The Top 9 Best iPad Alternatives to Try in 2024

iPads remain at the top of the game when it comes to the tablet market, and it’s easy to see why. They’re beautifully designed, robust, and feature-rich devices that are usually very capable of handling many tasks. Unfortunately, they aren’t cheap, and not everyone wants to be locked into the iPad OS.

If you’re looking for iPad substitutes that can work well without breaking the bank, or if you want a capable tablet with a different operating system, this list of the best iPad alternatives of 2022 might help!

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Why Buy an iPad Alternative?

There are certainly use cases for iPads, and there are many users who will continue to proclaim their love for the portable devices to eternity. Many students, and even some workers and professionals, use iPads in lieu of laptops. Creatives also love the iPad and Apple Pencil combo.

Generally, users who want a robust, feature-rich, and well-built product will enjoy the iPad as long as it’s within their budget.

But there’s also no denying that iPads aren’t always the right choice.

There are many reasons to buy an alternative, such as:

• Saving money – Many capable alternatives are much more affordable.
• Choosing a different OS – If you don’t want to use the iPad OS, alternatives usually run Android or Windows.
• Different feature sets – Different tablets offer different specifications and feature sets. If you don’t need something as powerful as an M1 iPad, for example, you can choose a capable tablet for much cheaper.
• Different purposes – If you’re buying a tablet to use solely as an e-reader, an iPad would be too much. If you want to give your child a tablet, an iPad would also not be the best choice.

People generally purchase iPad alternatives if they want a tablet that can perform similarly on a different operating system, or if they want an option that’s many times cheaper.

The Best iPad Alternatives 2022 Has to Offer

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra – The Best iPad Pro Alternative
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 | S8+ – The Best Tablets Comparable to iPad Air
• Microsoft Surface Pro 8 – The Best iPad Alternative for Productivity
• Microsoft Surface Go 3 – The Best Cheap Productivity Alternative to iPad
• Xiaomi Pad 5 – A More Affordable iPad Alternative for Artists
• Amazon Fire HD 10 | HD 10 Plus – Best iPad Alternatives from Amazon
• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro – The Best Affordable iPad Alternative for Kids

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra – The Best iPad Pro Alternative

Specifications

As you might expect, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 ultra has the beautiful screen people have come to expect from most Samsung devices. This tablet is incredibly capable and can compete with the iPad Pro, and its prices reflect that fact. You probably won’t be able to get this tablet at a much cheaper price than an iPad Pro.

What We Liked        

• Incredibly capable tablet with iPad Pro-like features
• You can choose your ideal specifications
• Good battery life, fast charging
• Big, beautiful display
• Decent cameras
• Expandable storage up to 1TB
• S Pen latency improved from S7 tablets

What We Didn’t Like

• Only one color option (Graphite)
• Not cheaper than an iPad

You Should Buy This Tablet If…

You are an artist who wants to use your tablet as a digital art tool. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra offers many of the same features that the iPad Pro does, and the bundled S Pen offers tilt sensitivity, pressure sensitivity, and palm rejection features. You won’t have Procreate, and the pen latency won’t always be the best, but it’s an excellent Android iPad equivalent for artists!

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 | S8+ – The Best Tablets Comparable to iPad Air

Specifications

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and S8+ are beautiful devices that can compete with Apple’s iPad and iPad Air models. With these Samsung devices, you can get decent battery life, great processing power, and decent cameras while running on Android — and without compromising battery life.

What We Liked

• Good battery life for both models
• Both compatible with Samsung’s S Pen
• Both models have 120Hz screens
• Decent cameras on both

What We Didn’t Like

• S8 model only has an LCD screen, not AMOLED
• Pricey

You Should Buy This Tablet If…

You want an Android alternative to the iPad and iPad Air models.

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 – Best iPad Alternative for Productivity

Specifications

If you’re looking for a versatile device that can function well as a laptop replacement, you might want to consider the Microsoft Surface Pro 8. It’s configurable, meaning you can pick the features and capacities you prefer. However, you probably won’t save any money buying a Surface Pro 8 over an iPad.

