presentation software except powerpoint

The best presentation software

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 been using 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 the top presentation software solutions out there to bring you the best of the best.

Beautiful.ai for AI-powered design

Prezi for non-linear, conversational presentations

Powtoon for video presentations

Genially for interactive, presenter-less presentations

Pitch for collaborating with your team on presentations

Zoho Show for a simple presentation app

Gamma 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 UI. 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 many apps now offer AI features in one way or another, I found many of these features to be lacking still—they're often slow, struggle to pull in relevant imagery, and yield wildly inconsistent designs. For that reason, I opted not to make AI features a strict requirement (for now!), and I've still included apps that don't offer AI. (Of course, if you opt for one of those, you can still easily get AI-generated images 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. (And I opted not to test any brand new apps that are still in beta, since there are so many established options out there.)

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, interactive content, and more. 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 Magic Design AI tool is still inconsistent and not super impressive

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.

Canvas has added a number of AI-powered tools , but I wasn't super impressed by them yet. When I asked the Magic Design tool to generate a presentation from scratch, for example, the result was a bunch of unrelated images, inconsistent design, and surface-level copy. 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 $119.99/year for 1 user and include additional features like Brand Kit, premium templates and stock assets, and additional AI-powered design tools.

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

Generative AI features aren't great yet

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 UX 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 23 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 did test the newly released generative AI feature (called DesignerBot) and felt it wasn't much to write home about. 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 generate a quality presentation from scratch.

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 AI design help that you can toggle on or off for each slide. 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 starts at $228/year.

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 pricing: Free 14-day trial and a free plan that includes up to 5 visual projects; paid plans start at $5/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 $20/month and include white-labeling, priority support, additional storage, and more.

The best presentation app for interactive presentations

Genially (web).

Genially pros:

Don't need a presenter (it's interactive)

You can set universal branding guidelines

Unlimited creations on the free plan

Genially cons:

Free plan has some limitations worth looking into (e.g., can only make public presentations)

While many presentation apps are built for presenter-led decks, Genially 's interactive features and animated templates make it easy to build a self-led presentation. A variety of interactive buttons allow you to show viewers additional context on hover, have them skip to any page of your deck, and let them navigate to external links.

This presentation program offers a bunch of searchable templates, including some for business proposals, reports, social media presentations, and more (though most of those are available on premium plans only). Genially also includes Smart blocks —templated blocks of content for elements like data visualizations and image galleries.

My favorite feature is the brand settings. Premium users can set universal branding guidelines that include your logo, color scheme, fonts, images, and backgrounds, among other options. Think of them like a custom template, created and customized by you, that the whole team can use. Once set, your team can easily create on-brand presentations that automatically apply your brand settings, without even thinking about it.

Plus, Genially supports additional content like training materials, infographics, and interactive images—all subject to your brand presets.

Genially pricing: Free plan available with unlimited creations and views and access to templates; paid plans start at $7.49/month and include additional download options, privacy controls, offline viewing, premium templates, 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

Start live video calls straight from decks

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, react, 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.

The "Go live" feature is a personal favorite—with just a click on the camera icon in the top-right, you can start a live video call. Any team members who open the presentation can hop in and collaborate in real-time. 

Pitch pricing: Free plan offers unlimited presentations, custom templates, and live video collaboration; paid plans start at $8/user/month for additional workspace features, presentation analytics, and more.

The best simple presentation app

Zoho show (web, ios, android, chrome).

Zoho Show pros:

Simple and easy to use

Version history and ability to lock slides

Completely free

Zoho Show cons:

Templates are pretty basic

If you're looking for a simple, yet capable presentation app that's a step up from Google Slides, Zoho Show is a great option. It's completely free to use, offers a clean, intuitive editor, and includes a number of great templates.

While the handful of "Themes" offered are on the basic side, Zoho templates boast a more modern and professional design than much of what Google Slides or PowerPoint offer. And I love that you can set the font and color scheme for the whole template, right from the start.

The app doesn't skimp on collaboration or shareability either. You can invite collaborators via email or shareable link, and comments and version history make it easy to work together on presentations. Once you're ready to share, you can even broadcast your presentation to a remote audience right from within Zoho. Plus, you can one-click lock slides to prevent any more editing or hide individual slides to customize your presentation for different audiences.

You can even connect Zoho Show to Zapier , so you can do things like automatically create a presentation when something happens in one of the other apps you use most.

Zapier is the leader in workflow automation—integrating with 6,000+ apps from partners like Google, Salesforce, and Microsoft. Use interfaces, data tables, and logic to build secure, automated systems for your business-critical workflows across your organization's technology stack. Learn more .

Zoho Show pricing: Free

The best presentation app for generative AI

Gamma (web).

Gamma pros:

Creates fully fleshed-out presentations from a prompt

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 generative 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 produced the most useful jumping-off point of all the AI presentation apps I tested. 

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, 1 custom theme, 400 AI deck credits, and basic view analytics; upgrade to the Pro plan ("coming soon," as of this writing) for $10/user/month to get additional AI credits, advanced view analytics, custom fonts, 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 been widely released to the public yet. Rest assured, I'm watching this space, and the next time we update this article, I'll retest tools like PowerPoint and Google Slides to see what new features are 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.

Related reading:

8 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 May 2023.

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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. 

Download for:

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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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.

Hi, I'm Dominika, Content Specialist at Storydoc. As a creative professional with experience in fashion, I'm here to show you how to amplify your brand message through the power of storytelling and eye-catching visuals.

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13 Best PowerPoint Alternatives for Awesome Presentations in 2023 👩‍🏫

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13 PowerPoint Alternatives to Create Awesome Presentations in 2023 👩‍🏫

• Alternatives
• 25 mins read time

In this roundup, we are going to take a look at some powerful presentation software that can become the perfect Microsoft PowerPoint alternatives for you and your team.

People often use Microsoft PowerPoint software to communicate important information through a simply designed slide presentation. It is popular with most people because it is common and a classic tool, but that doesn’t mean it makes it the best presentation design software.

Making a PowerPoint presentation takes up a lot of time, and the average presenter will spend two minutes presenting a single slide.

Microsoft PowerPoint has chosen to remain simple through all of its iterations, upgrades, and updates, but it sometimes lacks intuitiveness presenters need to visualize and present information.

Key Features Missing in Microsoft PowerPoint

Unfortunately, Microsoft PowerPoint is missing some essential features which are listed below:

• The keyboard features in PowerPoint are limited and users cannot use the command key shortcuts on most of the platforms.
• PowerPoint doesn’t give you the auto-save feature unless you have the latest version of the software.
• Collaboration isn’t always possible on PowerPoint, which means you cannot chat with your team, edit in real-time, etc.
• PowerPoint has special effects and other advanced features only available on the desktop version.
• PowerPoint only uses locally installed fonts, therefore, you have limitations when you are designing your presentation using only the installed fonts.
• Other than for PowerPoint for PCs, there are no animation slide triggers feature that amplifies the smoothness of slide showcase design

We decided to take a look at some of the best presentation software and share detailed reviews of the best PowerPoint alternatives. We think you might find some of them easier to use with added functionality.

Best Microsoft PowerPoint Alternatives in 2023

1. google slides.

Download: Android | iOS

Google Slides is one of the best PowerPoint alternatives. It lets you collaborate with your teammates by letting you; chat with them, comment on the work, edit in real-time, and you can share the presentation with anyone.

It is also one of the free Microsoft PowerPoint alternatives, which you can start using immediately since you don’t have to download, install, or take a tutorial to use it. However, you need to have a Google Account.

