Turn your iPad into a work device with these 5 apps!

There's no denying that the iPad is a powerful productivity tool. Opinions may differ on which iPad apps are best for boosting your productivity. Sometimes, it's the lesser-known apps that get the job done better.

1. Nebo

Several free note-taking apps for the iPad have come out over the years. Even so, many people keep coming back to Nebo, which continues to add new features like AI integration. The first thing that attracts people to Nebo is that it doesn't require a subscription. Instead, you pay a one-time fee of $10 to unlock premium features, with no further payments required.

Nebo allows the use of Apple Pencil and its biggest advantage is that it can convert handwritten notes, mathematical equations and diagrams into regular text.

2. Moleskine Planner

Before the iPad, many people picked up a yearly planner to jot down schedules and keep track of important tasks. The Moleskine Planner is for those who want to keep track of days, tasks, lists, or anything else that matters.

Even better, when you set it up, the app asks you what you plan to use it for. Options include freelance, student, or traveler. Based on this initial information, the app will create a planner that fits your needs.

Moleskine Planner is free; the free version lets you use the app's basic calendar tools. However, subscribing to Moleskine Planner Pro, which costs about $25/year, removes all limitations.

3. Muse

People have always used whiteboards to take notes, outline plans, etc. They've used both physical and digital whiteboards for years. For a digital option, many people have turned to Muse. The company calls its app a 'mindset canvas,' and its iPad app has unique features that go beyond writing and drawing.

For example, the app lets you create nested whiteboards, merging one whiteboard into another. (Sure, it sounds a little weird, but you'll understand the benefits once you try it.) The app also has a feature that lets you easily interact with PDFs to track key information and see it in context. You can also easily attach other types of files to your workspace, such as images, videos, web links, and more.

4. Trimbox

Every morning, you wake up to hundreds of emails, many of which are unwanted. Use Trimbox, an email management and cleanup system with one purpose: to make it easy to unsubscribe from email lists.

To get started, log into your email account and watch Trimbox automatically identify the most likely emails from your mailing list. Better yet, it also tells you how many emails the company has sent you and when the most recent email arrived. You can sort the list by when the last email was sent or by how many emails you've received to get a better idea of ​​how much spam you're getting.

5. TIDE

Taking a moment to calm down during a busy workday can really boost your productivity. This is where apps like TIDE really shine. The app offers a number of tools to help with focus and sleep, but TIDE's favorite feature is its meditation exercises.

These exercises are perfect when you need to step away from writing in the middle of the day to recharge. The breathing instructions are helpful for stressful times, and the nature sounds are great for relaxing at the end of the workday.

Apple's iPad is a powerful device, made even more powerful with the right apps. Some of the most useful apps may not be as well known, but it's worth exploring them and seeing which ones are right for you.

Marvin Fry

Update 11 June 2025