The best presentation software

These powerpoint alternatives go beyond the basics..

Hero image with logos of the best presentation software

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, our pick for the best free presentation app

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 interface

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, our pick for the best presentation app for interactive presentations

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, our pick for the best presentation software for collaborating with your team

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, our pick for the best simple presentation app

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, our pick for the best presentation app for generative AI

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 picture

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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12 Best Presentation Software for 2024

By Krystle Wong , Jan 12, 2024

12 Best Presentation Software

Whether you’re a student, professional or entrepreneur, having access to the right presentation tools can make all the difference.

When you craft a well-executed presentation , your message becomes more memorable. You’re not just sharing information; you’re weaving a story, painting a picture and leaving a lasting impact on your audience’s minds. 

We’re living in the age of information overload, where attention spans are shorter than ever. A good presentation slide takes this into account, breaking down complex information into bite-sized chunks. It guides your audience through a logical flow, allowing them to digest information effortlessly and retain key points without feeling overwhelmed.

To help you stay ahead of the game, I’ve compiled a list of the 12 best software for presentations. These PowerPoint alternatives offer a combination of user-friendly interfaces, stunning visuals, collaboration features and innovative functionalities that will take your presentations to the next level. 

Let’s dive in and explore these top presentation software picks!

1. Venngage 

Venngage

Allow me to be a little bit biased here but my top pick is none other than, you guessed it — Venngage! Venngage goes beyond just presentations to focus on data visualization and transforming complex information into visually appealing and engaging visuals. 

One of the standout features of Venngage as a presentation software is the extensive library of infographic elements. Gain access to a wide range of pre-designed elements such as icons, charts, maps as well as illustrations to simplify the process of creating data-driven and visually appealing presentations.

You don’t have to be a pro when designing with Venngage. Venngage’s drag-and-drop interface allows you to customize your presentations by simply dragging and dropping elements onto the canvas. You can tweak sizes, colors and layouts with ease, making your presentations visually cohesive and personalized, even if you’re not a design wizard. 

Just so you know, some of our features and templates are free to use and some require a small monthly fee. Sign-up is completely free, as is access to Venngage’s online drag-and-drop editor. Here’s how Venngage’s presentation maker can become your secret weapon in the quest for presentation success.

Vast selection of templates

Venngage boasts an extensive library of professionally designed templates, catering to a wide range of industries and presentation purposes. Whether you’re creating a marketing report, educational presentation or business pitch, Venngage’s presentation tool offers templates that provide a solid foundation for your designs. 

Save 20+ hours of designing with Venngage’s fully customizable, pre-designed infographic templates. These presentation templates provide a good foundation with well-structured layouts and visually appealing aesthetics. 

Presentation templates

Data visualization made easy

Venngage simplifies the process of data visualization, making it accessible to users of all backgrounds. With a few clicks, you can transform dull statistics into visually engaging charts and graphs that tell a compelling story.

Data visualization

Seamless real-time in-editor collaboration tools

Venngage brings teamwork to the next level with our seamless collaboration tools designed to foster collaboration across teams, departments and the entire organization. Whether you’re in the same room or across the globe, Venngage enables real-time collaboration that makes working together becomes a breeze. 

Consistently brand your designs with smart Autobrand features

Effortlessly infuse your presentation slides with your brand’s colors, fonts and logos with Venngage’s My Brand Kit . Upload your brand assets and create engaging presentations by applying your branding to any template you create on Venngage.

Who is it for

Marketers, designers, educators and businesses that require data-driven and visually appealing presentations.

Key features 

Infographic elements, data visualization tools, collaboration options, customizable templates.

Create your first 5 designs with Venngage for free and upgrade to a premium or business plan for $10 USD/month per user and $24 USD/month per user to enjoy premium features. For larger teams who need extra support, controls and security, the enterprise plan starts from $499 USD/month for 10+ seats.

Additionally, there are also plans available for classrooms priced at $99 USD/year for up to 35 students per instructor. Non profit organizations can also apply for a nonprofit discount to any Venngage plan.

2. Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint

Source: Screenshot from Microsoft PowerPoint

Even with dozens of presentation software and tools out there, PowerPoint presentations have stood the test of time as one of the best presentation software. In fact, 89% of people still use PowerPoint presentations over competitor services . 

Whether you’re a student, teacher, business professional or just a creative soul, PowerPoint’s user-friendly interface allows both beginners and experienced users to create presentations with ease.

PowerPoint delivers captivating and engaging presentations through its advanced animation and transition effects. You can create interactive PowerPoint presentations by captivating your audience and guiding them through your content with seamless transitions and eye-catching animations. 

Seamless integration with other Microsoft Office tools is another significant advantage of PowerPoint as a presentation software. As part of the Microsoft Office suite, PowerPoint effortlessly integrates with other familiar applications such as Word and Excel. This integration allows you to incorporate charts, graphs and written content from these tools directly into your presentation. 

However, collaboration features in PowerPoint can be somewhat limited compared to dedicated collaboration platforms. While you can share and co-edit presentations with others, the collaboration options may not be as robust as those offered by specialized presentation tools.

Suitable for individuals, students, educators and businesses of all sizes.

Customizable templates, multimedia support, extensive slide editing options, robust animations and transitions.

You can subscribe to PowerPoint as part of your Microsoft 365 subscription with various plans tailored for businesses, ranging from $6 to $22 USD/month. Additionally, there is also the option to purchase an unbundled PowerPoint account separately, priced at $159.99 USD.

3. Google Slides

Google Slides

Source: Screenshot from Google Slides

Unlike PowerPoint which requires file sharing and manual syncing for teamwork, Google Slides enables real-time collaboration and easy access from any device with an internet connection. 

Google Slides shines in its seamless collaboration capabilities. Multiple users can work on the same presentation simultaneously, enabling real-time editing and fostering efficient teamwork. The integrated commenting feature on Google Slides allows for shared feedback and discussions, enhancing collaboration even further.

Google Slides’ cloud-based storage and auto-saving feature ensures that your work is constantly saved, minimizing the risk of losing progress or important changes. No more panicking over unsaved slides and changes. 

But that also means that Google Slides heavily relies on an internet connection for full functionality and access is more limited compared to desktop-based software. Although an offline mode is available, Google Slides has certain limitations and may not provide the same level of functionality as when connected to the internet.