If you have a Google account, you can not only collaborate with others, but you can quickly create slideshows and present just as easily. The slides can also generate a unique URL, which lets the audience ask you questions as you present the slideshow.

This is a great interactive presenting tool.

Key Features

• Has a variety of free presentation themes, hundreds of fonts, embedded video, animations, and much more.
• Choose from a wide variety of pitches, portfolios, and other pre-made presentations.
• Use your phone, tablet, or computer to access, create, and edit your presentations anywhere at any time. You don’t even need a connection.
• It has an auto-save feature, in which everything you edit is automatically saved as you type. You can use the revision history to see older versions of the same presentation.
• It works well with PowerPoint, which allows you to; open, edit, and save Microsoft PowerPoint files with the Chrome extension or app.
• You can present your stories with ease, Google Slides allows presenting to Chromecast Hangouts, and AirPlay.
• You can create a presentation through your browser or from the mobile app.
• There is a free version and users are offered a free trial. The general features it has are; Gmail business email, a conference for voice and video, messaging for teams, shared calendar, documents, spreadsheets, presentations.
• Basic : The cost is $5/user per month. The features it has are; 30GB Google Drive storage, 24/7 support via phone, email, and online, Security and admin controls, G Suite alert center.
• Business : The cost is $10/user per month. It has all of the Basic features, including; low-code app development environment, unlimited google drive cloud storage, smart search, e-discovery, audit reports, retention policies, and data regions.
• Enterprise: The cost is $25/user per month. It has all features of the Business, including; data loss prevention for Gmail and Google Drive, S/MIME hosting, Gmail integrations, enterprise-grade access control, and BigQuery.

2. Apple Keynote

Download: iOS | Android app not available

Keynote is one of the free Microsoft PowerPoint alternatives. It is one of the top Microsoft PowerPoint competitors because of various reasons. Firstly, it has effects that create presentations with the right amount of sparkle, with its intuitive interface.

It also lets you collaborate with team members, edits photos, and add charts/cinematic effects.

It is most effective to use with Apple devices, however, you can use a PC as well. You can use Apple Pencil on your iPad to create diagrams or illustrations to give your presentation that extra dazzle. It also allows you and your team to collaborate in real-time and it doesn’t matter which device they are using.

• You are given tools that benefit both the user and the audience, such as; voice-over narration and a presenter-only view with notes and annotations.
• Users are provided with a pre-built library of useable slide templates, which they can customize.
• It is great for users to use on-the-go since they can access Keynote from their mobile devices.
• You can use your iPhone, and Continuity Camera to take a photo or scan a document and send it straight to Keynote on your Mac.
• You are given access to a variety of chart and graph options, which can be edited within the presentation.
• Keynote also gives its users a variety of slide design tools, such as animations, icons, and transitions.
• File losses are prevented with the auto-save feature.

Apple Keynote is free to use and is available as part of the macOS.

Canva is a software program like Microsoft PowerPoint, which provides a very simple yet intuitive design platform that lets you create high quality, professional graphic designs.

This is one of the best PowerPoint alternatives that is user-friendly and is great for individual use, businesses, and organizations.

As an online design solution, it gives you a multitude of features, which include a simple drag-and-drop design tool and a large collection of over 1 million photographs, graphics, and fonts.

Canva can even give you graphics for your presentations, visual charts to go with your blog content, and posters for marketing campaigns.

• Canva has a wonderful collection of symbols and abstractions that can be placed into any design, and they’re vector images that look great at any size.
• You can edit on the platform without any coding or design knowledge.
• It is easy to drag and drop speech bubbles into your designs, and quickly create your dialog.
• There is design flexibility from the web, iOS, or Android devices because they have plenty of trendy photo filters to choose from to give your photos a signature look.
• You can make soft, beautiful designs that have adjustable transparency for images.
• For the elaborate design aesthetics, you can make photo grids and even mood boards for the foundation of the project presentation.
• If you want to add a little pizazz to the presentation, you can add stickers to any design by searching stickers through the search pane and scrolling through the pages.
• Free: It is for individuals and small groups working on quick projects. The features it includes are 8,000+ free templates, 100+ design types (social media posts, presentations, letters, etc), and many free photos and graphics.
• Pro: The cost is $9.95 per user/month and is billed annually. Includes one-click design resizing, 60,000+ templates, 60+ million premium stock images, photos, videos, and graphics, custom templates, and more.
• Enterprise: The cost is $ 30.00/user per month and is billed annually. Includes unlimited storage, custom branding, access management, built-in approval workflows, advanced template locking, Single Sign-On (SSO), and more.

Since Prezi calls themselves a worldwide leader for visual communication tools, and after using them we think that it might just be one of the best PowerPoint alternatives.

It works well with both individuals and teams and lets them share their ideas in a more meaningful and hard-hitting way.

It’s great for those presentations that don’t necessarily flow in a particular order. For example; you may be pitching to a prospective client, and you want to be able to modify the presentation on the spot to what they might be interested in.

• You can directly upload an image to use for your graphic on the platform.
• The stock image library has to be pre-loaded to choose from images to use for your banner.
• You can export files as different file types to save your image as different types of files.
• There are ad sets that can duplicate and save your design as an ad set.
• There is a large font selection to choose from to layer over your graphic.
• Prezi gives you tools to help the presentation experience by including features such as voice-over narration and a presenter-only view with notes and annotations.
• There is also a cloud-based version of the platform and an Open Source PowerPoint alternative.

Prezi has various pricing plans for individual and business needs, and they are listed below.

• Basic : Free of cost. In this plan, you can create, share, and store beautiful visual content online that anyone can see.
• Plus : Costs $15 per month. This is great for more visual content power.*
• Standard : Costs $5 per month and it is for personal use.
• Plus : The cost is $15 per month and it is for expert visual communicators.*
• Premium : Costs $59 per month and it is for business professionals. It has all the features of Plus, including; powerful analytics and advanced online training.

Students & Educators

• Plus : Costs $3 per month and it is for students and educators.*
• Teams : The cost is customized and it is for educators and administrators. It has all the features of EDU Plus, along with powerful analytics and collaboration tools.
• Plus : Costs $15 per month and it’s for business individuals. You can create beautiful visual content.*
• Premium : Cost is $59 per month and it is for business professionals. It has all the features of Plus, including; powerful analytics and advanced online training.
• Teams : The cost is customized and it is for teams and enterprises. The features it gives allow; to get your team up and running fast.

*Note: The Plus Plan is available for all needs and the features it provides are; import your existing PowerPoint slides, get access to premium images and icons, PDF export, and offline access. And privacy control, advanced presenter features, and offline access.

5. Beautiful.ai

Download: Mobile apps not available

If you want one of the best alternatives to Microsoft PowerPoint that creates a fast AI-powered presentation, then Beautiful.ai is the software for you.

This is by far one of the best PowerPoint alternatives, which helps you build a clean, modern, and professionally designed presentation with ease.

The purpose of this software similar to Microsoft PowerPoint is that Beautiful.ai does all the work for you. It is known as a pioneering Design AI and building applications that enable everyone to do consistently beautiful work.

Beautiful.ai turns your ideas into visual presentations with just a few clicks.

• An experience-first approach to UI which makes your creating job so much easier.
• The presentations can be made beautifully with great pre-installed animations.
• It is easy to adapt and reformat the presentation with many predefined color schemes or you can add your own.
• It is a real time-saver that there are pre-made slides that are available, such as; team pages, timelines, etc.
• Once you load the content and the software configures and formats the content. It automatically “beautifies” your presentations and you can share them.
• The pre-formatting tool allows you to be more visual when presenting and keep your audience’s attention.
• However, once your free trial ends you have a limited number of slides left to use.

