The iPad has become a versatile tool that can transform into almost anything you need. The right apps are essential to unlock your iPad’s full potential, whether you’re using it for work, creativity, entertainment, or education. Apple’s App Store offers thousands of options designed specifically for the iPad’s larger screen and touch interface.
Finding the best iPad apps can be challenging with so many choices available. From productivity powerhouses like Adobe Illustrator to entertainment apps such as Disney Plus, each application serves a unique purpose. Popular apps often appear at the top of App Store rankings, but many hidden gems remain undiscovered by most users.
In 2025, iPad apps continue to evolve with more sophisticated features and better integration with iPadOS. Free options like Pandora provide excellent functionality without cost, while premium apps offer advanced capabilities for professionals. The best iPad apps make tasks easier, more efficient, and often more enjoyable than their desktop counterparts.
The Top iPad Apps (2025)
Here’s a list of the Best Apps for iPad: Must-Have Tools in 2025, covering creativity, productivity, entertainment, and more. Whether you’re a student, creative professional, or casual user, these apps will help you get the most out of your iPad.
📚 Productivity & Organization
- Notability
- Best for: Note-taking, annotation, and recording lectures.
- Features: Handwriting recognition, audio syncing, and PDF markup.
- GoodNotes 6
- Best for: Digital notebooks and handwritten notes.
- Features: AI-powered handwriting conversion and folder organization.
- Things 3
- Best for: Task management and to-do lists.
- Features: Clean UI, project planning, and reminders.
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Best for: Work and school productivity.
- Features: Full-featured document editing and cloud sync.
- Spark Mail
- Best for: Email management.
- Features: Smart inbox, email delegation, and team collaboration.
🎨 Creativity & Design
- Procreate
- Best for: Digital painting and illustration.
- Features: Advanced brush engine, time-lapse recording, and Apple Pencil support.
- Affinity Designer 2
- Best for: Vector graphic design.
- Features: Professional design tools and desktop-class performance.
- LumaFusion
- Best for: Video editing.
- Features: Multi-track editing, color correction, and external drive support.
- Adobe Fresco
- Best for: Drawing and painting with realistic brushes.
- Features: Watercolor and oil brushes, vector support, and cloud syncing.
- Canva
- Best for: Quick designs and social media graphics.
- Features: Drag-and-drop interface and pre-made templates.
📝 Writing & Note-Taking
- Scrivener
- Best for: Long-form writing, novels, and research-heavy projects.
- Features: Corkboard, outliner, and manuscript export tools.
- Ulysses
- Best for: Distraction-free writing.
- Features: Markdown support, seamless iCloud sync, and publishing tools.
🎶 Music & Audio
- GarageBand
- Best for: Music creation.
- Features: Virtual instruments, audio recording, and loops.
- FL Studio Mobile
- Best for: Mobile music production.
- Features: Step sequencer, effects, and multi-track editing.
📖 Reading & Education
- Libby, by OverDrive
- Best for: Borrowing ebooks and audiobooks from libraries.
- Features: Seamless library integration and offline reading.
- Khan Academy
- Best for: Free educational courses.
- Features: Video lessons, practice exercises, and learning paths.
🎥 Entertainment & Streaming
- Netflix / Disney+ / Prime Video
- Best for: Streaming movies and shows.
- Features: 4K support, offline downloads, and profiles.
- YouTube
- Best for: Video content and creators.
- Features: Picture-in-picture, 4K video, and live streaming.
🖥️ Remote Work & Collaboration
- Zoom
- Best for: Video conferencing.
- Features: Screen sharing, breakout rooms, and webinar hosting.
- Slack
- Best for: Team communication.
- Features: Channels, integrations, and voice calls.
- Trello
- Best for: Project management.
- Features: Kanban boards, task cards, and team collaboration.
🛠️ Utility & Tools
- PDF Expert
- Best for: PDF editing and annotation.
- Features: Highlighting, signing, and form filling.
- 1Password
- Best for: Password management.
- Features: Secure vaults, autofill, and biometric unlocking.
- Duet Display
- Best for: Turning your iPad into a second monitor.
