Best iPad Apps of 2023
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| http://best-it-info.blogspot.com/ |
- By Jeffrey L. Wilson
The Apple iPad is one of the most critically acclaimed
and commercially successful tablets on the market. An elegant design, intuitive
interface, and a massive app ecosystem that lets you do nearly anything you can
imagine have all combined to propel the iPad to stardom. Want to watch a movie?
Download the Netflix app. Want to get some work done? Download the long-awaited
and recently released Microsoft Word for iPad app. Any task you want to do,
there's probably an app for that.
According to Apple, more than a half-million dedicated
iPad apps have been released worldwide.
That's an incredible number of apps to enhance and expand the iPad family's functionality, whether you've got an old iPad 2 or a brand-spanking-new iPad Air.
That's an incredible number of apps to enhance and expand the iPad family's functionality, whether you've got an old iPad 2 or a brand-spanking-new iPad Air.
That poses a discovery problem: How does one navigate the
500,000+ apps and find those that are worth downloading? It's quite simple,
really. Check out PCMag.com's picks. Our staff has tested hundreds of iPad apps
and kicked the stinkers to the curb. If you're the intrepid type, you could dig
through the depths of the App Store for user reviews, but do you really want to
do that? That demands a lot of time, and little-known apps may have only a
handful of reviews, despite being great.
What You'll Find in This List
This list includes native iPad apps that deliver unique and compelling
tablet-based experiences, not iPhone or iPod touch apps running in 2X mode.
We've divided our selections into seven categories to make app-discovery
incredibly easy: Social Networking, Business, Communication, Entertainment,
Creativity, News/Reference/ Information, and Reading. There's an iPad app for
everyone. Install the apps of interest (assuming your iPad is compatible and
has the available storage!), and you'll enjoy an excellent tablet experience.
We've also included links to in-depth reviews where available. Rest assured
that even those apps that haven't been fully reviewed are included because
they've impressed us after some serious hands-on time.
What You Won't Find In This List
In this round-up you will not find pre-installed apps or mobile games. The
former aren't included because default apps are easy to find—they live on your
iPad's home screen. The latter aren't included because we've given the best
iPad games their own dedicated, curated section that highlights the best iOS
tablet games.
You can either navigate our list via the 100 Best iPad
Apps slideshow or the table of contents at the top right. As always, if a
particular app catches your eye, click through to the full review to learn more
about it.
Ready to discover some awesome iPad apps? Let's
get started.
The 100 Best iPad Apps of 2023
Facebook for iPad
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| Facebook for iPad |
Free
Facebook took its sweet time bringing a dedicated iPad app to market, but in the year since its release, the app has blossomed into a full-featured service. It needs just a few more refinements to meet all iPad users' needs.
Facebook took its sweet time bringing a dedicated iPad app to market, but in the year since its release, the app has blossomed into a full-featured service. It needs just a few more refinements to meet all iPad users' needs.
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| Hootsuite |
Hootsuite
Free
HootSuite allow users to create numerous social network streams and view them in a clean, friendly
interface, dispatching messages to multiple networks
simultaneously.HootSuite allow users to create numerous social network streams and view them in a clean, friendly
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| Tweetbot |
Tweetbot
$2.99
Featuring an excellent design and loads of customization options, Tweetbot is an iPad app that Twitter users should sample—but only if they use Twitter exclusively. If you want to integrate Twitter and Facebook, MyPad is the way to go, but if Twitter is your exclusive social network, Tweetbot is a superior selection.
$2.99
Featuring an excellent design and loads of customization options, Tweetbot is an iPad app that Twitter users should sample—but only if they use Twitter exclusively. If you want to integrate Twitter and Facebook, MyPad is the way to go, but if Twitter is your exclusive social network, Tweetbot is a superior selection.
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| Twitter for iPad |
Twitter for iPad
Free
Once (or if) you become accustomed to. Twitter for iPad's cramped composition box design, you'll find it hard to go back to TweetDeck for iPad or any other iPad Twitter client. It's not perfect, but it simply feels right in both horizontal and vertical orientations. It's obvious that Twitter spent a good amount of time in creating this app, and it was well worth the lengthy wait.