Beautiful.ai has the following price plans:

• Basic : Is cost-free and it has just the basics. The features it includes are; 100 slide limit, 60+ smart slide templates, free image library, rich icon library, the collaboration between multiple users, export to PDF/PowerPoint, and integrations.
• Pro : The cost is $15 per month and $12 per month billed annually, with a 14-day free trial. It has all the features of Basic, including; unlimited slides, remove beautiful.ai branding, custom fonts, notifications, and integrations.
• Teams : Launching in August. The cost is customized. Has all the features of Basic and Pro, along with SAML Single Sign-On (SSO) integration, audit logging, and gives its customers centralized billing.

6. Renderforest

Renderforest is a software similar to Microsoft PowerPoint that also provides you with free Microsoft PowerPoint alternatives.  This software similar to Microsoft PowerPoint is great for both personal and business use.

It helps create different types of videos in minutes, with the help of a large video template catalog.

You can even start editing your videos online, using the tools and cloud storage. Since there is a large gallery of Video Production and Animation Templates, you can upload images, videos and play with text and color pallet however you want.

This is great for making videos for clients, marketing, and PR departments.

• It has a very easy and self-explanatory GUI.
• It has a vast variety of templates and toolkits at your disposal.
• Renderforest has market competitive pricing and storage options, which we found better than what is available in the market.
• It also has commercial music available as a feature.
• This software works great with helping develop workflows and IT systems to pitch ideas to investors.
• Many organizations use Renderforest Video in different functional departments throughout the company.
• It also helps create visual portfolio maps and growth paths for departments.
• Free : It is cost-free. The features it has are; 300 MB storage, Video features: unlimited 360p video exports, up to 1 -minute videos, a limited number of music tracks, and watermarks on everything.
• Amateur : The cost is $39 per month and $9.99 per month billed annually. The features it has are; 10 GB storage, video features: 7 HD720 videos per month, up to 5 -minute videos, 30+ commercial music tracks, and no watermarks on HD videos.
• Pro : Is cost is $69 per month and $19.99 per month billed annually. Has the same features as Amateur it has are; 20 GB storage, video features: 20 HD720 videos per month, up to 15 -minute videos, and 60+ commercial music tracks.
• Popular : The cost is $99 per month and $39.99 per month billed annually. Has the same features as Pro, including; 40 GB storage, audio and video features: 100+ commercial music tracks, and no watermark on anything.
• Agency : The cost is not available in a monthly plan and it is $49.99 per month billed annually. It has all the features of Popular, including various audio and video features.

7. Zoho Show – Free PowerPoint Alternative

Zoho Show is one of the free Microsoft PowerPoint alternatives that is cloud-based presentation software that brings slide creation, collaboration, broadcasting, and publishing in one place.

It is great for individual use, SMB’s, non-profit organizations, and mid-market enterprise. You and your team can collaborate in real-time all while creating slides with enticing visuals (including charts, tables, and videos).

This has everything you will need even as a web-based application, and the app is simple to use with a great interface and wonderful customer service that assists when required.

• It works and edits your presentations well (the finishing touches) on Android, Android Wear, iOS, Apple TV & Apple Watch (for viewing content).
• Publish slides online and share the link across social media.
• Share/embed your presentations on your website or blog (as an Iframe) to attract more viewership.
• Complement data with visually appealing charts, by choosing a pre-defined layout that amplifies your data, style every element, and animate parts of your charts to bring out the information.
• Format and edit images to make them reflect your ideas, and use the filter option to add a touch of color.
• Amplify your content by adding strokes to text, fill titles or key points with solid colors and patterns or add reflections, etc.
• Zoho Show also lets you give a clean and clutter-free interface design, which helps decrease distractions immensely.

Zoho Show is a free product.

8. Haiku Deck

Haiku Deck is the best PowerPoint alternatives and is one of the Microsoft PowerPoint competitors. It lets you create presentations on the web, iPad, or iPhone with ease.

Mashable calls it Instagram for pitch decks, and even the most design-challenged person can create amazing presentations.

This platform is best for teachers, trainers, keynote speakers, sales/marketing, small businesses, and anyone who has a story to tell or an idea to share.

Haiku has a large library of free photos, a variety of designed templates and they are all royalty-free. This is one of the Apps similar to PowerPoint.

• All you have to do is tap “+” to create your first slide, choose a theme, search for images to use, insert text, use graphs or charts, and change the layout.
• The pitch decks can be shared via a web browser, email, and social media, or publicly on Haiku Deck’s gallery.
• You can insert private notes that only the presenter can see.
• Since Haiku Deck plays heavily on the visual impact, it has sparse word use and likes focusing on creating presentations with a visual album.
• Haiku Deck is extremely easy to use, no one needs a tutorial or any help in making an engaging and creative presentation.
• Presentations can be smoother with the option of including private notes that act as a teleprompter for the presenter.
• It is easy to share the presentation via email and social media, private viewing or public sharing, and more.
• Pro : Is cost is $19.99 per month and $9.99 per month billed annually. It has all the basic features, including; unlimited deck creation, download files for offline viewing, printing, and editing, privacy control for your presentations.
• Premium : The cost is $29.99 per month billed annually. It has all the features of Pro, including; in-depth analytics and lead tracking, presentation view notifications, live web playback and priority technical support.

Glisser is one of the software programs like Microsoft PowerPoint that engages with the audience. It also gathers valuable data from live and virtual meetings and events.

It is ingenious the way it does that, by sharing the presentation slide to the audience via smart-devices, they then give electronic feedback.

This feature, in particular, plays the tangent of enabling the interactive communication lines between the presenter and the audience. Attendees can also make electronic mark-up with the slide notes and refer to them later on.

It also allows live polling, Twitter feeds and other live interactions to take place while presenting.

• It is easy to make an interactive presentation and receive answers and feedback immediately.
• Glisser helps keeps the audience engaged and highlights areas of information that need to be spoken about.
• You can add in polls and documents easily, which helps build interactive learning.
• It has a great UI that was easy to navigate and read, however, it has no integration with Google slides or keynote.
• You can use the lecture theatre format to package together learning objects and build interaction into sessions.
• Glisser takes up to 100 people in a room for a lively conference presentation.
• The audience can use the mobile interface and it works well with them.
• Starting from $500. Offers its customers a freemium package that includes all interaction features, however, there are limitations on the features.  The features include are limited by several presentations, a handful of features, and access to data.
• Expert and Enterprise: more presentations, features, full data access, and Glisser’s advanced event management features for larger events with multiple sessions.
• Customization can be done for one-off events, specific packages.

Visme is one of the best PowerPoint alternatives. It helps you completely transform how you choose to create and share your presentations. You can use infographics, visual reports, and other visual formats with complete ease.

The whole purpose is to turn your data and create content that tells stories visually.

You can work individually or as a team to collaborate. It is also easy for you to use Visme to publish online, embed the presentation on your website, or download it to use offline.

It helps you organize your data in folders and also gives role-based permissions, which depends if it is team-based or individually.