- Features: Touch support and high-performance display mirroring.
🧘 Health & Wellness
- Calm
- Best for: Meditation and sleep.
- Features: Guided meditations, sleep stories, and breathing exercises.
- Fitbod
- Best for: Personalized workout plans.
- Features: AI-based routines and progress tracking.
Key Takeaways
- The right mix of iPad apps can transform your tablet into a powerful tool for work, creativity, and entertainment.
- Both free and premium apps offer excellent functionality, with options available for every budget and need.
- iPad apps in 2025 feature better integration with iPadOS and take full advantage of the tablet’s unique capabilities.
Essential iPad Apps for Productivity
The iPad has evolved into a powerful productivity tool with apps that transform it from a consumption device into a creation powerhouse. The right productivity apps can streamline workflows, enhance organization, and boost efficiency across note-taking, task management, document creation, email, and scheduling.
Best Note-Taking Apps
Notability stands out as a premium note-taking solution with powerful handwriting support and audio recording capabilities. Users can write naturally with Apple Pencil, annotate PDFs, and sync notes across devices.
GoodNotes 5 offers superior handwriting recognition and converts handwritten notes to text. Its organizational system with notebooks and folders helps keep ideas structured.
Apple Notes provides a free built-in option with surprising depth. Recent updates have added tags, smart folders, and quick note features that make it competitive with paid alternatives.
Evernote remains relevant for cross-platform users who need robust search capabilities and web clipping tools. Its ability to handle various media types in a single note makes it versatile for research projects.
For minimalists, Bear offers a clean interface with Markdown support and tag-based organization rather than traditional folders.
Superior Task Management Tools
Todoist excels with its natural language input for quick task creation and intuitive project organization. Its karma system gamifies productivity, keeping users motivated through points and streaks for completing tasks.
Things 3 offers an unmatched design aesthetic with powerful organizational features. The app’s Today view provides clarity on immediate priorities, while Areas and Projects help structure larger goals.
OmniFocus caters to power users following the Getting Things Done methodology with extensive customization. Its review feature ensures no task falls through the cracks.
Microsoft To Do integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 and offers basic list management with a clean interface. The My Day feature helps focus on current priorities.
TickTick combines task management with a Pomodoro timer and habit tracker, making it an all-in-one productivity solution.
Key Productivity Suites
Apple iWork (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) comes free with iPad purchases and offers impressive document creation capabilities. Pages handles word processing with elegance, Numbers manages spreadsheets with touch-optimized controls, and Keynote creates stunning presentations.
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) provides the familiar interface and compatibility many workplaces require. The iPad versions maintain most desktop features while adding touch-friendly elements.
Google Workspace apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides) shine with real-time collaboration features and automatic cloud saving. They work well even with limited connectivity and sync instantly when back online.
Affinity Suite (Photo, Designer, Publisher) offers professional-grade creative tools at one-time purchase prices. These apps leverage the iPad Pro’s power for serious design work.
For coding enthusiasts, Pythonista and Working Copy turn the iPad into a capable development environment.
Email Management Solutions
Spark Mail features a smart inbox that automatically categorizes emails into Personal, Notifications, and Newsletters. Its collaborative features allow teams to discuss emails internally without lengthy forward chains.
Apple Mail has improved significantly with recent updates, adding scheduling, follow-up reminders, and a cleaner interface. Being built-in means perfect integration with the iPad OS.
Gmail works exceptionally well on iPad with its organized categories and powerful search. The app’s offline capabilities ensure productivity continues without constant connectivity.
Outlook stands out for users in Microsoft-based environments, offering tight calendar integration and focused inbox features that highlight important messages.
Edison Mail includes an AI assistant that helps compose emails and unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters with a single tap.
Calendar and Scheduling Apps
Fantastical transforms scheduling with natural language input—simply type “lunch with Jamie next Tuesday at 1pm” and the app creates the appropriate calendar event. Its weather integration helps plan outdoor activities accordingly.
Apple Calendar offers reliable basic functionality with features like travel time estimates and location-based alerts. Recent updates have improved its week view on iPad.