Free
Once (or if) you become accustomed to. Twitter for iPad's cramped composition box design, you'll find it hard to go back to TweetDeck for iPad or any other iPad Twitter client. It's not perfect, but it simply feels right in both horizontal and vertical orientations. It's obvious that Twitter spent a good amount of time in creating this app, and it was well worth the lengthy wait.
TweetDeck
for iPad
Free
It may not support social networks such as Facebook or location-based services such as Foursquare, but TweetDeck for iPad is a respectable Twitter reader with an intuitive interface and accurate geo-tagging.
Free
It may not support social networks such as Facebook or location-based services such as Foursquare, but TweetDeck for iPad is a respectable Twitter reader with an intuitive interface and accurate geo-tagging.
Yelp
Free
Yelp's iOS app brings the Web site's reviews and recommendations to the iPad, but diehard Yelpers will miss a handful of features that didn't get ported to Apple's tablet.
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| Air Display 1.2 (for iPad) |
Air Display 1.2 (for iPad)
$9.99
A second monitor can be a boon to productivity, as you can keep Outlook, Twitter, or other potentially distracting work element on a second screen. That's where Avatron's Air Display comes in: It turns your iPad into a wireless second LCD monitor for your Mac or PC.
A second monitor can be a boon to productivity, as you can keep Outlook, Twitter, or other potentially distracting work element on a second screen. That's where Avatron's Air Display comes in: It turns your iPad into a wireless second LCD monitor for your Mac or PC.
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| Citrix Go To My PC |
Citrix Go To My PC
Free
Citrix Go To My PC for iPad makes it simple to control your computer while away from your work area, but the lack of multitasking support, and latency issues, may dampen the experience.
Free
Citrix Go To My PC for iPad makes it simple to control your computer while away from your work area, but the lack of multitasking support, and latency issues, may dampen the experience.
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| Cubby (Beta) |
Cubby (beta)
Free
Even though Cubby is still in beta, we feel confident giving it a four-star rating. It offers both the flexibility of letting you designate any folder on your system for syncing, while eliminating confusion that approach introduces in other products. Its DirectSync capability sets it apart from most competitors, letting you sync unlimited data among your own computers.
Free
Even though Cubby is still in beta, we feel confident giving it a four-star rating. It offers both the flexibility of letting you designate any folder on your system for syncing, while eliminating confusion that approach introduces in other products. Its DirectSync capability sets it apart from most competitors, letting you sync unlimited data among your own computers.
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| Dragon
Dictation |
Dragon Dictation
Free
Featuring very accurate voice transcription and the ability to share messages via e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter, Naunce's dictation app is both fun to use and immensely helpful—as long as you're connected to the Web.
Free
Featuring very accurate voice transcription and the ability to share messages via e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter, Naunce's dictation app is both fun to use and immensely helpful—as long as you're connected to the Web.
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| Dropbox for iPad |
Dropbox for iPad
Free
Simple to use and extremely useful, Dropbox for iPad will keep all of your files in step, but the lack of built in file editing, and other limitations, may prove irritating..
Free
Simple to use and extremely useful, Dropbox for iPad will keep all of your files in step, but the lack of built in file editing, and other limitations, may prove irritating..
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| eFax |
eFax
Free
The eFax iPad app makes it simple to send and receive faxes from your tablet, losing very little in the transition from desktop to mobile. A free account lets you receive (not send) a handful of faxes, but upgrading to a Plus or Pro account opens the door to faxing freedom.
Free
The eFax iPad app makes it simple to send and receive faxes from your tablet, losing very little in the transition from desktop to mobile. A free account lets you receive (not send) a handful of faxes, but upgrading to a Plus or Pro account opens the door to faxing freedom.
