software like powerpoint presentation

The best presentation software in 2024

These powerpoint alternatives go beyond the basics..

The latest presentation apps have made it easier than ever to format slides and create professional-looking slideshows without giving off a "this is a template" vibe. Even standard PowerPoint alternatives have updated key features to make it easier than ever to collaborate and create presentations quickly, so you can spend more time prepping for your actual presentation.

If, like me, you've used Google Slides unquestioningly for years, it's a whole new world out there. The newest crop of online presentation tools go way beyond the classic slideshow experience, with new features to keep your audience's attention, streamline the creation process with AI, and turn slide decks into videos and interactive conversations.

I've been testing these apps for the past few years, and this time, I spent several days tinkering with 25 of the top presentation software solutions out there to bring you the best of the best.

The best presentation software

Beautiful.ai for AI-powered design

Prezi for non-linear, conversational presentations

Powtoon for video presentations

Pitch for collaborating with your team on presentations

Gamma for conversational AI features

Mentimeter for audience engagement

Tome for generative AI features

What makes the best presentation app?

How we evaluate and test apps.

Our best apps roundups are written by humans who've spent much of their careers using, testing, and writing about software. Unless explicitly stated, we spend dozens of hours researching and testing apps, using each app as it's intended to be used and evaluating it against the criteria we set for the category. We're never paid for placement in our articles from any app or for links to any site—we value the trust readers put in us to offer authentic evaluations of the categories and apps we review. For more details on our process, read the full rundown of how we select apps to feature on the Zapier blog .

When looking for the best presentation apps, I wanted utility players. After all, slideshows are used for just about everything, from pitch decks and product launches to class lectures and church sermons. With that in mind, here's what I was looking for:

Pre-built templates. The best presentation tools should have attractive, professional-looking templates to build presentations in a hurry.

Sharing and collaboration options. Whether you plan to share your webinar slides later, or you just want to collaborate with a coworker on a presentation, it should be easy to share files and collaborate in real-time.

Flexibility and customization options. Templates are great, but top presentation apps should enable you to customize just about everything—giving you the flexibility to build exactly what you need.

Affordability. Creating compelling presentations is important, but you shouldn't have to bust your budget to make it happen. With capable free tools on the market, affordability is a top consideration.

Standalone functionality. There's no reason to use multiple tools when one can do it all, so I didn't test any apps that require and work on top of another presentation app like PowerPoint or Google Slides.

Familiar, deck-based interface. For our purposes here, I only tested software that uses slides, with the familiar deck-based editor you expect from a "presentation" tool (versus, for example, a video creation app).

While most apps now offer AI features in one way or another, it isn't a universal feature yet—and some apps' AI features leave a lot to be desired. For that reason, I opted not to make AI features a strict must-have for this year (though it probably will be a requirement next time I update the article). That means I've still included some apps that don't offer AI—if you opt for one of those, you can still easily get AI-generated images and text from a separate tool and copy them into your presentation app of choice.

Beyond that, I also looked for presentation apps that brought something unique to the table—features above and beyond what you can get for free from a legacy solution like PowerPoint or Google Slides.

Here's what my testing workflow looked like:

I went through any onboarding or guided tutorials.

I created a new deck, scanning through all available templates, noting how well-designed they were (and which were free versus paid).

I added new slides, deleted slides, edited text and images, and played around with other content types.

I changed presentation design settings, like color schemes and background images.

I reviewed and tested the sharing and collaboration options.

I tested out presenter view (when available).

After my first round of testing, I went back into the top performers to test any unique or niche features, like AI, brand settings, and interactive content. With that, these are the best presentation apps I found—each one really brings something different or radically easy to the table.

The best presentation software at a glance

The best free presentation software, canva (web, windows, mac, android, ios).

Canva pros:

Excellent free plan

Tons of amazing templates for all use cases

Feature-rich

Canva cons:

The AI tools aren't groundbreakingly useful

Canva offers one of the most robust free plans of all the presentation apps I tested. The app delays account creation until after you've created your first design, so you can get started building your presentation in seconds. Choose from an almost overwhelming number of beautiful templates (nearly all available for free), including those designed specifically for education or business use cases.

Anyone who's accidentally scrolled too far and been bumped to the next slide will appreciate Canva's editor interface, which eliminates that problem altogether with a smooth scroll that doesn't jump around. Choose from a handful of preset animations to add life to your presentations, or browse the library of audio and video files available to add. And Canva also has a number of options for sharing your presentation, including adding collaborators to your team, sharing directly to social media, and even via QR code.

Present directly from Canva, and let audience members submit their questions via Canva Live. Once you share a link to invite audience members to your presentation, they can send questions for you to answer. As the presenter, you'll see them pop up in your presenter view window, so you can keep the audience engaged and your presentation clear. Alternatively, record a presentation with a talking head bubble—you can even use an AI presenter here—to share remotely.

Canva has added a number of AI-powered tools , but I wasn't super impressed by them yet. The Magic Design tool, for example, isn't much more useful than the many pre-designed templates already available, while Magic Write is basically just white-labeled ChatGPT. These features will likely improve in time, but for now, you're better off starting from one of Canva's many great templates.

Canva pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $120/year for 1 user and include additional features like Brand Kit, premium templates and stock assets, and additional AI-powered design tools.

If you're looking for a capable free presentation tool with a more affordable upgrade, Zoho Show is worth a look. It's completely free for most features, offers a clean, intuitive editor, and includes a number of great templates. Plus, you can automate Zoho Show by connecting it with Zapier .

The best presentation app for AI-powered design

Beautiful.ai (web, mac, windows).

Beautiful.ai pros:

True AI design

No fussing around with alignment

Still allows for customization

Beautiful.ai cons:

No free plan

If you're like me, editing granular spacing issues is the absolute worst part of building a presentation. Beautiful.ai uses artificial intelligence to take a lot of the hassle and granular design requirements out of the presentation process, so you can focus on the content of a presentation without sacrificing professional design. If I needed to make presentations on a regular basis, this is the app I'd use.

Many apps have recently added AI design features, but Beautiful.ai has been doing it for years—and they've perfected the experience of AI design, ensuring the tool's reign as the most streamlined and user-friendly option for AI design.

The editor is a little different from most presentation apps, but it's still intuitive—and you'll start off with a quick two-minute tutorial. When creating a new slide, scroll through "inspiration slides" to find a layout you like; once you choose, the app will pull the layout and automatically adapt it to match the design of the rest of your presentation.

With 10 themes, several templated slides, over 40 fully-designed templates, and more than 20 different color palettes to choose from, Beautiful.ai strikes a perfect balance between automation and customization.

While Beautiful.ai doesn't offer a free plan, paid plans are reasonably priced and offer sharing and collaboration options that rival collab-focused apps like Google Slides. And speaking of Google, you can connect Beautiful.ai with Google Drive to save all your presentations there.

Note: I re-tested the generative AI feature (called DesignerBot) this year. It's great for adding individual slides to an existing presentation—automatically choosing the best layout and matching the design to the rest of the deck—but as with most other apps, it struggled to pull in relevant images.

Beautiful.ai pricing: Plans start at $12/month for unlimited slides, AI content generation, viewer analytics, and more. Upgrade to a Team plan for $40/user/month to get extra collaboration and workspace features and custom brand controls.

If you're a founder looking for an AI presentation tool for your pitch deck, Slidebean is a great Beautiful.ai alternative for startups. The app offers a number of templates; a unique, content-first outline editor; and a generative AI tool that builds a whole pitch deck based on your website. I didn't include it on the list mainly because of the price: the free plan is quite limited, and the paid all-access plan can only be billed annually.

The best presentation app for conversational presentations

Prezi (web, mac, windows, ios, android).

Prezi pros:

Doesn't restrict you to standard presentation structure

Lots of customization options

Prezi Video lets you display a presentation right over your webcam video

Prezi cons:

Steep learning curve

Struggling to squeeze information into a basic, linear presentation? Give Prezi a try. Unlike nearly all other presentation apps on the market, Prezi Present doesn't restrict the structure of your presentation to a straight line. The editor focuses on topics and subtopics and allows you to arrange them any way you want, so you can create a more conversational flow of information.

With the structural flexibility, you still get all the same customization features you expect from top presentation software, including fully-editable templates. There's a learning curve if you're unfamiliar with non-linear presentations, but templates offer a great jumping-off point, and Prezi's editor does a good job of making the process more approachable.

Plus, Prezi comes with two other apps: Prezi Design and Prezi Video. Prezi Video helps you take remote presentations to a new level. You can record a video where the presentation elements are displayed right over your webcam feed. Record and save the video to share later, or connect with your video conferencing tool of choice (including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet) to present live.

Prezi's generative AI feature works ok, but it's more useful as a wireframe. When I asked it to create a presentation about the Stanley Cup Playoffs, for example, the resulting content read a lot like a student writing a term paper in the broadest strokes possible to avoid doing any actual research.

Prezi pricing: Free 14-day trial and a free plan that includes up to 5 visual projects; paid plans start at $7/month and include additional features like private presentations and Prezi Present.

The best presentation app for video presentations

Powtoon (web, ios, android).

Powtoon pros:

Timing automatically changes based on the content on the slide

Can toggle between slideshow and video

Can orient presentation as horizontal, vertical, or square

Powtoon cons:

Limited free plan

Powtoon makes it easy to create engaging videos by orienting the editor around a slide deck. Editing a Powtoon feels just like editing a presentation, but by the time you finish, you have a professional video. 

You can edit your slides at any time, and when you hit play, a video plays through your deck—the feel is almost like an animated explainer video. Each slide includes the animations you choose and takes up as much time as is needed based on the content on the slide. Powtoon figures the timing automatically, and you can see in the bottom-right of the editor how much time is used on your current slide versus the total presentation. If you ever want to present as a slide deck, just toggle between Slideshow and Movie.

You'll likely need to subscribe to a paid plan to get the most out of Powtoon—like creating videos longer than three minutes, downloading them as MP4 files, and white-labeling your presentations—but doing so won't break the bank. Plus, you'll unlock tons of templates complete with animations and soundtracks.

One of my favorite Powtoon features is the ability to orient your video: you can choose horizontal orientation (like a normal presentation) or opt for vertical (for mobile) or square (for social media). When your presentation is ready, you can publish straight to YouTube, Wistia, Facebook Ads, and any number of other locations.

Powtoon pricing: Limited free plan available; paid plans start at $15/month and include white-labeling, priority support, additional storage, and more.

The best presentation app for collaborating with your team

Pitch (web, mac, windows, ios, android).

Pitch pros:

Google levels of collaboration

Assign slides to specific team members

Excellent generative AI feature

Pitch cons:

User interface is a little different than you're used to

Need to collaborate on presentations with your team? Pitch is a Google Slides alternative that gets the job done. As far as decks go, Pitch includes all the beautifully-designed templates, customizability, and ease of use you expect from a top-notch presentation tool. But the app really shines when you add your team.

The right-hand sidebar is all about project management and collaboration: you can set and update the status of your deck, assign entire presentations or individual slides to team members, plus comment or add notes. Save custom templates to make future presentations even easier and faster.

You can also invite collaborators from outside your company to work with you on individual decks. And if you opt for a paid plan, Pitch introduces workspace roles, shared private folders, and version history.

Pitch also offers one of the most impressive generative AI features on this list. It still struggles to pull in relevant images, but I found the AI-generated written content and design to be top-notch.

Pitch pricing: Free plan offers unlimited presentations, custom templates, and live video collaboration; paid plans start at $22/month for 2 users with additional workspace features, presentation analytics, and more.

The best presentation app for conversational AI

Gamma (web).

Gamma pros:

Creates fully fleshed-out presentations from a prompt

Conversational chatbot-like experience

Can still manually edit the presentation

Gamma cons:

Not as much granular customization

I tested a lot of apps claiming to use AI to up your presentation game, and Gamma's conversational AI features were head and shoulders above the crowd.

Simply give the app a topic—or upload an outline, notes, or any other document or article—approve the outline, and pick a theme. The app will take it from there and create a fully fleshed-out presentation. It's far from perfect, but Gamma produces a very useful jumping-off point. (Last year, it was by far the best, but this year, other apps are catching up.)

Here's the key: Gamma is much more geared toward the iterative, chatbot experience familiar to ChatGPT users. Click on the Edit with AI button at the top of the right-hand menu to open the chat, and you'll see suggested prompts—or you can type in your own requests for how Gamma should alter the presentation.

Once you've done all you can with prompts, simply close the chat box to manually add the finishing touches. While you do sacrifice some granular customizability in exchange for the AI features, you can still choose your visual theme, change slide layouts, format text, and add any images, videos, or even app and web content.

Gamma pricing: Free plan includes unlimited users, 400 AI deck credits, and basic view analytics; upgrade to the Plus plan for $8/user/month to get unlimited AI credits, remove Gamma branding, and more.

The best presentation app for audience engagement

Mentimeter (web).

Mentimeter pros:

Tons of audience engagement features

Simple for participants to interact

Mentimeter cons:

Less granular customizability

Bit of a learning curve

If you need to engage with an audience during your presentation, Mentimeter makes that easy. The app is designed around interactive elements like quizzes, surveys, Q&As, sliders, and more (even a Miro whiteboard!).

Each of these is included in a number of different, professional-looking templates, so you can build a fully interactive presentation super quickly.

When it's time to present, your audience members can scan the QR code with their phone cameras or type in the URL and access code to participate. There's one code per presentation (so they won't have to do this on every slide), which gives access to each slide as you move through the presentation.

There are two main drawbacks to this one, though. First, there's a bit of a learning curve and less familiar editing interface (but I found it pretty easy to learn with some practice). The other drawback is that you can't get as granular with the visual customization as you can with many other presentation tools.

Mentimeter pricing: Free plan includes 50 participants per month and 34 different slide types; upgrade to the Basic plan for $11.99/presenter/month to get unlimited participants and slide types, private presentations, and more.

The best presentation app for generative AI

Top-tier generative AI features

Simple, customizable templates

Intuitive doc-style editor

There's definitely a learning curve

Tome is one of the new additions to this list that I'm most excited about. If you're looking for generative AI that just genuinely works , it's definitely worth a look. The editor is a bit more stripped down than most presentation apps but intuitive nonetheless—it's almost a cross between your standard deck editor and a Notion-style doc.

To generate an AI deck, click Generate with AI in the top right, and either write your own prompt or choose from the example prompts that cover a handful of common use cases, like sales enablement and company pitches. Edit or approve the suggested outline, then generate the full presentation.

From there, you can edit each slide as a doc via the right-hand menu—without limits on how much information you can include. During the presentation, you simply size down any slides that take up more than the standard amount of space. It's super simple but somehow feels revolutionary in a presentation app.

Tome pricing: Free plan available for manual editing without AI; upgrade to the Professional plan for $16/user/month to use the generative AI and design tools, plus engagement analytics, branding tools, and more.

What about the old standbys?

You might notice a few major presentation players aren't on this list, including OGs Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple Keynote, and Google Slides. These apps are perfectly adequate for creating basic presentations, and they're free if you have a Windows or Mac device or a Google account.

I didn't include them on the list because the presentation space has really developed in the last several years, and after testing them out, I found these behemoths haven't kept pace. If they weren't made by Microsoft/Apple/Google, I might not even be mentioning them. They're pretty basic tools, they're behind the curve when it comes to templates (both quantity and design), and they don't offer any uniquely valuable features like robust team collaboration, branding controls, video, and so on.

Some of these companies (think: Microsoft and Google) are openly working on some pretty impressive-sounding AI features, but they haven't really been focused on their respective presentation solutions just yet. Rest assured, I'm watching this space, and the next time we update this article, I'll re-test tools like Copilot for PowerPoint and Gemini for Google Slides to see what new features may be available.

In any case, if you're reading this, you're probably looking for an alternative that allows you to move away from one of the big 3, and as the presentation platforms featured above show, there's a ton to gain—in terms of features, usability, and more—when you do.

What about PowerPoint and Google Slides add-ons?

While I focused my testing on tools with full feature-sets—those that can serve as your sole presentation tool—there are a ton of add-on tools you can use atop big name tools like PowerPoint and Google Slides.

If you're looking to expand what you can do with PowerPoint or Google Slides, apps like Marq (formerly Lucidpress), Plus AI , Slidesgo , and Simplified can help you do things like access additional templates, save branded assets, and generate AI presentations from the app you're already using.

Related reading:

Canva AI tools to improve your design workflow

The best online whiteboards for collaboration

How to share a presentation on Zoom without sharing your browser tabs and address bar

This post was originally published in October 2014 and has since been updated with contributions from Danny Schreiber, Matthew Guay, Andrew Kunesh, and Krystina Martinez. The most recent update was in April 2024.

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Kiera Abbamonte

Kiera’s a content writer who helps SaaS and eCommerce companies connect with customers and reach new audiences. Located in Boston, MA, she loves cinnamon coffee and a good baseball game. Catch up with her on Twitter @Kieraabbamonte.

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The 8 Best Free PowerPoint Alternatives

Professional results for tight budgets

• Swansea University, Staffordshire University

Microsoft PowerPoint is a great tool for creating professional-looking slideshows and presentations. However, the home version requires a Microsoft 365 subscription, and the free mobile app locks some features behind the sub as well. Fortunately, there are plenty of free PowerPoint software alternatives out there. Here's a look at some of the best options and how they compare to PowerPoint. 

Best Direct PowerPoint Replacement: Google Slides

Very similar to PowerPoint.

Free to use. 

Compatible with PowerPoint.

An internet connection is strongly recommended. 

Where there's a need for an app, Google seems to have it covered. Google Slides is its PowerPoint equivalent and it's a lot like Microsoft's app. Very simple to use and offering full compatible with the alternative, you can access Google Slides via your browser and easily create custom presentations with audio and your own images, all entirely for free. It also offers great live collaboration features for teamwork purposes.

The only minor downside is you need an internet connection to at least get started but the service does also work offline with presentations syncing once you're back online.

Best for Designers: Prezi

Video editing included.

Can easily make data visualizations. 

Stylish user interface.

Free option is pretty basic.

No support.

Presentations viewable by all.

Prezi is a great option for designers who have a vision but aren't technically proficient at achieving it. Its simple drag and drop interface makes it a breeze to organize your presentation just how you want it. Backed up with other Prezi apps that mean you can create videos or more stylish data visualizations than simple graphs, it's ideal for industries that are more visual than others. A series of pre-made templates makes it all the more attractive. 

Prezi isn't as free as it seems though. To get the full wealth of features like advanced image editing, offline access, and narration, you'll need to pay a subscription fee.

Best for Quick Results: Zoho Show

A theme for every occasion.

Quick to create something.

Intuitive interface.

Need to be online to use it.

Simple to use yet highly effective is the sweet spot for quick results, and that's certainly the case with Zoho Show. You might need to be online to use it, but it's worth the connection with an intuitive user interface that adapts to what you need to do. You can easily embed videos, tweets, and images into your presentations with some neat transition effects making things more interesting. 

Collaboration tools further sweeten the deal with annotation features meaning you can work together well as a team and fast.

Best for Animations: Powtoon

Great animation tools.

Easy to use.

Can export to social media platforms.

Branding applied on free presentations.

More about animations than slideshows. 

PowToon tackles PowerPoint presentations from a slightly different angle than a lot of its competitors. It's primarily great for creating full animations and videos rather than presentations that you would click through and present yourself. That lends itself perfectly to the internet which is why it's so useful that you can export your presentations to various forms of social media. 