• The user-friendly project creation dashboard helps the user to choose from various designing options.
• There are a vast number of premade templates that make the overall designing process easier.
• The presentations look far more business-ready than from any of the features of Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Since it is an interactive platform, it makes sure that the customers are engaged in displaying the product or content in various ways.
• The time and cost are reduced considerably when using Visme instead of a graphics program such as Adobe Illustrator.
• They have installed the new animated graphics, which are amazing.
• Visme helps you create infographics, presentations, social media posts, and headers, for printable documents
• Basic : Is the cost is completely free. The features it has are; up to 5 projects, 100 MB storage, limited templates, download as JPG, some charts & widgets, and public projects.
• Standard : The cost is $25 per month and $14 per month billed annually. It has all the features of Basic, including; up to 15 projects, 250 MB storage, all premium assets & templates, no Visme brand on projects, download as pdf, all charts & widgets, and create color palettes.
• Complete : The cost is $39 per month and $25 per month billed annually. It has all the features of Standard, including; unlimited projects, 10 GB storage, download as HTML5, slide library, privacy controls, collect and store leads, organize with folders, and record audio.
• Single : The cost is $39 per month and $25 per month billed annually. The features are; unlimited projects, 10 GB storage, download as HTML5, slide library, privacy controls, collect & store leads, organize with folders, brand kit, and record audio.
• Team : The cost is $117 per month and $75 per month billed annually. It has all the features of Single, including; add and manage users, 10 GB storage per user, share projects & folders, and set permissions.
• Enterprise : The cost is customized. It has all of the features of Team, including; unlimited projects, 25 GB storage per user, Single Sign-on (SSO), additional security, custom sub-domain, dynamic fields, and premium support.

11. Slidebean

Slidebean is one of the free Microsoft PowerPoint alternatives that are best for startups, marketers, and small and medium-sized businesses.

In their pitch deck, we used both the writing and design service, which comes essentially handy when making a product detail slide professionally and it may require a lot of time.

The whole purpose of Slidebean is to separate content from design, which then in return helps you focus on what is important.

With the help of an AI, the first slide is then automatically designed and all you have to do is add the content as the slides are converted into a beautiful design.

• It has the best tool to create slides without design expertise.
• It gives you ready to use templates and AI-based templates.
• With this AI tool, you receive suggestions and customization based on the subject.
• To increase client receptivity you can create attractive graphics.
• Save template customization in the library for future reference.
• Extract the presentation to any common format, such as PPT, PDF, etc.
• Customize URLs, which can be generated and used directly to share across for accessing the deck.
• Free : Is cost-free. The features it has are; access our free templates, try our AI-powered editor, access all our media galleries, and try our pre-built templates.
• Starter : The cost is $8 per month billed annually. It has the same features as Free, including; access to 15+ starter templates, easy collaboration, share presentations with others, privacy settings, and export copies to PDF & HTML.
• Premium : Is cost is $19 per month billed annually. It has the same features as Starter, including; enjoy +120 premium templates, track presentation analytics, apply your logo & brand kit, and enjoy priority support.
• Founder’s Edition : The cost is customized. Has the same features as Premium, including; a direct access line to our company founders, proofreading and design tune-up to your slides, dozens of startup deals: the platforms our team uses, legal and business document templates, and A list of +8,000 investor contacts.

12. Microsoft Sway

If you want one of the free Microsoft PowerPoint alternatives, then Sway is the simple tool for you that produces impeccable results. It has an array of vast features that help you tackle the most difficult designs so you can focus on content.  And because it’s free, it is amazing.

If you already have a Microsoft account, you can use Sway for free, and if you don’t you can make one and still use it for free.

However, there are still some kinks as to how much content you can fit in a single Sway. Nonetheless, the free version still gives you more than you need as an average user to get the job done.

• It is user friendly and adapts easily on laptops, tablets, and mobile devices.
• You can embed something else into Sway and share it through a visual share link.
• Collaboration is done with ease since it is cloud-based software.
• It has interactive features, which lets you add multiple elements, such as images, documents, videos.
• You can present your data with three different layout options: vertical (like scrolling through a webpage), horizontal, and a slideshow format.
• Even though it has a limited selection of available templates, you can save an entire Sway presentation as a template.
• Sway does support OneDrive, which allows you to insert content from there.

Sway is free to use if you have a Microsoft Account (Hotmail, Live, or Outlook.com).

13. FlowVella

We thought that as a simple yet engaging software, FlowVella takes the cake. It also happens to work seamlessly on the mobile and PDF embed support.

Even though the app is designed specifically for iOS users, it lets individuals and teams work together to create stellar presentations.

FlowVella supports videos, animated GIFs, navigation links, galleries, and PDFs. It is a stress-free software to use since users can add-in elements using the drag-and-drop feature. That way they don’t need any heavy technical knowledge to create amazing presentations.

• You can make more media-rich presentations with FlowVella, using music and sounds that they can play in the background as an element.
• FlowVella is designed to keep presentations even if there is a loss of connection and the presentation has to go offline.
• This is great for individuals and small and large teams as well.
• You can include links and other navigation tools in your presentation.
• Embedded documents such as PDFs can be added to the presentation.
• You can use your iPad devices as a presentation tool in public places.
• FlowVella supports BCC CRM integration.

FlowVella has the following pricing plans:

• Free : The cost is free. The features it has are; four public presentations, flows (presentations) limited to 10 screens/slides, flows say ‘Created in FlowVella’, and it has the best presentation apps for iPhone, iPad & Mac.
• Premium : The cost is $10 per month and $60 per year billed annually. It has the same features as Free, including; unlimited flows, more than 10 screens/slides, password protection, more privacy options, premium analytics, large file uploads (500MB), it also removes the FlowVella logo from iPad/iPhone presenting screen.
• Pro : The cost is $20 per month and $200 per year billed annually. Has the same features as Premium, including; new kiosk mode, professional web player, presentation alerts when viewed, BCC CRM integration, shared analytics.
• Enterprise : Comes with a custom quote. It has the same features as Pro, including; branded web player, a custom domain name for web player, branded apps, custom pricing for volume purchase, and integrated content and training (optional).

Creating the best presentation to captivate your audience isn’t always easy, however, you know for a fact the right software can make it not just easy but fun as well.

Have you ever used a particular software to create fabulous presentations to wow your audience? Other than PowerPoint? If so, tell us which one in the comments below so we can give you a better analysis and recommendations.

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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.

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40 + Presentation & Powerpoint Alternatives For 2024

Content team.

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

Read more on 15 Styles of Presentations: Where do you fit in 2024?

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 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?

Ready for a demo?

Let us show you how customshow does so much more than powerpoint & google slides for your business presentations..

Best free presentation software of 2024

Find an alternative to PowerPoint

Best overall

Best for speed, best for functionality, best for collaboration, best user interface.

• How we test

The best free presentation software makes it simple and easy to create presentations as an alternative to subscribing to Microsoft PowerPoint.

1. Best overall 2. Best for speed 3. Best for functionality 4. Best for collaboration 5. Best user interface 6. FAQs 7. How we test

While PowerPoint is the market leader when it comes to presentation software, some people may be unwilling to subscribe to a Microsoft 365 subscription, especially if they don't expect to need to use it very often.

However, there are plenty of great alternatives to PowerPoint available for free that you can use. While these won't have the same advanced features as PowerPoint, they still offer a very competent platform to design most any presentation that you need.

To help you choose, we've listed below the best free presentation software currently available.

Add images to your presentations using the best free photo editor .

<a href="https://gsuite.google.com/pricing.html" data-link-merchant="gsuite.google.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Google Workspace : Collaboration + productivity apps There are many different presentation software packages but Google Workspace formerly known as G Suite remains the original cloud office software and one of the best business office suites, offering a huge range of features and functionality that rivals can't match, especially when it comes to presentation software. <a href="https://gsuite.google.com/pricing.html" data-link-merchant="gsuite.google.com"" data-link-merchant="gsuite.google.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Try it free for 14 days .

The best free 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.

