Not everyone is hooked into Apple's ecosystem, which is why the best iPad alternatives are a fantastic way to get similar performance while using Google or Windows accounts. These tablets offer similar functionality, comparable specs and good apps, and often cost less.
We've tested and reviewed every iPad, and we've reviewed a lot of their alternatives too, so we're in a good position to compare the options and pick out the best iPad alternatives for different needs. Below, I pick our favourites, including high-end options, tablets with that run desktop software, budget alternatives and even a specialist iPad alternative for drawing, including models from Samsung, Microsoft and more.
The closest alternatives to iPad are Samsung's tablets, and you can find the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra at No.2 on my list. To get the lowdown on how these range compares to Apple's read our iPad vs Samsung explainer. If you are still considering an iPad, or want to compare the specs of these against those of Apple tablets, see our full iPad generations list for details of all the current models.
This is the best alternative to an iPad today. It's beautifully designed, runs Windows so you can enjoy a laptop-like experience, and the overall specs are top-class. Read more below
If you prefer an Android tablet to Windows, here's our top pick. Released in October, the S10 Ultra continues Samsung's tradition of creating high-end, feature-packed tablets. Read more below
Short on cash? The Lenovo Tab P12 with Matte Display is a versatile Android tablet for creative and casual tasks, that doesn't cost the Earth. Battery life is impressive, too. Read more below
The XPPen Magic Drawing Pad is an Android tablet that's purpose-built for digital artists. It has a lovely screen and it's significantly cheaper than iPad and Samsung alternatives. Read more below
Launched in late 2024, the ProArt PZ13 is ASUS's most compact creative professional tablet, targeting artists, photographers, and content creators who need portability and versatility. Read more below
Here's an unexpected solution for creatives seeking a powerful, affordable Android tablet. While marketed as a gaming device, its specs make it surprisingly suitable for creative tasks. Read more below
The best iPad alternatives in full
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The best iPad alternative overall
(Image credit: Microsoft)
01. Microsoft Surface Pro 11
The best iPad alternative overall
Specifications
Screen: 13in LCD/OLED
Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
Weight: 895g
Dimensions: 287 x 209 x 9.3mm
Reasons to buy
+
Detachable keyboard
+
Powerful processors
+
AI capabilities
Reasons to avoid
-
Some configurations get pricey
Buy it if
✅ You need Windows: The full versions of most desktop software won't run on Android or indeed Apple tablets.
✅ You want a powerful tablet: This powerful device can handle complex creative and AI tasks.
Buy it if
❌ You're on a budget: This isn't the most affordable tablet on the market.
❌ You don't want to do creative work: If you just want to check emails or watch content, it's probably overkill.
The bottom line
🔎 Surface Pro 11 offers a compelling Windows tablet experience thanks to a great keyboard, powerful processors, and AI capabilities. ★★★★
What you need to know: If you want a tablet that can double as a laptop when teamed with a keyboard, and run full versions of creative software, you need a Windows tablet. And the Surface Pro 11, the latest in Microsoft's hybrid tablet-laptop line, is the best on the market right now.
Design and build: Available in four colours (black, sapphire, platinum, and dune), the Surface Pro 11's overall aesthetic is both stylish and professional. In practical terms, meanwhile, it's nice and light at under 1kg. The standout feature is the new Surface Pro Flex Keyboard (sold separately), which can now be used detached from the device: a significant improvement in versatility.
Display: Microsoft offers both LCD and optional OLED screens with the Surface Pro 11 with the OLED version promising improved contrast. Even better, the display supports up to a 120Hz refresh rate, making it responsive for drawing and creative work. So while not quite matching the iPad Pro's display technology overall, it still provides a high-quality visual experience.
Performance: Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus or Elite processors, the Surface Pro 11 is super-fast, even when running demanding design software. It also includes a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for on-device AI tasks, making it competitive with the latest tablets for both creative and computational work. All this means this laptop truly shines for professionals who need full desktop applications like Adobe Photoshop, offering a genuine laptop-replacement experience that the iPad Pro cannot match. The ability to use a stylus alongside full keyboard functionality is another bonus for creatives.
Pricing: Starting at £999, the Surface Pro 11 is competitively priced at this premium end of the tablet market. The base model includes 16GB RAM and 256GB storage, with top-spec configurations reaching £2,100. The Flex Keyboard, priced at £450, now includes the Slim Pen.