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| FileMaker Go |
FileMaker Go
$39.99
FileMaker Go is a well-designed iPad app that lets you access database information from the palm of your hand. It lacks synchronization and the ability to create files, but it's yet another solid iPad business app.
$39.99
FileMaker Go is a well-designed iPad app that lets you access database information from the palm of your hand. It lacks synchronization and the ability to create files, but it's yet another solid iPad business app.
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| GoodReader |
GoodReader
$4.99
When it comes to reviewing, editing, archiving, and sharing text, it's difficult to top GoodReader - an excellent iPad app.
$4.99
When it comes to reviewing, editing, archiving, and sharing text, it's difficult to top GoodReader - an excellent iPad app.
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| iSimplyConnect |
iSimplyConnect
Free to download, $15 per month
Small businesses that want an iPad VPN solution should consider iSimplyConnect, which is fast, easy to deploy, a snap to use, and quite affordable.
Free to download, $15 per month
Small businesses that want an iPad VPN solution should consider iSimplyConnect, which is fast, easy to deploy, a snap to use, and quite affordable.
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iWork for iPad
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iWork for iPad
$9.99 each for Keynote for iPad, Numbers for iPad, and Pages for iPad
iWork is an impressive debut for a tablet-based application suite, and one of the best arguments for getting an iPad..
$9.99 each for Keynote for iPad, Numbers for iPad, and Pages for iPad
iWork is an impressive debut for a tablet-based application suite, and one of the best arguments for getting an iPad..
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| Mailbox |
Mailbox
Free
Orchestra Inc.'s dedicated Mailbox iPad app, gives iPad owners the opportunity to try the much-hyped email management system. The app's philosophy isn't for everyone, but gives clear guidelines to people who struggle to feel in control of their inboxes.
Free
Orchestra Inc.'s dedicated Mailbox iPad app, gives iPad owners the opportunity to try the much-hyped email management system. The app's philosophy isn't for everyone, but gives clear guidelines to people who struggle to feel in control of their inboxes.
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| mercury web browser pro |
Mercury Web Browser Pro
$0.99 cents
Featuring full-screen Web browsing, gesture support, ad blocking, and syncing with Firefox on the desktop, Mercury is the most feature-packed alternative browser for the iPad.
$0.99 cents
Featuring full-screen Web browsing, gesture support, ad blocking, and syncing with Firefox on the desktop, Mercury is the most feature-packed alternative browser for the iPad.
Microsoft Excel
Free to view files; Office 365 subscription required to edit files.
Microsoft did an impressive job shoehorning the gigantic industrial plant that is desktop Excel into the narrow dimensions of a tablet. You get many essential desktop options—formatting, sorting, filtering, columns, rows, charting styles—in a sleek, intuitive package. Excel for iPad gets the job done more elegantly and efficiently than any other tablet spreadsheet app.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Free to view files; Office 365 subscription
required to edit files.
Word processors and spreadsheets are a lot easier to manage on a computer with a full-sized keyboard and mouse, but presentations turn out to be almost ideal for a tablet. Microsoft PowerPoint for the iPad is a pleasure to use, fast and responsive, well-adapted to a touch interface, and generally in the same league with Apple's Keynote—though Keynote outclasses PowerPoint in features and flexibility on Apple's tablet.
Word processors and spreadsheets are a lot easier to manage on a computer with a full-sized keyboard and mouse, but presentations turn out to be almost ideal for a tablet. Microsoft PowerPoint for the iPad is a pleasure to use, fast and responsive, well-adapted to a touch interface, and generally in the same league with Apple's Keynote—though Keynote outclasses PowerPoint in features and flexibility on Apple's tablet.
Microsoft Word
Free
Microsoft Word for iPad is the first app that gets tablet-based word processing right. Everything else has been either too weak or too strong, either overloaded or under-loaded with features. Word for iPad doesn't try to do everything that its desktop sibling does, but it does everything you're likely to want to do including revision tracking and simultaneous collaborative editing.
