While scheduling apps with limited functionality and free checklists from the app store might be great for a few day-to-day reminders, they simply cannot deal with a full-scale school work load. The best personal organizer apps sync content across a variety of platforms and can carry enough data to resemble a small hard drive. While services like Google Drive and iCloud are primarily used to store data in the cloud, they are actually great for organizing subject-related documents, music and video files, as well as syncing calendars. All of the services function similarly — the only thing that separates them is the cost, amount of free space, and small variances in functionality.

Our Top Back to School Apps for Cloud-Based Organization:

iCloud:

iCloud is part of all current iOS software. Virtually anything that exists in a digital format can be uploaded to iCloud, including music, photographs, videos, essays, and books. It can synch alerts and documents across various documents, and can be accessed anywhere where there is internet or data connection. Apple offers 5 GB of free space, and currently, up to 55 GB of total storage space available for annual purchase. $100 per year for 55 GB of space is a bit expensive, so consider some of the thriftier options below unless if you can resist Apple’s aesthetics and user-friendliness.

Google Drive:

Like iCloud, Google Drive offers 5 GB of free storage space. But for calendar and scheduling purposes — that is more than enough. Multiple users can collaborate on documents, and changes made are saved immediately. Edits can be made at any time, and take effect immediately. Users can upload other forms of media as well, like photos, songs and video. Through a monthly subscription, additional storage space can be added to the online archive.

Skydrive:

Skydrive is Windows’ answer to cloud storage. Skydrive is a personal organizer app that offers up to 7 GB of free storage. SkyDrive allows users to view, create, and edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote document, directly from the service. SkyDrive integrates with social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, where users can share content that they have added to their accounts.

Dropbox:

Dropbox might offer the least amount of free space, as it only allows users to store 2 GB worth of content. However, it is probably the most functional . Although with a monthly subscription, users can have up to 100 GB of space — making Dropbox one of the more robust paid cloud storage platforms. It is a great personal organizer, as users can organize their documents, store pictures directly from their mobile devices, and once they subscribe, carry around a library of organized pieces of writing, photographs, and work related documents.

Cubby:

Offering 5 GB of free cloud storage space, Cubby is very similar to iCloud and Google Drive. It’s a personal organizer app where users add different types of folders, or “cubbies,” to their file collection. Users can get additional space depending on the amount of friends they recruit to sign up for Cubby. Files and documents are arranged into “cubbies” where a search function encourages users to properly label documents to ensure it is easy locate. By carefully naming files and combing data into folders, users can create a well-organized, customized archive of data.