Few brands have garnered the acclaim enjoyed by the iPad when it comes to tablets. Apple has carefully crafted its entire lineup, ensuring that each device is powerful and tailored to meet various user needs, from casual web browsing to professional creative work. However, the appeal of the Apple ecosystem doesn't resonate with everyone. If you own a Windows desktop PC or an Android smartphone, you might want to explore alternatives that better integrate with your existing tech setup.
While Apple undoubtedly leads the tablet market with its iPad offerings, the tablet landscape in 2025 presents numerous excellent alternatives catering to diverse preferences. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly tablet for basic tasks or a high-performance device to compete with the iPad Pro, there are plenty of options available.
Here’s a comprehensive look at the six best iPad alternatives of 2025. This list features standout products from respected brands like Samsung, Microsoft, OnePlus, and others, highlighting their unique features, specifications, and strengths. Each of these tablets offers something specific, whether it’s superior productivity features, gaming capabilities, or versatile compatibility with various operating systems.
As we explore these alternatives, consider factors such as display quality, battery life, processing power, software ecosystem, and accessory compatibility. These can significantly influence your tablet experience. With so many robust options available, you're likely to find a device that not only meets your needs but also enhances your digital lifestyle.
The best overall iPad alternative
OnePlus Pad 2
- Beautiful build and light form factor
- Reliable stylus and keyboard
- Great six-speaker setup
- 67W fast charging
- Plenty of silicon firepower
- Beautiful 144Hz display
- Feature-rich OxygenOS experience
- Lack of dust and water resistance
- No cellular connectivity support
- OxygenOS could use some refinement
| Specification: | |
| Display size | 12.1-inches |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor |
| Battery life | Should last more than a day during |
| Storage options | 128GB or 256GB |
The OnePlus Pad 2 is marketed as a premium Android tablet, boasting impressive hardware specifications and strong performance. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, with options for either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, and storage choices of 128GB or 256GB. The tablet features a 12.1-inch display with a unique 7:5 aspect ratio. The review unit included 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, but it does not support storage expansion.
In terms of performance, the tablet handles multitasking smoothly, with no noticeable stutters even when numerous apps are running in the background. However, the reviewer pointed out that the auto-rotation feature could be more reliable. Benchmark results indicate that the OnePlus Pad 2 outperforms the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ by about 35%, although it still falls short compared to Apple's M2 and M4 chips found in iPad Pro models.
The OnePlus Pad 2 has a premium aluminum unibody design with rounded edges and corners, making it comfortable to hold, despite its relatively heavier weight of 584 grams. It features a six-speaker setup that delivers impressive audio quality, offering strong bass and detailed sound at all volume levels. Priced competitively at $550, the review concludes that the OnePlus Pad 2 offers excellent value. However, it faces the typical limitations of Android tablets when compared to iPads, particularly concerning the quality and functionality of multimedia apps.
The best budget iPad alternative
Amazon Fire Max 11
- Great screen for video
- Keyboard feels good to type on
- 10-hour-plus battery life
- Useful kickstand case
- Sparse app store
- Slow charging
| Specification: | |
| Display size | 11-inches |
| Chipset | MediaTek MT8188J |
| Battery life | Up to 14 hours |
| Storage options | 64GB or 128GB, can expand up to 1TB |
The Amazon Fire Max 11 is a notable upgrade in Amazon's tablet lineup. It is designed to be the company’s most powerful tablet yet, effectively serving as both a media consumption device and a productivity tool with optional keyboard and stylus accessories.
Even more than a year after its original release, this product remains a strong contender in its category. However, one significant drawback is its 60Hz refresh rate, which makes the display feel outdated compared to newer models featuring 90Hz or 120Hz screens.
In terms of performance, the tablet handles everyday tasks efficiently, and we have been impressed with the functionality of the keyboard attachment. However, the Amazon App Store does have limitations, as it lacks many popular applications. Fortunately, this can be addressed by installing the Google Play Store through a relatively simple (though unofficial) process.
At its price point, the Fire Max 11 is "an easy recommendation for most people looking for a reasonably priced, general-use tablet." It excels in media consumption while also offering decent productivity capabilities. Additionally, it provides particularly good value when purchased with accessories during Amazon's frequent promotions.
The best premium iPad alternative
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
- Gorgeous OLED screen
- Keyboard now works disconnected
- Upgradable storage
- Excellent trackpad and keyboard
- Spectacular webcam
- Great performance and battery life
- Not a great tablet without the keyboard
- Lacks a headphone jack
| Specification: | |
| Display size | 12.1-inches |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus or X Elite SoC, depending on the model |
| Battery life | Up to 14.5 hours |
| Storage options | Selections up to 1TB |
The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 marks a significant advancement in the Surface lineup and is widely regarded as one of the best Windows 2-in-1 devices ever created. A standout feature of the higher-end models is the new OLED display, which offers remarkable visual quality with impressive brightness and color accuracy. It is one of the finest displays we have tested on a Windows device, boasting over 500 nits of SDR brightness and excellent color reproduction in its Vivid mode.
Performance has seen substantial improvements thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon X chip, allowing the Surface Pro 11 to achieve what previous generations could not: a combination of strong performance and exceptional battery life. In testing, the device demonstrated over 14.5 hours of battery life during light web browsing, making it "the longest-lasting Copilot+ PC so far."
While the Surface Pro 11 doesn't quite match the Apple iPad Pro in certain areas, particularly in screen brightness, it still presents a strong case for the Windows 2-in-1 category. One notable drawback is the price; the base configuration starts at $999, and you'll need to spend an additional $140 for the keyboard, significantly increasing the total investment beyond the initial advertised price. Overall, the Surface Pro 11 finally realizes the potential that this line of devices has promised but never quite achieved until now.