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

Prezi turns the traditional approach to presentations on its head. Instead of creating slide after slide, this presentation software gives you a single giant canvas. You can add blocks of text or images, or even create miniature slides. During your presentation, you can seamlessly fly around the canvas and zoom in to look at individual chunks of content.

For how complex Prezi seems, it’s impressively simple to use the platform. The only major divergence from Microsoft PowerPoint is that you need to add animated paths from one part of the canvas to another. The tools for this are fairly straightforward, especially if you’ve ever used an animation or video editing software.

Of course, this type of presentation structure isn’t always ideal. Prezi makes it hard to visualize structured data like financials, which can make it difficult to use in business applications. Some viewers also might not appreciate the fly-around animation style that’s inherent to the presentation software.

Read our full Prezi review .

• ^ Back to the top

Canva is perfect for making speedy presentations right in your web browser. This software offers a handful of free layouts to help you get your slideshow started, and it’s easy to customize the templates to fit your needs. There isn’t a huge variety of content elements to add to your presentation, but Canva makes up for this with a searchable library of more than 1 million images you can use.

Your Canva presentations live online, which makes it extremely easy to collaborate. You can invite colleagues to edit your slideshow (although simultaneous editing is not supported) or seamlessly share your finished presentation. However, beware that Canva can’t import presentations from Microsoft Powerpoint or export finished work to a Powerpoint-editable format.

Read our full Canva review .

3. LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a free alternative to Microsoft Office, and it includes a Powerpoint equivalent called Impress with nearly all of the same functionality. The only big difference you’ll find between the two slideshow creation tools is the LibreOffice lacks some modern features like built-in collaboration and integration with Microsoft OneDrive.

However, Impress does have a few advantages of its own. The software can import files from Keynote, the default presentation software on Mac computers. Plus, there are hundreds of free templates that you can download for free. Even better, there’s no limit on what fonts you can use with Impress, so it’s easy to change the look of your presentation from what Powerpoint typically allows.

On the whole, LibreOffice Impress is about as close as it gets to simply replicating Microsoft Powerpoint for free.

Read our full LibreOffice review .

4. Google Slides

Google Slides is part of Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), and it does a nice job of matching a number of PowerPoint’s capabilities. This free presentation software supports embedding videos, creating diagrams, and adding animations to your slides. While the selection of templates is somewhat limited, you can easily import hundreds of additional templates for free or create your own.

Even better, Google Slides supports the collaboration tools users have come to expect from Google. Multiple people can work on a slideshow simultaneously, and there’s a built-in group chat so you can keep track of what everyone is doing. It’s also nice that you can play your presentation in presenter mode, which allows you to preview how it will look to your audience and rehearse timing.

The only downside to Google Slides is that bloated slideshows can experience some loading delays. Also beware that while you can move between Slides and Powerpoint, the conversion often messes with the layout of your slides.

Read our full Google Slides review .

5. WPS Office Free

WPS Office Free is a Microsoft Office look-alike that fully support PowerPoint files without any layout issues during import. The WPS Presentation tool has all of the same capabilities of PowerPoint, including tons of animations, slide transitions, content effects, and video embedding. The selection of included presentation templates is also very impressive for a free software.

One of the best things about this presentation software is that the user interface will feel incredibly familiar if you’re coming from Microsoft. All of the tools are displayed in a top ribbon, with your slides shown on the left side of the screen for easy navigation. It’s simple to display your presentation right from WPS Presentation, which means there’s no unexpected troubleshooting when it’s time to show off your work.

There’s not much to dislike about WPS Presentation. However, keep in mind that the software is supported by ads. Some users find the ads annoying, but they’re not overly in the way.

Read our full WPS Office Free review .

We've also featured the best free office software .

Best free presentation software FAQs

Which alternative to powerpoint is best for you.

When deciding which alternative to PowerPoint 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.

How we test the best free presentation software

To test for the best free 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 .  

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Michael Graw is a freelance journalist and photographer based in Bellingham, Washington. His interests span a wide range from business technology to finance to creative media, with a focus on new technology and emerging trends. Michael's work has been published in TechRadar, Tom's Guide, Business Insider, Fast Company, Salon, and Harvard Business Review. 

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Best PowerPoint Alternatives and Presentation Tools of 2023

Dag Hendrik Lerdal

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It’s 2023, and I still meet people who can only name one presentation slideshow tool. Guess which one! Yup, the almighty Microsoft Office PowerPoint. While that isn’t a problem per se (PowerPoint has earned its reputation), it also means people may not be using the tools they need for their specific situations. 

So, in this article, I’ve tested and created a list of the best PowerPoint alternatives and presentation tools of 2023.

I’ll emphasize the following:

• Pricing – Subscription or one-time fee? Free as in free beer, or free with ads/watermark?
• Ownership of presentation media – Can you save your presentations offline, or are they stored in the cloud?
• Presentation portability – Are your presentations created in a proprietary closed format, and can they be exported to standard file formats like PPTX, PDF, etc.?
• The provider’s track record – Has the provider been around for a long time, and does it have a reputation for treating their customers well?
• Features – Do the tools stand out as rich in useful features for presentation authors?
• Supported operating systems – Is the presentation software available on several platforms? If not, do they provide a compatible presentation viewer on other platforms?

Ready? Let’s dive in!

The Easiest PowerPoint Alternative #1: Google Slides

Google Slides is very similar to PowerPoint, except it’s all in your browser . Unlike Office 365, Google Drive is free as long as you have a Gmail/Google Workspace account. 

If you’re fine with your presentations being stored on Google’s servers (and in your Drive account, where you can make files available online), Google Slides is a good alternative to PowerPoint. However, you can always download and export your presentations as PDFs, PPTX files, or images. 

No software downloads means you can access and edit your slides from any device with an internet connection.

Another reason to consider Google Slides is the real-time collaboration feature and the integration in the Workspace ecosystem. Again, think O365 – but Google’s. If your whole team is already using Google Workspace, it makes sense to use Google Slides, too.

It’s not too shabby when it comes to features , either:

• Templates, slide transitions, and animations
• Media integration to insert images, video, and audio into presentations
• Commenting and real-time collaboration
• Embeddable presentations
• Q&A and polls
• Export presentations as PDFs, PPTX, images, etc.
• Access presentations offline with the offline editing feature enabled in Google Drive

Alternative #2: Apple Keynote for Mac Fans

Some folks are die-hard Windows users; others prefer Mac. If you’re in the latter group, you might switch to Apple Keynote as your go-to presentation tool. And guess what? No fees. If you’ve got an Apple device, Keynote is 100% free . 

Storing your presentations? Keynote syncs through iCloud , so your creations remain within your Apple ecosystem. The offline editing feature ensures you’re not bound by Wi-Fi. You’ll also be able to export your presentations as PPTX, PDF, movie, animated gifs, images, HTML, and other formats. 

(Unfortunately, glitches can pop up when exporting, so double-check before you present.)

The features are nothing to scoff at, either:

• Live collaboration
• Control the presentation from an iOS device using Keynote Remote
• Presenter view
• Templates, effects, animations, graphic assets + Apple Pencil 
• Multimedia: live video feeds, and YouTube and Vimeo videos
• Support for OS X
• Export to PPT (possible glitches), PDFs, and more

Alternative #3: LibreOffice Impress for the Budget-Conscious Presenter

While LibreOffice Impress is not as sleek as some other options, it’s a robust choice if you seek functionality without breaking the bank. Since it’s an open-source tool, LibreOffice is free . 

Another pro is that if you’ve danced with other office suites, Impress’s interface will feel like an old friend. It offers a layout very similar to Microsoft PowerPoint’s. Unfortunately, the interface lacks the sleek polish of some commercial alternatives. 

