Movavi Slideshow Maker
An easy-to-use, yet efficient slideshow making program
Searching for the best presentation software? There are plenty of options available depending on what you need. The following are some of the best presentation programs available based on the types of features and capabilities you're looking for in the ideal software.
Top free presentation software
Movavi Slideshow Maker uses a combination of simplicity and capability to allow users to create engaging slideshows. The tool includes all the features needed for beginners to get started, and it's also ideal for more experienced presentation creators. Simply upload your photos and videos, add an audio track, and complete your professional-looking presentation. Whether for personal or professional use, you can create the perfect slideshow with this easy-to-use software.
Pros:
Easy to use with an intuitive design
Plenty of features available for creating top-quality presentations
Cons:
The free version is limited to 7 days
Software type
Desktop app that's compatible with both Windows and Mac computers.
Capabilities
Allows users to create slideshows in three simple steps
Users can record their own voiceover commentary
Saves slideshows in any file format
Works with both Windows and Mac devices
Visit the CNET site below to see more reviews for this product.
Visme makes it easy to create and share interactive presentations and other types of visuals such as infographics. The tool enables users to take any set of data and transform it into engaging visuals. It's a great tool to use for individuals and teams, and it allows you to publish your presentations online, download them locally, or use an embed code to put it on your website. Millions of users love Visme and rely on this presentation software.
Pros:
High-quality output
Easy to use
Contemporary appealing templates for presentations
Includes branding features
Cons:
Duplicate images needed for each project
Can take some time to learn how to use it
No offline version
Software type
Web-based browser program for computers and tablets.
Capabilities
Data visualization features
Content database for images and more
Video and streaming support
Drag and drop function
Microsoft Office integration
Interface for collaboration with a team
For more information and reviews about this product, visit the Capterra site below.
For one of the quickest ways to piece together a good-looking professional-level presentation on the web or with your iPhone, Haiku Deck is a great option. With a library consisting of over 40 million royalty-free images and thousands of design templates, you'll have everything you need to complete any presentation. You can also export your presentations in PPTX or video format.
Pros:
Intuitive design makes it easy to use
Plenty of design options and photos
Cons:
Limited in overall capabilities without many advanced options
Not too much room for customization
Software type
Web-based software that's compatible with browsers and iOS using the app.
Capabilities
Controllable via iPhone remote
Compatible with Safari, Chrome, and Firefox browsers
Can export files as PDFs or Powerpoint presentations
Can import and resize images
Private and public notes
For more information and reviews about Haiku Deck, visit the Capterra site below.
If you're looking for a good alternative to Powerpoint that can give you more visualizations and a variety of design options, Prezi is a great presentation software. Prezi allows you to begin with a blank canvas, and from there you can add and change content at any point on the page. Unlike Powerpoint and other tools, it's non-linear in its layout for more free-flowing presentation design. It's also free and web-based, allowing you to access it using any web-enabled computer.
Pros:
Non-linear layout for free-form control
Free and web-based
Easy for everyone to use, regardless of experience
Cons:
Non-linear format could lead to motion sickness for some, but simple moves between screens can prevent this problem
Requires some learning to get the hang of it
No local version
Software type
Desktop and web-based editor with viewer apps available for both Android and iOS.
Capabilities
Allows users to import Powerpoint presentations
Works with both Windows and Mac computers
iOS viewer app allows streaming on Apple TV devices
Can publish presentations locally, organizationally, or for all audiences on the web
Premium version includes analytics to give you insight on performance with audiences
Check out the review at PCMag below to find out more about Prezi.
As Powerpoint's complement for Apple devices, Keynote is another reliable tool worth considering. If you're familiar with Mac programs and their functions, you should learn how to use Keynote in no time. Plenty of templates and layouts are available, and you can easily include animations in your presentations. Adobe also powers its appealing interface and templates, and you can choose from different formats to save your presentations.
Pros:
Easy to use for beginners and veteran users alike
A wide variety of designs and templates for presentation themes
Can handle animation
YouTube, Quicktime, and other formatting options
Cons:
PC users won't have an easy time using this program if they aren't used to Mac programs
Software type
Mobile (Android & iOS), desktop, and web-based app requiring an iCloud account to use.
Capabilities
Users can open, save, and edit Powerpoint files and convert Keynote to Powerpoint format, but glitches can occur
Available through iCloud
Can control presentations using iOS device with Keynote remote for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch
Remote presentations using Keynote Live and a web-enabled device
Live Collaboration for team projects
For reviews that can help you decide if Keynote is right for you, visit the Macworld site below.
