15 Best iPad Apps in 2024: Free Apps, Kids, Drawing, & More

Q: What are the best iPad apps for productivity, editing, and kids?

It depends on your needs. Here’s the full list of the best iPad apps sorted by category . For productivity, editing, and kids, a few options include: Productivity Editing Kids Microsoft Office Procreate PBS Kids Games Slack LumaFusion Khan Academy Kids Trello Pixelmator Hopscotch

Q: Are iOS apps compatible with iPad and Mac?

Not necessarily. Most iOS apps can run on iPads and newer Apple Silicon Macs, but their layout may not be optimized for larger screens. In contrast, apps like Procreate are specifically designed for iPads . While non-optimized apps will work on your iPad, you might see black bars on the sides or elements that might appear cramped.

Q: What to do if I can’t find an app for iPad?

First, narrow down the app category. If you’re looking for a note-taking app, you have options like Notability but can find others as well. Here are a few measures you can take: Check the App Store filters — with phrases like “iPad only” or “iPad apps” to refine your search just for iPads. Broaden the search — by using a more general keyword like “VPN” to get a list of apps from that category. Then, search the list for the specific app you’re looking for Explore other versions — like web and cloud versions of apps that aren’t optimized for iPads.

Q: How do I sync my iPad apps on my iPhone?

Through iCloud. You can’t sync your iPhone and iPad through a cable or WiFi. Apps like Mint that help you track your finances should be synced across all your devices. To do that, here’s what you need to do: Use the same Apple ID — to ensure auto-sync. Open ‘Settings,’ tap on your name, and ‘iCloud.’ Ensure that both devices are using the same Apple ID. Download apps on each device — for auto-sync to work. Search for your app in the App Store on both devices. Get the iPad version on your tablet, if possible. Enable iCloud syncing — by going to ‘Apps Using iCloud’ in ‘Settings’ and toggling on the switch for the apps you want to sync.

Q: Can I use an Android-only app on my iPad?

No , but you can check for an iOS alternative for that Android app. Popular services like PayPal have apps on all major platforms. If they don’t, check if the app offers web- or cloud-based versions that you can access through your iPad’s web browser. Android emulators can simulate the Android environment on your iPad. However, it’s a technical process, not guaranteed to work perfectly for all apps. Emulators are also risky as they might contain malware or spyware and introduce new vulnerabilities to your iPad. Make sure to protect yourself with a top-rated antivirus before going down this route.

Q: Is it safe and legal to use a VPN on my iPad?

Yes, and it’s preferred on unsecured public networks. The legality of VPNs depends on where you are and what you’re doing with it. Using a VPN in a country where they’re banned is unlawful. Similarly, gambling with a VPN is illegal in a location where it’s banned. Faking your location with a VPN to access foreign, geo-restricted content can infringe copyrights and terms of service. For instance, you can only stream on Netflix US if you’re in the United States. I don’t condone using a VPN to break any laws.

Last Updated by Sayb Saad on April 27, 2024 Fact-checked by Amar Cemanovic • Fact-checked by Amar Cemanovic

With so many options, knowing which iPad apps you should get is tricky. The iPad is neither a phone nor a laptop, so many apps aren’t perfectly optimized for it. Free apps can have too many ads, limited functionality, paywalls, and performance issues.

I found the best iPad utility apps to save you time and effort. The list isn’t exhaustive because everyone has different preferences, but I’ve sorted apps based on various categories. While app selection is subjective, a top VPN is something everyone should have.

ExpressVPN is my #1 preference for online privacy. Its TrustedServer technology guarantees that your data isn’t stored on its servers. What’s more, you can try ExpressVPN confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

Get ExpressVPN on iPad

Best iPad Apps in 2024 Sorted By Category

Security and Privacy

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN should be the first app you install on your iPad. It ranks at the top in the best VPNs in 2024 line-up due to its best overall performance. It uses RAM-only servers that can’t log your data and handles your DNS queries within the encrypted tunnel, saving you from eavesdroppers.

Besides offering military-grade protection, ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol is the fastest across the industry. It uses a lean codebase for efficient data transfers needed for data-intensive tasks like UHD streaming and gaming. Plus, it offers the widest network spread with 3,000 servers in 105 countries so that you can protect your iPad anywhere you go.

Norton Antivirus

While Apple’s built-in security is much better than Android, iPads are vulnerable to viruses too. That’s why you need Norton Antivirus on your iPad. While it doesn’t offer virus scanning on its iPad app, Norton alerts you to unsafe WiFi networks and malicious websites while browsing. It also scans your operating system for vulnerabilities like outdated apps.

If you use iMessage on your iPad, Norton’s SMS Security automatically detects malicious URLs that could compromise your data if clicked accidentally. Similarly, Secure Calendar scans suspicious calendar invites containing risky links, preventing potential phishing attacks.

Dashlane

Logging into your accounts on your iPad is seamless with Dashlane, which auto-fills your credentials for instant logins. Besides auto-fill, Dashlane monitors your password health and lets you generate strong passwords during sign-up. With Secure Notes, you can save sensitive information like your credit card details in encrypted form.

