We do have iPads 1:1.  The apps we pay for are very selective.  It is safe to say it costs us about 40 a device for the apps we choose/"can't do without".   Some do have free equivalents, but others do not.  For example, we prefer Notability to Evernote because of the ease of transition with Google drive.  It can be done with a few more clicks with Evernote.  Other things like iMovie are harder to substitute.  For us the concern has been control of internet content outside of school.  It costs us about 40 to filter it.  Our middle school will be rolling out Kuno tablets(android) soon, the self-filtering will save us that 40.  Good luck!