The best gaming iPad alternative
RedMagic Nova
- Solid build and standout looks
- Blazing fast performance
- Incredible charge speeds
- Thermal hardware is impressive
- An impressive set of gaming features
- Strong haptic feedback
- UI design is a bit tacky
- Color and glare issues with the screen
- Runs hot, especially on the glass strip
| Specification: | |
| Display size | 10.9-inches |
| Chipset | Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Battery life | Significant swings, depending on what you're doing |
| Storage options | 256GB or 512GB |
The RedMagic Nova is an impressive gaming-focused Android tablet that offers exceptional value, starting at $499. Its design features a premium aerospace-grade aluminum chassis, highlighted by an eye-catching transparent strip above the camera lens that showcases some internal components. The RGB lighting extends to the RedMagic branding, adding to its visual appeal.
The hardware specifications are noteworthy for a device in this price range. The tablet boasts a 10.9-inch display with a resolution of 2880 x 1800 (2.8K), which exceeds the pixel density of competitors like the iPad Air. Performance is driven by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 "Leading Version" chipset, making it potentially the fastest Android tablet for gaming currently on the market.
Battery life is also impressive, with a 10,100mAh battery receiving an excellent rating for active use. It supports fast 80W charging, allowing the tablet to reach a full charge in under an hour.
However, there are some limitations. While the screen offers good brightness and a smooth 144Hz refresh rate, it suffers from less-than-ideal color calibration, resulting in a slightly cold appearance and blacks that aren't truly black, which is a common limitation of LCD technology compared to OLED. Other mentioned drawbacks include crushed color output, a garish software design, and heat generation during high-performance use.
Despite these shortcomings, the reviewer concludes that the RedMagic Nova represents an excellent value for gamers seeking a dedicated Android tablet, offering flagship-level gaming performance at a mid-range price point.
The best big iPad alternative
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
- Anti-reflective display tech
- Solid battery life
- Great performance
- Included S Pen
- Some useful Galaxy AI features
- Too big to be portable
- Android is poorly optimized for big screens
- Very, very expensive
| Specification: | |
| Display size | 14.6-inches |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 9300 Plus |
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours |
| Storage options | 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB |
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offers modest improvements rather than a groundbreaking update to the brand’s largest tablet. It maintains the same 14.6-inch screen size as its predecessor but now features an anti-reflective display, similar to that of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, making it much more usable outdoors. Despite its extremely thin profile of just 5.4 mm, the tablet is comfortable to hold, thanks to its wide form factor.
A significant change in this model is the shift from Qualcomm to MediaTek, as it incorporates the new Dimensity 9300+ processor. This upgrade results in a 15% boost in CPU performance and a 30% increase in GPU performance compared to last year's model. It also enhances neural processing capabilities for Samsung's Galaxy AI features, making this switch worthwhile.
The display remains a standout feature, often described as "the best display on an Android tablet," even though it doesn’t quite match Apple’s Tandem OLED technology. The anti-reflective coating significantly reduces reflections, improving the viewing experience "no matter the environment." While this tablet may not revolutionize Samsung’s Ultra lineup, it enhances an already capable device with meaningful improvements in screen visibility and performance, ensuring it remains a competitive option in the premium Android tablet market.
How we chose the best iPad alternatives
There are a lot of iPad alternatives to choose from, and narrowing down all the choices can be a challenge. But once you know what to look for, it's fairly easy to find the best tablets on the market. From display quality and hardware to available accessories and more, here's how we settled on the six best iPad alternatives.
Display
Apple products feature the iconic Retina display, providing users with a robust viewing experience. Whether you're working, gaming, or scrolling through social media, the iPad looks great in use. For an iPad alternative, we looked for products that offer much the same. So, while you won't find Retina displays on any of these tablets, you'll still get plenty of pixels to keep your eyes happy. Many also work well in bright environments and boast anti-glare properties, making them great for use in all locations.
Accessories
There's a strong possibility that you'll want to interact with your tablet through more than simple taps. If you plan on drawing, taking notes, sending emails, or photo editing, you'll probably want both a stylus and detachable keyboard. Because of this, we made sure to include products that support both first-party accessories and third-party accessories. Products from Samsung and Microsoft should be particularly enticing to shoppers, as they give you a robust selection of add-on gear to choose from.
Smooth performance
Using your tablet shouldn't be a slog. Ideally, it's touchscreen will be responsive to your input and capable of tracking each touch with pinpoint accuracy. It should also use an operating system that's intuitive and supports all your favorite apps. But since most tablets outside of Apple use either Android or Windows, this usually isn't a problem.
Good hardware
Aiding in smooth performance is hardware, with premium processors allowing tablets to cut through games, apps, and tasks like video editing with ease. It's also great to have plenty of onboard storage, allowing you to save content locally without needing to access the cloud. Some tablets might offer up to 1TB SSDs, though you'll likely pay a premium for the luxury. If budget is a concern, cutting down on local storage could help you save a bit of cash. Meanwhile, cutting down on your processor might be a good idea if you only plan to surf the web with your tablet. For anyone gaming or working on intense computing tasks, however, good hardware is a necessity.
Built to last
Going to be tossing your tablet in a bag when heading to work or class? Then it's important to find one that's built with high-quality materials and a durable, scratch-resistant screen. Tablets are portable by nature, but not all of them are up to the rigors of daily travel. The six iPad alternatives above are reliable devices that shouldn't have any issue squeezing into a cramped backpack or suitcase. Of course, the more you spend, the more durable the products usually are, but even the budget-friendly picks on this list are durable enough for a bit of adventure.