Google Calendar excels with its intelligent suggestions and goals feature that finds time for regular activities based on your schedule patterns.
Calendars 5 provides a task manager and calendar in one app, with excellent views for daily, weekly, and monthly planning. Its natural language input rivals Fantastical’s capabilities.
BusyCal caters to power users with robust filtering options and customizable views that help manage complex schedules across multiple calendars.
Top Creative Applications for the iPad
The iPad has evolved into a powerful creative tool, offering apps that rival desktop software in functionality. Creative professionals and hobbyists alike can transform their tablets into professional-grade studios with the right applications.
Leading Drawing and Art Apps
Procreate stands as the gold standard for digital artists on iPad. At $12.99, it offers an impressive array of brushes, layers, and advanced features that take full advantage of the Apple Pencil Pro. The interface remains intuitive despite its professional capabilities.
Adobe Fresco combines vector and raster brushes with AI-powered live brushes that simulate real media like watercolors and oils. The free version offers core functionality, while the premium subscription unlocks additional features.
Concepts takes a different approach with its infinite canvas and precision tools. It’s especially popular among architects and product designers who need technical drawing capabilities.
Tayasui Sketches provides a clean, minimalist interface with realistic brushes. It’s an excellent option for beginners who want simplicity without sacrificing quality.
These apps support various export options, allowing artists to move their work easily between platforms or share directly to social media.
Music and Audio Production Software
GarageBand comes free on iPad and offers surprising depth for music creation. Users can record multiple tracks, use virtual instruments, and even create music with smart instruments that automatically play in key.
Cubasis 3 brings professional-level DAW capabilities to the iPad. At $49.99, it’s an investment but offers features comparable to desktop software, including:
- Unlimited audio/MIDI tracks
- Over 120 virtual instruments
- Studio-grade audio effects
BeatMaker 3 excels at beat production with its sampling tools and drum machine interfaces. Beat makers appreciate its intuitive workflow and powerful sound engine.
Moog Model D recreates the legendary synthesizer in digital form. Musicians can craft analog-style sounds with remarkable authenticity, all without the bulk and expense of hardware.
These apps benefit significantly from the processing power in newer iPad models, especially the M4 iPad Pro, which handles complex arrangements with minimal latency.
Professional Photo Editing Apps
Adobe Lightroom remains the industry standard for photo editing workflows. The iPad version syncs seamlessly with desktop counterparts through Creative Cloud storage. Monthly subscriptions start at $9.99.
Pixelmator Photo offers a powerful alternative with a one-time purchase price of $7.99. Its machine learning features can intelligently enhance photos with a single tap.
Affinity Photo brings desktop-class photo editing to the iPad. At $21.99, it supports RAW processing, layer-based editing, and advanced retouching tools.
Key features across these apps include:
- Non-destructive editing
- Support for professional file formats
- Advanced selection tools
- Batch processing capabilities
The iPad’s display quality, particularly on Pro models with ProMotion technology, makes it an excellent platform for photo editing with accurate color representation.
Video Editing Applications
LumaFusion dominates professional iPad video editing with its multi-track timeline and comprehensive tools. At $29.99, it offers features previously available only on desktop systems:
- Multiple video/audio tracks
- Color grading tools
- Keyframe animation
- Advanced transitions
iMovie comes free with every iPad and provides straightforward editing capabilities. It’s perfect for quick projects and beginners learning video basics.
CapCut has gained popularity for its social media-focused editing tools. The free app offers surprising depth with templates, effects, and AI-powered features for content creators.
Adobe Premiere Rush bridges the gap between mobile and desktop editing. Its subscription-based model integrates with Adobe’s Creative Cloud ecosystem.
The M4 iPad Pro handles 4K video editing with impressive performance, making these apps viable alternatives to laptop editing for many professionals.
Writing and Text Editors
Ulysses stands out for long-form writing with its clean interface and powerful organization tools. The subscription-based app ($5.99/month) offers distraction-free writing environments with extensive formatting options.