What We Liked

• Incredibly versatile and powerful device that can replace your bulky laptop
• Comes in various configurations
• Beautiful and robust construction
• Can work as a graphics tool when coupled with compatible styli

What We Didn’t Like

• Isn’t cheaper than iPads, in fact, can be even more expensive
• Incapable of running mobile apps
• Accessories (keyboard, pen) sold separately

You Should Buy This Tablet If…

You want an extremely versatile device running Windows. The Surface Pro 8 can replace a laptop and can even function as a graphics/art tool alongside the Surface Slim Pen 2. This device is an excellent choice for those who work on the go.

You may also want to consider the Microsoft Surface Pro X.

Microsoft Surface Go 3 – Best Cheap Productivity Alternative to iPad

Specifications

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is one of the best iPad alternatives for people who prefer Windows. This tablet now runs on Windows 11 (as opposed to the Go 2, which runs on Windows 10S), making it an excellent choice for the productivity minded. It’s a great device for students and professionals, especially if they don’t need something as powerful as the Surface Pro 8.

What We Liked

• Affordable device running Windows 11
• Decent camera
• Great connectivity and ports
• Nice display and decent camera
• Compatible with Surface Go 3 Pen (sold separately)

What We Didn’t Like

• Smaller screen means multitasking can be a challenge
• Battery life isn’t the best if you work all day
• Incapable of running mobile apps
• Accessories (keyboard, pen) sold separately

You Should Buy This Tablet If…

You want an affordable yet productivity-capable tablet running on Windows.

Xiaomi Pad 5 – A More Affordable iPad Alternative for Artists

Specifications

The Xiaomi Pad 5 is an excellent choice for artists on a budget. The Xiaomi stylus (sold separately) is an excellent tool that supports tilt and pressure sensitivity, allowing the tablet to be used for art. On its own, the Pad 5 is capable and makes for an excellent productivity device — the only issue is it’s not as widely available or supported in the US.

What We Liked

• Much more affordable than the Samsung tablets while offering somewhat-to-near-similar performance
• Beautiful display with a 120Hz refresh rate
• Works well with Xiaomi’s Smart Pen and compatible styli, allowing artists to create using apps like Clip Studio Paint and more
• Great battery life
• Beautifully-designed tablet overall

What We Didn’t Like

• You need to buy the Xiaomi Smart Pen separately, and it isn’t easy to find in the US. Alternatively, you can purchase an alternative as long as it is compatible
• Not as widely offered in the US, which means you may have trouble purchasing it and/or dealing with warranties and repairs
• Lack of accessories

You Should Buy This Tablet If…

You are starting out as a digital artist or want to create on a budget. The iPads and Samsung Galaxy Tabs come at much higher prices compared to the Xiaomi Pad 5. This tablet is an excellent foray into digital art, and it also functions well as a daily driver.

Amazon Fire HD 10 | HD 10 Plus – Best iPad Alternatives from Amazon

Specifications

The Amazon Fire HD 10 and 10 Plus are excellent devices that can work well for those with basic tablet needs. They’re great for those looking for a budget option for entertainment and so on.

What We Liked

• Excellent affordable option that can do most daily tasks
• Expandable to 1TB
• Can still function as a productivity device, even sells in a bundle with Microsoft 365

What We Didn’t Like

• No access to Android apps
• Can feel cheap

You Should Buy This Tablet If…

You want an affordable tablet that can do most daily tasks and you don’t mind using Amazon’s Fire OS.

Bonus: Buy Amazon Fire HD 10 Productivity Bundle (Bluetooth Keyboard + Microsoft 365 subscription valid for one year)

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro – Best Affordable iPad Alternative for Kids

Specifications

Same as the Fire HD 10.

What We Liked

• Parental controls
• Comes with protective case
• Two-year warranty – if it breaks, Amazon will replace it
• One-year Kids Plus subscription
• Good battery life

What We Didn’t Like

• Amazon (app) store isn’t the best

You Should Buy This Tablet If…

You just want a device to give to your child without having to worry too much about their safety (and the tablet getting dinged up!). If your child is much younger, you can consider the cheaper Fire tablets instead.

Related Reading: How to Change AirPods’ Name

What to Consider When Buying Tablets Similar to iPad

With so many choices available, how can you choose the right tablet for you?