Templates and customization features-wise, Google Slides also have fewer design options compared to other presentation tools. This may limit the level of visual creativity and flexibility for those seeking intricate designs or specialized effects.

Ideal for remote teams, educators, students and anyone looking for easy collaboration and access from any device.

Real-time collaboration, shared commenting, offline mode and built-in sharing options.

Google Slides is accessible to all individuals with a Google account at no cost, providing all users with access to its full range of features. However, for businesses and teams looking for additional organizational capabilities, there are subscription plans available ranging from $6 to $18 USD/month.

4. Keynote (for Mac users)

Keynote

Source: Screenshot from Keynote

For Apple users, Keynote is a presentation tool designed exclusively for your Apple devices and is available on macOS, iOS and iPadOS. Keynote is known for its sleek and intuitive interface, reflecting Apple’s design aesthetics. 

It offers visually appealing templates, animations, and transitions, allowing users to create polished and modern-looking presentations. Keynote users can seamlessly incorporate images, videos, audio files and interactive elements into their presentations. The presentation software also includes a wide range of animations and transitions, enabling smooth and cinematic effects that bring slides to life.

Keynote presentations is known for its seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem. It works effortlessly with other Apple applications, allowing users to combine different elements and data from various sources. Presentations created in Keynote can be easily shared and accessed across Apple devices, ensuring a consistent experience for both the presenter and the audience.

Additionally, Keynote as a presentation software offers collaborative editing capabilities, enabling multiple users to work on the same presentation simultaneously. Users can share their presentations with others, who can then provide feedback, make edits and contribute to the project in real-time.

That said, since Keynote is exclusively designed for Apple devices, it may not be accessible or fully compatible with non-Apple platforms. Hence, sharing presentations created in Keynote with users on different platforms may require exporting or converting the files to a compatible format, which can lead to potential formatting issues or loss of certain features.

Mac users, creatives, professionals, educators and anyone who wants visually stunning presentations.

Elegant templates, advanced multimedia options, cinematic transitions and collaborative editing.

Keynote is available for free on Apple devices, including macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. As it comes pre-installed with these devices, users can access and use Keynote without any additional cost.

Prezi

Source: Screenshot from Prezi

Known for its distinctive zooming presentation style, Prezi revolutionizes the way you create presentations by offering a visually engaging and non-linear approach. 

One of Prezi’s renowned features is its unique zooming and transition effects, allowing presenters to navigate through a virtual canvas seamlessly. This dynamic presentation style enhances engagement by creating a sense of movement and spatial relationship between ideas.

Moreover, Prezi offers cloud-based collaboration, making it easy for multiple users to collaborate on a presentation in real-time. This feature facilitates seamless teamwork, enabling users to collectively develop and refine their presentations regardless of their physical locations.

Prezi presentations also include interactive elements, such as embedded videos, images and hyperlinks. Utilizing these elements would allow presenters to create interactive presentations and engage their audience on a deeper level.

However, Prezi has a steeper learning curve compared to more traditional presentation tools. Users may require some time and practice to become proficient in navigating the canvas, creating smooth transitions and effectively utilizing all of Prezi’s features.

Creative professionals, educators and individuals who want to create visually captivating and non-linear presentations.

Zooming presentation style, interactive elements, cloud-based collaboration and reusable templates.

For individuals & business professionals

Basics: Create and share up to 5 visual projects for free

Standard: Starting at $5 USD/month

Plus: Starting at $12 USD/month

Premium: Starting at $16 USD/month

Teams: Starting at $19 USD/month per user (billed annually)

For Students & Educators

EDU Plus: Starting at $3/month

EDU Pro: Starting at $4/month

EDU Teams: Enquiry required with Prezi sales team

Canva

Source: Screenshot from Canva

One of the great things about Canva as a presentation tool is its user-friendly interface, which makes it super easy to use even if you’re not a design pro. You can simply drag and drop elements to create your presentation slides without breaking a sweat.

Canva’s vast collection of pre-designed templates caters to various purposes and occasions. The availability of these templates allows users to jumpstart their design projects with professional-looking layouts, saving valuable time and effort.

For businesses or educational institutions working on group projects or marketing campaigns, Canva also offers collaboration features that enhance teamwork and co-creation. Users can invite team members or clients to collaborate on a design project, enabling real-time feedback and efficient design processes. 

While Canva does offer some basic slide transition effects, the range and customization options for transitions may be limited compared to dedicated presentation software like Microsoft PowerPoint or Apple Keynote. 

Individuals, students, small businesses and startups seeking professional-looking marketing materials and presentations.

Extensive template options, intuitive drag-and-drop interface, ability to share presentations as downloadable files or online links and built-in multimedia support for adding videos , images, and audio to slides.

The free version of Canva provides a wide range of features and resources, with the only limitations being the use of premium resources that can be acquired either through separate purchases or by subscribing to the Canva Pro plan. The Canva Pro plan is available for $12.99 USD per month or $119.99 USD per year.

For collaborative purposes, Canva Teams is available at a price of $14.99 USD per month, with an additional charge of $14.99 USD per month for every team member beyond the initial five.

7. Adobe Express

Adobe Express

Source: Screenshot from Adobe Express

As part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, Adobe Express is a presentation software that offers a simplified and user-friendly interface. With its intuitive interface, Adobe Express allows users to create visually stunning presentations with ease. Users can access both design professionals and individuals without extensive design experience.

One of the notable advantages of Adobe Express is its seamless integration with other Adobe products, such as Photoshop and Illustrator. This integration enables users to leverage the power of these industry-standard design tools within their presentations, providing access to advanced design features and a vast library of high-quality assets. 

Adobe Express is also great for creating interactive presentations. Its extensive multimedia support, allowing users to incorporate videos, audio files and interactive elements to keep your audience engaged.

That being said,  some of its advanced features may require familiarity with other Adobe tools, which can be challenging for beginners who are not already familiar with the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem.

Designers, creative professionals, individuals and businesses seeking professional-grade presentation design.

Professional design options, multimedia support, easy integration with other Adobe products and cloud-based collaboration.

While the free version for Adobe Express includes all the core features, users can gain access to premium templates and features when they upgrade to the Premium subscription for $9.99 USD/month. 