Its cloud integration is clunky, too, so you might need to jump through a few hoops to get your presentation online. Otherwise, it will be stored on your PC.  

Of course, the good thing is that you can export your presentations as a PowerPoint file, PDF, or even in HTML format. Plus, LibreOffice Impress plays well with all operating systems : Windows, OS X, and Linux. 

Sounds good so far? Check out the features, and tick off the ones you’d like in a PowerPoint alternative:

• Media integration for images and videos
• Export to various formats, including PowerPoint and PDF
• Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• A wide array of formatting and design options
• Integration with other LibreOffice tools

A Note on SlideDog, the Most Powerful Addition to Your Presentation Toolkit

Let me jump in real quick to say that if you’re looking at PowerPoint alternatives, consider the reason you’re trying to find them. Is it just the availability online and a few extra features, or is it the fact that your presentations need more power ?

SlideDog allows you to combine PowerPoints, Prezis, PDFs, live web pages, and many more elements into one easy-to-create playlist. You don’t have to switch between different apps during your presentation just to maintain your audience’s attention.

As soon as the playlist is loaded, your content will play back as if it’s just one seamless file. 

Why Should You Try SlideDog?

SlideDog features include:

• Real multimedia support: Combine PowerPoints, Word and Excel files, videos and YouTube videos, live websites, and much, much more in one seamless playlist.
• Live sharing: Send your participants a link to your online channel, and they’ll be in with a click.
• Interact with your audience: Engage your participants with polls, Q&A, and audience chat features.
• Remote control: Control your presentation from any web-enabled device and maintain full control via the SlideDog Remote app.
• Digital signage support
• Store your files locally or in your online storage (Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive)

SlideDog comes with a free version to test it. The paid options start from $19/month for 2 seats, free upgrades, and the complete feature set. 

PowerPoint Alternative #4: Prezi for Visually Engaging Presentations

With Prezi , you’re not just walking down linear roads but soaring through dynamic skies. Prezi focuses on interaction and engagement with its zoomable presentations and interactive infographics and charts, which makes it a great PowerPoint alternative for situations where attention is what makes or breaks your presentation.

The side-by-side display of your presentation while you narrate through video is a really nice touch, too!

Prezi is cloud-based , making it accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. However, if you need to access or present your content offline, you’ll need to upgrade to one of the higher-priced plans. 

You can export your Prezi presentation as a PEZ (Prezi) file, PDF, and a few others, such as an .EXE file that you can load into a SlideDog playlist . Unfortunately, you can’t directly export to PowerPoint, and the exact file formats you’ll be able to export greatly vary depending on your plan. 

Finally, Prezi isn’t free. The plans start from $5/month and increase depending on the features you’d like to get. 

Are the features worth it? Let’s take a look:

• Zoomable, interactive presentations
• Display your presentation alongside your video
• Interactive infographics
• Web-based app
• No direct way to export to PPT
• Plans start from $5/month

Ultimately, Prezi is worth it if you’re a pro presenter, but if you’re not – well, you might not always want to jump through the hoops of their pricing plans.

Alternative #5: FlowVella for Digital Signage

When talking to presentation makers, I typically recommend FlowVella when they need digital signage. The functionality is great – but the presentations look good, too. The navigation bar is a neat trick, too, as it can make your presentations more engaging.

(Yep, when you’re in the presentation world, differentiating is the name of the game. If it looks like something your audience has already seen, you’ve already lost them. Familiarity is good – but only up to a point.)

Since you might need to get out in the field (especially if you’re a real estate agent), you can present without WiFi. If that’s easier, you can also export your FlowVella presentations to PDF, PowerPoint, and other formats. 

FlowVella also plays well with Windows, Mac OS, and mobile devices . There’s no truly free option, but the paid plans start from $10/month (or $60/year). 

Key FlowVella features include:

• Multimedia presentations – PDFs, navigation bars, videos, and more
• Offline and online access
• Export to PDF, PPTX, etc.
• Support for Windows, Mac OS, and mobile
• Pricing starts from $10/month

Alternative #6: Zoho Show

If you primarily need a PowerPoint alternative for business presentations, Zoho Show is a good option. The strength of Zoho Show lies in its ability to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics. The platform doesn’t just get the job done; it does so with finesse. Think Google Slides, but with a few extra shiny objects – all 100% free . 

My favorite part is the navigation feature. Similar to FlowVella, Zoho Show offers a way for the audience to interact with your presentations, which is a good option when you’re sending them as marketing or sales collateral. 

Another standout aspect is Zoho Show’s adaptability. The presentation tool allows you to present without the need for a continuous internet connection. And if you need to share your work in various formats, Zoho Show lets you export your presentations to multiple formats including PDF and PowerPoint, ensuring compatibility.

Finally, Zoho Show’s compatibility isn’t limited to just one operating system. It seamlessly integrates with Windows, Mac OS, and mobile devices, and you can use it as a web-based app. 

You might like the following features :

• Templates and design tools
• Interactive navigation options
• Offline presentation capability
• Export to various formats
• Windows, Mac, and mobile device-compatible
• ZohoShow is free

Alternative #7: And Now for Something Completely Different with Mentimeter

When the goal is to transform a run-of-the-mill presentation into an interactive and engaging experience, Mentimeter emerges as a great PowerPoint alternative. From live polls that gauge instant feedback to dynamic quizzes that challenge your audience’s knowledge, Mentimeter offers a plethora of tools to stimulate interaction .

The interactive setup looks like a great PowerPoint alternative for educators, but I can assure you I’ve seen more than a few HR presentations where the audience kept their eyes peeled just because the data was visualized dynamically.

When it comes to access, you’ll need an internet connection to run your Mentimeter presentation. Plus, it won’t be easy to export it as anything other than a PDF or a set of images , which can put a dent in your grandiose presentation plans.

Still, it’s a web-based app , so you can use it regardless of your operating system.

Finally, let’s talk money. Mentimeter has a free plan for up to 50 monthly audience participants. However, if you want access to audience analytics and other snazzier features, you’ll need to consider the paid plans , which start from €11,99/month. 

Speaking of features specifically, Mentimeter offers:

• Real-time interactivity with Q&A, polls, and quizzes
• Interactive slides
• Cloud-based
• Free plan (paid options from €11,99/month)

PowerPoint Alternative #8: Ludus for the Design-Savvy Presenters

When I imagine graphic design presentations, I imagine that the designers are using Ludus as their PowerPoint alternative. Going beyond the ordinary, Ludus redefines the concept of presentations, transforming them into immersive visual journeys. You get a lot more control than you would with PowerPoint, including the ability to create dynamic presentations, use blending modes, manage fonts, and more. 

Plus, you can collaborate with your team in a very Figma-like way. 

Now, Ludus looks great – and that’s its main selling point. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to present offline unless you export to HTML. However, you can export to PDF and images, too. 

Since it’s web-based, you can use Ludus regardless of your OS, but it doesn’t come for free. The plans start from $14,99 /person/month. That’s why, personally, I only see it used in graphic design settings where the visuals are the money-makers through and through. If you only need business presentations that engage your audience, you’ll find much more affordable PowerPoint alternatives in this list.

The features sure are fancy, though:

• Creative design features and animations
• Multimedia integration, including live web pages
• Live collaboration, Figma-style
• Export to HTML, PDF, or images
• Plans start from $14,99/month/user

Which PowerPoint Alternative Will You Choose?

That depends on you! Mainly, I recommend looking at your presenting style, needs today (and tomorrow), and pricing. Ideally, you’ll find a tool that fully supports you at a price point you can stomach.