✅ You want a large-screen Android tablet: This generous display is perfect for enjoying multimedia content.
✅ You want AI features: This sophisticated tablet's AI smarts mean it's nicely future-proof.
Buy it if
❌ You need to run Windows or macOS software: This will only cope with Android apps.
❌ You're on a tight budget: It's pretty expensive for a tablet.
The bottom line
🔎 Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offers a premium Android tablet experience with a stunning display and innovative AI features. ★★★★★
What you need to know: Released in October 2024, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra continues Samsung's tradition of creating high-end, feature-packed tablets for discerning users. You won't be able to run Windows or macOS software, but there are a number of decent Android art and design apps these days for the creative wishing to work on the move.
Design and build: Marginally thinner and lighter than its predecessor, this tablet features Enhanced Armor Aluminium for improved durability. IP68 water and dust resistance sets it apart from competitors. The S Pen attaches magnetically to the rear, offering 2.8ms latency for a near-natural writing experience.
Display: The 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen is the tablet's standout feature. With a 16:10 aspect ratio perfect for movie watching, 120Hz refresh rate, and 930 nits peak brightness, it delivers exceptional visual quality while the anti-reflective technology reduces glare in bright environments.
Performance: Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor, the Samsung Tab S10 Ultra runs everything quickly and smoothly. Galaxy AI features elevate the tablet's capabilities, offering tools like Circle to Search, Live Translate, and Sketch-to-image, making it particularly appealing for creative professionals and tech enthusiasts. Ecosystem integration allows seamless connectivity with other Samsung devices, including Second Screen functionality and App Continuity. That said, this tablet is no match for the raw power of the iPad Pro's M4 chip, scoring about half the multi-core benchmarks.
Pricing: This tablet starts at £1,200/$1,200, positioning it as a premium device competing directly with the iPad Pro.
✅ You want to limit your spend: This budget-beater is ideal for light creative work.
✅ You want a tablet primarily for note-taking and drawing: In which case, why spend more on a powerful processor?
Buy it if
❌ You need high-performance computing: This isn't up to tasks like image and video editing.
❌ You use professional-grade creative tools: The Android operating system limits the software it can run.
The bottom line
🔎 Lenovo Tab P12 with Matte Display offers a budget-friendly option for students and casual users, providing a paper-like drawing experience. ★★★★
What you need to know: Released in June 2024, the Lenovo Tab P12 with Matte Display targets budget-conscious users seeking a versatile Android tablet for creative and casual tasks. Battery life impresses too, with nearly 10 hours of streaming and exceptional standby performance on offer. So while it's not a powerhouse, the Lenovo Tab P12 with Matte Display delivers remarkable value for casual creative use.
Design and build: Exceptionally thin at 6.9mm, the tablet features a sage green casing with curved edges. Despite its large 12.7-inch form factor, it remains relatively lightweight at 610g. The magnetic stylus attachment and optional detachable keyboard (£130) enhance its versatility.
Display: The 3K (2944 x 1840) matte display stands out for note-taking and drawing. While limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and 400 nits brightness, the paper-like finish provides an excellent surface for stylus work. The included Tab Pen Plus offers 4,096 pressure levels and tilt detection.
Performance: Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor with 8GB RAM, the Tab P12 is best suited for low-intensity tasks. In other words, it excels at web browsing, note-taking, streaming, and light drawing, but will struggle with demanding creative applications. Plus of course, the Android operating system limits software compatibility. However, for students, casual users, and those seeking a portable drawing and note-taking device, it offers excellent value.
Pricing: Priced at £450 for the matte display version, this tablet represents an affordable alternative to more expensive rivals, especially given that there's an included stylus, and an optional keyboard.
Pen pressure sensitivity: 6,384 levels of pen pressure, EMR tech
Connections: Bluetooth 5.1, WiFi, USB-C 2.0
OS: Android
Reasons to buy
+
Specifically designed for drawing with a great stylus included
+
Light and easy to use
+
Good value
Reasons to avoid
-
Lacks the other features and functions of an iPad
Buy it if
✅ You want the best drawing experience: This tablet is designed specifically for outdoor art.
✅ You're looking for value: This tablet offers impressive capabilities for an affordable price.