Microsoft Word for iPad is the first app that gets tablet-based word processing right. Everything else has been either too weak or too strong, either overloaded or under-loaded with features. Word for iPad doesn't try to do everything that its desktop sibling does, but it does everything you're likely to want to do including revision tracking and simultaneous collaborative editing.
Mint.com Personal
Free
Mint.com's iPad app allows the money-conscious to track, budget and manage their finances in one place, so they can see where they're spending and where they can save some chips. Simply create an account, add your bank, credit, loan and retirement accounts, and Mint will automatically import and categorize your transactions.
Mint.com's iPad app allows the money-conscious to track, budget and manage their finances in one place, so they can see where they're spending and where they can save some chips. Simply create an account, add your bank, credit, loan and retirement accounts, and Mint will automatically import and categorize your transactions.
Monster.com Jobs
Free
Monster.com, one of the leading online employment services, makes job-hunting couch-compatible with its fun, free iPad app.
Free
Monster.com, one of the leading online employment services, makes job-hunting couch-compatible with its fun, free iPad app.
Network Toolbox
$4.99
There is a really cool app that turns your iPad (or other iOS device) into a network toolbox, and that app is named, appropriately enough, Network Toolbox for iOS. Not only is it chock full of networking utilities that can help analyze and troubleshoot a network, but it's also a beautiful app, and one that is well in-line with Apple's design aesthetics.
$4.99
There is a really cool app that turns your iPad (or other iOS device) into a network toolbox, and that app is named, appropriately enough, Network Toolbox for iOS. Not only is it chock full of networking utilities that can help analyze and troubleshoot a network, but it's also a beautiful app, and one that is well in-line with Apple's design aesthetics.
Note Taker HD
$4.99
Editors' Choice winner Note Taker HD is a great note-taking tool that does the job nicely, without denting your wallet. The number of features may overwhelm casual users, but anyone looking for a multi-faceted tool for making annotations, diagrams, and doodling will find a lot to like here.
$4.99
Editors' Choice winner Note Taker HD is a great note-taking tool that does the job nicely, without denting your wallet. The number of features may overwhelm casual users, but anyone looking for a multi-faceted tool for making annotations, diagrams, and doodling will find a lot to like here.
OfficeTime
$47
OfficeTime, which records billable hours as you work and generates invoices and reports based on that data, is a small business owner's best friend, because it's inexpensive, highly useful, and downright practical. Every small business owner needs an app this good.
$47
OfficeTime, which records billable hours as you work and generates invoices and reports based on that data, is a small business owner's best friend, because it's inexpensive, highly useful, and downright practical. Every small business owner needs an app this good.
Penultimate
$1
Fast, flexible, and friendly, Penultimate is a first-rate handwriting app for the iPad that aims to replace your favorite pen with your index finger. The app features—besides basic notetaking—real-time presentation capabilities via VGA, wrist protection, unlimited notebooks, and plentiful sharing options. Who knew your finger was such an excellent pen?
$1
Fast, flexible, and friendly, Penultimate is a first-rate handwriting app for the iPad that aims to replace your favorite pen with your index finger. The app features—besides basic notetaking—real-time presentation capabilities via VGA, wrist protection, unlimited notebooks, and plentiful sharing options. Who knew your finger was such an excellent pen?
Polaris Office
$12.99
Polaris Office significantly improves your ability to get work done and be productive with an iPad, as it's a three-for-one app for editing and creating word processing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
$12.99
Polaris Office significantly improves your ability to get work done and be productive with an iPad, as it's a three-for-one app for editing and creating word processing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Quickoffice Pro HD (for iPad)
$19.99
Quickoffice is light years ahead of Smart Office in terms of usability, and even boasts features that the Editors' Choice Award-winning iWork doesn't possess. It can use some improvements—such as more templates and better file sharing—but it's a competent mobile office suite that's both easy to use and easy on the wallet.
$19.99
Quickoffice is light years ahead of Smart Office in terms of usability, and even boasts features that the Editors' Choice Award-winning iWork doesn't possess. It can use some improvements—such as more templates and better file sharing—but it's a competent mobile office suite that's both easy to use and easy on the wallet.