With a drag and drop template, you can create something within about 20 minutes from your browser. The free version bundles in branding logos so viewers will always know you've used PowToon to create them but that's a small price to pay for an otherwise very accessible and simple to use piece of software. 

Best for Mass Branding: Renderforest

Plenty of options for expanding branding.

300MB cloud storage for free.

Unlimited exports.

Exports can be low in quality.

Content is watermarked.

RenderForest thinks of itself as more than just a PowerPoint alternative. It tackles everything you might need from creating logos to designing promo videos, music visualizations, landing pages, and websites. That's on top of its extensive animations and intro creation. That might sound intimidating but the service keeps things simple, so it won't take you long to mock something up and develop it.

Stick to the free version and there are some restrictions such as branding on your videos, lower quality logos, and so forth, but it's a solid start for an otherwise entirely free service. In particular, if you just need to concoct a quick 3-minute video for a presentation, RenderForest has you covered.

Best for Non-Designers: Visme

Plenty of templates to choose from.

Can set up five projects at once.

Charts and widgets support.

Limited cloud storage.

Visme branding on free plan.

Been asked to make a presentation and you don't know where to start? Visme is perfect for those that aren't well versed with graphics as it offers an extensive template library. The free plan limits your options a little but there are still some decent choices here. In addition, the service provides cool ways to make stats and data look exciting thanks to chart and widget support. It's all done through a simple drag and drop interface too that makes it super simple to add video and embed other content. 

Just bear in mind that storage options are a little limited and everything on the free plan will contain Visme branding. 

Best for Office Replacement: LibreOffice Impress

Full program rather than browser-based.

Extensive support. 

Similar experience to Microsoft Office.

Requires installation. 

Not quite as intuitive as alternatives.

LibreOffice is a popular free alternative to Microsoft Office, so it makes sense to use LibreOffice Impress if you want the closest experience to Microsoft's package. Unlike most of the others here, you need to install LibreOffice on your PC or Mac which means it's no good for Chromebooks or moving between different systems. However, in exchange, you get an intuitive experience that makes it simple to create slideshows, whether you're handing them out to a class or conference afterwards, or simply projecting them on screen. 

Bear in mind you have to seek out templates yourself though which may be off-putting for the least technically minded user out there. 

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Best for Apple Users: Keynote

Simple to use. 

Apple Pencil support. 

Cloud based as well as app based.

App is only on Apple devices.

Keynote is Apple's direct competitor to Microsoft PowerPoint and it's a great alternative, especially if you're a Mac user. With app support for iOS and Mac, it takes seconds to get started. Alternatively, PC users can use Keynote via the iCloud website and easily work across multiple devices. 

One of the best features is the ability to use the Apple Pencil on an iPad to create diagrams or illustrations making it great for skilled artists. As well as that, Apple provides plenty of convenient templates for personal and professional projects. 

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14 Best Presentation Software Alternatives to PowerPoint

PowerPoint was one of the first tools to offer easy-to-use, customizable templates—a major plus for non-designers. But design-wise, PowerPoint isn’t the most engaging platform or presentation software. Your business presentations will lack the impact you desire, leading to monotonous presentations few enjoy seeing. No one wishes to see your next slide—they already know it has three bullet points.

To create a powerful, dynamic presentation, you need software with rich media capabilities. And when you use presentation software with features other than just adding images and text, you increase your chances of holding your audience’s attention throughout your entire speech. The challenge is that higher-quality presentations don’t equal more ROI unless you know how to use the software.

The following are 14 presentation software alternatives to PowerPoint. All but one are easy to learn and provide distinct features to solve various needs, making each the best presentation tool for a specific purpose.

Try Vyond for Free

14 Presentation Software Essential For Any Team

1. prezi present: best for non-linear presentations.

• Design library: 200+ templates for several industries and needs.
• Shareability: You can send revocable share links to team members or friends for feedback. You can add collaborators with an email associated with a Prezi account to co-create a presentation.
• Cost: The price varies depending on the number of projects you want to create and the functionalities you require. There is a free plan, a Plus plan for $15/month, and a Premium one for $19/month.
• Compatibility: Prezi’s desktop app with offline access works on Windows and Mac. You can also use the Prezi Viewer app to view, present, and share (but not edit) presentations on your IOS or Android devices.

Prezi lets you create a non-linear story, meaning you don’t have to go from slide A to B to C. Instead, you can jump straight into the section that interests your audience the most and avoid boring them with other data.

Prezi’s interactive presentations continuously prompt viewers to keep watching. For example, you can first share a bird’s-eye view of what the presentation will cover as an introduction. Then, you can zoom in to specific topics to further teach your audience about a problem, new product, or idea.

2. Vyond: Best for engaging animation-based presentations

• Design library: 182 fully customizable templates . They’re not your typical static slide templates. Instead, they’re story-driven templates you can use to create engaging presentations.
• Shareability: Teams can work on the same project simultaneously. You can also work together asynchronously by uploading assets, custom templates, and characters into each project.
• Cost: The basic plan starts at $25 a month on an annual plan. For $83.25 a month, you can access Vyond’s entire suite of tools, export formats (GIF vs. MP4), resolutions, and animation styles.
• Compatibility: Vyond is a browser-based software you can access via Windows and Mac.

According to Kaltura , 98% of enterprise professionals think videos are better and faster at training employees. You can use Vyond to create engaging animated video presentations in a format proven to increase learning retention . Its animated elements will help persuade viewers to watch what you present instead of the latest celebrity news.

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3. Zoho Show: Best for teams that don’t care about fancy design

• Design library: 59 free templates built for businesses across industries.
• Shareability: You can collaborate in real-time with teammates, tag them to notify them of a change you just made, and comment on areas that need some context.
• Cost: Free.
• Compatibility: Zoho Show works on all Android and Mac devices, from laptops to phones to TVs.

Zoho Show is presentation software that uses an uncluttered interface so you can focus on organizing your ideas. There are animation tools too, which help you make portions of your presentation stand out. While it doesn’t offer interactive options, it’s perfect for teams that need to create a simple presentation in the least amount of time.

4. Beautiful.ai: Best for teams conscious about time and design

• Design library: There are 62 templates. Each focuses on one use case, like pitching a company idea or presenting a case study.
• Shareability: You can work with teammates and add comments to your presentation if you have a Teams account. Once the slides are ready, you can present them from your browser.
• Cost: The $12 per month plan lets you create unlimited slides and track analytics. For $40 a month, you can edit presentations with your team, create custom template libraries, and more.
• Compatibility: You can show and edit presentations through your browser.

Beautiful.ai is presentation software for teams that need to deliver high-quality presentations fast. Its artificial intelligence rearranges your slide’s elements so they’re clear, appealing, and sized correctly based on their importance. The active AI lets you create presentations in less time without worrying about design principles.

5. Soapbox: Best for teams creating content in bulk

• Design library: Soapbox doesn’t have a library of design assets. However, you can customize the color of the video player, the thumbnail, and your video’s page with your logo.
• Shareability: Anyone with a link to your video can see it. Since recordings happen in real-time, there’s no way to collaborate unless a teammate sits next to you.
• Cost: Free for teams with basic needs, like recording and sharing videos. Starting at $300 a year, you’ll be able to track how viewers interact with your videos and book meetings straight from them.
• Compatibility: You can record Soapbox videos from Windows and Mac. Anyone with a smartphone or PC can watch them.

Soapbox is a presentation software you can access from your browser. You can use it to record yourself, your computer screen, or both.

It takes just two clicks to record, making Soapbox ideal to create product or content videos in bulk. For example, you can organize your background, write a list of topics on a piece of paper, and then record videos for many departments, such as sales, HR, and marketing.

Unlike other tools, you won’t have to create slides or charts. You can hit record and cover the topic from your seat.

6. Canva: Best for teams looking for designer features

• Design library: Canva contains thousands of templates and millions of stock images, videos, audio, and graphics. While not every template is for presentations, you can use their Pro plan’s resize tool to take graphics from one template to another.
• Shareability: You can share and collaborate with others while creating your presentation.
• Cost: You can access most of Canva’s features for free. You gain access to a larger stock image and video library, elements, auto-publishing features, and more for $119/year. They also offer customized pricing options.
• Compatibility: Canva works on Windows, iOS, Mac, and Android devices.

Canva is the leading all-in-one design tool for non-designers. You can create eye-grabbing infographics, include engaging images, and position your elements exactly how you want without ever leaving the platform. Their templates are professional and carefully crafted, letting you stand out from competitors without using external design tools.

7. Google Slides: Best for teams migrating from PowerPoint

• Design library: 23 themes that change your slide’s colors, typography, and layout.
• Shareability: You can share presentations with team members and work on them at the same time.
• Compatibility: Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS devices.

Google Slides is a presentation software anyone can use because of its intuitive interface. Since it’s free and available on all devices, it takes teams just a few clicks to start collaborating, no matter the device they use. The browser-based app is the ideal presentation software for teams ready to leave PowerPoint but not ready to learn more complex features.

8. Keynotes: Best for native presentations on Mac and iOS

• Design library: 30 captivating themes.
• Shareability: Teams can present and collaborate on slides as long as they are Mac or iOS users. You can also download Keynote files as PowerPoint files to work with PowerPoint users.
• Compatibility: Keynote is compatible with Mac and iOS devices.

Keynote is a great option for Mac users who want access to templates—and not themes—for visually appealing presentations. It integrates with iOS apps and devices to create presentations faster. For example, you can add colors and comments to presentations using your iPad’s Apple Pencil.

The ability to turn Keynote files into PowerPoint presentations allows Mac lovers to cooperate with teammates on the platform each one likes the most. Its similarity with PowerPoint and Google Slides also allows for a simple transition between presentation apps.

9. SlideDog: Best for those indecisive about which software to use

• Design library: SlideDog doesn’t offer a template or design library.
• Shareability: The audience can see SlideDog slides, ask questions, share feedback, and answer polls directly from their device. All you need to do is share the presentation link.
• Cost: There is a basic option available for free. For $19 a month, you can present offline, receive free software upgrades, and use SlideDog on two devices simultaneously.
• Compatibility: You can access SlideDog from any web browser.

SlideDog’s value proposition is the ability to combine multimedia assets with presentations from Prezi and PowerPoint. While you won’t create a presentation with SlideDog alone, this feature lets you use each platform’s most engaging attributes. Integrating assets enables you to show a unique presentation without distracting your audience by switching tabs.

10. Ludus: Best for creative teams

• Design library: You can import assets from popular design media services like Unsplash, Iconscout, and Giphy without leaving the platform. Ludus also offers self-made and community-made templates you can use.
• Shareability: You can collaborate in real-time with team members. Once the presentation is ready, you can choose a custom URL and domain to present your work.
• Cost: $14.99 a month per user up to 15 people. Teams of 16 or more users need to request a quote.
• Compatibility: You can access Ludus from your computer’s browser.

Ludus is a presentation software geared for designers who want complete control over how everything looks. Ludus has a learning curve for non-designers, but it’s straightforward for those used to design tools like Sketch and Figma. Like other software, you’ll be able to include images, videos, and text. You’ll also be able to create reusable assets, edit elements’ corner radii, and access other features designers give up when using other presentation tools.

Type and font lovers can set a specific cap line, line height, and spacing for their text elements. Those who work with shapes can give them borders and shadows and turn them into overlays.

11. FlowVella: Best for interactive presentations

• Design library: FlowVella offers dozens of templates designed by professionals.
• Shareability: You can play FlowVella presentations using any browser.
• Cost: The free version lets you have four public presentations in your account. You can access the $10 or $20 per month plan for more presentations, privacy, and features.
• Compatibility: FlowVella has apps for iOS. Windows users can use it through a browser.

FlowVella lets you create presentations that operate like websites. You can include videos, PDFs, and a navigation bar to show your audience various media without leaving your presentation. The interactive features also give viewers the option to learn more about the topics that interest them the most once the presentation is over.

During events, it’s common for booth hosts to talk to multiple people at once. Multitasking can cause hosts to unknowingly ignore a lead. FlowVella’s Kiosk mode lets you show presentations event visitors can interact with but not alter, answering their questions and keeping their interest in buying from you.

12. Visme: Best for managing all design operations from one software

• Design library: Thousands of presentation templates people across all industries can use. The app also has millions of images, audio files, and videos you can use to create a presentation precisely as you envision it.
• Shareability: You can share a project to receive feedback or edits from your team. Their most complete plan offers personalized roles, which you can use to organize your entire presentation crew.
• Cost: Free option with limited templates and design assets. The $15 and $29 per month plans let you export presentations in more formats, access the entire design library, and store more files in the cloud.
• Compatibility: Visme works on every device that can access a browser.

Visme is a suite of design assets for non-designers. It’s perfect for teams that want to centralize their design operations, as it offers a wide range of valuable tools for many departments.

Visme has customizable animated icons, images, charts, and characters you can use to create presentations that look and sound like your brand. While the presentation maker has more functionality than PowerPoint, it’s intuitive enough for anyone to learn Visme’s basics in just a few minutes.

13. Vidyard: Best for sales teams finding leads

• Design library: Vidyard doesn’t have a design library.
• Shareability: Teammates can access your company’s video folder and share your videos for you.
• Cost: Free for those who want to record and share videos. Teams that wish to include calls-to-action for prospects or security features will need one of three paid plans, ranging from $15 a month to $1,250 a month.
• Compatibility: You can record videos using an iPhone, Android, or your browser.

Vidyard is a browser extension and app to record sales-oriented video presentations. These videos will help you stand out from canned cold emails, building trust with prospects and getting them to watch what you offer.

You can also use Vidyard to present precise answers to a prospect’s objections or follow up with the steps they should follow after becoming a customer. Thanks to its engagement analysis features, you can track the number of viewers who act after watching your video. You can then export this data directly to your CRM to see the ROI from video prospecting.

14. Loom: Best for internal communications

• Design library: Loom doesn’t have a design library.
• Shareability: Teammates can watch your videos if they have the link. Then, they can film their Loom videos commenting on yours to communicate asynchronously.
• Cost: It’s free to record and present Loom videos. But you’ll need the $8 a month plan for engagement insights, transcriptions, and closed captions.
• Compatibility: You can use Loom on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android.

Loom offers video editing features like filler word removal to make your presentation unambiguous and concise. The drawing tool and mouse emphasis feature also help you bring attention to your presentation’s most essential data. These tools make Loom ideal to create a database of clear internal use videos, like presentations about job expectations or your company culture.

These videos give managers time to focus on more critical tasks and employees the ability to re-watch internal information as many times as it takes to assimilate it.

Create a Powerful Presentation by Trying New Tools

When most of your colleagues are using PowerPoint, it’s easy to feel like you should hop on the bandwagon and use the software, too. But your presentation is far more likely to have an impact on your audience if you explore other software that offers unique visual features and compelling animations that engage people beyond the typical bullet-point slides everyone is used to watching.

Understand the software pros and cons in this guide so you can try a new program for creating presentations—one that fits your organization’s need and delights your audience with novel, engaging features.

Try dynamic presentations using Vyond

Viewers are more likely to recall presentations with video than with static text and elements, as video engages more senses . You can use Vyond to turn boring presentations into captivating video-based ones that grab and keep your viewer’s attention. Those in a rush or new to animation can use one of our templates to animate their ideas in less time.

Make a Presentation

Recommended for you

The 7 Best Free PowerPoint Alternatives for Presentations

Microsoft PowerPoint is great, but what if you can't afford it? Here are the best free PowerPoint alternatives for presentations.

Microsoft PowerPoint has been around for a long while and so far it has served users well. However, because it's a paid program, not everyone can afford it.

Thankfully, there are many options available for users who want the functionality of Microsoft PowerPoint in a free-to-use package. In fact, some of them don't even require any downloads and are completely web-based.

1. Google Slides

By far the most popular PowerPoint alternative out there, Google Slides shines when it comes to collaboration. Multiple people can work simultaneously on a presentation and add new slides.

This is further strengthened by its availability. Google Slides works on your web browser and has apps for both iOS and Android.

Additionally, Google Slides keeps a record of all the changes users have made to a presentation, and you can easily restore your slideshow to a previous version. While anyone with a Gmail account can use Google Slides, G Suite users get added data protection.

Compared to PowerPoint, the number of templates, animation forms, and fonts is somewhat lacking. However, businesses tend to overlook these shortcomings on a day-to-day basis.

While Canva is primarily known as a photo editor and design tool, it is also a competent MS PowerPoint alternative.

One of Canva's main strengths is its ease of use. There are many beginner tutorial videos on the website if users do not understand something. Complete beginners can easily navigate through the minimalistic interface.

With the free version of Canva, you get access to over 8000+ presentation templates that exponentially speed up your workflow. Additionally, Canva still remains one of the easiest services to create infographics and charts in.

The only limiting thing with Canva is that it offers a basic set of tools and transitions at users' disposal. It's apparent that the company places more focus on photo editing and design aspect than anything else.

The Prezi presentation format is unique in the way that it lets you view slides. Instead of addressing multiple elements at once, Prezi gives viewers a single canvas that allows them to zoom in on different presentation parts. This provides a much more immersive experience.

Similar to Google Slides, Prezi supports the real-time collaboration of up to 10 users. Users can also add comments to indicate changes or report missing information. Prezi works on any modern web browser, and there are Android and iOS apps available as well.

Related: Powerful Google Chrome PDF Extensions and Apps

The Prezi software also has an analytics feature that helps users optimize their presentation by showing them which slides were the most viewed as well as which ones were skipped.

Even though the basic version of Prezi is free to use, it doesn't allow users to control the privacy of their presentation, which could be a dealbreaker for many. Additionally, due to the way Prezi works, there is a steep learning curve associated with it.

4. WPS Office Free

WPS Office is the closest alternative to PowerPoint when it comes to functionality and user interface. Plus, unlike the other web-based services on this list, you don't always need an active internet connection to use it.

With its complete support for PowerPoint files, users can edit existing PowerPoint documents with ease in WPS Office. They can also embed videos and animate individual objects, just like in Microsoft PowerPoint. It also offers many templates, so users can pick their favorite.

However, users should keep in mind that while the software is free, it is supported by ads, which may be a bit intrusive at times. In addition to this, collaboration is less straightforward than with Google Slides.

WPS Office is available across all major platforms such as Windows, macOS, Linux. iOS, and Android. There is a web-based version available as well. Alternatively, you can check out this handy guide to smoothen your transition to WPS Office from Microsoft .

Xtensio is one of the best options for business users. It has many templates available regarding various organization sections, such as marketing, UX design, etc.

With Xtensio's easy-to-use interface, even newbies can create professional-looking reports and presentations. Additionally, they offer even greater flexibility in terms of design. You can edit each object in a template to suit your specific needs.

But it does have some shortcomings. For one thing, users cannot export their presentations in PowerPoint format. Additionally, the free version supports only one user at a time with a storage space of 1MB.

6. LibreOffice

LibreOffice is open-source presentation software that does everything PowerPoint can do. Although it lacks functionality such as OneDrive Integration, its PowerPoint-like functionality more than makes up for it.

LibreOffice has its share of useful features, such as the ability to import Keynote files. In addition, LibreOffice has a vast collection of free templates that users can use to create their presentations.

If that's not enough, you can download additional templates from LibreOffice's online repository. LibreOffice is available across Windows, macOS, and Linux.

7. Zoho Show

There are several reasons to use Zoho Show for your next presentation. It's a great presentation tool that's similar to Google Slides, but even better. Users can also import and edit all their PowerPoint files in the online tool.