If you have a Google account, you can access Google Slides for free along with its other cloud-based programs. Google Slides comes with plenty of customization options to create a great-looking presentation with every use. You'll find it to be a great tool if you're looking for something free and easy to use. However, like other cloud-based versions of Google software, formatting presentations across programs like Powerpoint can require some tweaks.
Pros:
Easily accessed via the cloud on Google Drives
Presentations created with the program will look the same across all devices
Cons:
Web-based only with limited offline capabilities
Importing from Keynote or Powerpoint can yield poor results because of formatting differences
Exporting could also result in unfavorable results using different software
Software type
Mobile app on iOS and Android, along with a web-based Chrome App with an offline editor that requires either Chrome OS or the Chrome browser.
Capabilities
Powerpoint-Google Slides conversion, but glitches can occur
Real-time collaboration through comment, chat, and review
Can display on secondary screen using Airplay or Chromecast
Audience interaction feature that allows for live comments and questions
Presenter View can include notes and slide previews using a second window
Remote control via Android or iOS devices
Remote presentations through Google Hangouts
Connect with other Google apps including YouTube
Visit the Capterra site for more reviews and details about Google Slides.
Slidebean is a great user-friendly presentation software that anyone can use, with easy access to all of its resources. It also includes integrated AI that can help with formatting and design by assisting with font choices and slide arrangements. Create high-quality presentations using Slidebean in no time, and you can choose from different sharing options based on privacy preferences.
Pros:
Easy to use with minimal learning curve
AI integration to make creating presentations even easier
Top-quality production
Cons:
Some startup bugs
Need to spend money to access many features
Software type
Web-based software accessible using web-enabled devices.
Capabilities
AI design feature
Custom templates with custom colors and fonts
Collaboration with team
Audience insight
Branding with company logo
Professional reviews for presentations
Export presentations as PDFs
The G2 site linked below can take you to more reviews for Slidebean.
Zoho Show is a cloud-based program that enables presentation creation and collaboration, along with broadcasting and publication. Plenty of visuals are available with this software to help you fully customize your presentations, whether you want to include photos, videos, tables, or charts. It also makes it easy to work with your team to collaborate on a small or large project.
Pros:
Includes many features to customize your presentations
Chrome extension allows easy draft creation at any time
Live broadcasting allows you to showcase a presentation to an audience and engage in live chat and comments
Cons:
Consumes resources and, subsequently, isn't as fast as Google Slides and other cloud-based programs
Software type
Web-based app along with native editor apps for both Android and iOS, with viewer apps available to download for Apple TV and Android TV.
Capabilities
Can import and export both Powerpoints and PDF files, but conversion may not be perfect
Internal, organizational, or public publishing of presentations, with iframe embed codes available to paste on websites
Web-based presentation view and remote capabilities via two browser windows
Android and iOS app for remote presentation creation
Streaming on Chromecast, Android TV, and Apple TV
Chrome extension helps optimize speed and web-based editor control
Visit the link below for additional reviews for Zoho Show.
Bring your presentations to life with CustomShow, which enables you to create engaging content with custom background images and video. You can also broadcast your presentations using the included webinar feature, and you don't even need to be online to give your presentation as you can share them with people to look through on their own. If you make any updates to your library, all linked slides are also updated accordingly.
Pros:
Easy to create and share presentations with anyone
All changes are updated automatically if library changes
Simple management of presentations and library
Cons:
No search function in library
Can't open links using mobile devices
A lack of editing features
Software type
Web-based software for any web-enabled computer.
Capabilities
Create a personal library combining images, text, video and Adobe Flash content
Updates are automatically shared with all users
Use with browsers, on both Mac and Windows computers
iPad application allows for seamless integration and remote presentations using iPad tablets
Visit the Capterra website to see more reviews for this program.
If you want to incorporate animations in your presentations, Powtoon is an excellent choice of presentation software. You'll find no shortage of images and templates for your presentations, and you can create them in little time. You can keep your presentations engaging through the use of an animated slideshow that plays like a video as opposed to a traditional click-through slideshow, but you can easily switch between both modes.
Pros:
Many features to customize your presentations
Easy to use
A wide variety of templates
Can share presentations with the public
Offline saving is available
Cons:
The interface can seem a little disorganized
Can take some time to load another user's presentation
Limited features on the free version, including the inability to download presentations over five minutes long
Software type
Web-based software for web-enabled devices.
Capabilities
Offline local presenting
Screen sharing to showcase presentations to others
Communication and content management
Image library
Project templates and planning
Search functionality
Drag and drop function
Two-factor authentication
Collaboration tools
Visit the link below for additional reviews and information about Powtoon.