Save2PDF
$9.99
Save2PDF is a feature-rich PDF creation app that will appeal to mobile professionals who want to edit documents and create PDFs while on the go.
$9.99
Save2PDF is a feature-rich PDF creation app that will appeal to mobile professionals who want to edit documents and create PDFs while on the go.
SugarSync
Free
If you use SugarSync's excellent cloud-based file syncing service, adding the SugarSync iPad app to your tablet is a no-brainer. It could use a search tool, but SugarSync remains a great file-syncing choice for anyone who wants simple setup, a preserved folder structure, and an intelligent interface.
Free
If you use SugarSync's excellent cloud-based file syncing service, adding the SugarSync iPad app to your tablet is a no-brainer. It could use a search tool, but SugarSync remains a great file-syncing choice for anyone who wants simple setup, a preserved folder structure, and an intelligent interface.
Umbrella
$25.00
IT administrators can use Umbrella to apply security policies and push out anti-malware and anti-phishing protection on all devices on the wireless network to protect users from potential threats. Location doesn't matter; once the administrator defines and applies a security policy on the device, that device is protected as long as it is connected to the Internet.
$25.00
IT administrators can use Umbrella to apply security policies and push out anti-malware and anti-phishing protection on all devices on the wireless network to protect users from potential threats. Location doesn't matter; once the administrator defines and applies a security policy on the device, that device is protected as long as it is connected to the Internet.
AIM
Free
AIM is easily one of the best instant-messenger apps on the iPad. You can set up multiple usernames (and switch among them at any time), send IMs to any phone that supports text messaging, receive social network updates, and chat with Facebook and Google Talk users.
AIM is easily one of the best instant-messenger apps on the iPad. You can set up multiple usernames (and switch among them at any time), send IMs to any phone that supports text messaging, receive social network updates, and chat with Facebook and Google Talk users.
Duolingo
Free
If you're looking to learn or practice a language on an iPad, Duolingo is indisputably the way to go. The potentially major limitation will be whether Duolingo supports your language of choices, as the list remains tight. Fortunately, Duolingo does include many of the languages most studied by English speakers: Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese (Brazilian). It also has an English (American) learning program for speakers for those languages, except German. The app and program are both 100 percent free, and they still outshine practically every other language-learning app we've seen—even the very expensive ones.
Free
If you're looking to learn or practice a language on an iPad, Duolingo is indisputably the way to go. The potentially major limitation will be whether Duolingo supports your language of choices, as the list remains tight. Fortunately, Duolingo does include many of the languages most studied by English speakers: Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese (Brazilian). It also has an English (American) learning program for speakers for those languages, except German. The app and program are both 100 percent free, and they still outshine practically every other language-learning app we've seen—even the very expensive ones.
TextPlus
free
Prolific texters who want to save money on SMS messages will find TextPlus a very solid alternative to dipping into their mobile budgets.
free
Prolific texters who want to save money on SMS messages will find TextPlus a very solid alternative to dipping into their mobile budgets.
Crackle
Free
Crackle, Sony's video network, lets users stream free, ad-supported Hollywood television shows and uncut movies (as well as original content) from Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Classic, and TriStar Pictures. There's a nice variety of classic and contemporary content here, making it a solid iPad app for anyone who would like to kick back with their tablets and watch a program without making needing to open their wallets.
Fanhattan
Free
Ever wish that you could browse online streaming services from one location? Fanhattan does just that. It centralizes Crackle, Hulu Plus, Netflix, and other streaming video services into one convenient package. The one drawback? Studio licensing restrictions block the availability of some popular programming.
Ever wish that you could browse online streaming services from one location? Fanhattan does just that. It centralizes Crackle, Hulu Plus, Netflix, and other streaming video services into one convenient package. The one drawback? Studio licensing restrictions block the availability of some popular programming.