Users can create tables, infographics, and data charts within Zoho Show itself. In addition to this, the service also has in-built Google Image Search functionality that lets you search and insert images quickly.

Related: Tools to Give an Online Presentation From Anywhere

Additionally, Zoho Show supports collaboration in real-time and multiple users can edit presentations. Although there's not much to complain about in Zoho Show, many users would like to have more options when it comes to templates and animations.

Worthy PowerPoint Alternatives

Essentially, all these tools and services function the same way as PowerPoint without the cost. Furthermore, the web-based alternatives are more advanced such as automatic saving and cloud storage.

Despite this, PowerPoint remains the front-runner when it comes to presentation software. As such, it is important for users to know how to make the best out of its features.

15 PowerPoint Alternatives for High-Stakes Presentations

Learn what the best PowerPoint alternatives are and discover slides tools to create cool presentations that are way better than PowerPoint.

Dominika Krukowska

14 minute read

Short answer

What are the best alternatives to PowerPoint?

The best alternatives to PowerPoint are:

• Beautiful.ai
• Microsoft Sway

Your presentations deserve more than just PowerPoint

Remember the last time a PowerPoint presentation truly wowed you? Hard to recall, right? That's because most slide decks, no matter how well-intentioned, tend to blur together after a while.

As a result, your message goes unnoticed, your efforts wasted, and those high-impact opportunities? They slip right through your fingers.

But here's some good news: a new era of interactive presentation tools is here, ready to transform the way we share ideas. By choosing these dynamic alternatives to PowerPoint, you can truly engage your audience, make your message resonate, and achieve your goals.

Let’s dive in!

What’s wrong with PowerPoint?

PowerPoint has long been the presentation tool of choice, but it's starting to show its age. Here's why:

Standardized slide set with a 16:9 aspect ratio

PowerPoint's 16:9 aspect ratio is familiar, but it can limit creativity. When every presentation looks the same, it's hard to stand out.

No mechanisms to keep you from breaking the design

While PowerPoint offers design freedom, it lacks safeguards. This can lead to cluttered slides that confuse rather than clarify.

Generic templates

Relying on the same templates can make your content feel stale. Freshness matters, and predictability can lead to disinterest.

Limited interactivity options

Modern audiences expect to interact with content. PowerPoint's limited interactive features can't match today's dynamic tools.

Passive engagement

PowerPoint often results in a one-way flow of information. Without deeper engagement, your message might just skim the surface.

If you want to learn more, check out our article on why PowerPoint is bad for the job .

What makes modern alternatives better than PowerPoint?

The world of presentation platforms is evolving, and modern tools are stepping up in ways PowerPoint can't match.

Here are the main features that make these PowerPoint alternatives a better choice:

Rich library of pre-built templates: Dive into diverse designs, ready to customize and make your own.

Data visualization options: Turn complex data into clear, compelling visuals with ease.

Multimedia: Embed videos, audio, and more for a multi-sensory experience.

Interactive elements: Engage your audience with clickable features and dynamic content.

Narrated design (Scrollytelling): Guide viewers through a visual journey and let them explore at their own pace.

Collaboration options: Team up in real-time, making content creation a collective effort.

Optimized for mobile: Make sure your content shines, whether on a desktop or a smartphone.

Software integrations: Seamlessly connect with other tools and optimize your workflow.

Content analytics: Gain insights into viewer engagement and adjust for maximum impact.

AI-guided content: Let artificial intelligence steer your content strategy for optimal results.

AI-guided design: Benefit from AI-driven design suggestions, enhancing visual appeal.

Personalization with dynamic variables: Connect to your CRM and tailor content to individual viewers with just a few clicks.

Centralized content management: Keep all your materials in one organized, accessible place.

Web-based content: Access and share your content from anywhere, anytime.

Version control: Maintain authority over your final version and keep the design consistent.

Access control: Set parameters like gated access, time limits, or location-based viewing.

Here's what a static PPT and an interactive deck look like side by side:

Is there a free alternative to PowerPoint?

Absolutely! While some presentation tools like Storydoc or Visme offer free trials or basic plans, there are platforms like Zoho Show that are entirely free to use. Exploring these PowerPoint alternatives can provide fresh, dynamic ways to present without breaking the bank.

In a world where innovation drives success and audiences crave novelty, relying solely on traditional tools like PowerPoint may not cut it anymore. The landscape of presentation software has evolved, offering diverse alternatives that cater to different needs, styles, and functionalities.

These alternatives not only challenge the status quo but also redefine the way we present and engage with our audience.

If you're looking to step up your presentation game and explore beyond the limitations of PowerPoint , let's dive into the top alternatives:

Jump ahead to page section:

1. Storydoc

Storydoc is reshaping how we create presentations, all thanks to AI. This interactive presentation maker turns your usual slides into engaging, interactive stories.

With its unique approach to narrated design, or "scrollytelling," it breaks away from the constraints of conventional presentations, letting your audience dive into the content at their own speed.

And with AI by your side, Storydoc helps fine-tune your brand's appearance and offers content suggestions, making sure you have a top-notch presentation ready quickly.

Once done, you can integrate it with your CRM and use dynamic variables to create countless personalized versions in just a few clicks. And the cherry on top? After sharing, you can peek into the analytics to gain insights on what's clicking with your viewers and what's missing the mark.

• AI-backed design suggestions
• Personalize presentations at scale
• Perfect for any device
• Integrates with tools like calendars and live chats
• Dive deep into presentation analytics
• The charm of interactivity might not translate well in printed versions
• Might take a minute for those used to traditional tools
• 14-day free trial
• Starter: $30/month per user (billed annually)
• Pro: $45/month per user (billed annually)
• For teams: Reach out to sales

2. Mentimeter

Mentimeter is all about transforming passive listeners into active contributors. It's not just about presenting; it's about conversing. With tools like real-time word clouds, polls, and quizzes, it makes sure that everyone's voice is heard, making sessions more interactive and memorable.

Whether you're conducting a business meeting, teaching a class, or running a workshop, Mentimeter adds that spark to make it lively, inclusive, and productive.

• Tools like word clouds and live polls keep the audience engaged
• Creates a sense of inclusivity and participation
• Versatile for various settings: work, education, or workshops
• Seamless integration with platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams
• There's a learning curve for those new to interactive presentation tools
• Some might wish for more customization in templates
• Free plan available
• Basic plan: $11.99 per presenter/month
• Pro plan: $24.99 per presenter/month
• Campus plan: Reach out to sales
• Discounts for teachers and students

Canva is more than just a presentation tool; it's a one-stop-shop for all your creative projects. Whether you've been designing for years or you're just dipping your toes, Canva's user-friendly interface makes the process a breeze.

From social media graphics to business cards, Canva has a template for almost everything, but presentations remain one of its strongest assets. Thanks to the drag-and-drop feature and a rich library of elements, there’s no fumbling around; just pick, place, and voila! Your design is ready.

Beyond just design, Canva promotes collaboration. Teams can come together, working on a project at the same time. And since it's cloud-based, you can access your designs anytime, anywhere.

• Wide range of design options for various needs
• Simple to use, great for both beginners and seasoned designers
• Work on your designs from any device with Internet access
• Solid free version to get you started
• Premium design elements are reserved for Pro users
• With so many design choices, it might feel a bit much for some
• Pro plan: $14.99 billed monthly or $119.99 billed annually
• Canva for Teams: Talk to sales
• Free for education and NGOs

4. Beautiful.ai

Beautiful.ai is a presentation tool that takes the guesswork out of presentation design. It starts you off with smart templates, so you're never faced with the scary blank slide.

As you add content, the platform’s AI adjusts everything – from layout spacing to color choices. It's like having a designer by your side, making sure your slides always look polished.

Need to collaborate? Share slides with your team and get everyone on the same page. Want to keep your brand consistent? The brand control feature guarantees your slides always match your company's look.

Beautiful.ai does most of the work for you, but you’re always in the driver’s seat.

• AI-driven design that simplifies slide creation
• Templates that adapt, making design intuitive
• Collaborate seamlessly with shared slides
• If you're a design purist, the automation might feel limiting
• Customization has its limits, so ultra-specific designs might need more tweaks
• Might not be the fit for super-detailed slide decks
• Free 14-day trial
• Pro plan: $12/month (billed annually)
• Team plan: $40/user/month (billed annually)
• For a single project: $45
• Enterprise plan: Talk to sales

5. Slidebean

Slidebean is a game-changer for those diving into the world of startups. It's an AI-driven platform that makes the process of crafting pitches easy.

Start with a basic outline using its user-friendly editor, and watch as Slidebean turns your content into slides that resonate.

While AI does the initial setup, you're always in control, tweaking slides or using their templates to shape your presentation just right.

• Tailored for startup challenges
• Perfect blend of AI automation and user customization
• Collaborate with experts to refine your pitch
• Might be too much for basic presentation needs
• Some design elements could use an update
• Basic plan: Free
• All-Access plan: $199 annually
• Accelerate plan: $499 annually

6. Zoho Show

Zoho Show is a presentation tool that effortlessly blends functionality with flair. Its intuitive interface lets you easily craft slides, and with a collection of over 100 templates, you're set for any occasion, be it a startup pitch or a business proposal.

Collaboration is a standout feature in Zoho Show. Work on slides in real-time, receive instant updates, and exchange feedback. Want to add a touch of creativity? There are animations, custom shapes, and multimedia options to explore.

Got an existing presentation? No worries. Slidebean smoothly imports PPTX, PPT, and other popular formats, making sure your transition is seamless.

• Simplified design for easy slide creation
• Real-time collaboration tools to keep teams in sync
• Compatible with popular presentation formats
• A price tag that's hard to beat: Free
• Template variety might feel limited to some
• There are tools with more advanced features out there

Visme is a go-to tool for building presentations from scratch using an extensive collection of industry-specific templates, which means that your content always feels fresh.

If visuals are your thing, Visme's got you covered with over 1.5 million crisp images, vibrant charts, and engaging data widgets. And, if you want to add a touch of your brand's essence, you can customize decks with your unique fonts and colors.

Plus, with handy tools like presenter notes and a special mode for presenting, you're all set to win over your audience, whether they're right in front of you or tuning in online.

Just a heads-up: while there's a sea of design choices, a few templates lean more towards style than clarity. But with a bit of tweaking, you'll find the sweet spot.

• Intuitive with a wide range of templates
• Team collaboration made easy
• Branding tools for that consistent look and feel
• Might be overwhelming for newcomers due to the variety of design choices
• Some designs prioritize style over clarity
• Premium features require a paid subscription
• Starter plan: $12.25/month (billed annually)
• Pro plan: $24.75/month (billed annually)
• Visme for Teams: Talk to sales

8. Microsoft Sway

Microsoft Sway is where creativity meets simplicity. This digital storytelling app is designed to help you craft interactive reports, presentations, newsletters, and more.

Its built-in design engine makes your content look professional, whether you're using images, text, videos, or other multimedia. The best part? Sway makes sure your creations are optimized for any screen size.

Plus, with seamless integration with Office 365, you can easily transform content from Word or OneNote into a dynamic Sway presentation.

• Easily integrates with Office 365 tools
• Adapts to any screen for optimal viewing
• Share or co-edit with just a URL
• Requires a Microsoft account to use
• Limited customization options
• Cannot be used offline
• Available with Office 365 subscriptions; the price depends on your plan
• Specific details can be found on the Microsoft Office website

9. DesignCap

DesignCap is a versatile platform that brings your visual ideas to life. Need a captivating presentation? Or perhaps an infographic that speaks volumes? DesignCap's got you covered.

Explore its template library, and you'll find designs tailored for every occasion. But it's not just about templates. With a variety of stock images, icons, and customizable modules, you have all the tools at your fingertips to craft unique visuals.

The best part? Its intuitive interface means you spend less time figuring things out and more time designing.

• Variety of resources: stock images, icons, and customizable modules
• Intuitive drag-and-drop design experience
• Affordable pricing makes it perfect for beginners
• Better suited for beginners, as it lacks more advanced features
• It’s more geared towards creating flyers than presentations
• Limited image bank
• Basic plan: $4.99/month (or $59.88 billed annually)
• Plus plan: $5.99/month (or $71.88 billed annually)

Ludus is a presentation tool that focuses on teamwork. Whether you're collaborating in real-time or sharing resources among teams, Ludus makes the process easier.

Dive into their platform, and you'll find a range of features, from templates to start with or the option to create from the ground up. Ludus comes with a rich set of tools, including the ability to integrate content from platforms like YouTube, Unsplash, and design apps like Figma.

Want to add a personal touch? Record your voice over your slides. Plus, with live collaboration and custom blocks, Ludus gives you the flexibility to design the perfect presentation.

• Real-time collaboration for team projects
• Integrations with platforms like YouTube, Unsplash, and Figma
• Custom domains for a branded presentation experience
• Advanced design tools for creative freedom
• Slight learning curve for those new to the platform
• Extensive feature set could be overwhelming for those seeking basics
• Some users might experience performance issues with content-heavy presentations
• 30-day free trial
• Teams of 1-15 people: $149.99/year
• Teams of 16 people and over: Talk to sales

Vyond is your go-to platform for making animated videos that turn complex messages into relatable tales. With a wide collection of templates, it's a breeze to create anything, from a corporate presentation to an explainer video or an educational clip.

But, Vyond doesn't just stop at animations; it lets you enhance your stories with a blend of photos, videos, and even 3D elements. And if you've got a unique voice to share? You can use their voice-over tools and create customizable characters to match your narrative.

• A variety of templates for every story you want to tell
• Enrich animations thanks to content integrations
• Voice-over tools and character customization to make your story truly yours
• Premium features might stretch your budget
• There's a learning curve, especially if you're new to video editing
• Basic plans are limited to single users
• Essential plan: $25/month for 1 user (billed annually)
• Premium plan: $54/month for 1 user (billed annually)
• Professional plan: $92/month per user (billed annually)
• Enterprise plan: Contact sales for details

12. Powtoon

Powtoon is where creativity meets animation. This platform lets you create lively presentations and videos, blending your messages with vibrant animations.

With Powtoon's intuitive drag-and-drop interface, even those without a design background can whip up eye-catching animations in no time. For a personal touch, you can also integrate voice-overs, embed videos, or even play around with customizable characters to make your content pop.

And if you're aiming for a unique look, Powtoon lets you tweak characters down to their outfits. Once you're set, exporting your creations as videos means your story can reach audiences far and wide.

• Customize characters to resonate with your narrative
• More cost-effective than hiring a professional video agency
• Versatile enough for various industries and purposes
• No free version on offer
• Custom character features exclusive to the Business plan
• Seasoned designers might need more advanced animation options
• Lite plan: $15/month (billed annually)
• Professional plan: $40/month (billed annually)
• Business plan: $125/month (billed annually)
• Enterprise plans: Reach out to sales

13. FlowVella

FlowVella offers a fresh approach to slide design, allowing you to stitch together text, images, and videos into a cohesive narrative.

But it doesn't stop there. You can also embed interactive links and galleries, giving your audience the opportunity to be a part of the journey. Need to share detailed data? No worries, as you can easily incorporate PDFs.

And for those looking to transform public spaces like museums or exhibitions, FlowVella's feature to turn iPads into interactive kiosks is a game-changer.

• Intuitive editor that's easy to use
• Functions both offline and online for flexibility
• The option to share presentations with custom URLs
• The free tier includes FlowVella's branding
• Might leave design pros wanting a bit more
• Premium plan: $60/year (billed annually)
• Pro plan: $200/year (billed annually)

14. SlideDog

SlideDog is a presentation tool that blends various presentation elements for a smooth delivery. Think about merging PowerPoints, Prezis, PDFs, and other media without the awkwardness of toggling between programs.

It lets you curate a playlist of all your presentation elements, with a smooth transition between each. No more awkward pauses or switching between apps. Plus, its live sharing feature means your audience can tune in from their devices in real-time.

And if you're looking to set up continuous slideshows in public spaces, SlideDog doubles up as a digital signage solution.

• Combine diverse file types into a single presentation
• Boost engagement with real-time sharing
• Manage your presentation from any device with web access
• On-the-fly edits can be a bit challenging
• Available exclusively for Windows users
• Monthly plan: $19 for 2 seats
• Annual plan: $99 for 2 seats (first year, with a 20% renewal discount)
• Lifetime plan: $299 for 2 seats

Pitch is a presentation platform that's all about efficiency, collaboration, and aesthetics. Whether you're starting with a template or crafting from scratch, Pitch offers smart editing features to guide your creative process. Each slide becomes a visual journey, enriched with photos, icons, and videos.

Teamwork is a breeze with real-time editing and feedback loops. And once you're ready to share? Just send a link and tap into the power of real-time analytics to understand how your content resonates with your audience.

• Collaborate in real-time with ease
• Affordable, making it a top pick for individuals or small businesses
• Analytics panel offers insights into how your presentation is received
• Limited range of templates
• Lacks AI assistance
• Advanced analytics require a plan upgrade
• Starter plan: Free
• Pro plan: $8/member per month
• Enterprise plan: Contact sales

How to choose the best PowerPoint alternative for your needs?

Navigating the world of presentation tools can be a bit overwhelming, especially with so many great options out there. But don't worry, here's a simple guide to help you pinpoint the best fit based on your specific needs:

For personal use

When it's just you, or perhaps a small group, you'll want a tool that's straightforward, yet versatile. Look for platforms that offer a range of templates, are user-friendly, and won’t break the bank.

Tools like DesignCap and Canva shine here. They come with intuitive interfaces and a variety of design options, making it easy to craft presentations, even if you're not a design pro.

For business

In the business world, presentations often serve as a bridge between you and potential clients, investors, or stakeholders. You'll need a platform that's not only visually appealing but also offers features like analytics, real-time edits, and integration options.

Storydoc is a front-runner here. Its AI-powered design capabilities and focus on storytelling make sure that your presentations are not only informative but also unforgettable. Plus, with features like CRM integrations and robust analytics, you're always a step ahead.

For education

Engagement is the cornerstone of effective learning. Tools that offer multimedia embeds, interactive quizzes, and dynamic animations are essential.

Mentimeter shines in this space, offering a range of education templates, the option to host Q&A sessions, brainstorm ideas, and gather immediate feedback from students.

Interactive presentation templates

Ditching PowerPoint doesn't mean you're diving into the unknown. Interactive presentation templates are your safety net, making your shift seamless and straightforward.

These templates are designed to feel familiar right off the bat, so you won't spend ages trying to figure things out. They're not your typical PowerPoint slides either. They come packed with stylish designs, captivating interactive features, and a flow that naturally steers your storytelling.

Grab one and see for yourself.

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Best presentation software of 2024

Make perfect slides for speeches and talks

Best overall

Best for branding, best for marketing, best for themes, best for media, best unique.

• How we test

The best presentation software makes it simple and easy to create, manage, and share slideshow presentations.

1. Best overall 2. Best for branding 3. Best for marketing 4. Best for themes 5. Best for media 6. Best unique 7. FAQs 8. How we test

Presentation software runs at the heart of business sales, management, and development, so it's important to ensure you have the best presentation software for your needs. This is especially when looking to share ideas, concepts, and workflows, and the ability to present these in a simple and understandable way is essential.

However, while presentation software has been traditionally limited to text and images, it has widened its ability to work with different media such as video and audio. 