However, make sure you try before you buy! That’s why I made sure we offer a free version for SlideDog.

Give different tools a whirl and find the right fit!

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Anything but PowerPoint: Five fresh presentation alternatives

What application springs to mind when you think of creating visual aids to accompany your business presentation? For most people, it’s Microsoft’s PowerPoint. But that’s certainly not the only game in town. Plenty of other tools and services are cooler, faster, easier to use, and—in almost all cases—less expensive.

We’ve rounded up five compelling alternatives to PowerPoint, including Web apps that let you dispense with installing software, and mobile apps that allow for presentation-building (and presenting) on the go. Not included are well-known options such as Google Docs , OpenOffice , and Zoho Show , all of which offer basic slide-builders that can easily pinch-hit for PowerPoint and don’t cost a dime. Those tools, however, haven’t changed much in recent years.

Our goal is to showcase presentation options that will help you get your point across a little differently, so your audience’s eyes don’t glaze over in the middle of your pitch. And if your business saves a bit of cash in the process, all the better!

Haiku Deck (iPad)

Haiku Deck for iPad is designed to turn your ideas into beautiful presentations in about the time it takes to ride the train to work. The secret? It gives you built-in access to a wealth of free art.

Indeed, half the battle in crafting attractive slides is finding appropriate artwork to go with the text. Haiku Deck lets you add your own (from your iOS device’s camera roll or from any other image library), but it can also search millions of free, Creative Commons-licensed images based on the words you’ve chosen for that slide.

Let’s say your slide contains the word profits and the phrase 3D printing: You’ll quickly get a list of thumbnails matching those terms. Tap one you like, and presto! You have the perfect background for your slide. Alternatively, you can choose a solid background color or insert your choice of a bar, pie, or numeric chart (with manually added labels and numbers).

Ultimately, Haiku Deck is all about whipping together attractive slides, and it’s great for that task. When you’re done, you can share your deck via Facebook, Twitter, or email. You can also grab embed code for your blog or website. On top of that, Haiku Deck lets you export your presentation for further tweaking in, say, PowerPoint or Apple’s Keynote.

The app doesn’t support sound, transitions, or animations, though, and you can’t manually place your text or change the background color for charts. In fact, trying to make any major slide changes often causes you to lose the work you’ve already done. A save option is desperately needed here.

That said, once you figure out Haiku Deck’s mechanics, you’ll find it a great tool for building short, simple, and attractive slide decks on the run. And you can’t beat the price: It’s free. If you want extra themes, they’re available for purchase in-app.

Kingsoft Presentation Free 2013

If you’re looking for a more traditional alternative to PowerPoint, one that runs in Windows and closely emulates the standard slideshow-building process, Kingsoft offers a compelling option in Presentation Free 2013 . Available separately or as part of the Kingsoft Office Free 2013 suite, this program should satisfy most of your slide-deck needs.

If you’re already familiar with PowerPoint, you’ll have a huge head start on Presentation Free: Its default interface borrows heavily from Microsoft’s Ribbon, though it has a second interface option that closely resembles older versions of PowerPoint. It’s an easy product to learn either way. Whichever interface you choose, Presentation Free has one amenable feature that still eludes PowerPoint: document tabs that make switching between multiple open presentations much easier.

Kingsoft supplies a generous library of presentation templates that you can use as a jumping-off point, along with a nice selection of layouts, color schemes, animations, and the like. You can add a wealth of elements to your slides, everything from sounds and background music to movies and Flash animations.

Perhaps of greatest importance, Presentation Free can open existing PowerPoint presentations, including those saved in the newer .pptx format. It can save only to the older .ppt format, or to Kingsoft’s native .dps format. You also have the option of converting presentation files to PDFs.

Presentation Free 2013 is without question the prettiest PowerPoint clone you can get, and save for VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) support, the free version is every bit as capable as its commercial counterpart, Office Suite Pro 2013 (which also includes word processing and spreadsheet programs).

Pixxa Perspective (iPad)

What is a presentation if not an audiovisual story? That’s the idea behind the iPad app  Perspective . It’s a powerful tool, though it does come with a learning curve—and a price tag.

Building a story works the same as building a presentation: You create individual slides (known here as scenes ) and populate them with data. For each scene, Perspective gives you a choice of image/text, diagram, various charts (bar, bubble, line, and the like), and PDF. You can also import a wealth of file types, including locally stored Excel and CSV files, the contents of the clipboard, or anything you have stored in Google Drive.

These needn’t be static additions, either: Perspective’s bar and bubble charts are “motion” charts, meaning that you can animate the elements to better highlight data such as sales forecasts and market trends. If you’re short on artwork, the app’s handy Web-search option makes it easy to find online images for your story. And for anyone serious about presenting data, Perspective supports the creation of Sankey diagrams (a specialized kind of flow diagram), though this feature requires a separate in-app purchase ($100).

Alas, the app doesn’t let you embed videos or webpages, and you can’t add audio elements such as music or sound effects. You can, however, record a voice-over after your story is complete and ready for presenting. Speaking of which, you can share a snapshot from your story via email or Twitter, and a recently added Airshow option lets you share stories directly from your iPad to up to ten other iPads.

It may take you some time to learn how to use Perspective’s various tools, especially for arranging elements in a scene and tweaking the data in motion charts. But it’s not unlike learning PowerPoint: Once you know what you need to do, presentation-building goes pretty quickly.

Although the Perspective app is initially free, you can use it to create only one story—think of it as an app test drive. To unlock all the features and create unlimited stories, you must upgrade to Perspective Pro, which costs $50.

That’s a little steep relative to some of the other tools here, but Perspective offers robust data-visualization options. And since it’s entirely mobile, you needn’t stay tied to a PC.

Far too many presentations are boring, with a capital B. In many cases, it’s not because the content is dull, it’s just that audiences have seen enough static slideshows to last a lifetime. Prezi  creates eye-catching custom animations that blow ordinary slide decks out of the water.

It works like this: You assemble various snippets of information—text, graphics, videos, and the like—onto the virtual equivalent of a giant, themed poster board. (Think PowerPoint slides splayed out on a single surface.) Instead of flipping from one page to the next, PowerPoint-style, Prezi flies around that poster board, zooming in to one area for viewing, then up, out, and onto the next.

All of this happens with a dazzling, animated flow. It looks like something a professional effects shop would take weeks and thousands of dollars to create. But it’s really just a Prezi template stocked with your data and some extra infographics.

Earlier this year, Prezi added a long-awaited new feature: sound. You can now include background music that plays during the presentation, or even add voice-overs or sound effects to “path steps” (the transitions between areas of the scene). That might not seem like a huge deal, but Prezi delivers such a smooth, cinematic experience, it almost begs to have a soundtrack.

Prezi has also added a creator app for iPad and a viewer for iPhone, meaning that you can build and/or make your pitches on the run. They’re free, as is Prezi Basic. Upgrade options start at $59 per year.

This is one of the coolest PowerPoint alternatives I’ve seen, period. If you’re as sick of creating static slide decks as people are of seeing them, you should give Prezi a try.

SoftMaker Presentations Mobile (Android)

If Microsoft ever decided to release PowerPoint for Android , it would probably have a lot in common with SoftMaker Presentations Mobile . This powerful app belies its $5 price tag, allowing you to not only create slide decks from scratch right on your Android device, but also to import and save your existing .ppt and .pptx files.

