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Best Free iPad Apps of 2016

ICYMI: AppAdvice's Best Free iPad Apps of 2016 Include Apple Pencil Apps, Puzzle Games

The top free iPad apps and games of the year
App-dicted
December 31, 2016

Our Best Free iPad Apps of 2016 list features plenty for everyone from a Disney game to two apps for Apple Pencil. Find out which one was the best of all.

The Best of the Best
SketchBook Motion

The Best of the Best

Autodesk Motion
SketchBook Motion The Best of the Best

AutoDesk has long been a popular choice for digital designers. In 2016, the world said hello to the company’s latest creation, SketchBook Motion.

Whether you’re creating something from scratch or using existing images, SketchBook Motion has you covered. Ideal for Apple Pencil users. Save your creations as impressive iMessage stickers, lightweight GIFs or high-quality MP4 movies.

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SketchBook Motion
SketchBook Motion
Autodesk

Create and Create Again

What Will You Create

What Will You Create

With SketchBook Motion, your creativity is your only limitation. What will you create today?

A Winner

A Winner

An App Store Best of 2016 Award Winner, SketchBook Motion brings life to your incredible images. Watch all the elements of your design move, multiply, and grow. ​

Create iMessage Stickers

Create iMessage Stickers

With SketchBook Motion you can design and then send iMessage stickers with ease. Create your masterpiece using the easy-to-follow SketchBook Motion tools to get started.

Get
SketchBook Motion
SketchBook Motion
The Runner-Up
Gboard — a new keyboard from Google

The Runner-Up

Gboard
Gboard — a new keyboard from Google The Runner-Up

There’s been a lot of third-party keyboards created for iOS. Perhaps none are as impressive as Gboard. The free app works just like a regular keyboard but also provides built-in Google search, GIF options, email scheduling, glide typing, and more.

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Gboard — a new keyboard from Google
Gboard — a new keyboard from Google
Google, Inc.

It's All Here

Track or schedule emails

Track or schedule emails

If you would like to send your email with a read receipt, just tap the Track button. Or, if you would like to your message to be sent at a later date or time, the Schedule feature works well. You can also attach files or photos and include a signature.

iOS 10 emojis

iOS 10 emojis

In iOS 10, the built-in emojis have been given a new look and improved diversity. Gboard now supports the iOS 10 emojis, from facial expressions and animal avatars to symbols and flags.

In-app Google search

In-app Google search

Tap the Google icon to search directly within the keyboard app. This eliminates app switching to find news, weather, scores, or locations. You will see your search results along the bottom and can add your pick to your message.

Get
Gboard — a new keyboard from Google
Gboard — a new keyboard from Google
Finalists

Finalists

Did Your Favorite Make Our List?
Finalists

Our finalists include fantastic puzzle games, a writing app, and a television app for kids.

The original reimagined

Free
Disney Crossy Road
Disney Crossy Road
Disney Electronic Content, Inc.

From the makers of Dots and Two Dots

Free
Dots & Co: A New Puzzle Adventure
Dots & Co: A New Puzzle Adventure
Playdots, Inc.

Crabby Part II

Free
Mr. Crab 2
Mr. Crab 2
Illusion Labs AB

Writing the way it should be

Free
Bear - beautiful writing app for notes and prose
Bear - beautiful writing app for notes and prose
Shiny Frog di Matteo Rattotti e C. S.N.C.

Where will your Apple Pencil take you?

Free
Millie Marotta’s Coloring Adventures
Millie Marotta’s Coloring Adventures
Amphio Limited

It's Kids Television

Free
Toca TV
Toca TV
Toca Boca AB

Pile it on

Free
Stack
Stack
Ketchapp

Learning code is no longer difficult

Free
Swift Playgrounds
Swift Playgrounds
Apple Inc.

What were your favorite free iPad titles in 2016? Leave your comments below.