Therefore it's important for the best presentation software to not simply be easy and simple to use, but also be able to support additional media so that presentations can be more engaging, lively, and ultimately serve their purpose in educating and updating their intended audience.

Below we've listed the best presentation software currently on the market.

We've also listed the best free presentation software .

The best office software in the world is: Microsoft 365 There are many different office software suites out there, but Microsoft Office remains the original and best, offering an unsurpassed range of features and functionality that rivals just can't match.

Even better, Microsoft 365 - previously branded as Office 365 - is a cloud-based solution which means you can use it on any computer, mobile device, or smartphone, without having to worry about compatibility. All your files are saved in the cloud and synced between devices, so you can begin work on a document at home or in the office, then continue working on it on the go.

You can sign up to Microsoft 365 here .

The best presentation software of 2024 in full:

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

1. PowerPoint

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

For most people, Microsoft 's PowerPoint remains the original and best of all the presentation software platforms out there. While other companies have managed to catch up and offer rival products worthy of consideration, the fact is that PowerPoint's familiar interface and ubiquitous availability means it remains a favorite for the majority of people.

On the one hand, it's long been a staple of the hugely popular Microsoft Office suite, meaning that for most users this is going to be the first - and last - presentation software they are going to need to use.

Additionally, Microsoft has made PowerPoint, along with their other office products, available as free apps (with limited functionality) on both iOS and Android for mobile use, meaning it's even harder to avoid them. And this is before we even consider the inclusion of PowerPoint in Microsoft's cloud-based Microsoft 365.

It does everything necessary that you'd expect of presentation software, allowing you to add text and media to a series of slides, to accompany a talk and other presentations. There are easy-to-use templates included to help spice things up a little, but even a general user with little experience of it is likely to find themselves able to use PowerPoint without much trouble at all.

Overall, it's hard to go wrong with PowerPoint, and although Microsoft 365 has a nominal cost, the apps are free to use even if they do have more limited functionality.

Read our full Microsoft PowerPoint review .

• ^ Back to the top

2. CustomShow

Reasons to avoid.

Branding says a lot about a business, and it’s something firms need to get right from day one – from a good logo to a suitable font. CustomShow is business presentation software that puts all these elements of branding first.

Using the system, you can design and present customized, branded presentations that reflect your company and the products you offer, featuring the aforementioned logo and custom fonts. As well as this, you get a slide library and analytics to ensure your presentations are a success.

What’s more, you can import presentations into the software, and use it to tweak them further. There’s also integration with SalesForce , and because the platform is cloud-based, you can access your presentations on computers, tablets, and smartphones. 

Considering the focus on branding, this offering could be good for marketing and sales teams, and it's used by major companies such as HBO and CBS Interactive.

3. ClearSlide

Just like CustomShow, ClearSlide has a niche focus for companies. The platform is targeted at firms looking to generate successful marketing campaigns, pushing sales via presentations (and more), not least through a range of analytics and metrics to work for sales and marketing.

With the product, you can upload a range of files, including PowerPoint, Keynote, PDF, and Excel. ClearSlide is integrated with other platforms, including Google Drive, Dropbox, and Salesforce.

This system is pretty complex and may offer too many irrelevant features for some businesses, but you can create customized content that reflects your company and the message you’re trying to get out to customers. There are also some good metrics and analysis features, and you can sign up for a free trial before making any decisions.

The real strength of ClearSlide comes from its focus on sales and marketing data, not least being able to track user engagement alongside other metrics.

4. Haiku Deck

Any presentation app will allow you to personalize your slides to at least some extent, but Haiku Deck goes one step further than the competition. It comes with a wide range of themes suited to different needs, and you also get access to 40 million free images from the Creative Commons collection.

When it comes to creating a presentation, you have the option to do so on the web, which means your presentation is accessible across a range of mobile devices as well as desktops. Regardless of the device used, you’re able to select from a variety of different fonts, layouts, and filters to make the perfect presentation.

The great thing about these various customization options is that they’re categorized into different industries and use cases. For instance, you’ll find themes for teaching, cooking, real estate, and startups. Most of the features require you to be online, but hopefully, you’ll have a sturdy net connection wherever you go.

5. SlideDog

It’s all too easy to end up creating a presentation that’s unappealing, and the last thing you want to do is make the audience fall asleep. SlideDog lets you combine almost any type of media to create a rich presentation that’s sure to keep the viewers’ peepers open, avoiding the ‘cookie cutter’ look that makes presentations seem dull.

Marketed as a web-based multimedia presentation tool, it gives you the ability to combine PowerPoint presentations, graphics, PDF files, Prezi presentations, web pages, pictures, videos, and movie clips. You can drag these into custom playlists and display them to your audience with ease.

You’re able to remotely control your presentations and playlists from your smartphone, the web, or a secondary computer, and there’s also the option to share slides in real-time. Audience members can even view your slide from their own devices by clicking a link. That’s a handy feature if you’re looking to create an immersive presentation experience.

SlideDog is probably the cheapest of the presentation software featured, with a free account that will cover the essential features. However, for live sharing and premium support, you need to upgrade.

Read our full SlideDog review .

Prezi is one of the more unique presentation tools. Instead of presenting your graphics and text in a slide-to-slide format, you can create highly visual and interactive presentation canvases with the goal of “emphasizing the relationship between the ideas”.

Presentations can also be tailored to the specific audience, as this is a flexible platform that’s capable of skipping ahead, or veering off into a side topic, without having to flip through all the slides to get to a particular bit.

For business users, there are a variety of handy tools available. By downloading Prezi , you can build and edit presentations with your colleagues in real-time, which is perfect for companies with teams based around the globe.

When you have created a presentation you’re happy with, you can present it live (in HD) and send a direct link to viewers. There are some analysis tools here, too – you can see who’s accessed your presentation, which parts of it, and for how long. The app is available for Mac and Windows devices.

Read our full Prezi review .

Other presentation software to consider

Google Slides  is part of the Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) office platform intended as an online alternative to Microsoft Office. It may seem a little limited by comparison to PowerPoint, but as it's browser-based that means cross-platform compatibility. Additionally, it allows for collaborative work, and Google Slides really works well here. On top of the fact that it integrates with the rest of the Google Workspace apps, not least Google Drive, and you have a contender. 

Zoho Show  is another of the many, many tools and apps that Zoho has made available for business use. It also operates in the cloud so it's accessible to any device with a browser, and it also allows for collaborative work. You can also easily share the link for users to download, or provide a live presentation online. The updated version has a simpler and easier to use interface and comes with a free version and a paid-for one with expanded features.

Evernote  is normally thought of as just note-taking software, but it does provide the option to create a presentation you can share online or with an audience. In that regard, it's a little more limited than the other options in not being dedicated presentation software. However, as an easy and handy way to pull together a presentation quickly, it could serve as a backup or last-minute option, especially if Evernote is already being commonly used by you.

LibreOffice Impress  is part of the open-source suite offered as a free alternative to Microsoft Office, and comes with a powerful array of tools and editing options for your presentation, not least working with 3D images. It's supported by a large community, so it's easy to find an array of additional templates. If there is a limitation it's that it's software you download and install rather than web-based, but any presentations created should be easily portable to the web if needed.

Adobe Spark  does things a bit differently, as rather than just use images it's geared toward video as well. This makes for potentially more powerful multimedia presentations, especially as Adobe also has a big selection of photos and images available for its users. There is a free tier for core features but requires a subscription for custom branding, personalized themes, and support.

Slides  comes with a lot of features in an easy-to-use interface, and involves setting up presentations using drag and drop into an existing grid. It's also internet-based so there's no software to download, and it only requires a browser to use and access. 

Presentation software FAQs

Which presentation software is best for you.

When deciding which presentation software to download and use, first consider what your actual needs are, as sometimes free platforms may only provide basic options, so if you need to use advanced tools you may find a paid platform is much more worthwhile. Additionally, free and budget software options can sometimes prove limited when it comes to the variety of tools available, while higher-end software can really cater for every need, so do ensure you have a good idea of which features you think you may require for your presentation needs.

How we tested the best presentation software

To test for the best presentation software we first set up an account with the relevant software platform, whether as a download or as an online service. We then tested the service to see how the software could be used for different purposes and in different situations. The aim was to push each software platform to see how useful its basic tools were and also how easy it was to get to grips with any more advanced tools.

Read how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar .

We've also featured the best alternatives to Microsoft Office .

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Top 10 Must-Know Free PowerPoint Alternatives [for 2023]

Guru - December 5, 2022 - Leave your thoughts. 15 min read

online presentation maker , online presentation software , presentation , slide decks

When was the last time you were impressed by a PowerPoint Presentation?

Most of your answers would be, "Sorry, I don't remember."

You might be able to recall specific parts of the slide decks, but you can’t say you learned anything from them.

Lemme ask you a question. Can you confidently say you gave full attention to the last presentation you sat through?

So if it's your turn to create a presentation, it's high time you don't give a boring powerpoint template presentation.

Lucky for you, there's an ocean of powerpoint alternatives out there! Anyone can create a professionally designed presentation from these latest online presentation softwares.

In this article, we have narrowed down the top 10 powerpoint alternatives available online with an in-depth overview of their unique features, pricing, and usability.

Let's dive in

• Google Slides
• Animaker Deck
• Beautiful.ai

1. Google Slides

Google Slides is the most well-liked PowerPoint alternative available that excels at teamwork. It  is accessible to anybody with a Gmail account, but G Suite subscribers enjoy additional data security.

Google Slides is accessible both via Laptop/PC and via mobile. It offers real-time collaboration, a friendly UI, and seamless connectivity with  all the Google Web Applications.

Google Slides is available in the following  plans :

Personal  - Available for free to all Google Account holders. Under this plan, users get up to 15 GB of storage size.

Business Starter  at $6 USD per user per month with 30 GB storage capacity and standard support.

Business Standard -  premium plan at $12 USD per user per month with a 2 TB storage size available under this plan.

Business Plus , at $18 USD per user per month, with a whopping 5 TB storage capacity per user and a paid upgrade to Enhanced support services.

There’s also an  Enterprise plan specially catering to corporates for custom and secure business email addresses providing as much storage as you need.         

Special Features:

• A Google Drive or a YouTube link can be used to  upload videos into the presentation . Using assistive tools like  Smart Compose  and  autocorrect  will help you build slides faster and more accurately.

Collaboration

• Collaboration  is the key feature of Google Slides. Several persons can edit a presentation, and new slides can be added simultaneously. You can also quickly roll back your slideshow to a prior version since Google Slides keeps track of all the modifications users have made to a presentation.
• Google Slide offers ample templates for users to choose from and edit. However, there are fewer templates, animation forms, and fonts available than in PowerPoint.
• The ease of usability is high. Any Google user can pick it up and use the application seamlessly.
• There are also  open communities  and  self-service online forums  for customer support. So the users need not worry about troubleshooting any issues.

2. Zoho Show

Zoho Show is one of the best modern presentation softwares available online. It is mainly designed to create visually engaging presentations for free on any device.

Zoho Show is  free to use . You just need a valid mail address or mobile number to get started.

User Interface

• Zoho Show’s key feature is the contextual and minimalist  user interface  that allows you to create presentations in your style.
• It is pre-loaded with 100 plus professional presentation templates suitable for start-up pitch decks, sales presentations, etc.

Central Presentation Repository

• With Zoho Show, you can create a presentation as a team. It houses a central presentation repository that helps retrieve created presentations and makes collaboration much easier for all the teams.
• You can  upload your existing presentations in formats like ppt, pptx, ODP, and PPS and continue customizing them with no hassle in Zoho Show.

Remote Broadcasting

• Y ou can broadcast your presentations on big screens and control them through a smartwatch, Chromebook, or android tv, for that matter.
• The ad-free user-interface lets you create compelling presentations with no distractions and take them to the next level.
• The central organization library allows us to repurpose the slides and work together effectively, even in bigger teams. You can also give role-based access and permit individual members to work cross-functionally.

3. Animaker Deck

Animaker Deck is the  world’s first avatar-powered presentation software  to create wow-worthy slide decks without any professional experience in no time.

Animaker Deck is available in the following pricing plans ,

Free plan   where users can create presentations by just creating a free account in the app.

Slides Pro plan ,  at $20 per month, offers users premium bundles and an import PPT feature.

The Animaker Pro plan ,  at $49 per month, gives full access to the animation suite and access to unlimited slides, premium bundles, priority support services, and the import PPT feature.

The Enterprise plan  is catered for small to big organizations with unlimited custom character creation, a dedicated account manager, and all the features available in the Animaker Pro Plan.

Character Builder

• The best part about Animaker Deck is the Character builder, where you can create your custom avatars and use them as brand ambassadors or mascots. You can also use the pre-built animated characters in your slide decks and bring them to life.

Professional Templates  

• Animaker Deck houses more than 50 unique handcrafted presentation templates to choose from and create a pitch-winning deck. You also have the option to create a presentation from scratch.

Customizable Background s

• There’s an option to customize the background of the slide deck entirely according to your presentation style and needs.

Integrations  

• Users can also access stock images and GIFs from Pixabay, Giphy, and Unsplash. This helps users to use stock images from the library itself instead of searching the internet for appropriate images.

Storage Space

• More importantly, the users get  25 GB of storage space  to upload their files into their presentations.
• Animaker Deck has an “import PPT” feature that allows the users to upload their presentations in the PPTX format  and easily edit them as needed.

Brand Kit Manager

• The Brand Kit manager enables bigger teams to efficiently manage their presentations and maintain uniformity and brand continuity throughout the presentations.
• The user interface is super clean. Animaker Deck is the easiest presentation software to use.
• Animaker Deck offers real-time collaboration when creating presentations and lets team members review and work together productively.

4. Prezi Present

Prezi Present is an online presentation software known for non-linear types of presentations. Its open canvas helps view and organize the contents as a whole rather than the traditional linear type of presentation.

Free Trial   - Prezi Present offers 14 days free trial and gives access to other Prezi products as well.

Premium  - Users can upgrade to a premium subscription available as Basic, Individual, Business, and Student/Educators plans.

The premium plans start at $16 per month. In addition, students and Educators can subscribe to the premium plan starting at $3 per month and get access to track progress in class.

Smart Structures

• Prezi comes loaded with an intelligent structures feature that enables the user to efficiently arrange the contents of the presentation with simple click-and-drag actions.

Zoom Reveal Feature

• Your content is revealed as you zoom in to start your presentation, unveiling the necessary details in a non-linear fashion  like a story.

Conversational Presentation

• Prezi is designed as a conversational presentation software that reduces navigating back and forth continuously between slides.

Present over video

• Another critical feature of Prezi is present over video. Users can present their content along with their videos on the same screen.  This makes the presentation much more engaging and keeps up the personal connection in remote meetings.

Templates  

• Prezi also offers designer templates to jump-start your presentations and not worry about starting them from scratch.

Presenter View

• Prezi comes with a Presenter view feature that helps you to leave notes, prompts, and talking points only you can see while you present.

Upload Option

• There’s also an option to upload your own slides and turn them into a dynamic, engaging Prezi presentation and improve the content you already have in 10 minutes or less.
• Prezi’s user interface is comparatively difficult to understand right off the bat for the users. Therefore, the users would have to go through a learning curve to use the full potential of the Prezi app efficiently.
• Prezi also offers a slack integration for teams that enables them to work together on more significant projects. Live collaboration makes it easier for every team member to create a presentation and share it with anyone via a dedicated link.

Visme is another well-known presentation software to create interactive presentations, documents, data visualizations, and other branded content.

Visme is available in the following  plans :

• Basic plan  is available for 0$
• Starter plan  starts at $12.25/month annually
• Pro plan  at $29/month annually
• Visme for Teams plan  with Custom pricing

Illustrations  

• Users can create diagrams or illustrations that bring the slides to life with their Apple Pencil on their iPads.

Real-time Collaboration

• The Keynote app provides real-time collaboration that enables the teams to work together, irrespective of the device type (Mac, iPad, iPhone, or PC).
• Every team member gets a hand in designing the presentation with beautiful charts, customizing the images, and adding cinematic effects.

Dynamic Backgrounds

• Keynote offers dynamic backgrounds that help to create sleek presentations. Also, you can add over 700 Apple-designed shapes, photos, videos, music, image galleries, and charts to illustrate your critical points in the presentation.
• It even lets you take pictures and scan documents with your iPhone, and  Continuity Camera   will send them straight to Keynote on your Mac.
• With Keynote, you can seamlessly present with your team. Multiple presenters can take turns controlling a single deck — from anywhere — on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Also, the Rehearse Mode lets you practice on the go in an all-in-one view.
• Keynote’s intuitive interface is super user-friendly, comprises all the essential tools up front, and is easily accessible.
• Additionally, with Scribble for iPadOS and Apple Pencil, handwritten words will automatically be converted to typed text. With this, the users can take notes quickly, edit a presentation or annotate the text.

7. Slidebean

Slidebean offers a Pitch Deck Builder to create an investor-winning pitch. Then, with the help of artificial intelligence, it helps to craft stories and stand out from the monotone crowd.

Slidebean is available in the following  plans ,

Basic Plan , at $0 per month, offers unlimited presentations, access to free startup lessons, free document templates, and an accelerator programs monitor.

All-Access Plan   starts at $171 billed annually, and includes everything in the Basic Plan and additionally offers sharing and exporting presentations, access to 30,000+ investor contacts, and much more.

Extensive Tool kit

• Slidebean’s Pitch Deck Builder comprises an extensive toolkit that hand-holds the users in creating a stunning pitch deck.

Automated Pitch

• With Automated Pitch Deck builder, you can create a stunning pitch in a few steps and it is very useful to startups with fewer resources.
• Slidebean offers well-vetted and successful venture-winning templates with top brands like Airbnb, Uber, and Peloton as the basis.
• About 300+ of the best pitch deck templates from the most successful venture-backed startups are pre-loaded inside this presentation software.

Real-time collaboration

• The premium plans of Slidebean offer real-time collaboration features.
• You can also track and view activity in slides.
• Financial modeling templates and Investor CRM are also available to help the startup founders design presentations.
• The AI integration makes Pitch Deck Builder very easy for anyone without professional design experience.
• Also, the templates are entirely customizable and can be edited per your needs.

8. Beautiful.ai

Beautiful.ai is an online presentation maker for startups. Creating winning pitch decks, marketing plans, or sales proposals is possible with Beautiful.ai in minutes.

Beautiful.ai is available in the following  plans ,

Pro Plan  starting at $12 per month, is suitable for individual users.

Team plan  starts at $40 per month per user, includes everything from the Pro Plan, and offers a centralized slides library.

Enterprise Plan  is available for organizations under custom pricing, unlimited team resources, and everything from the Team plan.

There’s also an option to create a single presentation under a monthly plan at $45 for  ad-hoc projects .

Pitch Decks

• Beautiful.ai is aimed at helping bootstrapped companies create pitch-winning decks. Thousands of  startups  secured funding and closed deals by creating slide decks with this refreshing presentation maker.

Custom Branding

• Custom Branding of slides, Version history, Stock media library, and Powerpoint import are the critical features of the Beatiful.ai presentation maker.

Collaboration  

• A collaborative workspace allows teams to work in unison and brainstorm ideas together.
• Customizable templates help any entrepreneur to modify their slide decks according to their needs and preferences.
• The user interface is so straightforward that even beginners and users without prior familiarity with graphic design can create presentations easily.

9. Genial.ly

Genially is an online tool for making creative presentations from scratch or with pre-built templates.