Scrivener caters to novelists and academic writers with its comprehensive project management features. The one-time purchase ($19.99) provides access to tools for organizing research, notes, and drafts.
iA Writer emphasizes simplicity with Markdown support and focus mode. Writers appreciate its clean design and syntax highlighting features.
Writers can enhance their workflow with:
- Cloud storage integration
- Version history
- Custom templates
- Focus modes
The iPad’s portability combined with external keyboard support makes these apps practical alternatives to laptop writing setups. The Apple Pencil also enables convenient annotation and note-taking within documents.
Best iPad Apps for Education
The iPad has become an essential tool for students and educators alike, offering powerful apps that enhance learning experiences. These educational apps transform the device into a dynamic learning platform, providing resources for all subjects and learning styles.
Educational Resources and E-Learning
Khan Academy stands out as one of the most comprehensive educational resources available for iPad. This free app offers thousands of videos and interactive exercises covering math, science, economics, humanities, and more. Students can learn at their own pace and track their progress.
Duolingo makes language learning fun and accessible on the iPad. Its game-like approach keeps students engaged while they master new languages through quick, interactive lessons. The app’s spaced repetition system helps with long-term retention of vocabulary and grammar.
Socratic by Google helps students solve difficult homework problems. Users can take a photo of a question, and the app provides explanations and educational resources to help understand the concept. It’s particularly useful for math, science, literature, and social studies.
Edmodo creates a safe digital classroom environment where teachers, students, and parents can collaborate. The platform allows for assignment distribution, quiz creation, and communication in a social media-like interface that’s familiar to students.
Reading and Literature Apps
Kindle for iPad provides access to millions of books, making it easy for students to carry an entire library in one device. The app includes helpful study features like highlighting, note-taking, and dictionary lookup, perfect for assigned readings or personal study.
Libby connects users to their local library’s digital collection. Students can borrow e-books and audiobooks without leaving home, making required reading more accessible. The app syncs across devices and offers customizable reading experiences with different fonts and lighting options.
Comixology brings graphic novels and comic books to the iPad with a guided view technology that enhances the reading experience. This app can engage reluctant readers and offers many educational comics that explore history, science, and literature in visual formats.
Epic! delivers thousands of children’s books tailored to reading levels and interests. With over 40,000 titles, including read-to-me books and audiobooks, it’s ideal for younger students developing reading skills. Teachers can assign books and monitor reading progress.
Entertainment and Streaming Services
The iPad transforms into a portable entertainment powerhouse with apps that deliver movies, TV shows, music, and social experiences. From premium streaming platforms to music services and interactive social media, these apps leverage the iPad’s vibrant display and robust speakers to create immersive entertainment experiences.
Top Streaming Platforms on iPad
Netflix remains one of the most popular streaming services on iPad, offering a vast library of movies, TV series, and original content. The app provides an intuitive interface optimized for touch controls and allows downloads for offline viewing.
Disney+ has become essential for families and fans of Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar content. The app supports 4K HDR streaming on compatible iPad models and enables multiple user profiles for personalized recommendations.
Prime Video delivers Amazon’s extensive content library along with exclusive original series. Prime subscribers get access at no additional cost, making it a value-packed option.
Hulu offers current TV episodes shortly after they air, original programming, and a rich movie selection. The app includes features like picture-in-picture mode, allowing users to watch content while using other apps.
Max (formerly HBO Max) provides access to HBO’s premium content alongside DC, Warner Bros, and exclusive Max Originals. The high-quality streaming experience takes full advantage of the iPad’s display capabilities.
Music Streaming and Podcast Apps
Spotify dominates the music streaming landscape with its extensive music library, curated playlists, and podcast content. The iPad app features a tablet-optimized interface with larger album artwork and easier playlist management.
Apple Music integrates seamlessly with iOS, offering millions of songs, exclusive releases, and live radio stations. The app’s spatial audio feature creates an immersive listening experience on compatible iPad models.
Pandora provides a radio-style listening experience with stations that adapt to user preferences. The premium tier removes ads and allows unlimited skips.
For podcast enthusiasts, Pocket Casts offers powerful organization tools, variable playback speeds, and trim silence features. The iPad’s larger screen enhances the episode discovery and playlist management experience.