For businesses and teams, Adobe provides tailored plans that include additional features like collaboration tools, centralized license management and enterprise-level support. The pricing for these plans depends on the number of licenses and the specific needs of the organization. It’s best to consult with Adobe or their authorized resellers to get accurate pricing information for business plans.

8. Haiku Deck

Haiku Deck

Source: Haiku Deck

Haiku Deck is all about visual storytelling, offering a simple and minimalist approach to designing presentations. With its clean and minimalist templates, Haiku Deck makes it a breeze to create presentations that focus on eye-catching images.

Haiku Deck is a user-friendly presentation software that offers a straightforward and intuitive interface. It’s designed to be easily accessible on both computers and mobile devices, giving you the flexibility to create quick and practical presentations on the go.

Plus, the presentation tool seamlessly integrates with image search engines, making it a piece of cake to find and add high-quality visuals that enhance the overall look and feel of your presentation.

However,if you’re looking for advanced features like complex animations or interactive elements, you might not find them here. While the clean and minimalist templates are gorgeous, they don’t offer as much flexibility for customization.

Educators, individuals and professionals who appreciate the power of visual storytelling and minimalist design.

Image-focused templates, easy-to-use interface, cloud-based collaboration and seamless image search integration.

Haiku Deck offers a free trial that allows you to experience the software with one presentation. If you decide to upgrade, they have different pricing plans available. Additionally, Haiku Deck also offers special pricing to qualifying nonprofit organizations, students and educators.

The Pro plans are available at $9.99 per month with annual billing or $19.99 per month with monthly billing. For those seeking advanced features, the Premium plans are priced at $29.99 per month.

best program to make a business presentation

Source: Screenshot from Ludus

Ludus brings together the best of both worlds by offering the traditional slide deck format along with interactive and multimedia elements that take presentations to a whole new level.

The presentation software is rich in multimedia capabilities, allowing users to seamlessly integrate videos, audio and elements to create interactive presentations that captivate the audience.

Ludus offers unique presentation tools that enable users to incorporate interactive elements like clickable buttons, hover effects and embedded web content, enabling a more dynamic and engaging presentation experience. 

This makes Ludus a great choice for designers, creatives, marketing professionals, and anyone who wants to create interactive and visually appealing presentations that leave a lasting impression. Collaboration is another area where Ludus excels. The software offers collaborative editing, allowing multiple users to edit presentations simultaneously. 

However, it’s worth mentioning that Ludus has relatively limited templates compared to some other presentation software options. While the customization options are vast, users might find themselves starting from scratch or investing more time in creating the initial design. Additionally, for individuals new to the platform, there might be a learning curve involved in fully harnessing all of Ludus’ features and capabilities.

Designers, creatives, marketing professionals and anyone looking for interactive and visually appealing presentations.

Interactive and multimedia elements, collaborative editing, extensive design customization, real-time comments and feedback.

Ludus offers a starting price of $14.99 USD/month per user for teams consisting of 1-15 members with all features included. For larger teams requiring additional licenses, Ludus encourages reaching out for more information on pricing. It’s worth noting that Ludus provides a 30-day free trial, allowing users to explore the platform and its features before committing to a subscription.

10. Slidebean

Slidebean

Source: Screenshot from Slidebean

Slidebean offers a unique approach to slide design by automating the process and simplifying the creation of well-designed presentations. With its automation features, Slidebean streamlines the design process, saving users valuable time and effort.

The highlight of Slidebean is its automated slide design functionality. Using artificial intelligence (AI), the software generates visually appealing slide layouts based on the content provided. Slidebean also offers collaboration options, allowing multiple team members to work on a presentation simultaneously. 

Another advantage of Slidebean is its AI-powered content suggestions. The software intelligently analyzes the presentation content and provides helpful suggestions for improving the messaging and overall flow. This feature ensures that users can effectively communicate their ideas and engage their audience. 

Unlike Ludus, Slidebean may not cater to users who prefer extensive customization and control over their slide layouts. Certain advanced features are only available in premium plans, which may require an upgrade for those seeking more advanced functionality.

Startups, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and individuals who want to create polished presentations quickly.

Automated design, content suggestions, collaboration tools and pitch deck-specific templates.

The free version offers limited functionalities, but it provides a sufficient opportunity to experience Slidebean’s capabilities and understand its workflow. However, to export your presentation and access advanced features, upgrading to a higher plan is necessary. 

The all-access plan is available at $228 USD/year, while additional services such as startup expert consultations and pitch deck and financial model services are available for separate purchase. 

11. Beautiful.ai

Beautiful.ai

Source: Screenshot from Beautiful.ai

Beautiful.ai aims to simplify the process of creating visually stunning and professional-looking slides with minimal effort. One of the notable strengths of the presentation software is its collection of smart templates and design suggestions. 

Their templates are intelligently designed to provide visually appealing layouts, saving users valuable time and effort in creating presentations. Unlike other types of presentation software, the platform leverages AI-powered technology to offer layout optimization, ensuring that slide elements are positioned optimally for maximum impact.

Beautiful.ai also offers time-saving features that streamline the presentation creation process. The software automatically adjusts the layout and formatting as users add or modify content, eliminating the need for manual adjustments. 

As the software provides smart templates and design suggestions, customization options may be somewhat limited. Users may find that certain design elements or layout adjustments are not as flexible as they would like. 

Individuals, startups and professionals who want visually impressive presentations without extensive design skills.

Smart templates, automated design suggestions, AI-powered layout optimization and easy slide customization.

Beautiful.ai provides two subscription options for users. The Pro plan is available at a monthly cost of $12 USD /month, while the Team plan is priced at $40 USD/month. Both plans are billed annually. You can also subscribe to the monthly subscription for ad hoc projects and gain access to all pro features for $45 USD/month (billed monthly). 

There is a 14-day free trial period that allows users to thoroughly test and explore the features and capabilities of the tool before committing to a subscription.

Pitch

Source: Screenshot from Pitch

Pitch is a modern video presentation maker that stands out with its collaborative and iterative approach to presentation creation.

One of the key strengths of Pitch lies in its collaborative features. The presentation software provides robust collaboration tools that allow team members to work together in real-time. This makes it easy for users to collaborate on presentation content, provide feedback and make revisions collectively.

Pitch boasts an extensive slide library, offering a wide range of professionally designed templates to choose from. These templates serve as a foundation for creating visually stunning presentations while providing a starting point that saves time and ensures a polished look.