To be fair, Presentations Mobile offers little of the mobile-presentations finesse of Haiku Deck or Pixxa Perspective. It is, at best, a rudimentary PowerPoint clone, allowing for the creation of only the most basic slides. Even something as simple as changing a slide’s background is elusive within the app’s toolbar system, which consists entirely of unlabeled icons.

It can, however, import presentations from a variety of sources, including local memory and online services such as Dropbox, Evernote, Google Drive, and SkyDrive. Once you have those files in place, you can make basic edits and then restore the files to their homes, or forward them via email. Depending on which Android device you’re using, you can also connect to an external display to deliver your presentation—complete with any embedded sounds, transitions, and animations. (Unfortunately, it doesn’t support videos.)

In our tests, Presentations Mobile did a great job importing a 54-slide PowerPoint file from a Google Drive account to a Barnes & Noble Nook HD. The process went slowly, however, requiring several minutes to download and open the slideshow. But it played back perfectly, transitions and all.

Ultimately, this app isn’t so much about replacing PowerPoint as it is about making PowerPoint mobile, with simple tools for building basic slides and robust tools for accessing your existing presentations on the go. For a mere $5, it’s hard to beat.

Take the ‘no boring presentations’ pledge

The only experience more painful than sitting through a boring presentation is giving  a boring presentation. If a concept is worth presenting, it’s worth presenting effectively.

Take the “no boring presentations” pledge: Invest a little time, give these programs a try, and create a slideshow that will capture your audience’s attention so that you can persuade them to embrace your ideas. It could make all the difference for your business.

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8 Great Presentation Software Free Alternatives to Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint is still the most popular presentation software and it seems there no one to doubt about its capability of creating presentation files. Everyone also knows that Microsoft PowerPoint is a paid software part of Microsoft Office. Linux users will never be able to use it.

Some Windows users also prefer to use a free presentation software rather than spending their money for Microsoft Office. If you a sort of that person, read on because this article will show the list of great free presentation software to replace Microsoft PowerPoint.

By the way, PowerPoint uses .PPTX as the default file extension. Some presentation software below has a good compatibility with it so you will keep be able to work on the presentation files you created with Microsoft PowerPoint in case you want to make a switch from it.

1. LibreOffice Impress

LibreOffice should be on the list when you talk about an office suite. It is one of the most popular free office suites. LibreOffice Impress is the name of he presentation app part of this office suite. LibreOffice Impress comes with a very good compatibility with Microsoft PowerPoint. The presentation software is capable of opening a PPTX file as well editing it. In general, the features of LibreOffice Impress are not much different to Microsoft PowerPoint. It’s just, it will probably takes some time for you to make an adaptation since it has a bit different interface to Microsoft PowerPoint. LibreOffice itself is a cross-platform office suite that is available for Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS and Android.

2. Apache OpenOffice Impress

Apache OpenOffice is built from the same core as LibreOffice. More precisely, LibreOffice is forked from OpenOffice. So basically, there is no difference between Apache OpenOffice and LibreOffice in terms of features. The presentation tool of Apache OpenOffice is called Impress.

Same as LibreOffice Impress, Apache OpenOffice Impress also has a very good compatibility with Microsoft PowerPoint. You will keep be able to work on the presentation files you created with Microsoft PowerPoint using this tool. Apache OpenOffice is also a cross-platform office suite. It is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

3. WPS Presentation

WPS Presentation is probably the best free alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint if interface is matter you the most when choosing a software. The interface of WPS Presentation is extremely similar to PowerPoint, allowing you to be able to use it right away without making much adaptation. WPS Presentation itself is a part of WPS Office, a cross-platform office suite developed by a Chinese software company Kingsoft. WPS Presentation also comes with a compatibility with PowerPoint, meaning that you can edit a PPTX file with it. WPS Office is available for Linux, Windows, Android and iOS. No macOS.

While you can use WPS Presentation for free, paid version is also available with more templates offered. What makes this free presentation software a step ahead of its competitors is that it comes with a tabbed interface to allow you work on multiple presentations from a single window.

4. OnlyOffice Presentation

Linux users who want to try another office suite other than LibreOffice (that is not Apache OpenOffice), can give  OnlyOffice a try. It is an open source office suite just like LibreOffice, but comes with a nicer interface (at least Microsoft Office users said that). OnlyOffice consists of three main components, one of which — of course — is a presentation maker tool. OnlyOffice Presentation also has a good compatibility with PowerPoint. In fact, it only supports Microsoft PowerPoint file format (PPTX). Not even ODP that is becomes the standard format of LibreOffice. OnlyOffice itself is available in two versions: desktop and SaaS . The desktop version of OnlyOffice is available for Linux, Windows and macOS as well.

5. Calligra Stage

Calligra Stage is a free presentation make tool part of Calligra Suite, an open source office suite developed by the KDE community. Unlike four first presentation tools above, Calligra Stage doesn’t come with a compatibility with Microsoft PowerPoint. The tool only supports OpenDocument presentation (ODP). Calligra Stage has a bunch of ready-to-use presentation templates that you can use for free. Although the software is aimed primarily at Linux users, Mac and Windows users can also use it. You can download the Calliga Suite package here .

6. FreeOffice Presentations

Miss the old look of Microsoft PowerPoint? If so, then FreeOffice Presentations is a worth-trying item. FreeOffice Presentations is a part of  FreeOffice , a free office suite developed by a German company SoftMaker. Although has an old-fashioned look, FreeOffice Presentations is capable enough of replacing the PowerPoint role in helping you creating presentation files. It also has a good compatibility with Microsoft PowerPoint. FreeOffice is available for Linux and Windows. So, sorry Mac users.

7. Zoho Show

Lazy enough to install a new application on your computer? Then an online presentation maker is the best solution. One of the online presentation makers that has a compatibility with Microsoft PowerPoint and you can use for free is Zoho Show . Zoho Show is a part of a Zoho Docs, an online office suite from Zoho. Since it is an SaaS software, you don’t need to install any app to start using. Just launch your web browser and you can start to work. As I said, Zoho Show also has a good compatibility with Microsoft PowerPoint. You can open as well as edit a PPTX file using this tool. In addition, it also support OpenDocument Presentation forrmat (ODP).

8. Google Slides

Google Slides is the closest competitor of Zoho Show. One thing that makes Google Slides slightly superior to Zoho Show is that you can enhance its functionalities by installing add-ons. However, the native features and capabilities of Google Slides are not much different to Zoho Show. This online presentation maker is also compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint. Furthermore, it also supports OpenDocument Presentation format.

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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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Create a presentation

Create a presentation in powerpoint for the web.

With PowerPoint for the web running in your web browser, you can:

Create presentations that include images, videos, transitions, and animations.

Get to your presentations from your computer, tablet, or phone.

Share and work with others, wherever they are.

If you're using the desktop version of PowerPoint on a Windows PC, see the PowerPoint Quick Start .

If you're using the desktop version of PowerPoint on a Mac, see Office for Mac Quick Start Guides and PowerPoint for Mac Help .

Create, open, and name a presentation

Go to powerpoint.office.com .

Select New blank presentation , open a Recent file, select one of the themes , or start with a presentation template .

To name the presentation, select the title at the top and type a name.

If you need to rename the presentation, select the title and retype the name.

Add a slide

Select the slide you want your new slide to follow.

Select Home > New Slide .

Select Layout and the you type want from the drop-down.

When working in PowerPoint for the web, your work is saved every few seconds. You can select File > Save a Copy to create a duplicate copy in another location.

Or choose File > Download As to save a copy to your device.

When you're online, AutoSave is always on and saves your changes as you work. If at any time you lose your Internet connection or turn it off, any pending changes will sync as soon as you’re back online.

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