Social and Interactive Media
TikTok has optimized its iPad experience to showcase short-form video content on the larger screen. The app’s immersive full-screen display makes browsing and creating content more engaging.
YouTube remains essential for iPad users, with the tablet version providing enhanced video browsing and a more comfortable viewing experience. Premium subscribers can download videos and enjoy ad-free viewing.
Facebook on iPad takes advantage of the increased screen real estate with a multi-column layout for easier navigation. The app provides a more desktop-like experience compared to its iPhone counterpart.
IMDb offers movie fans in-depth information about films, actors, and entertainment news. The iPad version includes trailers, photos, and reviews in a format that’s easy to browse on the larger display.
Instagram, while still primarily phone-focused, provides a better visual experience on iPad with larger photos and videos. Users can enjoy a more immersive browsing experience when viewing their favorite content creators.
iPad Apps for Lifestyle and Wellness
iPad apps have transformed how people manage their health and organize daily activities. These powerful tools leverage the iPad’s large screen to deliver immersive experiences that help users track fitness goals, practice mindfulness, and streamline everyday tasks.
Health and Mindfulness Applications
The iPad offers exceptional health and wellness apps that take full advantage of its larger display. Calm stands out as a premier meditation and sleep app, providing guided sessions that look stunning on the iPad’s screen. Users can enjoy immersive meditation experiences with beautiful backgrounds and soothing sounds that are more impactful on the larger display.
MyFitnessPal remains one of the most popular fitness tracking apps with over three million users. It helps people monitor calories and macronutrients with an impressive 4.8 rating in the App Store. The iPad version offers expanded meal planning views and more detailed nutrition charts.
Stoic is another standout wellness app compatible across Apple devices including iPad, iPhone, and even Apple Vision. It helps users practice mindfulness and track their emotional wellbeing through journaling exercises and guided reflections.
Some health apps now incorporate Augmented Reality features on iPad, allowing users to visualize workout forms or meditation postures in their own space.
Daily Life Enhancers
Flipboard transforms the iPad into a personal magazine, curating lifestyle content based on user interests. The app’s visual layout shines on the iPad, with intuitive gestures for flipping through articles about health, home décor, cooking, and more.
For those organizing their wardrobes, specialized iPad apps provide tools to catalog clothing collections and create outfit combinations. The larger screen makes it easier to visualize entire outfits and create digital mood boards for fashion inspiration.
Google Maps on iPad offers an enhanced experience for planning trips and exploring new neighborhoods. The expanded view makes it simpler to discover healthy restaurants, fitness centers, and parks nearby.
Weather apps designed for iPad provide detailed forecasts with beautiful visualizations, helping users plan outdoor activities and wellness routines around optimal conditions.
Productivity Enhancements Through Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality (AR) apps have transformed iPads into powerful productivity tools in 2025. These applications overlay digital information onto the real world, creating new ways to work, plan, and collaborate.
AR measurement tools like IKEA Place and MeasureKit help users instantly measure spaces without physical tools. This saves time during home renovations or office rearrangements.
Top Productivity AR Apps for iPad:
- Complete Office AR – Projects virtual workspaces with multiple screens
- Sketch AR – Transforms rough sketches into polished designs
- TeamSpace – Creates shared virtual workrooms for remote collaboration
- Data Visualizer Pro – Converts spreadsheets into interactive 3D models
iPadOS 18’s enhanced AR frameworks have dramatically improved these applications’ performance. The system now supports persistent AR environments that remain in place between sessions.
Many professionals use AR annotation apps to leave virtual notes and instructions at physical locations. This proves especially valuable in construction, healthcare, and manufacturing settings.
Virtual sticky notes and task boards float in physical spaces, creating intuitive organization systems. Users simply gesture to move, edit, or complete tasks without touching the screen.
AR translation tools instantly convert foreign text when viewed through the iPad camera. This feature benefits international business travelers and multilingual workplaces.
The latest iPad Pro models include LiDAR scanners that significantly improve AR precision. This technology enables applications to understand physical environments with greater accuracy than ever before.