The availability of diverse templates caters to different industries, topics and presentation styles, allowing users to create presentations for their needs.

Seamless integration with project management tools is another advantage of Pitch. The software integrates well with popular project management platforms, enabling users to streamline their workflow by syncing tasks, deadlines and other project-related information with their presentations. 

For teams, startups and businesses that value collaboration, feedback and the ability to iterate on their presentations

Collaboration tools, version control, project management integration and template library.

Users can create unlimited presentations and enjoy the starter plan for free or upgrade to Pro for $8 USD/month, billed annually. 

There you have it — the top 12 best presentation tools for the year! Whether you value simplicity, collaboration, automation, design versatility or data visualization, these presentation software examples have a solution out there for your future presentations.

Got your mind set on your to-go presentation software? Great! Now it’s time to start creating your slides and ace that presentation. 

25 Tools for Creating and Delivering Amazing Presentations

Fergal Glynn

Updated: August 10, 2022

Published: November 10, 2020

If you're in business, you need to know how to create captivating presentations. Whether you're trying to convince your boss to support a new campaign, talking with a prospect to close a deal, or building a new piece of marketing collateral, you need to know how craft a presentation that won't put people to sleep.

best program to make a business presentation

The best (and easiest) way to do that? Use the right tools to create and deliver your presentation.

→ Free Download: 10 PowerPoint Presentation Templates [Access Now]

If you're not sure which tools to use, look no further than this blog post. We’ve compiled our list of the top presentation tools for sales and marketing professionals. They’re listed below, in no particular order. But first ...

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Best Presentation Tools

best presentation software: canva

Canva makes design easy -- even for marketers and salespeople who feel like they're design-challenged. The platform gives you a bunch of presentation templates to use right away, and it's very easy to customize them to your organization and presentation objective. Plus, a variety of apps that integrate with Google Drive, Instagram, and YouTube, to name a few.

Pricing : Free; Pro, $12.95/month for up to five people; Enterprise, $30/month per person

best presentation software: powtoon

Often, being different is what attracts prospects, and Powtoon can help you do that in your presentations. Powtoon’s animation software lets you easily create videos with props, characters, and more -- which can help you differentiate your company when talking with prospects.

Pricing : Pro, $19/month; Pro+ $49/month; Agency, $89/month

3. PowerPoint

best presentation software: powerpoint

For years, PowerPoint has been the standard in presentation software, but it hasn’t remained static. PowerPoint is full of features to make sales and marketing presentations dynamic and engaging. ( Here are just a few ways you can do that .)

Pricing : Business Basic, $5/user/month; Business Standard, $12.50/user/month; Business Premium, $20/user/month

4. Slidesgo

best program to make a business presentation

Slidesgo is your creative companion in the world of presentation design. This website specializes in crafting visually stunning Google Slides and PowerPoint templates that breathe life into your ideas, making them shine on any screen. With a wide variety of templates ranging from business and marketing to medicine and education, Slidesgo empowers presenters of all backgrounds to engage, educate, and inspire their audiences.

Pricing: Free plan, $0; Premium, $4.99; Education, $2.99

best presentation software: oomfo

A PowerPoint add-in, Oomfo helps sales and marketing pros create those oh-so-important interactive charts for presentations. Specialized charts, live charts from multiple files, data from cloud applications, interactive options, one-click conversions -- it’s all possible, and more, with Oomfo.

Pricing: Free

best presentation software: keynote

Apple’s Keynote allows users to work between their Mac and iOS devices, as well as with people who use Microsoft PowerPoint. With easy-to-use visual tools, drag and drop functionality, interactive charts, and more, Keynote is a popular choice among sales and marketing professionals.

Pricing : Free

7. SlideModel

best presentation software: slidemodel

SlideModel contains thousands of ready-made and 100% editable presentation templates to help any presenter save time creating engaging and aesthetically pleasing presentations. Their collection of presentation templates covers a variety of business purposes and even gets updated periodically to add new business and education templates. You can find a collection of visually appealing slides on the site including dashboards, creative infographics, editable Maps, funnels, timelines, mindmaps, and presentation slides depending on the need of your presentation. Their slides templates are easy to edit and are compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides.

Pricing :  Free plan, $0; One-Day Access, $24.50; Annual Unlimited, $199.90/year

8. Beautiful.ai

best presentation software: beautiful.ai

Create beautiful slides, pitches, and proposals without a team of designers. AI applies design rules in real time, and a library of free photos and icons are at your fingertips.

Pricing : Basic, $0; Pro, $12/month; Team, $38/user/month

9. Haiku Deck

best presentation software: haiku deck

Available for the web or iPad, Haiku Deck has become a favorite of sales and marketing pros. With Haiku Deck, professionals can quickly create presentations that can be "easily projected, shared, posted, embedded on a website or blog, or viewed on any web-enabled device." Though it's another tool that helps you create presentations from scratch, its ease-of-use sets it apart from the rest.

Pricing : Pro, $9.99 - $19.99/month; Premium, $29.99/month

best presentation software: vyond

Vyond is an online animation software that allows you to create animated videos for marketing campaigns, sales enablement, or even human resources. Use their library of customizable templates or create your own from scratch.

Pricing : Essential, $229/year; Premium, $649/year; Professional, $999/user/year; Enterprise, contact for pricing

11. Storydoc

best presentation software: storydoc

With templates for all the most popular business use cases, Storydoc is an interactive presentation maker built to help sales teams and marketing professionals engage more prospects and boost conversion rates. 

You can create amazing and engaging decks where you can embed video and social media content to tell your story the right way. Then, integrate your CRM into Storydoc decks, as well as calendars, sign-up forms, and other solutions that will make your presentation. Additionally, you have access to Storydoc's tracking analytics which shows who viewed your presentation and which components they interacted with the most. 

Pricing :  Free trial 14 days); Starter Plan, $40/month

best presentation software: emaze

Busy sales and marketing pros choose emaze because it makes creating amazing presentations quick and easy. The options abound with emaze: Choose a professionally designed template and then create a slideshow, video presentation , or 3D presentation.

Pricing : Business Plan, contact for pricing; Executive Plan, $40/month; Pro Plan, $13/month

13. Camtasia

best presentation software: camtasia

TechSmith’s Camtasia is an amazing tool that helps you create professional videos. You can record screen movements, import HD video from another source, customize and edit the video, and then share the completed video presentation on practically any device. 

