Working from home has become more common than ever. Whether you’re a freelancer, part of a remote team, or running your own business, staying productive at home isn’t always easy. Thankfully, there are powerful tools designed to help you stay focused and get more done—right from your iPad.
If you’re looking to increase productivity with iPad apps, you’re in the right place. This guide explores the top iPad apps for working from home, backed by features, stats, and real-world use cases. Each of these apps has been chosen based on how well it helps streamline tasks, improve focus, and save time.
1. Notability: All-in-One Note-Taking
One of the best iPad productivity apps for remote work is Notability. It allows you to write, draw, and type in the same note, making it a great tool for meetings, planning, or studying.
Key Features:
- Handwriting with Apple Pencil
- Audio recording that syncs to notes
- Easy document scanning
- PDF markup and editing
Whether you’re planning projects or jotting down meeting notes, Notability offers flexibility that goes beyond basic typing.
2. Microsoft Outlook: Email + Calendar in One Place
Email can quickly become a time-waster, but Microsoft Outlook brings together email, tasks, and calendar events all in one app. This helps you avoid switching between apps and missing deadlines.
Why It’s Useful:
- Smart inbox that prioritizes important email
- Integrated calendar to schedule meetings
- Supports multiple email providers
Over 500 million users trust Outlook. It’s reliable, secure, and a must-have for iPad if you’re handling work emails daily.
3. GoodNotes: The Paperless Notebook
Another excellent note app is GoodNotes. It’s perfect for those who still love writing by hand but want the power of digital organization.
| Feature | GoodNotes | Notability |
|---|---|---|
| Handwriting | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Audio Sync | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| File Formats | PDF, Images | PDF only |
| Cloud Sync | iCloud, Dropbox | iCloud only |
Ideal for students, designers, or anyone who thinks visually.
4. Slack: Stay Connected with Your Team
When communication breaks down, so does productivity. Slack brings team conversations, files, and integrations into one space.
Highlights:
- Organize chats by channel (project or topic based)
- Easy file sharing and search
- Connects to tools like Google Drive, Trello, Zoom
According to Business of Apps, Slack had over 20 million users in 2023. It’s essential if collaboration is a big part of your remote workflow.
5. Zoom: Virtual Meetings Made Simple
No list of the best iPad productivity apps for remote work would be complete without Zoom. Whether it’s daily stand-ups or client calls, Zoom remains the go-to app for video meetings.
Things to Love:
- High video quality with low lag
- Virtual backgrounds and noise cancellation
- Share screen directly from iPad
Zoom reported over 300 million daily meeting participants in 2023. That’s a strong reason to give it a spot on your home screen.
6. Trello: Simple Yet Powerful Project Management
Keeping tasks organized is key. Trello uses cards and boards to help you stay on track, no matter how many projects you manage.
Features Teams Love:
- Drag-and-drop task cards
- Due dates, checklists, and integrations
- Collaboration with teams in real time
Visual learners will especially benefit from Trello’s layout. It’s user-friendly and supports everything from small personal tasks to big team projects.
7. Apple Files: Centralized File Management
Searching across apps for files is a waste of time. Apple Files puts all your documents—from iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and more—into one hub.
What Makes It Great:
- Smooth integration with third-party clouds
- Preview files without opening apps
- Tag and organize by project or client
For anyone working across tools, the Files app is a huge time-saver.
8. Forest: Stay Focused, Build Healthy Habits
The Forest app helps you avoid distractions. The idea is simple: stay focused, and plant a virtual tree. Scroll on social media and the tree withers.
Benefits:
- Encourages real-time focus
- Tracks time spent on tasks
- Integrates with Apple Health
Forest isn’t just fun—it works. Studies from the University of Chicago showed that people using focus apps like Forest reduced distractions by up to 40%.
9. LumaFusion: Pro Video Editing on the Go
For creative professionals, LumaFusion is the best video editor on iPad. You can edit high-quality videos without needing a computer.
Features:
- Multi-track timeline
- Built-in effects and transitions
- Export video in 4K
Perfect for social media managers, content creators, or marketers working from home.
10. PDF Expert: Tame Your Documents
A cluttered document system can slow down work. PDF Expert helps you highlight, edit, sign, and organize PDFs right on your iPad.
Features:
- Fill out forms and sign digitally
- Highlight and annotate like a pro
- Merge, rearrange, or compress files
According to Readdle, the creator of PDF Expert, over 30 million users manage files using this app. That speaks for itself.
Bonus Tips to Increase Productivity with iPad Apps
Using the top iPad apps for working from home is step one. But how you use them makes a major difference. Here are a few best practices:
- Disable unneeded notifications during deep work hours
- Use a Bluetooth keyboard and Apple Pencil for added comfort
- Group similar apps in folders (e.g., “Meetings,” “Notes,” “Tasks”)
- Try split-screen mode to multitask efficiently
Also, if you haven’t yet, explore Apple’s Universal Control. It lets you use one keyboard and mouse across your iPad and Mac without lifting a finger to connect them. Really handy when you’re switching between screens.
Final Thoughts: Best iPad Productivity Apps for Remote Work
Your iPad has the power to be more than just a media device. With the right apps, it becomes a powerful workhub. Whether you’re organizing files, running meetings, or editing video, there’s an app on this list that will save you time and energy.
These best iPad productivity apps for remote work aren’t just handy—they’re key tools that can help you reclaim some work-life balance. Start testing a few today and see what works best for your workflow.
Which apps do you use to stay productive while working from home? Have any favorites that aren’t on this list? Share them in the comments below or tag us on social with your setup!