Creating interactive presentations with professional designs, dossiers, reports, business proposals, and enticing pitches are all made possible with Genial.ly.

Genially comes under the following  plans ,

Free plan  gives access to unlimited presentation creation but with restricted features.

Education plan starts at $4.99 per month, billed annually.

Master plan starts at $20.82 per month, billed annually.

Cloud Storage

• Presentations created in Genially are automatically stored in the cloud. So any change made will get updated instantly.

Gamification  

• Genially templates also offer a Gamification option where users can use the presentation templates solely for quiz type or simple Q&A slide decks.
• When slides are shared with clients or prospects, genially Statistics help monitor views and content engagement.
• Genially helps users create a storytelling-based presentation with the best templates. Users can also apply a custom logo, colors, and fonts to the slide designs and align the presentation with their brand image.
• Privacy is never a concern with Genially. You get to control the access to your creations, be it public or privately shared presentations.
• Genially’s templates are easy to edit and don’t require any design knowledge to modify them.
• The minimalistic workspace makes the user feel at home. You can also easily share the Genially created presentation links and embed them into a website, blog, or LMS(Learning management system) .

Slides is an online suite for creating modern presentations. Unlike traditional presentation software, there's no need to download anything. Slides let you create professional slide decks and work with collaborators to make an awe-inspiring presentation without any hassle.

Slides app is available in the following  plans ,

Free plan gives access to limited presentation creation. However, the content will be publicly viewable and include ads. Also, users get 250 MB of storage size to create up to five decks.

Lite plan starts at $5 per month, billed annually. It includes 1 GB of storage space, one collaborator per deck, and an export to pdf feature.

Pro plan   starts at $10 per month, billed annually. It offers unlimited storage, three collaborators per deck, custom CSS, and a Google Analytics feature.

Team plan  starts at $20/month when billed annually and includes features like endless collaborations, a shared media library, and custom branding.

Open source tool

• Slides is the only presentation tool with a fully open-source format. You get access to your presentation's complete source code.

Customizations

• Presentations can be made in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript formats. Rich customization options using CSS.
• Export a copy and present it offline or store it on your web host.

  Present Mode

• You can control what your viewers see with the help of a Present Mode. You can even use your phone as a remote control with direct access to your speaker notes during a meeting, conference call, or on stage.

Customizable Team Editor

• Slides offer a customizable editor with which you can easily edit your company's assets and themes and as well as leave comments/feedback and notifications when working together.
• There’s also a Media library loaded with stock images, videos, and slide templates that help to make your whole team work better.
• Slides user interface is very friendly. The editor is built in a minimalistic manner that even beginners can get the hang of it once they start.

And that’s a wrap!!

To sum up, all these presentation tools carry out the same tasks as PowerPoint. Still, they are less expensive and much more intelligent, with features like character builder, live collaboration, cloud storage, and automated saving.

We hope we saved you from death by powerpoint. Try out these powerful alternatives for your future presentations.

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3 open source alternatives to PowerPoint

Vector Open Stock. CC BY-SA 3.0.

PowerPoint is one of those programs whose use has become so ingrained in the corporate world that it is probably running the risk of becoming completely genericized, in the same way that some people use Kleenex to refer to all tissues, or BAND-AIDs to refer to all bandages.

But presenting a slideshow doesn't have to mean using PowerPoint. There are a number of totally capable open source alternatives to PowerPoint for giving visual presentations. In many cases, the features of these “alternatives” are so compelling that, unless you're absolutely forced to use PowerPoint, I don't know why you still would.

I've got a few new presentations to give coming up in the next couple of months that are essentially being developed from scratch, I thought it would be a great time to take a look at all of the open source presentation tools out there, and decide if it would be a good time to try out a new tool for any of these upcoming talks.

It's also worth taking a little time to ask yourself what assumptions you are making about your presentation needs, and what kind of tool makes the most sense to use. For example, do you need to be able to present off of any computer, or share your presentation with others and be assured that they will be able to open it? Will Internet access be assured when you're presenting, or do you need a solution that will work offline as well?

After trying out a few different tools, I think I'd lump the ones I found into three major buckets: traditional desktop tools, web-based presentation tools, and then "other", which in my case, consisted of some terminal-based tools, but depending on your needs, your "other" category may consist of something else. For example, I've seen a presentation given entirely from an Android device with a screen-casting ability. But in any case, let's look as some of the great open source contenders in each of these three main categories.

Desktop presentation tools

Desktop presentation tools provide the closest experience to the traditional PowerPoint experience, both on the design side and the presentation side. If you're just looking to be able to put together some formatted text with a few images, perhaps a transition or two, add a few speaker notes, and be able to email out your presentation to colleagues, this is more than likely the route you should take.

I've found LibreOffice Impress to be, well, impressive enough that I haven't needed an alternative on the desktop. It works reasonably well at importing PowerPoint presentations, assuming that the file you're opening doesn't have any sort of crazy formatting or weird fonts, so it's a good choice if you're working with slides from other people.

It's also incredibly intuitive if you're already used to working with other LibreOffice tools, or really any standard office suite. You'll find all of the basic text formatting, shape drawing, image importing, chart making, and other tools you'll need to put together a basic business presentation. And LibreOffice is, of course, a cross-platform tool, so you should be able to easily share documents across Windows, Mac, and Linux, while being able to export back to PowerPoint format if required.

I've heard similarly positive feedback for Calligra Stage , which grew out of the KOffice project, as being both approachable to people of any skill level while still having enough features to make a reasonably advanced presentation. You'll find it with many KDE-based Linux distributions, or it can be installed independently.

Web presentation tools

Web presentation tools have been my preferred format for a while, if for no other reason except that HTML-based presentations are very easy to use with version control, and very intuitive to edit as someone who spends a good portion of my day doing markup already. If you can make something work on a web page, you can make it work in a web-based presentation: interactive charts, maps, videos, and more. Plus, web-based presentations are incredibly easy to share: just give out the URL, or bundle up all of the code onto a flash drive and present from nearly any computer system of your choosing.

I highly recommend you check out Joshua Allen Holm's roundup of three open source web frameworks for presentations, in which he looks at Impress.js, Hovercraft, and Strut in some detail. My favorite tool in this space remains Reveal.js .

Why Reveal.js? The framework is simple to use and allows for rather elegant code. It supports a number of features out of the box that, frankly, allow for some really cool presentation features, including zooming, parallax backgrounds, beautiful transitions, and great code markup. It supports Markdown inline, or you can even write your whole presentation in Markdown and then import it.

If you're not an HTML junkie, the commercial service Slides.com is based on the open source Reveal.js, and you can easily import or export to a revision control system of your choosing.

A presentation from the terminal?

Bear with me for a moment, I have one more idea to present (ha!). Have you ever considered presenting from your terminal? No, I'm not kidding. While it's not going to win an award for style, presenting a text-based presentation straight from the terminal could earn you some serious geek cred, but more importantly, introducing an artificial limitation of a text-only environment is going to force you to focus on your words instead of fancy gimmicks.

As a friend of Vim, my new favorite tool for terminal-based presentations is Vimdeck . Vimdeck is an MIT-licensed tool that turns Markdown into a set of files, one per slide, which are then opened in Vim, and then sets up some keybindings for easy movement through your deck. You can give your slides a surprising amount of customization, including syntax-highlighted, a headline text font, and more. The Vroom project is another Vim-related presentation tool worth checking out.

Why do this at all? Well, you can host your presentation almost anywhere; all you need on the presenting computer is a terminal with SSH. You can easily version the files. You can even use a tool like gotty to easily share your terminal-based presentation as a web page for others to view. It's an unconventional idea, but for technical presentations, one you might consider.

Obviously, these aren't the only open source presentation tools out there. It may even be worth asking yourself, for a given presentation, if a slides-based tool is the right choice at all. If you're presenting the same data on a recurring basis, would creating a dashboard make more sense? Are slides the right level of formality for your presentation, or is throwing a collaborative document on the screen and editing in real-time a better fit? Don't immediately think that a presentation has to equal sequentially advancing slides.

Regardless of what tool you use, remember, it's just a tool. Your audience isn't going to be nearly as impressed by the tool you use as by quality of the content you're presenting, and ultimately, by your ability to present it. Don't dwell for too long on picking the perfect tool; instead, find one that works for you, and move on to practice, practice, and more practice! That said, do let us know what presentation tool you use, and why, in the comments below.

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7 Great PowerPoint Alternatives

Here’s a quick question for you:

Did you really pay attention to the last presentation you sat through?

Sure, you remember some slides, graphs with financial forecasts, and bullet points. But at some point, you probably zoned out.

What makes presentations dull is that they’re made using the same tried and trusted Microsoft PowerPoint templates that everyone has been using for years. So what happens? Every presentation looks the same. 

Don’t get us wrong. Microsoft PowerPoint is a fantastic tool, and a pioneer in presentation software for a good reason.

But if users keep creating presentations the same old way and do not utilize presentation software to its full potential and employ their own styles and customizations, they’ll likely end up with a cookie-cutter slide deck that’s been used millions of times before. 

If you’re on this page, you’re probably on the looking to create your best presentation.

Why you should look for the best alternative to PowerPoint

To create professional looking presentations is more than just piecing together text, data visualizations , and images echoed by speaker notes.

Every slide should have an impact on the audience or reader, make a key point, and catch the eyes of your audience. All your presentations need to be mindful of visual design. Color, for example, influences up to 90% of a person’s snap judgment about a product.

There are many paid and even free alternatives available in the presentation space with better, newer, and fresher templates that can punch up your next presentation.

To make things easier for you, we’ve listed seven great alternatives to Powerpoint utilizing some of the best presentation software, complete with an overview of their features and individual pros and cons.

You can also click on the links below to go straight to each alternative to PowerPoint on this list. 

• Google Slides
• Beautiful.ai
• Apple Keynote
• LibreOffice Impress
• Adobe Creative Cloud Express

Alternative presentation tools

1. piktochart.

• Wide selection of professional-quality customizable templates
• Newbie-friendly video tutorials and a blog with design resources
• Robust features for free users, with even more available for Pro users
• Collaboration features for teams

Piktochart is a web-based design application that lets you create professional-looking presentations , infographics , posters , reports , flyers , social media graphics using a simple drag-and-drop interface. 

Piktochart pros

Like a PowerPoint presentation, Piktochart offers a wide range of templates for themes and topics to suit needs for marketing and sales, financial forecasts and performance, investor pitches, and more from creating dynamic presentations.

For new users or those who want to design and share presentations from scratch, check out the platform’s Help Center, Video Tutorials, and Blog, all of which offer a wealth of resources on Piktochart and general design topics. 

Free business users will have access to plenty of design key features on a completely free basis, but more can be unlocked if you get a paid plan for more customization options.

Paid plans start at $168/year ($14/month) for Pro and $29/month.

The Pro Team plan allows teams to work on shared presentations and consolidate projects.

Finally, you can download a presentation in high-resolution pdf files to present offline, PowerPoint files, or present straight from the platform user interface as a PowerPoint alternative.

You can also design an infographic and download it as blocks to convert into presentation slides or other graphic formats. Safe to say, Piktochart’s online presentation maker is one of the best free PowerPoint alternatives available today.

Piktochart cons

Unfortunately, Piktochart does not support native video playback on presentations, which rules out interactive video presentations. It also does not have version history.

You can, however, embed videos from Vimeo and YouTube into your presentation online, share to publish it, and copy and paste the URL on a browser to view the visual. 

Also, you can now record your presentations and that’s a form of “video presentations” that you can appreciate.

You could get started right away with Piktochart by signing up for free .

2. Google Slides

• Great for users already deep in Google’s online ecosystem (e.g., Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Drive) and a popular PowerPoint alternative
• Free for all personal users, and accessible to enterprises through G Suite
• Presentation app accessible on browsers and mobile devices
• Supports presentations through Chromecast and AirPlay

Google Slides is a slide deck platform that’s part of Google’s web-based office suite within Google Drive.

This presentation tool lets you create and present pitch decks, training modules, animated presentations, business presentations, and project presentations among others right in your browser, with no need to install any software. 

Google Slides pros

Google Slides is great if you’re already invested in other Google tools like Docs, Forms, and Sheets.

As one of the most-used alternatives to PowerPoint, it is also arguably the most accessible to create, share, and download presentations in different file types. Not only is it free to use for all personal users (enterprises can unlock more features through G Suite), but it’s also available on both browsers and mobile devices. 

Slides’ integration with Google Drive, Docs, and Sheets means that importing audio and video files, managing presentations, and collaborating on projects with teams is a breeze. 

Google Slides cons

One of the downsides of Google Slides being widely accessible to users of all skill levels is that you don’t get more advanced features and design tools found on other platforms.

For example, Google Slides does not have a selection of templates or visual content for common types of projects and presentations, but it’s nowhere near the variety you’ll find on the other platforms on this list. 

Bottom line? Google Slides is the best PowerPoint alternative for creating basic presentations with professionally designed templates. 

But if you want more advanced key features like slide transitions and effects, it’s best to look for another PowerPoint alternative for interactive presentations.

3. Beautiful.ai

• Uses AI to recommend visual elements and layouts on your slides based on design principles
• A simple and user-friendly design tool makes it easy for newbies to create beautiful presentations in minutes
• Wide selection of presentation application, slide templates, and key features

As its name suggests, Beautiful.ai is a presentation software that leverages artificial intelligence to suggest ways to visualize your ideas and customize your designs.

Beautiful.ai pros

Beautiful.ai ’s technology is the driving force behind its Smart Slides feature. 

Smart Slides ‘understand’ the content on your slide to make the best presentation possible. From there, this presentation tool intuitively makes recommendations on what elements you may want to add later and how you may want your slide layout to appear.

For novice users with little to no design experience, this process happens automatically, with Beautiful.ai organizing ideas and visualizing content quickly — all while providing guidance every step of the way. You get professional looking presentations in little time!

Free users have more than 60 presentations to choose from, with the option of unlocking more on the basic plan for $12/month and $15/month, billed annually and monthly, respectively. 

Beautiful.ai cons

Beautiful.ai is exclusively a presentation tool, and possibly the most popular PowerPoint alternative for technically savvy marketers, which can be disappointing if you want to use it to create other visual projects like posters and infographics as it lacks these key features. This would include data visualization and visual content.

Its Smart Slides also have set parameters that leave little for customization, meaning it works best when creating a simple presentation. 

Users can only move elements to specific spots on each slide which automatically adapt, which means you can’t make the overall design of your presentation your own. 

4. Apple Keynote

• Comes built-in with Apple macOS and is available for free on iOS as a presentation app
• Tight integration with other Apple apps makes it a natural choice for Mac users
• Compatible with PowerPoint and other presentation apps
• Better transitions and effects than PowerPoint

Keynote is Apple’s presentation application software that comes included with any purchase of an Apple laptop and desktop computer. 

It’s part of the Apple iWork productivity suite, alongside Pages and Numbers. 

Keynote pros

Keynote’s tight integration with other Apple apps also makes it a natural choice for Mac users. 

If you’re already familiar with Pages and Numbers, you’ll feel right at home with Keynote’s three-panel interface, composed of a formatting panel on the right side, a large editing section in the middle, and thumbnails on the left side. 

But what makes Keynote one of the popular PowerPoint alternatives are its transitions and effects. 

In particular, the software’s impressive Magic Move transition allows visual objects to smoothly move positions from one slide to another when playing your presentation.

Keynote users can also collaborate on presentations in real-time. Additionally, you can place restrictions on who can edit and only view your presentation. 

Keynote cons

PowerPoint and Keynote are generally compatible , provided Keynote presentations are exported in .ppt or .pptx format. 

However, elements like transitions, layouts, and fonts may look off if you’re exporting from Keynote to PowerPoint. You also will not have any integrations with live services such as Google Analytics.

5. LibreOffice Impress

• The entire LibreOffice suite is open-source and free
• Software supports all PowerPoint formats: .pps, .ppt, .pptxx

LibreOffice gets a lot of love for being a free and open-source alternative to Microsoft Office. LibreOffice Impress is the productivity suite’s alternative to PowerPoint, offering many of the same features found in its Microsoft counterpart. 

LibreOffice Impress pros

LibreOffice Impress supports all PowerPoint formats: .pps, .ppt, and .pptx. 

With it, you can create all kinds of slide-based presentations using five different editing and viewing modes:

• Normal, for general editing
• Outline, for outlining text content
• Notes, for adding and editing notes attached to slides
• Handout, for paper-based materials
• Slide Sorter, for quickly finding and changing the order of slides

Impress’s UI is far from the prettiest, but it gets the job done in a no-frills way with features like animations, effects, support for audio and video files, and timed presentations. 

LibreOffice Impress cons

Impress requires installation but is available on Microsoft, Mac, and Linux. The platform is also exclusive to desktops. 

Impress has only 23 default templates to choose from, so we recommend looking for templates on third-party platforms like GitHub . 

However, you’ll need to do some digging if you want templates that are just as good-looking as the ones found on software like Piktochart.

It’s also worth noting that even if Impress supports other presentation software, you can expect to see some formatting issues when importing and exporting presentations between platforms. 

6. Zoho Show

• Ideal for users invested in Zoho Office Suite
• Free for personal use; competitive rates for enterprise users
• Promises to keep formatting and elements intact when switching to PowerPoint

Zoho Show is a web-based presentation platform that’s part of the Zoho Office productivity suite. 

If you’re already using any of the Zoho office suite apps, it makes sense to create your presentations.  

Zoho Show pros

Zoho Show’s feature set is comparable to other platforms’ capabilities. 

It offers perks like real-time collaboration and editing, transitions and effects, animations, slide review and commenting, deck downloads, and online publishing, as well as online broadcasting and discussions.

Zoho supports file types on PowerPoint and open-source platforms like OpenOffice. 

Furthermore, Zoho promises that any presentation viewed on PowerPoint will be free of issues like missing fonts, layout errors, and broken objects. 

Zoho has more than 20 presentation themes to choose from, along with 100 fonts, animations, and charts to visualize data.

Zoho is free for personal users and small teams of up to five people. 

You can also unlock enhanced security, more collaboration features, storage, and admin controls by moving from the free plan to the Standard and Premium plans for $4/month and US6.4/month (billed annually), respectively. 

Zoho does not have an offline mode; you’ll need Internet access to edit or present slide decks. 

Videos and tweets on Zoho presentations can only be viewed online. At present, there’s no support for offline content.

7. Adobe Creative Cloud Express

• Ideal for individual users and enterprises that rely heavily on the Adobe design ecosystem
• Comes with a desktop version and mobile apps for iOS and Android
• Free to use and does not require a Creative Cloud account

Adobe Creative Cloud Express is a relatively new web-based design service that lets users create presentations as well as creative portfolios, landing pages, product pages and catalogs, newsletters, and photo galleries. 

Adobe Creative Cloud Express pros

Using Adobe Creative Cloud Express built-in Presentation Maker will come naturally to you if you or your business is already familiar with other Adobe products. 

But even new users with little to no graphic design experience will pick up the click-based platform in no time.

You can also use the other tools in the Adobe Creative Cloud Express suite, like Adobe Creative Cloud Express and Adobe Creative Cloud Express, to make specialized content to make your slides more interactive. 

For example, Adobe Creative Cloud Express Video supports audio and video content. You can also upload content straight from third-party sources like your library, Dropbox, Google Drive, and even social channels.

It also offers free users a small but diverse selection of presentation templates for different projects and occasions. 

Naturally, you unlock more templates and features like branding and team collaboration if you upgrade to the paid plans instead of a free plan.

