Everywhere we read about old school print publishers trying to figure out ways to get readers to pay for the digital (and often awful) versions of their magazines. Here are ways to beat that trap with the best of the new publishing paradigm while paying absolutely nothing - free is good.

 

Best Free Magazines for iPad: Discover

When I was a kid, I spent hours and hours poring over our family's two encyclopedia sets. Wikipedia is the 21st Century encyclopedia and Discover puts this exceptional resource in your hands in an engaging digital magazine format, you've gotta get this simply great app from Cooliris.

 

Best Free Magazines for iPad: Website Magazine

Chances are, one way or another, you're in the business, too. In the second decade of the new millennium, pageviews, SEO, reputation management and design matter to everyone. Get free access to the blogs and one edition just for asking.

 

Best Free Magazines for iPad: Flipboard

Far and away the best free ipad magazines isn't a magazine. A clever mix of curated tech and business news vis RSS, as well as a professional photostream, your Facebook and Twitter feeds, and any other sources you choose to ad, Flipboard is the first and perhaps only real digital magazine, it will change how you get and consume news.

 

Best Free Magazines for iPad: Net-a-porter Magazine

Called the future of digital fashion publishing by fans and pundits alike, this title provides a seamless blend of editorial and shopping resources. Style has never looked this good.

 

Best Free Magazines for iPad: Slate

This one costs $1.99 on the iPhone but it is free on Apple's magical tablet go figure. A slick, nicely done interface well-stocked with the "slatest" mix of textual, video, podcast content and, yeah, news.

 

Best Free Magazines for iPad: BMW Magazine

Ya gotta have goals and this free publication points to a future with you behind the wheel of the world's finest driving machine. You've the iPad. What's stopping you from getting the beamer (magazine)?

 

Best Free Magazines for iPad: Entrepreneur Magazine

Not free per se, but there are five free editions. May through September for the taking, making this one of the most enticing offerings from a mainstream, old-line publication. And, your new economy business chops could use a little (just a little) polish, right?

 

Best Free Magazines for iPad: Time, Inc.

If you're already a People, Life, Time, Fortune, Sports Illustrated or Entertainment Weekly print subscriber, then you can get the digital editions for "free" on your iPad. Digital only single editions and subs, however, aren't as cheap as they should be.

 

Best Free Magazines for iPad: National Geographic

Download the app and get a free copy (Zinio account required) of last month's magazine. Offer also applies to their Travel magazines, as well.

 

Best Free Magazines for iPad: Zinio Magazine Newsstand & Reader

When you download this free app, you do get a few freebies for your trouble. However, the purpose of Zinio is to get you to buy subscriptions and you'll find hundreds of the most popular periodical titles in this glorified .pdf store + reader.

 

Related : ipad photo organizer , move music from ipad to itunes