Its Dark Web Monitoring lets you simultaneously monitor up to 5 emails to see if your credentials have been compromised. Unlike its iOS apps, Dashlane’s Android, Windows, and Mac apps have a built-in VPN from Hotspot Shield. While it’s a decent add-on, it didn’t outperform ExpressVPN in my tests.

Creativity and Utility

Procreate

Procreate is a complete digital art studio on your iPad. Its Valkyrie Engine provides butter-smooth brushstrokes. Each brush reacts dynamically to pressure and tilt, mimicking the real-world feel of traditional tools. You can create your brushes from scratch or import entire sets from other artists.

With its complex layer system, you can add, delete, rearrange, and blend layers easily. This lets you explore variations, mask unwanted areas, and clip layers to specific shapes. Plus, non-destructive editing ensures that edits exist as separate layers, and you can undo them without compromising the foundation.

Notability

Besides a note-taking app, Notability is a great tool for capturing lectures, annotating PDFs, sketching diagrams, and collaborating with teams. It uses MyScript technology to convert your handwritten notes into text. You can also create folders and subfolders to categorize your studies, work projects, and personal notes.

While Apple’s FreeForm lets you collaborate on projects, it’s not as versatile as Notability. Unlike FreeForm, Notability syncs audio recordings with your handwritten notes, making review and recall much easier. Palm Rejection lets you rest your hand naturally while writing, while Freeform can sometimes misinterpret palm touches as strokes.

Calculator

Unfortunately, iPads don’t have a native calculator app like iPhones and Macs. You ignore this tiny feature until you need it. That’s why you need the Calculator – Pad Edition. It has the same looks as the iPhone’s native calculator app, just rescaled for the iPad with advanced functions like logs and trigonometry in landscape mode.

Besides regular number-crunching, Calculator – Pad Edition includes currency and unit conversion. It also lets you calculate tips and split bills for easy traveling and dining out. You can also keep this app as a widget to have it at your fingertips at all times. While it’s free, you can pay a one-time fee to get rid of in-app ads.

Budgeting, Finance, and Shopping

Mint

Mint gives you an overview of your finances, like your accounts, transactions, and investments. You can pinch, tap, and flick through graphs to understand your revenues and expenses. It also lets you sort spending by category, set custom spending limits for various categories, and receive alerts when nearing thresholds.

Mint’s free plan has all the essentials — budgeting, bill pay, and basic financial insights. It’s a solid starting point for casual trackers. However, its premium plan includes advanced budgeting tools, expert guidance, bill negotiation, and credit monitoring. The paid version also doesn’t have annoying ads to distract you from monitoring your finances.

PayPal

Whether you’re a small business or an employee, PayPal is a must-have for everyone. It’s a global payment service for instant cross-border transactions. For business, it includes buyer and seller protection to prevent payments for undelivered goods and refund frauds, respectively.

You can also use PayPal as a financial tracking tool. It provides a broad overview of your spending patterns with pie charts and bar graphs highlighting top categories and trends. Plus, you can set custom budget limits for specific categories like groceries or entertainment and track your progress against them.

Amazon

Amazon’s iPad app makes shopping easy. You can quickly find things using your iPad’s camera with visual search. The app also suggests things you might like based on what you looked at before. It can scan barcodes, search for products, and give real-time alerts about shipping, recommendations, and ongoing deals.

Its AR View removes the uncertainty of online shopping. Using augmented reality to overlay 3D models of products onto your living space, Amazon takes the guesswork out of shopping. You can realistically visualize a sofa set to see if it’ll fit or look good before buying it.

Social Media and Messaging

X.com (formerly Twitter)

While its name has changed since Elon Musk acquired Twitter, X.com is still as popular as ever. It has a dedicated app for iPadOS, which resembles the iOS app. The familiar timeline unfolds clean and uncluttered, with tweets displayed prominently for easy reading.

With trending and personalized content, X.com ensures you’re always updated on topics that interest you. You can share images, videos, and links to enrich your tweets. Similarly, hashtags and mentions make discovering content and finding other users more convenient.

If you’re a part of large chat groups, Telegram should be your go-to messaging app. It supports over 200,000 members per group and is highly customizable due to its open API. This means developers can create custom tools, bots, and integrations like ChatGPT to tailor the app to specific business needs.

The Secret Chat feature uses end-to-end encryption and self-destruct timers that erase your message after a particular duration. Unlike iMessage’s reliance on iCloud, Telegram stores data on its cloud servers so that you can access chats from any device. Cloud storage makes Telegram a dynamic and collaborative workspace.

iMessage

iMessage is native to your iPad and other Apple devices and is what I like using to chat with fellow Apple users. Besides sharing photos, videos, and docs with no hassle, you can send texts with effects, custom animojis, and more. The chats sync across all your Apple devices for convenience, and you can even switch a FaceTime call to another device mid-call.

With SharePlay, you can watch a movie or listen to music with your friends in real-time. However, you’ll need to be on a FaceTime call, and you can only share compatible content, such as Apple TV, Apple Music, Disney+, Hulu, and more.