Pricing starts at $9.99/month or $99.99/year for individual users and $19.99/month or $239.88/year for teams and enterprises. 

Adobe Creative Cloud Express cons

Free users are limited to a small selection of templates, limited ability to edit presentations, and no interactive features, e.g. interactive charts; which can get old when you need to make multiple engaging presentations in a year. 

Presentations made using the free version will also include the Adobe watermark. Finally, Adobe Creative Cloud Express does not support offline editing once you download a presentation.

What to look for in PowerPoint alternatives

Just as there are many ways to make a presentation , there are also several PowerPoint alternatives to consider. Some are better than others or have more features and presentation tools designed for your needs. 

To make choosing between Powerpoint presentations and their alternatives easier, consider these criteria:

• Accessibility . Is it an operating system (OS)-based or browser-based platform? The former requires installation on your computer (as in the case of PowerPoint) while the latter means it can be accessed using any web browser. Each has its pros and cons, depending on your needs. For example, OS-based platforms don’t require an Internet connection to run. On the other hand, browser-based platforms need an Internet connection but can be accessed (along with your designs) on any browser.  
• Usability . Is the platform easy to use or does it have a steep learning curve? Look for software that comes with tutorials designed to help new users create professionally designed slides. The best presentation software isn’t just simple and easy to use, but it also supports additional media to keep the audience engaged.
• Notable features . Apart from the usual ability to add text, images, and graphics to slides, you want a presentation platform with extra features such as collaboration, robust design tools, support for audio and rich media, and a wide variety of templates for reports and presentations. You want to capture the audience’s attention!
• Price . Finally, consider the price of the presentation software. Some are a free alternative, others come bundled with the OS, while the rest are available to enterprises on a monthly and annual subscription. 

Make your best slides with Piktochart presentation templates

Using Piktochart, you can make visuals and build better presentations within minutes in various formats.

With Pro, you can also collaborate with up to 24 members, unlock custom templates and professionally designed layouts, have complete control, upload your own fonts, and get unlimited downloads.

Stop searching for PowerPoint alternatives, and get started today by signing up for free.

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Best Presentation Design Software [May 2024]

Dive into an expert analysis of the leading presentation tools shaping narratives across the globe. Whether orchestrating a cutting-edge business presentation, delivering an impactful educational lecture, or enchanting audiences with personal stories, the choice of tool is pivotal in amplifying your message. This guide meticulously compares each platform's features, usability, and customization capabilities, from the time-tested prowess of Microsoft PowerPoint to the innovative approach of Beautiful.ai, ensuring you select the ideal tool to meet your specific communication needs.

Microsoft PowerPoint

Overview: The definitive standard in presentation software, widely used across various sectors for its robust functionality and flexibility.

• Extensive theme and template library
• Advanced animation and transition effects
• Comprehensive multimedia integration
• Real-time collaboration and co-authoring
• Cross-platform compatibility
• Presenter view and tools
• Integration with Microsoft Office Suite
• Extensive customization capabilities

Google Slides

Overview : A highly accessible, web-based tool known for its simplicity and strong collaboration features within the Google ecosystem.

• Cloud-based, access from anywhere
• Seamless integration with Google Workspace
• Auto-save feature
• Wide variety of add-ons
• Supports embedded videos and use of Google fonts
• Simple, user-friendly interface
• History and revision tracking

Apple Keynote

‍ Overview : Favored for its sleek interface and impressive graphic capabilities, it's particularly popular among creative professionals using Apple devices.

• Intuitive design interface
• Unique cinematic transitions
• Ability to record and edit presentations
• Collaboration across all Apple devices
• Export options to non-Apple formats
• High-quality graphics and effects
• Built-in tools for graphic design

Overview : Offers a dynamic, canvas-based presentation style that stands out for its engaging, motion-rich navigational capabilities.

• Engaging zooming user interface
• Supports conversational presenting
• Offline access capabilities
• Video presentation features
• Analytics to gauge viewer engagement
• Non-linear presentation path
• Collaboration tools for teams

Overview : Merges ease of use with a wealth of design functionalities, making professional-grade design accessible to all users.

• User-friendly drag-and-drop interface
• A vast library of templates and design elements
• Integrated stock photo and element collections
• Collaboration and sharing online
• Print-ready designs
• Ability to create other graphics, like infographics and posters
• Mobile app available for editing on the go

Overview : Designed for teamwork, this tool enhances modern presentation making with its focus on aesthetics and collaborative features.

• Built-in collaboration and commenting tools
• Intelligent formatting assistance
• High-quality templates and media library
• Integration with popular tools like Slack and Trello
• Analytics for presentation performance
• Sleek, modern interface
• Custom branding options

Overview : Automates design processes, enabling users, especially startups, to create polished presentations efficiently.

• AI-powered design assistance
• Access to financial models and business templates
• Content management for teams
• Easy to share and present online
• Analytics to track viewer engagement
• Integration with cloud storage solutions
• Focus on startup and corporate needs

Overview : Balances comprehensive data visualization tools with attractive design features to create informative and visually appealing presentations.

• Extensive data visualization tools including charts and graphs
• Interactive presentations with animations
• Video and audio capabilities
• Privacy controls and password protection
• Downloadable as HTML5
• Project management features
• Wide range of template choices

Overview : Integrates with the Zoho suite to provide a versatile presentation platform that facilitates easy creation and collaboration.

• Real-time collaboration features
• Integration with Zoho’s suite of apps
• Broad range of broadcast and publish options
• Android and iOS apps available
• Extensive library of themes and templates
• Support for animated backgrounds
• Import and export options for various formats

Beautiful.ai

Overview : Employs intelligent design automation to help users produce sleek, designer-quality slides quickly.

• Smart templates that adapt as you add content
• Focus on design principles
• Collaboration in real time
• Integration with common tools like Slack
• Presentation analytics
• Streamlined interface that automates design decisions
• Support for dynamic transitions

As you explore the vast landscape of presentation tools, the choice of the right partner to bring your vision to life becomes equally crucial. While these tools offer powerful functionalities, the expertise to leverage them effectively can make all the difference.

Choose INK PPT for All Your Presentation Needs

At INK PPT , we understand the nuances of presentation design and storytelling. Whether you need a corporate presentation to seal a deal, an educational slideshow that captivates and informs, or a personal story that resonates with hearts, our team is equipped to transform your ideas into impactful visuals.

Why INK PPT?

• Expertise Across Tools: Our team has extensive experience across all major presentation platforms. This means no matter your preferred tool, we can optimize its features to your advantage.
• Custom Solutions: Every presentation is tailored to meet your specific objectives, audience, and industry standards.
• Global Delivery: No matter where you are located, our services are accessible with the same promise of quality and timeliness.

Let INK PPT be your go-to solution for compelling presentations. Contact us today and take your presentations to the next level.

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About the Author

Aayush Jain - Crafting Stories from the Heart

As a passionate explorer, I see crafting the perfect story as embarking on a refreshing Himalayan journey. Every narrative is an adventure, a voyage of imagination, meticulously molded into captivating presentations. I'm here to guide you, ensuring your story becomes an unforgettable odyssey, with each creation as a vibrant landscape ready to captivate eager audiences.

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13 Best Free Presentation Websites Alternatives to PowerPoint in 2023

‍ What is a presentation website?

Presentation websites are applications created to present information as a slide show. Slideshows are presentations that comprise charts, images, videos, and the standard text. They ensure that data is displayed clearly, summarized, and readable to the audience.  

Slideshows work best when presented on a projector or a big screen. Intermittently, some users might print out slide shows as documents, but this is ill-suited for that purpose. 

Any presentation tool must have three fundamental functions:

• ‍ A text editor: to input the contents of the presentation.
• ‍ An import function: to insert and manipulate images and other content.
• ‍ A slide-show or presenter mode: that displays the content in a nice, formatted way.

Slide shows often consist of a combination of text, video, images and charts. Their primary function is displaying clear, readable and summarized data to an audience.

Most presentations are shared and presented on a larger screen or through a digital projector. In rare occasions, slide presentations are printed out as a replacement for text documents, but this is a really inefficient way to review data, that Garr Reynolds calls ‘ PresDocs ’ (Garr Reynolds is the author of Presentation Zen, one of the most important go-to reference for successful presentations).

Related Read: What Makes Up the Best Presentation Templates?

What makes the best presentation website?

When looking for the best presentation apps, there is a need to consider not just pitch decks but also school lectures, religious sermons, and adverts. Therefore, an excellent presentation app should be affordable, have enough sharing and collaboration options, have a range of pre-built templates, and be flexible. 

Visualization in presentations

A presentation without visual aids can be very boring. It's hard to remember things if they are just words on a page or screen. But with visuals, people retain information much better. So, ensure you have some great images to help your audience understand what you're talking about.

Consider using infographics if you want to add some spice to your presentations. Infographics are visually appealing ways to present complex information in a simple way. They can include charts, graphs, maps, diagrams, timelines, etc. Many online tools are available to create them, including Piktochart , Visually, and Canva . 

Presentation or visualization names of websites

Presentation websites allow you to create amazing presentations through the use of web technologies.

There are many cases when you might need to create a presentation for a particular purpose. Creating a presentation on PowerPoint is easy, but that doesn't mean it's the best option. That's why we'll talk about how to create a presentation without PowerPoint and how to get the best out of these presentation website alternatives. 

However, there exist today, numerous applications, software, and websites that can help create stunning designs and art for presentations other than PowerPoint. From Slidebean to Google Slides, there are more than enough presentation apps to help you. No matter your tastes, needs, and specifications, there is always one that fits your bill. Read on to find out more.

What makes a great PowerPoint Alternative?

Not everyone prefers PowerPoint. Why? Because it can feel and look clunky at times. But not every PowerPoint alternative works the same way. To find the best one for you, look out for features such as:

• Ability to present online and offline.
• Sharing and collaboration features.
• Features that allow for easy interpretation and assimilation of data.
• Highly customizable templates.
• Good transition and animation capabilities.
• Work import capabilities.

What are some good presentation websites

Here's a list of the best 10 powerpoint alternatives for 2023:.

Check out our top 10 presentation software tools that we believe are great alternatives to PowerPoint. We've curated this list based on our own interests and research. Let's dive right in and get started:

1. Slidebean presentation builder

Key Differentiator: Time Efficiency and Design

Pricing: Free with limited features, paid plans start at $199/year

Slidebean tops our list for its impressive time efficiency and design capabilities. This presentation software harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to calculate new slide designs in seconds. The platform offers a vast array of professional templates, each equipped with text suggestions tailored to various industries, making presentation creation a breeze. Slidebean also allows logo integration, enhancing your branding. Moreover, the tracking feature provides valuable insights into audience engagement, giving you the opportunity to improve your content and drive success in your presentations.

TRY SLIDEBEAN PRESENTATIONS

2. google slides.

Key Differentiator: Collaborative Convenience

Pricing: Free

Google Slides is an excellent choice for those seeking seamless collaboration and cloud-based convenience. With a reliable internet connection, multiple collaborators can work on a single project simultaneously without any need for downloads. The platform also allows sharing via email, facilitating easy dissemination of your presentations. Although Google Slides offers some impressive templates, it could benefit from more diverse design options for a truly personalized touch.

TRY GOOGLE SLIDES

Key Differentiator: "Zooming" into Creativity

Pricing: Free with limited features, paid plans start at $5/month)

Prezi's zoom function sets it apart, creating engaging and dynamic presentations. It boasts a unique smart structure technology that impresses audiences. However, using Prezi's exceptional features might require training and design skills. While the free version offers significant benefits, remember that it comes with privacy limitations. Consider opting for the paid plans if confidentiality is crucial for your presentations.

4. Apple Keynote

Key Differentiator: Sleek and Sophisticated

Pricing: Free with Mac devices, standalone versions available for macOS at $19.99

Designed for Apple users, Keynote brings sleekness and sophistication to your presentations. The software is versatile, allowing you to work on floor plans and text slides alike. While it may lack some collaborative features of other platforms, Keynote excels in creating aesthetically pleasing and professional presentation materials.

TRY KEYNOTE

5. haiku deck.

Key Differentiator: Simplified Storytelling

Pricing: Free with limited features, paid plans start at $9.99/month

Haiku Deck focuses on visual storytelling, providing an array of visually appealing templates and high-quality images to captivate your audience. The software streamlines the presentation process, making it ideal for those seeking simplicity and elegance. With its user-friendly interface, Haiku Deck enables you to create impressive slides in minutes.

TRY HAIKU DECK

Key Differentiator: Design Flexibility

Pricing: Free with limited features, paid plans start at $9.95/month)

Though primarily known for graphic design, Canva also offers powerful presentation tools. With a vast library of design elements, templates, and stock images, Canva allows you to fully customize your slides. Its collaborative features and easy sharing options make it a go-to choice for teams working on presentations.

Key Differentiator: Visual Content Creation

Pricing: Free with limited features, paid plans start at $25/month

Visme excels in visual content creation, offering impressive charts, graphs, and infographics. This platform goes beyond conventional presentations, making it ideal for educational and business purposes. It enables you to create interactive and engaging content that will leave a lasting impact on your audience.

Key Differentiator: Animated Presentations

Pricing: Free with limited features, paid plans start at $19/month

If you want to bring your presentations to life with animation, Powtoon is the software for you. Its dynamic and animated slides add flair to your content, keeping your audience engaged throughout the presentation. Powtoon's easy-to-use interface and extensive library of animated assets make it perfect for creating captivating animated presentations.

TRY POWTOON

Key Differentiator: Multi-dimensional Presentations

Pricing: Free with limited features, paid plans start at $12/month

Emaze stands out with its multi-dimensional presentation capabilities. It offers 3D templates, virtual reality integration, and immersive slides, making your presentations stand out. For those seeking innovative ways to captivate audiences, Emaze is a powerful choice.

10. Zoho Show

Key Differentiator: Collaborative Creation

Pricing: Free with limited features, paid plans start at $5/month

Zoho Show offers collaborative features that make teamwork seamless. It allows multiple users to collaborate in real time, making it an excellent choice for group projects and presentations. The platform also provides a variety of templates and customization options to suit your presentation needs.

TRY ZOHO SHOW

A presentation software launched in 2020, Pitch is already referred to as a “PowerPoint killer”. It was created to help non-designers (or beginners) create excellent pitch decks. 

Pitch has an extensive library of presentation templates, but this is just one of its benefits. This software emphasizes collaboration and even includes built-in video collaboration for remote teams to work together. Pitch presentations can also be integrated with Google Analytics, Google Sheets, and similar applications.

This cloud-based presentation tool proffers a user-friendly alternative to PowerPoint. Its sleek editor interface allows you to add your preferred background images, import a variety of designs, and collaborate easily with others. It is known to be very user-friendly.

Slides offers access and edit features from any device, as long as it is internet-connected. It also helps manage privacy rights, allows presentations offline, offers analytics management, and allows for adding GIFs and images. 

However, it is limited in slide options and templates and does not offer graphic inclusions.

Gamma is a user-friendly web tool designed to make creating presentations easier for both educators and students. Its standout feature is its AI technology, which handles design tasks, allowing users to focus on their content. With Gamma, anyone can quickly create visually appealing presentations without needing advanced design skills.

How do I create a presentation without PowerPoint?

Numerous alternatives to PowerPoint are on the Internet. The issue is not about creating a presentation without PowerPoint but getting that presentation tool or software that can help achieve your goal. 

While many tools offer free accounts to peruse and utilize online and offline presentations, some do not. This does not mean the free tools are not good, rather, it is just a marketing idea. 

What can I use instead of PowerPoint for free?

Here are some presentation tools you can make use of instead of PowerPoint;

WPS Office boasts functionality and a well-designed, along with offline document capabilities. Sometimes accused of having very similar features to Microsoft Office, users can efficiently work on PowerPoint files. It also offers many templates. However, collaboration might be a bit stressful. 

WPS Office is available on Android, Web Windows, iOS, Linux, and macOS.

If there is one thing Canva has, it is templates. Canva makes PowerPoint look simple with a vast array of templates for every specification. If you have a problem with making decisions, do not use Canva.

However, that is its Achilles heel; many people find themselves scrolling for so long. Not all templates are free but, it helps narrow down your options. 

• Bonus Tool: InVideo

InVideo is considered a cloud-based online video editing tool with the feature of creating slideshow videos. it contains a huge selection of slideshow templates, stock footage, photos, and music to make great slideshow videos without a watermark. Although it is available for free, some features require a premium subscription.

Without a doubt, it can be stressful to get that one presentation software that can fit your exact specifications and give the required output. Although utilizing Slidebean can be very flexible, it can also be use to produce the best infographic presentation that compares data in an easily-understood manner.

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40 + Presentation & Powerpoint Alternatives For 2024

Chetan saiya.

At CustomShow , we like to think that everyone can use our presentation software to create better-looking presentations, thus serving as one of the best presentation & PowerPoint alternatives for large corporate enterprises, educational institutions, design agencies, small-to-mid-sized businesses, and highly creative individuals.  

We cater to business organizations and individuals that need to deliver engaging and impactful sales pitches filled with videos, animations and other rich media as well as need real-time collaboration between presentation designers and presenters.  We don’t usually promote our competitors. But at the end of the day, we want you to pick from the full list of presentation tools that are on the market and that could fit your needs.

I f you want to build a business case for a Presentation & PowerPoint alternative in your company then here is a great resource .

Selection criteria for presentation & powerpoint alternatives.

To be objective in our analysis of Presentation & PowerPoint alternatives, we use the following criteria:

• Ability to support high-definition video, animations, 3D graphics, VR and other rich media to deliver an awesome experience.
• Slide library management to enable your sales team to easily customize and personalize each pitch.
• Brand and regulatory compliance by providing adequate control on what can and cannot be changed in brand presentations .
• Presentation analytics to see how well the audience engaged with your pitch deck when it was shared with them.

If you are truly serious about purchasing new presentation software and need some guidance, you should check out our buying guide to presentation software .

Presentation & PowerPoint alternatives give you plenty of options to choose from.  Each has its advantages and disadvantages and we hope you will find your perfect fit.  We’ll examine the team presentation maker programs we believe would be great and even the ones that may not be but could still be another viable solution.

NOTE: This is a list of 40 plus different presentation software tools.  If you’re looking for only Free Presentation Programs, check our post on 9 Free Presentation Tools you can start using today .  Great for educators and students.

Presentation Software – CustomShow

Summary – presentation software program used mainly for businesses and companies with more than 25 employees that need a robust presentation software solution.  With over 40 years of rich presentation history, the presentation software was created out of close collaboration with design agencies and sales users who needed to deliver Wow!  The software allows companies and organizations to build better custom branded and dynamic presentations that look light years better than your typical PowerPoint presentation.  We would consider ourselves a great sales enablement tool because sales professionals benefit a great deal from the software.

Perfect For – Marketing Teams, Sales Teams, Sales Professionals, Digital Marketing and Creative Design Agencies, Professionals, CEOs and entrepreneurs

Other Review Sources – Smart Selling Tools,   Techradar ,   TrustRadius, G2 Crowd , Finances Online

Website : www.customshow.com

Read more on: What do you Need to Think About Before Designing the Presentation?

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Prezi (personal).

Summary  – The mothership of Presentation & PowerPoint alternatives, has been around for many years.  Leveraging the concept of ZOOM and transitions to new spaces on a slide, they give the effect that the presentation has not moved to a new slide.  Prezi provides people with better style and effect in their presentations.  Prezi uses the concept of Pathway Points instead of slides to give the visual cinematic appeal of their presentations .  These guys just raised another $50 million in November to compete with Microsoft.