Buy it if
❌ Procreate is essential to your workflow: The popular drawing app isn't available for Android devices.
❌ You need a high-performance tablet for complex tasks: This isn't a great choice for 3D modelling or video editing.
The bottom line
🔎 XPPen Magic Drawing Pad offers an excellent, affordable drawing experience for artists wanting a mobile creative tool. ★★★★
What you need to know: Released in 2024, the Magic Drawing Pad is a purpose-built Android tablet for digital artists who want to draw on the go. In that light, it provides a value alternative to more expensive tablets like the iPad. It isn't perfect, but for artists seeking an affordable, lightweight tablet designed specifically for digital art, it's an compelling option for the price.
Design and build: The tablet features a solid metal chassis with a 3:2 display ratio, making it comfortable to hold and draw on. At just 599g, it's remarkably light, and its slim 6.9mm profile makes it easy to carry. The included flexible case offers basic protection and includes a stylus holder.
Display: The 12.2-inch matte anti-glare screen is a standout feature. With a resolution of 2160 x 1440 and support for 109% sRGB, 82% Adobe RGB, the display is vibrant and colour-accurate. The micro-textured surface provides a paper-like drawing experience that many artists will appreciate, with minimal glare even in bright outdoor conditions.
Performance: Powered by an eight-core MT8771 processor and 8GB RAM, the Magic Drawing Pad handles Android drawing apps smoothly and responsively. The included X3 Pro Pencil offers 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity, providing nuanced line work. While it may struggle with complex brush simulations, it performs excellently for sketching, inking, and basic painting.
Pricing: Starting at $499.99 / £449.99, this is significantly cheaper than iPad and Samsung alternatives. The package includes the stylus, multiple nibs, and a protective case, offering good value for artists on a budget.
✅ You want a tablet/laptop hybrid for less: With its included stylus and keyboard, this offers excellent value.
✅ Battery life is your top priority: Our reviewer got 20 hours and 12 minutes of life in tests.
Buy it if
❌ You require high-end graphics processing: This doesn't have the most powerful specs on our list.
❌ You need to run specialised software: As an Android tablet, your choice of creative apps is limited.
The bottom line
🔎 ASUS ProArt PZ13 offers a compelling 2-in-1 solution for mobile creators with impressive battery life and comprehensive accessories. ★★★★
What you need to know: Launched in late 2024, the ProArt PZ13 is ASUS's most compact creative professional tablet, targeting artists, photographers, and content creators who need portability and versatility.
Design and build: A sleek 2-in-1 device with a robust build, the PZ13 comes with a protective camo-green sleeve and keyboard. The tablet weighs just 850g, making it relatively lightweight for its capabilities. Its refined design combines portability with durability.
Display: The 13.3-inch OLED touchscreen is a standout feature, offering 2880 x 1800 resolution with 100% P3 color gamut. PANTONE-validated and incredibly color-accurate, the display is exceptional for creative work, with 502 nits brightness and HDR support.
Performance: Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus processor with a 45TOPS Neural Processing Unit (NPU), the PZ13 excels in efficiency. While not a powerhouse for 3D rendering, it's excellent for photo editing, light graphic design, and video content creation. The most impressive feature is its extraordinary battery life, reaching over 20 hours in testing.
Pricing: Retailing at £1,199/$1,099, the ProArt PZ13 offers exceptional value. Crucially, it includes a stylus, keyboard, stand, and protective sleeve – a significant advantage over competitors like iPad Pro.
✅ You want a high-performance Android tablet: Our reviewer was impressed with its capabilities.
✅ You need a budget-friendly creative device: This is one of the most affordable iPad alternatives.
Buy it if
❌ You require a full creative ecosystem: An Apple or Windows tablet will run more software.
❌ You want dedicated drawing features: We'd recommend the XPPen Magic Drawing Pad instead.
The bottom line
🔎 RedMagic Nova offers remarkable performance and value, making it an attractive alternative for budget-conscious creatives. ★★★★
What you need to know: Looking to save cash? RedMagic Nova Gaming Tablet offers an affordable solution for creatives seeking a powerful Android tablet. While primarily marketed as a gaming device, its specifications make it surprisingly suitable for creative tasks.
Design and build: The Nova impressed our reviewer with its sleek 7.3mm thin metal construction. Weighing just 530g, it's incredibly portable. A unique transparent back strip with RGB lights adds a distinctive flair, setting it apart from traditional tablets.