Streaming and Entertainment

YouTube

It’s impossible not to have YouTube on your iPad, as it’s everyone’s everyday staple. With over 800 million videos, you’ll find anything on YouTube — from controversies, politics, and documentaries to tech reviews, memes, and Stanford lectures. If I’m connected to public WiFi, I use CyberGhost’s special YouTube streaming servers which ensure lag-free streams while keeping me safe from hackers.

YouTube’s algorithm recommends videos based on your watch history. The free plan includes ads, but you can subscribe to the premium version for ad-free streaming. I like the level of customizability YouTube offers with adjustable playback speed and video resolution.

Netflix

Netflix on iPad turns your tablet into an entertainment hub. It’s one of the most popular streaming sites available globally, with over 17,000 titles. Its recommendation engine learns your taste and suggests content you like. Plus, the Smart Downloads feature auto-downloads the next episode of a series you’re watching as soon as it’s released.

One issue with Netflix is that it auto-adjusts video resolution based on internet stability, but I’ve never faced this issue because I have fast internet. For big-screen entertainment, you can mirror your iPad in a few taps and set up a VPN connection on your smart TV for secure streaming.

Twitch

If you like live streams, Twitch is a must-have for you. It’s the go-to platform for gamers and lifestyle casters, with content ranging from short clips to 8-hour broadcasts. The platform covers diverse content categories, including music, talk shows, sports, travel, and food. Its algorithm tailors content based on your searches.

Twitch’s extensions are like mini-apps that make streams interactive. Extensions can display information like live polls, viewer leaderboards, recent supporters, mini-games, loyalty rewards, and more. To support your favorite content creators on Twitch, you can buy Bits with real money, just like stars on Facebook.

FAQs on the Best Apps for iPad

What are the best iPad apps for productivity, editing, and kids?

It depends on your needs. Here’s the full list of the best iPad apps sorted by category. For productivity, editing, and kids, a few options include:

Productivity	Editing	Kids
Microsoft Office	Procreate	PBS Kids Games
Slack	LumaFusion	Khan Academy Kids
Trello	Pixelmator	Hopscotch

Are iOS apps compatible with iPad and Mac?

Not necessarily. Most iOS apps can run on iPads and newer Apple Silicon Macs, but their layout may not be optimized for larger screens. In contrast, apps like Procreate are specifically designed for iPads. While non-optimized apps will work on your iPad, you might see black bars on the sides or elements that might appear cramped.

What to do if I can’t find an app for iPad?

First, narrow down the app category. If you’re looking for a note-taking app, you have options like Notability but can find others as well. Here are a few measures you can take:

Check the App Store filters — with phrases like “iPad only” or “iPad apps” to refine your search just for iPads.
Broaden the search — by using a more general keyword like “VPN” to get a list of apps from that category. Then, search the list for the specific app you’re looking for
Explore other versions — like web and cloud versions of apps that aren’t optimized for iPads.

How do I sync my iPad apps on my iPhone?

Through iCloud. You can’t sync your iPhone and iPad through a cable or WiFi. Apps like Mint that help you track your finances should be synced across all your devices. To do that, here’s what you need to do:

Use the same Apple ID — to ensure auto-sync. Open ‘Settings,’ tap on your name, and ‘iCloud.’ Ensure that both devices are using the same Apple ID.
Download apps on each device — for auto-sync to work. Search for your app in the App Store on both devices. Get the iPad version on your tablet, if possible.
Enable iCloud syncing — by going to ‘Apps Using iCloud’ in ‘Settings’ and toggling on the switch for the apps you want to sync.

Can I use an Android-only app on my iPad?

No, but you can check for an iOS alternative for that Android app. Popular services like PayPal have apps on all major platforms. If they don’t, check if the app offers web- or cloud-based versions that you can access through your iPad’s web browser.

Android emulators can simulate the Android environment on your iPad. However, it’s a technical process, not guaranteed to work perfectly for all apps. Emulators are also risky as they might contain malware or spyware and introduce new vulnerabilities to your iPad. Make sure to protect yourself with a top-rated antivirus before going down this route.

Is it safe and legal to use a VPN on my iPad?

Yes, and it’s preferred on unsecured public networks. The legality of VPNs depends on where you are and what you’re doing with it. Using a VPN in a country where they’re banned is unlawful. Similarly, gambling with a VPN is illegal in a location where it’s banned.

Faking your location with a VPN to access foreign, geo-restricted content can infringe copyrights and terms of service. For instance, you can only stream on Netflix US if you’re in the United States. I don’t condone using a VPN to break any laws.

Get the Best iPad Apps in 2024

Finding suitable iPad apps is difficult when you don’t know if they’re optimized for your tablet. If you’re new to the Apple ecosystem, choosing Android replacements is even harder. I did the legwork for you and compiled the best iPad apps across essential categories, including finance, social media, messaging, and more.

While everyone’s pool of apps might differ based on their unique needs, ExpressVPN is the common denominator for your online privacy. It’s also the best overall VPN that provides lightning-fast speeds and military-grade security. You can try ExpressVPN confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.