There are a few things you might want to take into consideration while shopping around for tablets. These criteria can help you make the right choice so you can purchase a tablet you can use for years. Consider the below:

• Budget – There’s no doubt that one of the first things you should consider when shopping around for a tablet is your budget. Figuring out how much you are willing to spend makes it easy for you to quickly narrow your pool of choices and prevents you from spending more than was intended. Just make sure you set a hard limit and stick to it no matter what!
• Portability – Tablets are already portable by nature, but you may still want to consider this factor when shopping around. Consider things like a tablet’s weight, size, and thickness. Would it easily slip into your bag? Would it be a pain to hold for hours? You can also consider how much more weight and thickness a protective case may add.
• Battery Life – Tablets have large screens, and that means a massive power draw. Phones are capable of lasting you a day or two between charges (depending on use), but tablets may putter out sooner, especially if you need to use the screen at max brightness while doing a lot of tasks. Even the best tablets have limited battery life — select a device that can keep up with your needs!
• Purpose – Each device has different specifications, which means they won’t all be capable of the same things. If you just want a tablet for general use like emailing, streaming/entertainment, and light gaming and productivity, most tablets will probably be enough for you. However, if you’re someone looking to replace a laptop with a tablet or an artist who wants to invest in an art tool, you’ll need to be more specific in your tablet hunt.
• Storage – iPads are sold in varying storage capacities. If you don’t need much storage, you can get by with smaller storage, especially if a tablet is expandable with a MicroSD slot, anyway. However, it may also be worth purchasing a model with more storage just to save yourself the headache.
• OS and App Market – iPads run on ipadOS, which is a capable operating system. Other tablet options generally run on Android and Windows. Both are excellent choices, but it all depends on your preferences. Choose the OS you prefer — and remember to also consider the availability and quality of apps in an operating system’s app store!
• Connectivity + Ports – Most tablets these days already have Bluetooth capabilities, but you can consider the BT version. If you merely intend to use your tablet for daily/general use, WiFi is more than likely enough for you. However, there are some iPad alternatives with networking capabilities (4G, 4G LTE, 5G) if you need them. When it comes to ports, most tablets tend to have just one charging port which also doubles as a data port. There are some options with more ports (like the Microsoft Surface tablets) if you prefer. It’s worth mentioning that most devices are now eliminating headphone ports, so if you care about having one ensure that your choice has one!
• Printing Capabilities – If you intend to use your tablet as a laptop replacement, you may want to ensure that it is capable of printing — just in case you ever need to print anything!
• Display – It’s pretty hard to deny that one of the biggest features of a tablet is its display or screen. Consider what size you’d like, whether you need a fancy screen with a high refresh rate, or if you’re okay with a decent display that isn’t necessarily the best.

Finally, if you are considering a tablet for young kids, you might want to go for a more affordable option that you won’t mind getting dinged up. Consider Amazon’s Fire HD tablets for kids, for example!

Frequently Asked Questions

What works like an iPad but is cheaper?

There are so many iPad alternatives on the market today that you’ll almost be spoiled for choice. Although iPads have dominated the market for a very long time, Android tablets are now starting to catch up again, especially with recent releases like the Lenovo P12 Pro and the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series. However, if you’re looking for cheaper, consider one of the Amazon Fire HD tablets, a refurbished iPad, a Microsoft Surface Go 3, a Xiaomi Pad 5, or even one of the lower Samsung Galaxy Tab models.

Is it still worth buying an iPad?

Absolutely — but it depends on your needs and your budget. The iPad is still the most popular tablet around the world as Apple continues to hold the majority of the market share in the niche. iPads, in general, are excellent devices that receive support and updates from Apple for several years after release.

Different iPad models can serve different needs, with the more powerful M1 and iPad Pro models working best for artists and those who need the processing power. If you don’t think you’ll be using your tablet for more than emailing, entertainment, browsing, and very light gaming, you can probably get by with one of the best iPad alternatives on this list.

What is the Android equivalent to an iPad?

In our opinion, the best alternative to iPad with the Android operating system is the Samsung Galaxy Tab. The latest models are the Tab S8, S8+, and S8 Ultra, which can each compete with various iPad models (for example, the S8 Ultra can go toe to toe with the iPad Pro).

Conclusion

With so many iPad alternatives available on the market, it has now become much easier to find a tablet you like without breaking the bank. We hope that this list of the best alternatives to iPads has helped you find a device that suits your needs!

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