Display: The 10.9-inch 2.8K resolution display with a 144Hz refresh rate provides crisp, smooth visuals. At 550 nits brightness, it offers vibrant colors and sharp details, making it suitable for light creative work, photo editing, and media consumption.
Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor with 16GB RAM, the Nova delivers impressive performance. Its dedicated cooling system ensures sustained performance, making it capable of handling graphic design apps, light video editing, and multitasking.
Pricing: Starting at £439 for the 12GB/256GB model and £559 for the 16GB/512GB version, the RedMagic Nova offers exceptional value compared to more expensive creative tablets.
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Test results
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Price
Value for money
★★★★★
Design
Distinctive flair
★★★★
Performance
Strong performer
★★★★
How to choose the best iPad alternatives
When choosing the best iPad alternatives, the first thing to do is to establish what you're going to use it for, as this will determine which features you need. If you're just going to be using the tablet for a light browsing and maybe some streaming, your needs will be different than if you are planning on using the tablet as your main work tool and need to run resource-intensive apps. Once that's established, here are some criteria to consider.
Screen size: The size of a tablets screen is expressed in inches, referring to the diagonal distance between two corners. So, a 14-inch tablet means a tablet with 14 inches between the top left and the bottom right of the screen. A larger screen gives you more space to work with – useful for creative work and great for watching movies. However, it also means the tablet is physically larger and heavier, which impacts portability.
Screen resolution: The higher the screen resolution, the more detail it is able to display and the better your content will look.
Screen brightness/colour: A higher level of brightness, expressed in nits, will make your screen easier to see in a variety of conditions. Generally 300 nits is acceptable, 400 nits is good and anything above 500 is excellent. You may also see reference to a screen's coverage of various colour gamuts, such as sRGB, DCI P3 and Adobe RGB, etc. The higher the percentage of these spaces, the richer and more accurate colours a screen can display.
Stylus compatibility: If you're planning on drawing or doing other creative work on a tablet, having a compatible active stylus like the Apple Pencil is a must.
At Creative Bloq, we regularly review tablets from a range of different manufacturers. We will spend a significant amount of time with any tablet we review, and test it against a series of benchmarks designed to assess how well it performs.
We run different productivity apps, creative programs, browsers and games on the tablet (where possible) to see how well it is able to cope with such tasks. We look at screen quality, measuring brightness and refresh rate. We try out any compatible accessories available to us such as styluses and stands, and we also look at the physical design of the tablet to assess whether it is convenient to use, easy to carry and robustly constructed.
iPads have been gaining popularity as drawing tablets for amateurs and professionals alike – but many are understandably put off by the cost, especially when you consider the extra $100 or so for an Apple Pencil.
There are plenty of tablets that can work as iPad alternatives for drawing – the key is to make sure you get one with an active stylus. This means a stylus that can communicate with the tablet electronically (rather than essentially being a pointed stick), and can therefore offer vital artistic features like pressure sensitivity, palm rejection and tilt sensitivity.
If you can afford them, Microsoft's Surface range and Samsung's Galaxy Tab range are good places to start. We also like the XPPen Magic Drawing Pad since this was made specifically with drawing in mind. If you specifically want a device for drawing, see our guide to the best drawing tablets.
What is a good iPad alternative for toddlers?
Kids love tablets – but you may not want to give them something as expensive and breakable as an iPad. There are plenty of kid-friendly tablets out there that offer features like parental control settings and content restrictions. Amazon's Fire Kids range is a great place to start, offering a number of tablets specifically designed for little ones.
Are Android tablets a good alternative to iPads?
Absolutely! While the Android interface still isn't as smooth and well-integrated on tablets as Apple's iOS, the Android ecosystem offers a level of choice and customisability that Apple simply can't match.
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Ian Dean is Editor, Digital Arts & 3D at Creative Bloq, and the former editor of many leading magazines. These titles included ImagineFX, 3D World and video game titles Play and Official PlayStation Magazine. Ian launched Xbox magazine X360 and edited PlayStation World. For Creative Bloq, Ian combines his experiences to bring the latest news on digital art, VFX and video games and tech, and in his spare time he doodles in Procreate, ArtRage, and Rebelle while finding time to play Xbox and PS5.