Advantages  – Present on multiple devices; can share with coworkers; can be used by practically anyone; easy to learn how to use; cost-effective; can work on the presentation offline; 

Disadvantages  – Very template-driven – always looks like Prezi; cannot easily customize slides or repurpose presentations; can cause motion sickness. 

Perfect For  – Educators; Keynote Speakers; Organizations; Students

Other Review Sources  – Erez Zukerman From PCWorld ;  Edward Mendelson of PCMag

Prezi For Business

Summary  – The mothership of PowerPoint alternatives, they’ve been around for many years. They decided to make a stronger push for the business market.  Thus, they came out with Prezi for Business.  Lots of companies already use Prezi for one-off presentations like conference keynotes, town halls and investor pitches, but this version is trying to target the managed and repeatable presentations of sales and marketing teams.

Advantages  – Better for teams; good for collaborating.

Disadvantages  – Very template driven – always looks like Prezi; hard to edit by non-designers; not easy to repurpose content.

Perfect For  – Medium-sized companies that require limited customization by the sales team.

Other Review Sources  –  G2Crowd ,  Medium

Summary  – This is a template-based platform that allows people to create elegant-looking presentations .  The software comes with 35 templates and over 35 million stock photos that can be used within the slide templates.  This platform is a step between a company like CustomShow and Powerpoint.  

Advantages  – easy to use; fast onboarding process

Disadvantages  – cannot do offline work with the App; cannot truly Customize presentations in any way you want

Perfect For  – students; educators; presenters in general

Other Review Sources  –  Joel Mathis of MacWorld ;  JR Bookwalter of MacLife ,  PCWorld

Summary  – Known as a presentation launch pad, SlideDog mainly takes all of your documents, presentations, pictures, or video and places them into a playlist that can be moved around and presented seamlessly.  You can upload just about any type of file from  videos  down to other presentation software devices such as Prezi.

Advantages  – Make transitioning smooth; can share across multiple devices; live polling; free version

Disadvantages  – Not used for creating presentations

Perfect For  – People who want to present more seamlessly across multiple documents; individual presenters

Other Review Sources  –  FP PT Overview ,  The Balance

Powtoon – Animation Presentation Software

Summary  – Probably one of the leaders in the DIY presentation animation space, Powtoon allows consumers to create presentations and videos that are animated, interesting, and engaging.  It is not difficult to learn how to use and the software is a breath of fresh air to those looking to create presentations that are different and engaging.

Advantages  – Ease Of Use; Truly Customizable Animated Presentations

Disadvantages  – Not suitable to live presentations (but that’s OK)

Perfect For  – Educators (Check out their new app for educators); businesses that want to create a service/product video; small business professionals; trainers

Other Sources  –   Sarah Perez of TechCrunch ;  Brightcarbon Review

Keynote – Presentation & Powerpoint Alternative

Summary  – One of the standard bearers in the presentation software space,  Keynote  is meant to allow presenters to create customizable presentations.  It comes with 30 themes that you can start with and pre-stock photos.

Advantages  – Present on multiple devices (Apple owned); easy to share; PowerPoint friendly; inexpensive; allows for animations.

Disadvantages  – Can only be used for MAC (ios systems); fairly template driven; no slide library

Perfect For  – Business owners and individuals

Other Sources  –  Joe Kissell of MacWorld ;  John Martellaro of The Mac Observer

Summary  – To switch things up a bit MediaShout is a presentation software tool for religious institutions and churches.  It is a powerful platform that can be utilized by churches of all sizes and combined. The software works well with the team that is managing the media and productions during any religious service particularly during the sermon.

Advantages  – Stage mirroring; announcement deck; great with video; add scripture from 65 different bibles; include sermon points; sound and music enabled

Disadvantages  – Hmmm…we’re not going there.

Perfect For  – Religious institutions and churches

Other Sources:  Church Tech Today

Summary  – Visme is a web-based tool suitable for students and individuals who want a free tool mainly for one-off presentations or infographics designed for social media.  The tool is relatively easy to use and comes with thousands of infographic templates & graphics.  It’s relatively new software and is geared more toward infographics rather than presentations, but it’s a great tool and It has more features like whiteboard creator, video maker, flowchart maker Etc.

Advantages  – Easy to use and get started with built-in templates and stock photos

Disadvantages  – No strong library management or brand control features. Not designed for rich media-heavy presentations.

Reviews  –  CMSCritic ,  SelfMadeSuccess

Vyond – Video Presentation Software

Summary  – Previously known as GoAnimate, Vyond is one of Powtoon’s biggest competitors, Vyond is all about animated video presentations.  You can create DIY professional animated videos without having to hire a video producer.  It is integrated with other software sales apps and is a solution that can be interesting for budget-busting video animation companies.  Of course, there are other whiteboard animation companies, but GoAnimate does showcase another alternative.

Advantages  – Great For Video; Cost Effective; Think Product Videos

Disadvantages  – Only Animation Centered (Not a real disadvantage though)

Perfect For  – Business; Producers; Digital Agencies

Other Sources  – Joe Ganci of Learning Solutions Mag, Editing Insider

Wink – Presentation & Powerpoint Alternative

Summary  –  Wink is a Tutorial and Presentation creation software, primarily aimed at creating tutorials on how to use software (like a tutor for MS Word/Excel, etc). Using Wink you can capture screenshots, add explanation boxes, buttons, titles, etc and generate a highly effective tutorial for your users.

Advantages  – Free; multilingual; good support 

Disadvantages  – No ‘undo’ feature, audio compatibility issues

Perfect For  – Individuals and small businesses who just need to create simple animated tutorials and software demonstrations.

Summary  –  Owned by TechSmith, it is useful for creating Windows-based presentations for software training. Offers advanced features and extra tools for organizing, simplifying, and editing screen captures. If you produce Windows screenshots regularly, SnagIt is a great tool for that.

Advantages  – Easy-to-use screen capture program, 

Disadvantages  –  Windows only

Perfect For  – Window’s screen shot-ers

Other Sources  – Tom Negrino of MacWorld

Summary  –  Also owned by TechSmith, Camtasia Studio is an integrated suite of applications for producing professional videos of on-screen activity. A good Presentation & PowerPoint alternative for customer training and onboarding.

Advantages  – 5 applications provide solutions for end-to-end video production, multiple output options 

Disadvantages  – Costly for the value

Perfect For  –  Creating Video demonstrations for  customer support , employee training, and product presentations.

Other Sources –   Daniel And Sally Grotta of PCWorld

Camstudio – Open Source Video Presentation Software

Summary  –   Free and simple, straightforward program to record screen activity to AVI or SWF format. 

Advantages  – Free. Video annotation capabilities

Disadvantages  – no movie editing, hard to use annotation tools

Perfect For  – Students and individuals who want to record and present basic activities for webinars and basic presentations

Other Sources  – Michael Muchmore of PCMag

Flipsnack – Evolved from Slidesnack

Summary  –   Started as a presentation-sharing tool and has evolved into making flip books for online sharing and embedding from any PDF.

Advantages  – Simple and complete solution for turning presentations and print publications into flipbooks. 

Disadvantages  – not great for building presentations.

Perfect For  – Publishers who wish to transform their printed publications into digital ones.

Reviews  –  Ed Tech Reviews ,  Presentation Guru

Articulate Presenter

Summary  –  Articulate Presenter is a program that acts as an add-on to Microsoft PowerPoint. It capitalizes on what PowerPoint can do already and provides several added features, such as quizzing, narration, and other interactive features.

Advantages  – Supercharges the existing functionality in PowerPoint; narration syncs easily to screen animation; functionality is super intuitive

Disadvantages  – Content positioning is imprecise, takes ages to publish the content, and Published files are BIG

Perfect For  – Educators; Individuals

Windows Movie Maker

Summary  – Freeware video editing software by Microsoft. It is a part of the Windows Essentials software suite and offers the ability to create and edit videos as well as to publish them on OneDrive, Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr.

Advantages  – Free, simple to use for beginners, great for photo slideshows

Disadvantages  – Only one video track, freezes and crashes randomly, lots of versions that aren’t compatible with each other

Perfect For  – Essentially Anyone; Video Production

Other Sources  –  Michael Muchmore of PCMag

Summary  –   Allows easy sharing of presentations between businesses and consumers

Advantages  – Easy embedding in websites, great for sharing audio and video, custom privacy settings

Disadvantages  – Must use other programs to create and edit material, atypical transitions, cannot track views

Perfect For  – Students, teachers, and small and large businesses that want public-facing content to reach consumers

Other Sources  – Tanya Lewis of PR Week US

R eviews  –  GetApp ,  BestCompany

Summary  – Automatic graphic designer for PowerPoint presentations that designs a Showcase automatically with just some clicks

Advantages  – Easy to Use, Fast, User-Friendly UI, Attractive Templates 

Disadvantages  – Getting appropriate images requires some selection by hand. Some features are redundant to PowerPoint’s own.

Perfect For  – Individuals

Other Sources  –  Jill Duffy of PCMag ,  Indezine

Summary  – The Emaze user can easily build sophisticated presentations with little effort. The company’s vision was to free up users from having to spend time studying and preparing the presentation tool so that they can better spend their time concentrating on the actual content of the presentation

Advantages  – Cheap, designed for ordinary users,

Disadvantages  – More of a web page designer and not fully focused on presentation.

Perfect For  – Basic user base, current PowerPoint users wanting better visualization

Libre Office

Summary  – Impress is the presentation component of Libre Office. It is a truly outstanding tool for creating effective multimedia presentations. Creating and editing slides is very versatile thanks to different editing and view modes: Normal (for general editing), Outline (for organizing and outlining your text content), Notes (for viewing and editing the notes attached to a slide), Handout (for producing paper-based material), and Slide Sorter (for a thumbnail sheet view that lets you quickly locate and order your slides).

Summary  – Now we’re in the world of conferences.  Preseria is all about presenters uploading their presentations and organizing your conferences.  This can be a nifty tool if you’re managing large conferences where you have several presenters .

Advantages  – Great for Sharing; can Organize and gather content seamlessly

Disadvantages  – Can’t create custom presentations.

Perfect For  – Event Coordinators; Conference Leaders

Proclaim – Church Presentation Software

Summary  – We’re back in the world of churches.  Proclaim is all about pastors and assistants uploading their presentations and having the functionality to make any changes to them to provide an experience to people listening and watching the sermon.

Advantages  – Incredible software for sharing and collaborating with teams of people who are working on the presentation; Organize and gather content seamlessly; Comes with a remote app that can be controlled by your iPad.

Disadvantages  – Can’t create super customized presentations, but they can be fairly unique.

Perfect For  – Churches; religious institutions

Reviews –  Church Tech Today

Summary  – Moving back into animation, this software is pretty nifty.  You can create animated figures for your presentation in a shorter period.  Great for presenters to quickly add animated avatars and comic effects into PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Docs and other presentation software.

Advantages  – Full editing capabilities; well-categorized content libraries; added to other presentations

Disadvantages  – Can’t create presentations within the software, however, Reallusion does have other software in its suite that can do this.

Perfect For  – Individuals; Business; Keynote Speakers; Designers

Summary  – Focusky helps mainly with creating animation presentations as well as presentations in HTML5 format.  

Advantages  – Full editing capabilities; can present from anywhere; animation capabilities; import PowerPoint slides

Disadvantages  – It May not have as much functionality as CustomShow but is great for individuals; mainly for animation, not traditional presentations. 

Perfect For  – Individuals; students; teachers

Reviews –  G2Crowd

Summary  – Slides.com is a cloud-based simple presentation software.

Advantages  – Full editing capabilities; can present from anywhere; cloud-based ; comes with analytics; incorporates HTML and CSS in the presentations

Disadvantages  – It May not have as much functionality as CustomShow but is great for individuals

Summary  – Slidebean focuses on presentations for pitching  startup ideas , consulting and design projects.

Advantages  – Ease of use; quick to develop presentations; focused templates for the target audience.

Disadvantages  – May not have as much functionality as CustomShow but is great for individuals; not best for teams; not entirely customizable

Reviews –  Finances Online,   Ethos3

Summary  – Another graphics design tool that also allows the creation of the presentation. Mostly used by students, educational professionals and small businesses.

Advantages  – Lots of templates to get started.

Disadvantages  – Not a serious presentation software solution. Consider it for making infographics, etc. for social media posting.

Reviews –  PCWord ,  3hundrd

Summary – Part of Zoho OfficeSuite,  Zoho Show offers a great interface for people who want to design eye-popping presentations.  Zoho is pretty broad in its software and service offerings ranging from document management tools to collaboration and sharing.  Their pricing on the document management side can be as low as $5/month/user.  Doesn’t compete in the B2B space, but is a great player with many benefits including transferring to PowerPoint, analytics, bulk file uploads, and much more.

Advantages  – Minimalist design, lots of templates, collaboration

Disadvantages  – Not suited for rich media presentations, does not provide great analytics

Perfect For  – Users who subscribe to Zoho solutions

Reviews –   PCMag

Summary  – Foleon, previously known as Instant Magazine allows you to create interactive publications which make your content come alive. It is one tool, for all platforms, for all devices. Get the best reading experience on smartphones, tablets and desktops. Personalized and fully measurable.

Advantages  – Rich media support, analytics, easy web-based publishing of content

Disadvantages  – Not powerful or flexible enough for sales teams to build presentations

Perfect For  – Digital marketers who want to create web-based content

Reviews –  Crunchbase

Summary  – At Panopto, the company believes that video can have a transformative effect on learning. So they built a video platform that helps businesses and universities improve the way that they train, teach, and share knowledge.  Panapto acts as a video presentation software package that allows consumers to manage, live stream,  record screen , and share videos across your organization.

Advantages  – Powerful video capture and sharing tools

Disadvantages  – Not very useful if your presentations require text and support for other media.

Perfect For  – Corporate training and education

Reviews –  SteamingMedia ,  FinancesOnline

Summary  – Genially is a helpful tool for creating visual media, such as presentations, infographics, mind maps, and more. The focus with Genially is interactivity, and nearly everything created with this tool can include interactivity. It also includes real-time collaboration and animation. In addition, statistics help you measure whether your presentation is effective.

Advantages  – Easy to use and interactivity

Disadvantages  – Not a serious corporate contender, lacks its analytics, not designed for rich media presentation

Perfect For  – Individuals, teachers

Reviews  –  Tutsplus

Summary  – FlowVella is another presentation app with several benefits and features including its being mobile first, offering privacy and security, analytics, autoplay videos, and a vast array of collaboration tools.  FlowVella has native apps for Mac, iPhone & iPad, yet presentations can be viewed via any web browser.  FlowVella is great for sales presentations, training,  kiosks , digital brochures, portfolios, product guides, formal and informal education, and much more.

Advantages  – Inexpensive, free version

Disadvantages  – Not designed with rich media support, collaboration, or brand and compliance control in mind.

Reviews  –  TechCrunch

Summary  –  An easy-to-use graphic design tool made for nondesigners, thanks to its simple UI and Drag and drop feature to make fast and precise editing. Features like background remover, Image Animator, PDF Editor, and many more are free to use. with thousands of free templates, not only. It also has access to 125 million Shutterstock images. 

Advantages  – You can do it All in One Tool 

Disadvantages  – Some stock images are not accessible for free

Perfect For  – Students, Teachers, Non Designers, Everyone 

Summary  –  Scribe is a Chrome extension that captures your screen, instantly turning a process into a step-by-step guide with screenshots. A good PowerPoint alternative for customer or  employee training and onboarding .  

Advantages  – Free tool, simple to learn. Consistent and aesthetically pleasing guides for training.  

Disadvantages  – Not intended to replace large presentations, but rather intended for sharing instructions or tutorials.

Perfect For  – Creating step-by-step instructions in business – onboarding, training, standard operating procedures, technical manuals, and more. 

There are probably an additional 50 – 80 presentation software tools we missed on this list.  We know there are others we likely left out, so we look forward to your comments and other Presentation & PowerPoint alternatives that can be useful for presenting or organizing/delivering presentations.

If you believe you are a good match and should be added to this list, feel free to email us and we’ll consider adding you.

 Discontinued Presentation Software

We list the presentation programs that we had previously listed as Presentation & PowerPoint alternatives but are not available.

SlideRocket Marketing Software

Summary  –  Sliderocket was purchased by Clearside, which in turn was purchased by BigTinCan.  If volume sales are important to you, Clearslide could be a good tool for you.  There is more emphasis on sales and tracking than the presentation creation side of the software.  After going through a series C $50 million round of funding, the company is focusing more on sales enablement and less on presentations specifically.  Nonetheless, the tool is worth reviewing.  

Advantages  – Can upload files from Keynote, Powerpoint, PDF, Excel and other formats; good metrics; online delivery; slide sharing 

Disadvantages  – Interface is complex and limited in the ability to create a “better-looking presentation”; video isn’t seamlessly integrated into presentations.

Perfect For  – High Volume Sales & Marketing Organizations

Other Review Sources  –  Edward Mendelson from PC Mag ;  Jessica Still at Gigaom

Slidesharks

Summary  – Another discontinued product.  SlideShark was a mobile app used by sales professionals and other presenters worldwide to present and share PowerPoints via their chosen devices.  Its features include cloud storage integration, sharing and tracking views, broadcasting or presenting over the web, creating annotations on the slides, and of course presenter mode.

Advantages  – Can present PowerPoint slides anywhere; cloud-based; free but paid version is known as a Business pro; can be utilized for webinars

Disadvantages  – unable to customize presentations; primarily a delivery system (a good and bad thing).

Perfect For  – sales and marketing professionals; individual business owners.

Other Review Sources  –  Dylan Herx of AppStorm ;  Phillip Michaels of ComputerWorld ,  EdShelf ,  Engadget

Another discontinued presentation software. Docketzoom helps you bring to life highly interactive presentations that enhance buyer perception. With DocketZoom you can easily create an appealing presentation that delights and engages your audience. Its inbuilt analytics help you understand critical user insights to formulate better content strategies.

Totus Marketing

Another software business that has ceased operations and is now absorbed by an experienced design company. Instead of building presentations from scratch, users can compile pre-approved slides (individual or multiple) into a customized PowerPoint presentation that suits their needs. Users can construct presentations from a selection of approved slides and even add personalization and customization where allowed by site administrators.

Slide Bureau

Summary  – Shut down. Slide Bureau is an interesting software device.  It is mainly used for iPads, but it does allow people to create presentations that are more customized than your traditional  PowerPoint slide .  The interface is centered on pre-made templates but they are categorized to fit the profession and overall need of the slide.  

Advantages  – Easy to use this presentation platform

Disadvantages  – Limited to only iPads; cannot truly brand and create presentations more customized than the templates that are given

Perfect For  – Educators; Individual Professionals

Other Sources  –  Benjamin Romano of XConomy ;  Taylor Soper of Geekwire

Summary  – This is another presentation software company that went out of business. Built mainly for B2B salespeople, Kineticast is a cool presentation tool that enables salespeople to be more effective in their sales and  geofencing marketing  advertising.  Their process includes creating the presentation (uploading files),  emailing your list of contacts , and then tracking the results.  The purpose of this tool is to create customized messages with slides that are meant for specific prospects.

Advantages  – Enables sales professionals to improve the effectiveness

Disadvantages  – Cannot create customized presentations (wasn’t built for that anyway though).  