Pricing : Individual, $249.99/user/year; Business $249.99/user/year; Education, $169.99/user/year; Government and Non-Profit, $223.99/user/year

14. SlideShare

best presentation software: slideshare

SlideShare is a popular choice for sales and marketing professionals looking for a way to share their content publicly. Because it already has a built-in audience, you can easily distribute your presentation out to lots of people -- and those people can embed your SlideShares on websites and blogs, or share them on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

15. SlideDog

best presentation software: slidedog

Sometimes, sales and marketing professionals need to be able to move between presentation tools, but it’s not always possible because of their technical limitations. SlideDog is the solution, as it enables users to switch between PowerPoint, Prezi, PDF, web pages and others.

Pricing : Free; Pro, $99/year; Pro Event, $49 for one-time payment

16. Presentation Assistant

best presentation software: presentation assistant

Presentation Assistant lives up to its name: It assists professionals by enabling them to annotate, zoom, and more during a presentation. Sales and marketing professionals can clarify and emphasize points more clearly to their audience with Presentation Assistant.

Pricing : Presentation Pointer, $29.95; Presentation Screen Master, $29.95

17. authorSTREAM

best presentation software: authorstream

Sales and marketing pros choose authorSTREAM to make their presentations dynamic and engaging. authorSTREAM allows users to share their PowerPoint presentations publicly or privately, broadcast them, convert them to video, communicate and collaborate about them, and more.

Pricing: Free or paid plans start at $4.20/month

18. Zentation

best presentation software: zentation

With Zentation, salespeople and marketers combine video and slides into a simulated live experience. Presentations created with Zentation become webinars, webcasts, and virtual events for prospects and customers -- all great collateral for marketing and sales.

Pricing : Free; Premium, $10 - $45/month; White-Label, contact for pricing

best presentation software: prezi

Sales and marketing professionals love Prezi because it is cloud-based. Prezi makes creating, editing, and presenting from your browser, desktop, iPad, or iPhone possible anywhere, any time.

Pricing : Standard, $5/month; Plus, $15/month; Premium, $59/month

20. Brainshark

best presentation software: brainshark

Sales reps and marketers often choose Brainshark, a cloud-based presentation tool, because it allows them to create and deliver presentations live or on-demand (even using their iPad or iPhone), use on-demand video content, polls, or surveys for increased engagement, and embed presentations in websites and blogs.

Pricing : Contact for pricing

best presentation software: vcasmo

Vcasmo is a unique presentation tool -- it's a multimedia solution that enables users to synchronize a video and slideshow, side by side. Sales and marketing pros love Vcasmo because it supports playback in three forms: browser, mobile, and iPad. 

Pricing : Free; Standard, $10.99/month; Professional, $16.99/month

22. ViewletBuilder

best presentation software: viewlet builder

ViewletBuilder is a different presentation tool; it captures critical screen updates and cursor position changes so sales and marketing pros can create presentations detailing how their product or sites work. With a plethora of features, ViewletBuilder allows for editing and enhancing and includes a variety of publishing and sharing options, too.

Pricing : Pro, $399; Enterprise, $599

23. Zoho Show

best presentation software: Zoho show

Zoho Show is a top pick for sales and marketing pros because it lives online, making it possible to create, access, present, and more from anywhere, any time. The simple, intuitive interface and collaboration features are just two of its beloved benefits.

24. AhaSlides

best presentation software: ahaslides

Pricing : Free; Essential, $4.95/month; Pro, $15.95/month; Annual, Monthly & One-time plans available.

Visme is an all-in-one content creation platform with a vast library of professionally designed presentation templates, each tailored to your industry and specific proposal needs. Its beginner-friendly design platform allows you to drag and drop elements into place, use dynamic fields to update all your content in one place instantaneously and integrate your tools like Hubspot or Salesforce, and more to personalize each presentation.

Pricing: Free, Starter: $12.25/month, billed yearly, Pro: $30/month, billed yearly, Visme for Teams & Enterprises.

What are you waiting for? Pick a tool and start creating. Your prospects are waiting.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in October 2014 and has been updated for freshness and comprehensiveness.

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The 11 Best Presentation Software to Use in 2023

The ability to effectively share ideas, illustrate a concept, and convince an audience is invaluable whether you’re a student or a C-level executive. These days, the presentation software you use to create presentations is just as important as your public-speaking skills.

On top of that, most companies have transitioned to remote work recently due to the current coronavirus situation, and now need to share their stories online through a virtual conference room with their distributed teams and external audience members.

That’s why we’ve come up with a list of some of the best presentation software available right now, so you can choose a compatible and innovative presentation maker that includes the best presentation tools to suit your specific needs.

Choose the best presentation software by weighing the pros and cons

You’ll see some of the most popular presentation apps: from free to paid subscription platforms, and slideshow applications to full-blown visual design presentation software with interactive features and more.

Each presentation software has its pros and cons, so it’s up to you to figure out which suits your needs best; consider the software learning curve, whether your company is made up of Mac users or Windows users and the software compatibility, if you need an enterprise account or free account, etc.

Let’s dive in!

1. Piktochart

presentation software piktochart, best presentation software

Piktochart is a presentation software that can create a variety of design visuals, from infographics to social media stories.

An area in which Piktochart shines is crafting unique presentations. 

On Piktochart, users can choose from a wide range of professionally-designed presentation templates .

These custom templates include everything from monthly marketing reports to employee onboarding templates.

This broad selection of customizable templates is especially useful for those who don’t have much design experience or know-how but need to create a visually stunning unique presentation in a pinch. 

Piktochart’s presentation maker also makes it easy to edit presentations and include design elements such as lists, timelines, comparisons, graphs, and different types of charts through drag-and-drop tools.

You can even make visual maps and interactive charts to keep your audience engaged throughout your presentation. 

And if your company uses a Piktochart TEAM plan , you can enjoy the platform’s ability to store brand assets , color schemes, and bespoke templates. Here, replicating company-branded visuals is a breeze. 

Piktochart comes with a free version but with certain limitations. Active visuals are capped at five per month and published visuals have a Piktochart watermark.

