Using a cloud service is one of the best ways students can store and organize their classwork-related files. Not only are these services fairly affordable, but they also typically allow you to share your files with others easily — something that’s incredibly helpful when you and your classmates need to collaborate on projects. Additionally, your files can be accessed from a wide variety of different devices, making cloud storage more flexible than traditional external hard drives. There are many different cloud storage services available these days, but depending on what you’re looking for, some are much better than others. Here are some of our favorite options that cater to the needs of students.
Bottom line
When picking a cloud storage service to use, there are several things students should consider. It’s important to make sure that you’re choosing a provider that offers a good amount of storage for the price, and if you need to collaborate with others, it’s also a good idea to pick a service that makes sharing files easy. You should also make sure that the storage solution you opt for has good encryption security, as well as compatibility with the devices you daily-drive while churning through classwork.
Our overall favorite is Google Drive, which offers plenty of free storage, has integration with other Google productivity apps, can be used to easily share files with others, and works on phones, tablets, and computers across the Windows, Apple, and Android ecosystems. Dropbox is another excellent choice if you’re looking for something perfect for collaboration, while OneDrive and iCloud are great if you’re using a Windows 11 or macOS machine, respectively. IDrive, meanwhile, is perfect for students who need lots of long-term storage capacity and end-to-end encryption for a great price.
Keep in mind that while we strongly recommend cloud storage for students, a reliable external hard drive is never a bad choice for storage, either. Make sure to check out our roundup of the best external hard drives for other storage options to consider.
