These iPad Apps Made Me a More Productive, Creative Freelancer—Can’t Live Without Them!

I’ve been reaching for my iPad a lot lately, thanks to some fantastic new apps that have transformed it into a powerhouse for both productivity and creativity. After a period of underusing my iPad, I’ve finally found a workflow that makes it indispensable. In this article, I’ll share the apps that have revitalized my iPad experience.

Obsidian: A Visual Note-Taking Powerhouse

The first app that’s changed my workflow is Obsidian, paired with Obsidian Sync. You might wonder why I need another note-taking app when I already use Notion and Apple Notes. Obsidian stands out with its visual mapping feature, which connects your notes and ideas into a digital garden. This helps me visualize my thoughts and link related concepts, making it ideal for brainstorming and knowledge management.

Obsidian is free on desktop, but syncing across devices like your iPad and phone requires a small subscription fee for Obsidian Sync. For me, the ability to access my digital garden on the go is worth it. It’s become a central hub for my knowledge-based notes, helping me organize ideas in a way that sparks creativity.

Pinterest and Milanote: A Creative Duo

Next up are Pinterest and Milanote, two apps that work hand-in-hand for my creative process. Pinterest is my go-to for inspiration, whether it’s graphic design, magazine layouts, travel photos, or outfit ideas. The iPad app feels incredibly intuitive—scrolling and saving images is seamless, making it my favorite platform for using Pinterest compared to my phone or laptop.

I use Milanote as a visual planner to kickstart creative projects. It’s perfect for mood boards, color palettes, to-do lists, and planning anything from home redecoration to client design projects or trip outfits. Together, Pinterest and Milanote streamline my ideation process, letting me gather inspiration and organize it visually.

ChatGPT: A Creative and Research Companion

I’ve been loving the ChatGPT app for ideation, writing, and storyboarding. Recent updates have made the iPad app much closer to the desktop experience, with folder organization to keep chats tidy. I use it to flesh out story ideas, ensure thorough content planning, and repurpose existing content for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Substack. It’s like having a second brain to map out my content strategy.

I’m also testing other AI apps like Perplexity for research and Claude for formal writing. If you’re interested in a detailed review of these, let me know! For now, I’ll say that integrating AI tools like ChatGPT has saved me hours on research and fact-checking. If you’re curious about AI tools, check out HubSpot’s free resource listing over 40 paid and free options for marketing, writing, imagery, and ideation. It’s linked below and has been a great starting point for me.

DoMarks: Simplifying Bookmarks

DoMarks is a new find that’s like a cross between Bookmarks and Todoist. It syncs effortlessly across Apple devices via iCloud and turns your bookmarks into a checklist. This is a game-changer for me, as I often save articles, videos, and courses but lose track of what I’ve read. DoMarks’ minimal, user-friendly interface lets me see at a glance what I’ve gone through, making it my favorite bookmarking tool yet.

Index: Wardrobe Organization Made Easy

For fashion lovers, Index is a wardrobe cataloging app that’s a total game-changer. I prefer using it on my iPad for the larger screen real estate. Index lets you catalog your wardrobe by uploading photos of your clothes, then helps you create outfits and plan packing lists. The paid version offers analytics like cost per wear, color preferences, and seasonal trends, which have transformed how I shop and style my wardrobe. Recently, I used it to plan outfits for a trip to Taiwan and Tokyo, and the auto-generated packing list made traveling so much easier.

GoodNotes: The Ultimate Digital Notepad

GoodNotes remains my go-to for digital note-taking. I use it for course notes, storyboarding, mood boarding, and even a reading journal. Recent updates, like scribble-to-erase, spell correction for handwriting, and audio recording for lectures, have made it even more intuitive. The app’s marketplace offers templates, but I’ve found amazing ones on Etsy, like my reading journal template, which I’ve used for years. GoodNotes is versatile enough for students, artists, or anyone needing a digital scratchpad.

I also pair GoodNotes with FontMaker, a fun app that creates a font from your handwriting for a small one-time fee (around $12.99). This lets me type notes in my reading journal that look handwritten, adding a personal touch.

Notion: Still a Staple

I’m a diehard Notion fan, and the iPad app has finally caught up to the desktop experience. I use it for writing, recipe tracking, goal planning, video ideation, and managing contractor tasks. The ability to share web pages directly to Notion from the iPad’s browser (no extension needed) is perfect for saving articles, research, or wish list items. It’s become my central hub for both personal and professional tasks.

Flow: A Minimal Pomodoro Timer

For productivity, I love Flow, a minimal Pomodoro timer app. I set it for 25, 30, or even hour-long focus sessions, with customizable breaks. Having it on my iPad, propped up on my desk, keeps me on track without distractions. Its clean design and simplicity make it a joy to use, helping me train my attention for deep work.

Final Thoughts

These apps have made my iPad a cornerstone of my workflow, blending productivity and creativity seamlessly. I’m always testing new tools, so let me know if you’d like more app reviews for iPad, iPhone, or MacBook. If you’re struggling to integrate your iPad into your daily routine, I hope these suggestions inspire you.