If you want features such as team template collaboration, project sharing, and annotated commenting, you’ll have to get a Team account. To sum it up:

  • Lots of professionally-designed templates 
  • Good for both design professionals and non-professionals 
  • Easy to store brand assets and bespoke templates for future presentations
  • Access presentation tools from anywhere via a web browser
  • Free presentation app version available
  • Might take some getting used to if you’re used to PowerPoint presentations

Present and collaborate with ease using Piktochart’s presentation templates.

You don’t have to worry about how your presentation will look like. Piktochart’s easy-to-edit templates will take care of the visual aspect for you.

visual content maker, online presentation maker, slideshow online with Piktochart

2. Microsoft PowerPoint

microsoft powerpoint, powerpoint presentation

Microsoft PowerPoint is often the first presentation software that comes to mind.

Once considered the “O.G.” and best presentation software available, it is still widely used and has a familiar interface—which means most users are comfortable with it. 

This presentation app has everything you need to create a presentation: from animated transitions for interactive presentations to pre-installed fonts and graphic elements.

Users can also upload their own fonts, graphics, and images into their finished presentation.

Lastly, it’s available as part of the Microsoft Office software package; and you can work on your presentations via the web and mobile devices, for offline viewing as well as online. 

However, PowerPoint is no longer considered the best presentation software, as it has very few templates to choose from, and these tend to fall quite flat compared to modern apps and software.

It’s easy to fall back into boring slideshow PowerPoint files if you don’t know what you’re doing.

And because most people use PowerPoint, you’re likely using the same template as the next guy. 

As standalone presentation software, PowerPoint is pricey at US$139.99—and accessible through only one device unless you upgrade your package.

And while PowerPoint is primarily a slideshow application and presentation maker, its strengths are limited to this category. 

So if you’re looking for the best presentation software, and bang for your buck for a robust presentation tool, you might want to look elsewhere. 

  • Market leader in slideshow applications to create slides
  • Widely used and familiar interface for the presentation process
  • Reliable and usable on most devices as well as being a desktop app
  • Flat templates
  • Limitations with its standalone-presentation software price

3. Google Slides

google slides, presentation software example

Google Slides is a slideshow application that is very similar to PowerPoint.  But there are three main differences: it’s fully online (while also allowing for offline viewing), collaborative, and free. 

The great thing about Google Slides (besides the fact that it’s completely free for anyone with a Google account) is that you can log on via your browser or through its official app. 

You can access all Google Slides presentations from any device (mobile, tablet, and desktop), and share them with other people so you can collaborate in real-time. 

Google Drive allows all your presentations to live on the cloud, accessible to all marketing and sales teams, with unparalleled ease of use.

And there’s no need to worry about disruptions as all changes are saved as they happen, as long as you have an active internet connection. 

Additionally, anyone familiar with PowerPoint will be comfortable using Google’s iteration and likely be delighted by Google Drive and the slide library available. 

It’s also a lot simpler, so even those new to presentation-making will find it easy to navigate. 

However, some might find Google Slides too simple as it lacks the wealth of features available on PowerPoint. 

These include embedding videos from sources other than YouTube, plus adding audio tracks and sound effects, limiting the ability to create unique interactive presentations. 

Some users also encounter issues with downloading and exporting to different formats, including PowerPoint. 

Some slides may even turn out completely different from the original version. 

All in all, Google Slides is a great option for those who are looking for a free application and only need to create simple presentations. 

  • The free plan supports professional presentations
  • Web-based and collaborative to create presentations
  • Simple and familiar interface for an online presentation software
  • Too simple for advanced presentation making
  • Difficult to export to other formats
  • Limited templates and customization options for interactive content

keynote, keynote presentations

You could say Keynote is Apple’s version of PowerPoint. It’s also a slideshow application—but in typical Apple fashion, it comes with a sleek, minimalist interface and is considered one of the best presentation apps on the market. 

There are 30 different themes to choose from, which serve as templates for those who need a quick fix. And it can do most of what PowerPoint can. 

Keynote’s main perk is that it’s part of the Apple ecosystem. 

That means it has built-in iCloud and Apple Watch support so users can control their presentation from their mobile device or even their wrists with just a click. 

This presentation app comes pre-installed on most Mac devices. Otherwise, you can purchase it from the Apple store for just US$9.99 for mobile and US$19.99 for OS X. 

The big downside is that Keynote is exclusive to Mac OS. 

Non-Apple users can create, upload, and sync their own Keynote presentations through their iCloud Drive, but this presentation app is only truly helpful only for those who use multiple Apple devices. 

And if you’re used to working on PowerPoint, you might find Keynote a bit confusing in the beginning, especially when editing presentations. 

  • Sleek, minimalist interface 
  • Free with most Apple devices
  • No access for PC and Android devices except through iCloud

5. SlideDog

Sliding away from straightforward slideshow applications and other presentation apps, SlideDog is a web-based multimedia presentation tool that lets users combine different types of media to create and edit presentations. 

This includes everything from PowerPoint decks to videos and even PDFs that can all be played side by side without any awkward transitions. 

It’s also extremely easy to customize a SlideDog presentation. 

You just need to upload the files into the SlideDog web browser application, and then drag and drop them according to the order in which you want them to play. 

You can control your presentations and playlists from another device, and audience members can view your slideshow on their devices by clicking a link. 

SlideDog has a free presentation app version that provides all of the basic features. 

However, live sharing and premium support are only available with a Pro account that costs US$99 per year, and not via the free version alone.

While SlideDog is technically considered presentation software, you can’t actually create presentations on it. 

You can simply stitch together different pre-made presentations in various formats into what is essentially a playlist. 

Lastly, SlideDog supports only Windows devices, so Apple and Linux users can’t use it. 

  • Supports a lot of different media
  • Provides live-sharing
  • More dynamic compared to the usual slideshow presentation
  • Only collates media; doesn’t create them

6. Haiku Deck 

haiku deck, presentation software example

Ever come across presentations with size-eight fonts and blocks of indecipherable paragraphs on each slide? 

You can avoid such an unfortunate scenario with Haiku Deck. 

HaikuDeck is a web and mobile application that favors images over text. 

It works by limiting the number of words users can put on each slide, and allowing them to search for images on their platform related to the slide’s main idea. 

This makes it ideal for those who want to simplify their thoughts and let the images do all the talking. 

Users have over 40 million royalty-free photos to choose from, plus dozens of simple slide layouts on the platform itself. 