Perfect For  – B2B Sales Professionals; Possibly Marketers

Other Sources  – Rich Bohn of SellMoreNow

The world of presentation & PowerPoint alternatives continues to evolve and expand. With these options available, there is a wealth of choices to suit various presentation needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for enhanced design features, collaboration capabilities, or interactive elements, these alternatives offer innovative solutions to help you deliver engaging and impactful presentations . Stay ahead of the curve by exploring and embracing these alternatives, and elevate your presentation game in the year ahead.

Read more on: When Creating a Presentation Based on Lots of Data, What Principle Should You Bear in Mind?

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5 Free Alternatives To Microsoft PowerPoint

M icrosoft PowerPoint has always been the default choice for creating professional meeting briefs or fun little project demonstrations in schools. Its inclusion as a free service for students or working professionals makes it a no-brainer to use. However, for the general public, it can get quite expensive to pay for a subscription just to be able to create simple presentation slides. Although you can subscribe to Microsoft's Office Suite and get more bang for your buck, the pricing still doesn't hit the affordable range for most. 

Fortunately, completion has been growing, and a sea of strong contenders offer similar services to PowerPoint. After considering feature sets, here are five of the best free alternatives to Microsoft PowerPoint. At the end of the article, you can find a detailed explanation of why we've chosen the services, alongside useful comparisons that may help you make your decision easier.

Read more: The 20 Best Mac Apps That Will Improve Your Apple Experience

When it comes to productivity apps, Zoho makes some of the better ones in the market. Zoho Sheet, for example, is one of the best Microsoft Excel alternatives out there  —  owing to its extensive product catalog, there is a great way to view and edit presentations. The aptly named Zoho Show lets you design and demonstrate professional-looking slides, all without having to download the program.

Zoho takes a minimal approach to most of its services, and its PowerPoint application is no different. You'll find that most menus are contextually aware of what tasks you're currently performing, which helps keep unnecessary tools out of the way and bring the important ones in focus. There is also a huge library of customizable templates you can choose from, making it easier to kickstart your presentation work. 

Zoho Show is completely free to use for individuals and offers unlimited cloud storage. No features are locked behind a paywall, and rest assured, you can fully rely on this online presentation-making tool for all your needs, be it for school or work. 

Canva is a service that can easily climb up to becoming everyone's favorite once they start using it. While most applaud it for its graphic designing prowess, there are many other things Canva can do that you probably aren't aware of . Among them is the ability to craft beautiful slides for your presentations and projects. 

By creating a free account, you can access thousands of templates on Canva. You can filter these by use case—maybe you need one for a professional business briefing or a casual one explaining why your pet dog is the best canine. There is a whole section of ready-to-use templates dedicated to mobile-friendly viewing as well, which is something you don't usually find to be as accessible with other tools. 

Like most presentation apps, Canva lets you collaborate with your team members and work across devices seamlessly. The Canva app for mobile also lets you control your slides remotely during your presentation. Some menus also feature AI-featured tools to add one-click enhancements to your slides -- unfortunately, these are locked behind premium subscription tiers. However, for the cent percent of the population, Canva can be used without spending a dime to meet a plethora of creative needs. 

Apple takes great pride in developing in-house solutions to meet every user requirement. While most of its products dominate the competition in popularity, the same cannot be said for Keynote , the company's version of Microsoft PowerPoint. The program was first released in 2003 with macOS Big Sur and has largely remained one of those icons you glance over and forget about. 

However, recent versions of Keynote have made it a compelling alternative to PowerPoint. Not only is it pre-installed on every Apple device, including your iPhone, but it also works best with the iPad touchscreen. Keynote has a largely clean and professional approach to the built-in templates, but nothing is stopping you from going creative. Animations are one of Keynote's strongest suits, allowing you to create near cinematic-looking presentations with just a few clicks. 

While you can still use Apple Keynote through iCloud on Windows devices, this alternative is clearly meant for people surrounded by the walled garden of Apple technology. It makes use of features like AirDrop, Live Photos, and VoiceOver  — all of which are technologies available across Apple devices. Using Apple Keynote is completely free, and the app has easy exporting tools that make working with Microsoft PowerPoint less of a hassle.

WPS Presentation

WPS Office makes some of the best solutions for creating and editing documents on smartphones , but their service offerings extend to Windows, macOS, and even Linux. WPS Presentation is perhaps the closest you'll get to Microsoft PowerPoint in terms of the user interface and how most tools are bundled in familiar locations.

This PowerPoint app offers real-time collaboration where you can invite your team members and work on the same document remotely. Like most collaboration tools, users can leave comments to suggest changes or add information for other people on the team.

WPS Presentation is not the only free product; you can utilize every app in the WPS Office suite. Unlike most competitors, you don't need to download or use a separate mini-app to make presentations. WPS Office has a document editor, PowerPoint creator, spreadsheet manager, and other tools all within its umbrella. Premium plans for this service exist, but they mostly cater to unlocking features for editing PDFs. 

Google Slides

As a netizen, you most likely already have a Google account. Not only is it required to make any meaningful use of your Android phone, but popular services that we take for granted, like Gmail and Drive, all fall under Google's umbrella. One such free service that the tech giant has at its disposal is Google Slides . While the barebones UI might seem lackluster at first, Slides has nearly the same level of functionality as Microsoft PowerPoint and can even be supercharged by add-ons. 

All of Google's workspace apps, such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides, provide an intuitive way to work in a team. You can add comments, use annotations, and share the presentation with limited access to others. You can use one of the many predesigned Google Slides templates for simple presentations , or browse for templates that cater to specific needs. Being part of a bigger service catalog has its obvious advantages, such as seamless integration with Google Meet, Gmail, and other products from Google that you already use. 

We recommend Google Slides to anyone who needs to create and edit PowerPoint presentations on the go and can't be bothered with working in a complicated environment. The service is also available as an app for Android and iOS, and you can export your presentations in a wide range of formats, including PPT, PDF, or PNG for individual slides. 

To Pay Or Not To Pay?

You'll notice that all the services we've mentioned on this list are free to use. In fact, you can use Office 365 apps online for free   — including PowerPoint, which makes purchasing a standalone subscription to the Microsoft PowerPoint app quite redundant. However, nearly every free alternative here short of Keynote also offers premium plans, but should you consider buying one?

For the vast majority of people who are looking for a robust software to create, edit, and share presentations with  —  these free options deliver exceptionally well in every aspect. Some apps like Google Slides and Apple Keynote let you work in smaller teams with the free tier as well. Apps like WPS Office and Canva tend to lock new and exciting features like AI tools behind a paywall, and while these are nice to have, you definitely can do without them. 

If you're looking for a presentation tool for a company with multiple people, you can scale up using any of the alternatives mentioned on this list. Both Google Workspace and Zoho offer reliable and enterprise-level plans you can upgrade to. For everyone else  — enjoy creating and demonstrating your PowerPoint presentations for free.

Read the original article on SlashGear .

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Text to speech in PowerPoint

By Sneha Mukherjee

May 7th, 2024

Text-to-speech (TTS) technology is increasingly integral in tools like Microsoft PowerPoint, enhancing accessibility and understanding of presentations. Here’s why and how to use this feature effectively:

• 1 Why Use Text to Speech in PowerPoint?
• 2.1 Customizing PowerPoint Presentations
• 2.2 How to Implement Text-to-Speech in Your Presentation
• 2.3 Using External TTS Software
• 2.4 Text-to-Speech vs. Dictation Features
• 2.5.1 Frequently Asked Questions

Why Use Text to Speech in PowerPoint?

TTS technology converts written text into spoken words, simplifying the absorption of content in presentations. This is particularly beneficial in business settings where PowerPoint is a staple for conveying complex ideas visually and interactively. TTS not only aids in maintaining audience engagement but also supports those with disabilities such as dyslexia or visual impairments, facilitating a more inclusive learning and working environment.

Benefits of Text to Speech Technology

The ability of a computer or device to vocalize text through TTS improves accessibility, enhances comprehension, and fosters a more effective learning atmosphere. It’s useful across educational and professional domains, helping individuals save time and digest information more efficiently.

Customizing PowerPoint Presentations

PowerPoint allows extensive customization to reflect personal or corporate styles. Users can select various templates, integrate multimedia like photos and graphics, and even add voice-overs. Sharing presentations online for collaborative viewing or editing is another significant feature.

How to Implement Text-to-Speech in Your Presentation

• Activate Text-to-Speech : Open your PowerPoint presentation, select the slide or text box you wish to read aloud, and click the “Speak” icon (resembling a microphone) in the toolbar.
• Customization : Adjust TTS settings such as voice speed, language, and speaker accent by clicking the “Settings” icon (shaped like a gear). Choices may include different accents or gendered voices.

Using External TTS Software

Beyond PowerPoint’s built-in capabilities, external TTS applications like Wavel AI offer additional features, supporting multiple languages and providing options like voice speed adjustments. These tools can be particularly helpful for proofreading and catching grammatical errors by reading text back to you.

Text-to-Speech vs. Dictation Features

It’s important to distinguish between TTS and dictation. TTS involves your device reading written text aloud, while dictation refers to speaking to your device to have it type text for you, a feature found in various Microsoft Office applications.

Using TTS in tandem with dictation can greatly enhance productivity and comprehension, benefiting users in both academic and professional settings.

Exploring Wavel AI: A Leading Text-to-Speech Software

Wavel AI stands out in the text to speech market, offering versatile and user-friendly solutions for both personal and professional use. Here’s why it’s regarded as one of the top TTS tools available:

Versatility Across Platforms Wavel AI can be integrated as an extension for popular web browsers such as Google Chrome and Safari, and is also available as an API. This makes it exceptionally adaptable, suitable for use with Microsoft Office applications like PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and OneNote. Beyond Microsoft products, Wavel AI enables voice-over capabilities for emails, web pages, and documents, thereby enhancing the accessibility and usability of any text-based content.

User-Friendly Interface Designed to accommodate users of all technical levels, Wavel AI features an intuitive interface that simplifies the creation of voice-overs for presentations and documents. This ease of use makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve their presentations or make their documents more accessible.

Enhanced Accessibility Wavel AI is especially valuable for individuals with disabilities, as it converts text into spoken words, aiding in reading and writing. This functionality is essential for users with visual impairments, dyslexia, or other challenges that make traditional reading difficult.

Efficiency and Engagement By transforming written content into audio, Wavel AI allows users to consume information as if they were listening to a podcast. This format can be more engaging and less demanding than reading large volumes of text, particularly for those with busy schedules or engaged in e-learning. It offers a practical way to multitask, enabling users to absorb information while performing other activities.

Benefits for All Users While Wavel AI provides significant advantages for people with disabilities, its benefits are extensive and universal. By facilitating better understanding and focus, it helps users maximize their time and enhance productivity. Whether you’re catching up on readings, proofreading your work, or simply easing the strain of staring at text, Wavel AI can improve your ability to process and retain information.

Frequently Asked Questions

• To use text-to-speech in PowerPoint, open your presentation and select any slide. Click the “Read a Portion of This Document” button found in the Quick Access Toolbar. Adjust the volume and speed settings according to your preference, then click the “Read” button to start listening.
• The ‘Speak’ feature in Microsoft Office applications like Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook is designed to read aloud selected text within the application in your chosen language. In contrast, ‘Text-to-Speech’ (TTS) is a more general technology that enables your computer or device to vocalize any written text, thereby increasing accessibility and usability across various applications and platforms.
• PowerPoint supports several audio formats for voice playback, including WAV, MP3, and WMA. These formats affect the voice quality during presentations, with differences in clarity and sound fidelity based on the format used.
• While PowerPoint itself does not allow for extensive customization of text-to-speech voices directly within the application, you can change the default speech settings through your operating system’s text-to-speech options. This includes selecting different voices or adjusting the speech rate and pitch, depending on what is supported by your system’s TTS engine.

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A simple guide to slideshows

Learn what slideshows are, how they’re used, common features, and how to choose a slideshow maker. Get started creating your own slideshows today with Microsoft PowerPoint.

What is a slideshow?

What are slideshows used for.

Meetings and presentations

Slideshows are most frequently used to create professional presentations for business meetings, conferences, and educational purposes. A  slideshow program  allows people to organize content, include visuals, and enhance the overall impact of their message.

Visual storytelling

Because slideshows sequentially display engaging visuals, text, and other multimedia, they’re a strong way to tell a cohesive and compelling narrative from start to finish.

Content creation

Slideshows give content creators a versatile and efficient way to organize information, increase visual appeal, and communicate effectively across different contexts.

Photo and video sharing

Slideshow makers are popular for creating photo and video presentations, especially for events like weddings, birthdays, and vacations. People can add transitions, music, and captions to fully bring the photo-sharing experience to life.

Training and tutorials

Slideshows help break down complex information into digestible chunks with the support of visuals and text, making them ideal for instructional materials, tutorials, and training modules.

Collaborative projects

In collaborative settings, teams use slideshow makers to create joint presentations or reports. The best slideshow makers enable multiple contributors to add their content simultaneously, which helps ensure a cohesive and unified presentation.

What are the features of a slideshow creator?

Slideshow creators vary in what they offer but ideally include:

A library of templates, themes, and images.

If you’re not a designer, this feature is huge. Simply browse the options available in your slideshow maker library to create a polished, professionally designed presentation in a flash. Be sure to confirm that access to the library is free and the images are approved for unrestricted usage.

Audio and video compatibility.

Keeping your audience engaged is key to any successful slideshow presentation. To mix things up, being able to add a multimedia element—like a song or a video clip—will help people stay focused and interested.

Presentation tools.

Handy presenter tools go a long way toward making your slideshow experience seamless. For example, straightforward slide navigation, slideshow keyboard shortcuts, pen and highlighter markup, and adjustable resolution settings.

AI assistance.

With AI revolutionizing content creation, using a slideshow maker that has AI capabilities will enhance efficiency and innovation. Depending on the slideshow app you have, creating an entire slideshow could be as easy as a quick prompt, like “Make a presentation about the benefits of sustainable fashion that has 15 slides.” 

Animations.

Like audio and video, animations give your audience a bit of sensory surprise that can capture their attention. 

Slide transitions.

Add some pizzazz to how you change slides with visual effects like fading, wiping, and zooming. 

Screen recording.

Being able to record your screen in a slideshow maker is helpful when giving an instructional talk, software demonstration, and other types of presentations that require visual aids.

A place to put speaker notes.

Having somewhere to jot a few notes down will help remind you of everything you want to cover as you present.

Different viewing options.

Looking at different views—for example, a presenter view, an audience view, and a high-level view of slide order—is useful when organizing your slideshow’s structure and understanding and preparing for what you’ll see versus what your audience will see.

How do I choose the right slideshow maker?

When choosing a slideshow maker, keep the following questions in mind to make sure you get the most for your money:

Is it scalable with your business?

As your organization grows and changes, it’s important to have flexible technology that adapts to new needs. Having certain features—such as cloud-based collaboration, compatibility with other work apps, and a mobile app—will help ensure that no matter how your business changes, the slideshow maker is up to the task. This also applies to pricing plans. Consider choosing a slideshow app that has a subscription plan (so the software is always up to date), volume-based pricing, or enterprise-level pricing.

Does it have a variety of visual elements?

It’s pretty much a given that a slideshow maker will allow you to add images, but think outside the JPEG box—what other visual elements are available to you? Features like preset themes, free templates, SmartArt, a built-in clip art library, shape tools, background styles, 3D models, and charts and graphs provide diverse ways to switch up how a slideshow looks without relying solely on adding your own images.

Is it easy to use?

You could have the most feature-rich slideshow maker on the market, but if it isn’t easy to use, you probably won’t use it. Or you will, but you’ll be frustrated, waste valuable time, and have difficulty convincing people you work with to use it. As you research slideshow makers, look for videos that show the apps’ interfaces in action to help you decide if they’re intuitive and will have a shorter learning curve.

Does it have collaboration and sharing options?

Because making a slideshow is often a collaborative effort, it’s worthwhile to find a slideshow creator that was designed with this in mind. Pick one that offers editing controls and commenting, as well as the ability to work on a slideshow at the same time as someone else. Having a cloud-based slideshow maker will be key here. You’ll not only save yourself time but also keep things simple by not having multiple versions of the same slideshow.

Explore more about slideshows and slideshow makers

Copilot in powerpoint.

Transform how you make slideshows with the versatile AI in Copilot for PowerPoint.

Improve your presenting skills

Practice presenting with an AI speaker coach to get feedback on body language, repetition, and pronunciation.  

Six slideshow tips and tricks

Read up on tips about how to finesse your slideshows to give your most confident presentations.

Get free PowerPoint templates

Show your style with PowerPoint templates in more than 40 categories.

How to make a branded slideshow

Create a cohesive visual identity for your brand that goes beyond adding a logo to every slide.

Try a photo album template

Relive your favorite memories with photo album templates designed for all your unforgettable moments.

The benefits of visual aids in slideshows

Discover why using visual aids helps communicate ideas and messaging more effectively.

Slideshows that reach all learners

Explore the different ways that people learn and how to include all learning styles in your presentations.

Frequently asked questions

How do i make a good slideshow.

Making a good slideshow in PowerPoint is easy:

Plan what you’d like to include in your slideshow.

Launch your slideshow creator.

Choose the theme you’d like.

Import media.

Add text, music, and transitions.

Record, save, and share your slideshow.

Learn more about how to make a slideshow .

How do I add music to a slideshow?

To add music to a slideshow, first make sure that you’re using a slideshow maker with music compatibility. In PowerPoint, follow these steps:

Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the slide where you want to add music.

Click on the Insert tab in the ribbon menu.

Click on the Audio button and select Audio on My PC.

Browse to the folder on your computer where the audio file is located and select it.

Click on the Insert button.

How do I record a slideshow?

The steps for recording a slideshow in PowerPoint will vary depending on the version that you own. Get help with slideshow recording based on your version. 

What types of files can I add to a slideshow?

File compatibility in PowerPoint includes the use of JPEGs, PNGs, TIFFs, GIFs, PDFs, MP3s, WAVs, MIDIs, MPEG-4 Videos, and Windows Media Videos.  

How do I share my slideshow?

To share your PowerPoint slideshow, follow these steps:

Open your presentation and click Share at the top right of your screen.

If your presentation isn't already stored on OneDrive, select where to save your presentation to the cloud.

Choose a permission level, like Anyone with a link , or maybe just people in your company. You can also control if people can edit or just view the doc. 

Select Apply.

Enter names and a message.

Select Send.

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April 9, 2024

Contribute to the Microsoft 365 and Office forum!

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PowerPoint Forum Top Contributors: Steve Rindsberg  -  John Korchok  -  Bob Jones AKA: CyberTaz   ✅

May 10, 2024

PowerPoint Forum Top Contributors:

Steve Rindsberg  -  John Korchok  -  Bob Jones AKA: CyberTaz   ✅

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Unable to turn on microphone during PowerPoint presentation

I have a headset that I would like to record on. I've checked permissions and PP is allowed to use my microphone, troubleshoot showed no issues, I have no add ins installed to interfere with this. Microphone will unmute for a second then mute itself whenever I press the unmute button.

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• Microsoft Agent |

Hi Neveyah Baca (Student),

It is hard to say what is the root cause. You can check if this microphone issue affect all of your apps.

Besides, several possibilities of the issue are:

1. Keyboard mute button stuck

2. Microphone setting to Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.

3. Restart your PC

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