HBO Go
Free
If you've ever fancied watching any one of Home Box Office's more than 1,400 shows while away from the big screen TV, HBO Go is your application. The free download lets you tune into Eastbound and Down, Real Time with Bill Mahr, True Blood, and others on the iPad's glossy 9.7-inch display.
If you've ever fancied watching any one of Home Box Office's more than 1,400 shows while away from the big screen TV, HBO Go is your application. The free download lets you tune into Eastbound and Down, Real Time with Bill Mahr, True Blood, and others on the iPad's glossy 9.7-inch display.
Hulu Plus
$7.99 per month
Hulu Plus for iPad brings 720p visuals (when available) and a deep well of television content (30 Rock, Community, Glee, and more) to Apple's slate, but its movie library is lacking and not every Hulu Plus program is available for viewing on Apple’s slate due to licensing issues.
$7.99 per month
Hulu Plus for iPad brings 720p visuals (when available) and a deep well of television content (30 Rock, Community, Glee, and more) to Apple's slate, but its movie library is lacking and not every Hulu Plus program is available for viewing on Apple’s slate due to licensing issues.
IntoNow
Free
Yahoo!'s IntoNow is an iPad app (also available on other iOS platforms as well as Android) that stands out among the many "second-screen" apps designed to enhance your television viewing experience. Powered by SoundPrint recognition technology, IntoNow analyzes live television audio and matches it against "fingerprints" in its database to deliver supplemental program information to your tablet. IntoNow works well, but it's the apps additional features—a built in meme generator, in particular—that helps it stand out among a deep sea of second-screen apps.
Free
Yahoo!'s IntoNow is an iPad app (also available on other iOS platforms as well as Android) that stands out among the many "second-screen" apps designed to enhance your television viewing experience. Powered by SoundPrint recognition technology, IntoNow analyzes live television audio and matches it against "fingerprints" in its database to deliver supplemental program information to your tablet. IntoNow works well, but it's the apps additional features—a built in meme generator, in particular—that helps it stand out among a deep sea of second-screen apps.
Ken Burns
Free;
$9.99 to unlock full app
Ken Burns is one of our nation's great documentarians, and now you can view his take on different aspects of the American experience on your iPad. The Ken Burns iPad app includes the master's commentary, selected clips from his films, interviews, and images in such a powerful fashion that you'll want to go rent or purchase his many documentaries.
Ken Burns is one of our nation's great documentarians, and now you can view his take on different aspects of the American experience on your iPad. The Ken Burns iPad app includes the master's commentary, selected clips from his films, interviews, and images in such a powerful fashion that you'll want to go rent or purchase his many documentaries.
MoMA AB EX NY
Free
MoMA's new Abstract Expressionist app achieves symbiosis with the iPad: if you're an art enthusiast with an iPad, consider this app a must-download.
Free
MoMA's new Abstract Expressionist app achieves symbiosis with the iPad: if you're an art enthusiast with an iPad, consider this app a must-download.
Netflix
Free
This app enhances the value of a Netflix subscription by letting you watch movies directly on your mobile device, with excellent streaming. In the latest version, Netflix has made a number of improvements, like adding star recommendations and removing the status bar while titles are playing.
Free
This app enhances the value of a Netflix subscription by letting you watch movies directly on your mobile device, with excellent streaming. In the latest version, Netflix has made a number of improvements, like adding star recommendations and removing the status bar while titles are playing.
Rdio
Free
Fans of Rdio’s more social spin on digital music will find a lot to like in the company’s iPad app as you can follow other users’ selections. The app lets you sample a few seconds worth of any one of the 10 million-plus songs in Rdio’s library, but subscribing to the $14.99 per month Rdio Unlimited gives you full access to the catalog.
Fans of Rdio’s more social spin on digital music will find a lot to like in the company’s iPad app as you can follow other users’ selections. The app lets you sample a few seconds worth of any one of the 10 million-plus songs in Rdio’s library, but subscribing to the $14.99 per month Rdio Unlimited gives you full access to the catalog.
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