Formerly known as GoAnimate, Vyond is another tool that's ideal if you want to create animated presentations. You can also collaborate with a team to work on a video project together. Features are also easy to use, regardless of your experience presentation software. The quality of animation and presentations is consistently high, and you can easily customize your presentations using audio files such as voice narration, sound effects, and music.
Pros:
Very user-friendly and easy to use without any experience
Affordable for many businesses to use
High presentation quality
Cons:
A bit of a learning curve to get used to the software
Library is limited in terms of character poses, styles, and objects
Software type
Cloud-based software accessible using any web-connected device.
Capabilities
Automatic lip-syncing with audio uploaded as MP3 files
Three styles that each come with pre-made templates along with characters and pre-animated assets
Version history allows you to revert to a previous version to track changes or create new videos from an existing custom template
Visit TrustRadius below for more reviews from customers who've used Vyond.
Microsoft Powerpoint is one of the most recognizable presentation tools, and there's a reason why millions of users still utilize it today. It's quick and easy to use, with plenty of customization options that give you complete control over your presentations. You'll also see better quality when presenting slides to a large audience compared to other software. Powerpoint isn't likely to go anywhere anytime soon.
Pros:
Easy to use regardless of experience
Plenty of features with versatile presentation options
Can use it just about anywhere for any kind of presentation
Cons:
Limited to users with Office 365 subscriptions
Can make it easy to overload slides with information to the point of being overwhelming
Software type
Microsoft Office 365 app for Windows and Apple computers.
Capabilities
SmartArt feature allows for creation of high-quality professional diagrams
Many transitions between slides
Animation effects
Slide Master View allows for consistent updating across entire presentations
Project from your devices to large audiences with consistent quality
For additional reviews and details about Powerpoint, visit G2 below.
Unlike other presentation software, Slidedog is specifically intended for presenting existing presentation files as opposed to creating them. You'll want to use Slidedog if you have a presentation but need a professional solution to present it to your audience. It's a great tool to use whether you want to present in front of a live audience or have the audience access the presentation remotely.
Pros:
Interface is easy to use
Many useful features
Works with most presentation file formats
Organized and sleek design
Cons:
Can't make changes to presentations
Can take a while to install
Many features are restricted to the paid version
Software type
Windows application for desktops and web-based app for any web-enabled device.
Capabilities
Presentation playlist allows for easy arrangement of files and media
Supports all file types without any glitches
Real-time sharing with remote control for playlists from any web-enabled device
Connect with audiences through presentation feedback, polls, and live audience chat
Dual-screen support
Can use for digital signage
To see reviews of this presentation software, visit the G2 site below.
Canva is a great presentation and design software that can make your presentations look great with custom graphic design. Over a million fonts, graphics, and images are available on Canva, and it's accessible for just about any user. You can use Canva to turn a simple idea into a beautiful professional-looking design that helps you get the most from your presentations.
Pros:
Plenty of pre-made templates available with free and paid versions
Allows for easy collaboration with a team
Very user-friendly interface
Cons:
Can slow down during use
Limited GIFs and many other feature limitations
Software type
Web-based design software accessible with web-enabled computers.
Capabilities
Unlimited folder storage for presentation designs
Team functionalities
Can upload any images
Unlimited storage for all images and other assets
Save templates locally or for your organization
Search functionality in the library
Can export files as GIFs
Compatible with custom fonts
Easy resizing of images and assets to custom dimensions
To learn more about this software and see additional reviews, visit the Techradar website below.
Frequently asked questions
The best presentation software will depend on your personal preferences and the specific features you're looking for in a program. However, the following are worth trying and can give you some ideas to help you pinpoint what you want.
Movavi Slideshow Maker
Keynote
Visme
Microsoft Powerpoint
Google Slides
If you would rather use presentation software other than PowerPoint if you don't have Microsoft Office, or simply want to try another program, there are plenty of PowerPoint alternatives to try. Take a look at the following list:
Renderforest
Genially
Prezi
Focusky
SlideBean
Powtoon
Vyond
For software similar to Prezi with varying features, you can view a list of alternatives to Prezi in the following list:
If free presentation software is what you need, some of the following options come at no cost to you:
Google Slides
Apple Keynote
Visme (Individual Basic version)
Prezi
Movavi Slideshow Maker (Trial version)
While Movavi Slideshow Maker isn't entirely free, a free trial version is available to help you create a high-quality presentation and get a feel for the product. Give it a try today.
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