The iPad has arrived, in the US at least – and that means deciding which apps you should purchase and download right away. We tested the launch apps and we've ranked them based on how they test out, if they make use of the larger screen, and any added perks.
One key feature of the Apple iPad is the App Store, where you can download thousands of iPad apps designed specifically for the new device. Here are top 20 of our favorite free iPad apps to get you started.
Want to know more about the iPad? We've written an Apple iPad review that'll give you the ultimate scoop on the device. Also check out our guide to 10 iPad features you must know and The worst 10 things about iPad.
Best Free iPad Apps Top 1 - iBooks
iBooks the obvious first choice for a free app that almost every iPad owner will want. The iBooks app gives you both an e-book reader as well as access to Apple's iBookstore where you can sample or purchase books and download them directly to the iPad.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - iBooks
Best Free iPad Apps Top 2 - Kindle
The Kindle reader doesn't have the annoying grayscale book spine of the iBook reader, and books through Amazon are cheaper. There's also a much wider selection. And, one of the best ways to use the iPad is for reading books, mags, and newspapers.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - Kindle
Best Free iPad Apps Top 3 - Netflix
Netflix is on so many devices it is becoming a legitimate standard for streaming movies over the internet. Now, it is on the iPad, and it works: you can even set up a movie queue and search for films and shows, unlike other embedded devices that force you to add instant movies to your queue on your PC only.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - Netflix
Best Free iPad Apps Top 4 - New York Times Editors' Choice
This free app is a beautiful curated edition of the New York Times newspaper. You won't get the whole paper on here--just a few articles selected by the editors--but it's presented so beautifully that you really feel like you're holding the paper.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - New York Times Editors' Choice
Best Free iPad Apps Top 5 - ABC Player
The ABC Player app is one of the more advanced video player apps we've seen on the iPad. Mimicking ABC's Web interface, ABC's video player lets you stream the latest episodes of ABC's prime time TV lineup directly to your iPad. That includes shows like "Lost" "FlashForward" and more. Its interface is sleek and its images are sharply defined.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - ABC Player
Best Free iPad Apps Top 6 - USA Today
The USA Today app is yet another take on how a newspaper should be presented on the iPad. It feels a lot more like a tabloid in presentation, and we like that you can customize the weather sidebar to your location.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - USA Today
Best Free iPad Apps Top 7 - Yahoo! Entertainment
If you have your own iPad and it’s all set up, you can download the Yahoo! Entertainment app for free from the Apple App Store right now. When you load the app, it presents its features within a virtual rendition of a home theater, with a TV and an ottoman.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - Yahoo! Entertainment
Best Free iPad Apps Top 8 - NPR
The NPR app for the iPad smartly organizes the day's news and topics into a magazine style format, where you can either read through stories or click on the speaker icon to listen to that particular segment. You can also listen to the entire taping of recent show episodes.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - NPR
Best Free iPad Apps Top 9 - Twitterific
There are many Twitter apps for the iPad already, but the best apps for the iPad, I think, is Twitterific. The interface is really simple, intuitive, and is just all-around good looking. In portrait mode, all you see is your time line, where you can easily reply, retweet, or mark a tweet as favorite.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - Twitterific
Best Free iPad Apps Top 10 - Tweetdeck
If you don't like Twitterific, try another brilliant port to Twitter, Tweetdeck. It shows you the feeds of your Twitter friends, your own mentions, and your direct messages. It works well because there is enough screen space to actually read all of this content.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - Tweetdeck
Best Free iPad Apps Top 11 - Evernote
Just like the iPhone app, Evernote lets you jot down notes and sync them with the cloud on Evernote's servers. It's the best notepad software for the iPad.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - Evernote
Best Free iPad Apps Top 12 - AIM
AOL still exists? Yes – in theory. On the iPad, this instant messaging client looks great and, coupled with the responsive soft keyboard, is actually one of the best ways to communicate with friends, short of a video chat in a future iPad version.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - AIM
Best Free iPad Apps Top 13 - Blackboard Mobile Learn
Blackboard Mobile Learn is a classroom learning tool where teachers can make assignments, interact with students, write blogs, and post grades. It requires a backend infrastructure. Currently available only for higher-ed schools, Blackboard will add K-12 support by June.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - Blackboard Mobile Learn
Best Free iPad Apps Top 14 - Pages
Apple knew full well that Microsoft would not move an inch to support the iPad, so Pages is the best iPad apps for word processing. Combined with the iPad Dock with an Apple Bluetooth keyboard, it is possible to do real work on the iPad, even if Pages lacks some key features – such as HTML mark-up support.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - Pages
Best Free iPad Apps Top 15 - Keynote
Keynote is worth the price of admission if only because you can set up an attractive slideshow – using Apple's templates and stock artwork – and run it on the iPad's crisp screen – which is viewable from side angles during a meeting.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - Keynote
Best Free iPad Apps Top 16 - Epicurious
The iPad seems tailor-made for cooking apps, so it's no surprise that Epicurious has an app just for the iPad. The Epicurious iPad app is similar to its iPhone version--it gives you access to Epicurious' large library of recipes, plus it helps you gather a shopping list of ingredients once you've chosen the recipes you want.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - Epicurious
Best Free iPad Apps Top 17 - Gilt
The Gilt app might be the fanciest way to do online shopping we've ever seen. You sign up for a Gilt account, and you'll be presented with an iPad interface to the Gilt online store. As the glittery name might suggest, the app is full of glossy catalog photos of hot designer items from such brand names as Jonathan Adler and Kate Spade.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - Gilt
Best Free iPad Apps Top 18 - Adobe Ideas 1.0
The iPad's large 9.7-inch screen simply begs for a drawing app, and developers have been more than happy to oblige. While there are many paid sketch programs out there, I rather like this free Adobe Ideas app. It has a pretty simple interface, but if all you want is a basic drawing app, this will work just fine.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - Adobe Ideas 1.0
Best Free iPad Apps Top 19 - Things
We know all about Things – the well-regarded task manager for iPhone and Mac. On the iPad, once again the app just has a new life because it's like carrying around a clipboard with all your to-do items in one easy-to-access bucket. Download this best iPad apps from App Store now.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - Things
Best Free iPad Apps Top 20 - WeatherBug Elite
WeatherBug Elite is a perfect example of why the iPad is changing computing: it shows a well-detailed map of your exact location, forecasts, video, and even camera feeds from your area. There are even contour maps for wind speed and temp. Get this best free apps for your iPad now.
Download Best Free iPad Apps - WeatherBug Elite
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