While this certainly simplifies the process of creating a visually rich presentation, it can be limiting for those who need to include more information into their slides. 

It’s a great option for someone giving a TED Talk, for example.

But for others who need to pass on more facts and figures, having a built-in word limit might be too restrictive.  

  • Simple and easy to use 
  • Access to millions of royalty-free stock images
  • May be too simple for some
  • No Android support
  • Limited features

7. Prezi Business

prezi business, business presentation software

Among the other presentation software on this list, Prezi Business might be one of the most unique presentation tools. 

Rather than offering a regular slideshow format, Prezi looks more like a 3D interactive mind map where viewers jump dynamically from one idea to the next. 

You can zoom in on one “slide” and then zoom out for the next. 

Prezi has over 100 templates to choose from and comes with a very simple interface and a drag-and-drop style of editing. 

It’s compatible with both Mac and PC desktops as well as smartphones. 

It’s also similar to a regular PowerPoint deck in that you can jump back and forth from one “slide” to the next. 

And like SlideDog, you can send viewers the link to the presentation as you’re presenting. 

Also, up to 10 people can work on a Prezi presentation at the same time, one of its main selling points. 

This is great for collaboration, but having so many hands-on deck at once can get messy. 

  • Dynamic and immersive presentations
  • Highly visual
  • Easy to use
  • May not be appropriate for all types of presentations

screenshot of ludus presentation software

In a world of slides and presentations, standing out is the key. Ludus brings the flair of graphic design into the world of presentations.

At its core, Ludus is the bridge between presentation tools and design software. It enables users to infuse their slides with the kind of design elements you’d typically find in advanced design platforms.

Not only can you import assets from design giants like Adobe, but its seamless integration with tools like Unsplash and Giphy makes sourcing visuals a breeze.

It’s a fairly affordable tool for all its features compared to the other paid options in this list, as users pay 12.49 euros monthly (if billed annually).

However, while Ludus’ robust design capabilities can elevate the look of your presentation, those unfamiliar with design tools might find there’s a learning curve.

  • Merges presentation creation with advanced design tools.
  • Seamless integration with popular design platforms and visual databases.
  • Offers a unique edge in presentation aesthetics.
  • Might be a tad overwhelming for non-designers
  • Can have a steeper learning curve for those used to more straightforward platforms

9. Slidebean

screenshot of slidebean presentation software

Crafting a compelling presentation demands not only compelling content but also a design that can captivate your audience. Enter Slidebean.

Slidebean offers an intelligent design solution, using AI to transform raw content into professionally styled presentations. This platform streamlines the design process, allowing you to focus on the message rather than fretting over aesthetics.

The basic plan is free and allows you to create a presentation. But if you want to share or download your presentations, as well as unlock the full suite of features, you’ll need to sign up for the All-Access plan priced at $199 per year.

While it provides a quick and efficient method to produce polished slides, it also offers features for sharing, collaboration, and viewer analytics, adding an edge to your presentation strategy.

However, for professionals who prioritize granular design control, the automated design might feel limiting at times.

  • AI-driven design ensures visually appealing presentations.
  • Features for collaboration and viewer insights.
  • Efficient design process reduces time and effort.
  • Might not offer the detailed design customization some users desire.
  • Automated choices may not always align with specific branding or style preferences.

10. ClearSlide

screenshot of clearslide presentation software

Having great visuals to drive your point home can be the difference between getting a sale across the line or customers walking away. ClearSlide stands out in this area as a presentation tool for businesses laser-focused on boosting their sales and marketing game.

At its core, ClearSlide is all about leveling up business presentations. Whether you’re marketing a new product or tracking client engagement, it’s got tools that cater to every need.

Whether it’s a PowerPoint, a PDF, or something from Google Drive or Dropbox, ClearSlide makes it simple to upload and work with these files.

The unique edge? ClearSlide’s virtual meeting space pops open with just a click. It’s all about seamless, professional presentations without the hassle.

Beyond just slides, the platform dives deep into metrics and analytics, ensuring every presentation is backed by data-driven insights. And the tool is available for $35 per month, which isn’t too pricey for medium-sized businesses.

However, its complexity isn’t for everyone. For some, the variety of features might seem a tad overwhelming, and its focus on metrics might be a bit much for those just wanting a basic presentation tool.

  • Seamless virtual meetings and presentations
  • Integrates with popular platforms
  • Offers insightful analytics for sales and marketing
  • Might feel complex for some users
  • Limited transition and design effects
  • Mobile experience could be better

screenshot of vyond presentation software

Stepping into the world of animation, Vyond, once known as GoAnimate, allows users to turn their narratives into professional animated videos. For those looking to elevate their content without diving deep into animation complexities, Vyond can be the go-to tool.

This platform is more than just drag-and-drop animations. It integrates AI capabilities with Vyond Go, which transforms text prompts into rough-cut videos.

Fancy a quick draft for your upcoming project? This AI assistant is up for the task. And if perfection is your game, take it to Vyond Studio, filled with an array of characters, templates, and backgrounds.

The Essential Plan at $25 per month is suitable for individuals on a budget. However, if you want to export videos at 1080p and above, have collaboration tools, or different export options, you’ll need to sign up for the Professional Plan at $92 per month.

As robust as the tool is, there are still some kinks to iron out. AI voiceovers might still need some tweaks, and detailed color customizations can be a bit tricky, but the tool’s strengths, especially for businesses, are undeniable.

  • Hassle-free video creation for beginners to experts
  • Generous library of pre-made assets
  • AI-powered video and script creation with Vyond Go
  • AI voiceovers might feel a bit robotic
  • Some customization limitations for specific props and scenes

The best presentation software is…

 …completely up to you! 

When it comes to presentation software, the world is your oyster. 

Each of these tools either has a free or trial version for you to check out, so you don’t have to commit just yet. 

When it’s time to choose, consider the following aspects to find the right presentation software for you: 

  • Ease of use. Is it easy for you to understand or will it require lots of training before you can start creating presentations? 
  • Accessibility. Can you access your presentation software from any device or are you limited to carrying your laptop to every presentation? 
  • Real-time collaboration. Can multiple people work on the same project or do you have to keep downloading and emailing drafts? 
  • Create design tools. Can you create presentations with dynamic design elements or are you stuck with the same kind of slide each time? 
  • Template availability. Is this tool only accessible to a design professional or can anyone create stunning presentations through pre-designed and updated templates? 
Piktochart , for example, would be a fantastic presentation software choice among the long list of PowerPoint alternatives for teams looking for a variety of eye-catching designs without requiring much technical know-how. Meanwhile, Microsoft PowerPoint might be the best presentation software for those who are just looking to play it safe. 

