic dictionary is downloaded through Windows Update.
    • Phonetic typing involves selecting from Telugu-script suggestions.

  • Akruti — where it wins

    • Offers English Phonetic, DoE Inscript, Typewriter and Executive layouts.
    • Supports Unicode and non-Unicode fonts across Office and DTP applications.
    • Includes language utilities and Akshar Lochana OCR for Indian scripts.

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs on Windows only.
    • Has no free plan; the published trial is 15 days for Akruti Next.
    • USB-dongle licensing permits multiple installations but not concurrent use.
  • Microsoft Telugu Phonetic IME9.1/10 · Free plan

    A free Windows input option with Telugu phonetic suggestions and an INSCRIPT layout.

    Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →
  • Akruti8.8/10 · 15-day trial

    A paid Windows toolkit for multilingual typing, with layouts, font utilities and OCR.

    Visit AkrutiFull verdict →

More comparisons

All telugu typing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update