The iPad has become a serious productivity rig for students and professionals.
Here are 10 of our favorites, many of which are free or low-cost options.
Ulysses
Built-in proofreader and editing assistant.
iPad with its keyboard pulled up.Justin Sullivan / Staff
Manage extensive projects in your personal library.
Integrated grammar and style-checker.
Markdown syntax won’t appeal to all writers.
You’ll need to pay a subscription fee.
You’ll need to read tutorials to understand the app.
Markdown syntax is meant to help writers stay immersed in their work and leave formatting for later.
Ulysses has excellent document management features and easy exporting and syncing functionality.
Download and use a fully functioning version of Ulysses for a trial period.
Then, you’ll need a paid subscription starting at $5.99 monthly or $39.99 yearly.
WPS Office Writer
Compatible with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
Part of a free office suite app.
Premium features need a paid upgrade.
Can be slow to load.
May be too much if you just want a writing tool.
Writer’s features include table creation, document sharing, and document encryption.
Scrivener
Write in any order and organize later.
Import your research material.
Multiple sharing and editing options.
Pricey compared to some of the other tools on this list.
Need Dropbox for syncing; iCloud not option.
May be too much if you’re looking for a basic tool.
It’s easy to import your research materials and view them as you write to ensure accuracy and attributions.
You’ll need to pay a one-time $23.99 price for Scrivener.
Google Docs
Superior sharing and collaboration capabilities.
Saves documents automatically as you work.
Keyboard shortcuts work well.
Basic word-processing features only.
Missing some of the web version’s features.
Doesn’t connect with other cloud storage services.
Google Docs is the iOS-resident word processing app for Google’s suite of web-based office productivity apps.
However, an internet connection isn’t required to use the Google Docs app on your iPad or iPhone.
Docs offers the basic word processing features you’d expect in a document editor.
Docs doesn’t connect with other cloud storage services, however.
iA Writer
Minimalist, distraction-free user interface.
Great app for all types of writing.
Saves individual files in iCloud.
Priced higher than competitors.
Offers fewer features than competitors.
The app’s keyboard is well-reviewed and includes an extra row of special characters.
iA Writer supports the iCloud storage service and can sync between your Mac, iPad, and iPhone.
Pages
Free, integrates with iPad Photos and other apps.
Templates for digital books, reports, letters, and more.
No global search and replace.
Limited compatibility with Microsoft Word.
Advanced features aren’t obvious.
The Pages app comes baked in to iPadOS and is designed to work with unique iPad features.
Insert images into your documents and move them around by dragging them with your fingertip.
Pages makes formatting straightforward with built-in templates, styles, and other standard formatting tools.
Microsoft Word
Full integration with OneDrive.
Track changes, commenting, and more.
Easily handles Word for PC documents.
Some features require a Microsoft 365 subscription.
The Word app version offers core features and compatibility for document creation and editing.
FreeNotes Writer
Use the iPad camera to scan documents.
Take notes or annotate with an Apple Pencil.
Advanced word processor formatting options.
Cut-and-paste function can be clunky.
Page-load times can be slow.
Syncing process can be slow.
you might also organize and manage your notes in unlimited notebooks, folders, and subfolders.
FreeNotes Writer is completely free to download and use.
Werdsmith
Helps you generate engaging content.
Helps writers focus and meet their writing goals.
Clean, easy-to-use interface.
Need to upgrade to paid version for full feature access.
Not as many high-level editing tools as others.
Werdsmith helps you set and accomplish writing goals and track your daily stats.
The App Store app comes pre-loaded on iPads.