Hopefully, this best presentation software list sheds some light on the tools at your disposal. Choose wisely! 

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Robin Geuens is a writer turned SEO specialist. When he's not wondering what Google is up to next he's either reading, taking courses, playing video games, or wondering where to travel to next.

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24 Best Presentation Software Tools in 2024

You found our list of the best  presentation software.

Presentation software allows users to create, edit, and display slideshows or presentations. For example, PowerPoint, Prezi, and Google Slides are all types of presentation software. The purpose of these tools is to help workers share ideas and information in a visually engaging way. These tools are also known as “presentation software for work” and “business presentation software.”

These presentation software are similar to team building PowerPoint topics , team meeting ideas , and all hands meeting ideas .

This list includes:

  • presentation software for work
  • top presentation software
  • animated presentation software
  • best software for presentations
  • business presentation software
  • cloud-based presentation software

Let’s get to it!

List of presentation software

From PowerPoint to Slidecamp, here is our list of the best software for office presentations.

1. PowerPoint

PowerPoint, developed by Microsoft, is the industry standard for presentation software. Folks love the platform’s easy-to-use interface. PowerPoint allows users to create visually appealing presentations by adding text, images, videos, and graphs. With various templates and customization options, PowerPoint encourages effective communication. Plus, this software’s compatibility with other Microsoft products makes for an efficient workflow.

Learn more about PowerPoint .

Prezi is an animated presentation software known for its dynamic approach. Unlike typical slide-based tools, Prezi lets you create interactive presentations. This format makes presentations more engaging for your audience. The zooming and panning effects help highlight important points and connections between ideas. Additionally, Prezi is cloud-based, making collaboration and sharing presentations easy. The site’s flexibility and visual impact make it a valuable tool for creating memorable presentations.

Learn more about Prezi .

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3. Google Slides

Google Slides is a popular presentation software developed by Google. The cloud-based platform allows for collaborative work. Multiple users can edit and comment in real time. This tool supports multimedia content, simplifies sharing, and offers professional templates. Notably, Google Slides is fully integratable with other Google applications like Docs and Sheets. Slides is a comprehensive cloud-based presentation software for many businesses.

Learn more about Google Slides .

Keynote is Apple’s answer to PowerPoint, known for its elegant interface and beautiful templates. Keynote offers several tools for easily making presentations. Unique features set Keynote apart, such as “Magic Move” for smooth transitions and the ability to work offline. Suitable for both beginners and design experts, Keynote is exclusive to Apple devices.

Learn more about Keynote .

5. Zoho Show

Zoho Show helps users make attractive slideshows easily. The program has a simple interface and various templates to express ideas. Presenters become dynamic with features like slide transitions, animations, and adding multimedia. Zoho Show stands out for its teamwork features, letting multiple users work on a presentation together. This collaboration makes editing smoother and more efficient. Overall, Zoho Show is a great tool for making professional presentations with ease.

Learn more about Zoho Show .

Visme blends convenience and professionalism to create great presentations. Ideal for students, teachers, and business professionals, the site offers several customizable presentation templates. Users can add interactivity, analyze data, collaborate in real time, and share or download presentations. Visme’s interface makes creation easy. This program is an excellent choice for those looking for quality, flexibility, and user-friendly design tools.

Learn more about Visme .

Canva offers an easy-to-use interface, making it a favorite among presentation software for work. This site’s library of templates, images, and icons provides endless customization options. Beyond its basic free version, Canva also offers premium features for a subscription cost. Despite its expansive offerings, it maintains a user-friendly interface.

Learn more about Canva .

Emaze is an impressive business presentation software suite that is ideal for professionals and students alike. The program’s varied features set it apart, such as 3D slides, video backgrounds, and analytic tools. Emaze supports multiple formats for importing presentations, making it a versatile choice. With a large library of templates and a user-friendly interface, creating engaging presentations becomes easy. Moreover, you can share projects with teams in real time, fostering collaboration.

Learn more about Emaze .

9. Slidedog

Slidedog is an advanced presentation tool developed for seamless slide shows. The site integrates resources from various formats like PDF, Prezi, images, or even web pages. This feature makes Slidedog a one-stop solution for presenters. Workers will love the program’s user-friendly interface and dual-screen functionality. With this feature, the presenter can see both the current and upcoming slides. Slidedog elevates every presentation, ensuring an engaging and professional delivery.

Learn more about Slidedog .

10. Haiku Deck

Haiku Deck allows you to showcase your ideas in a creative and visually appealing way. Employees can easily make engaging presentations with a simple user interface and high-quality images. The software offers various templates and themes for customization. Furthermore, Haiku Deck includes built-in tools for adding text, charts, and graphs, making it versatile for professionals in any field. In summary, Haiku Deck simplifies the process of making impactful and interesting presentations.

Learn more about Haiku Deck .

11. Animaker

Animaker helps users create captivating and dynamic presentations. The site’s user-friendly interface and wide template selection allow teams to easily bring their ideas to life. Animaker offers the necessary tools and features to engage your audience. You can benefit from animated characters, text effects, customized transitions, and audio integration. This software offers several possibilities for creating visually stunning presentations. With Animaker, you can elevate your presentations and make a lasting impact on your viewers.

Learn more about Animaker .

12. Renderforest

Renderforest helps with storytelling in presentations. Advanced design tools encourage users’ creativity. The site simplifies complex data into simple visuals, making your presentations more engaging. Tailored templates suit various industry needs. Also, Renderforest provides branding opportunities, allowing you to incorporate logos promoting business identity. This site is among the best software for presentations.

Learn more about Renderforest .

13. PowToon

PowToon helps users create captivating and animated presentations. This interface is user friendly, and it has a large collection of templates, animations, and characters. With PowToon, designing visually appealing presentations is simple. PowToon offers various features to enhance your content. This software allows you to engage your audience with customizable slide transitions to interactive elements. PowToon can take your presentations to new heights!

Learn more about PowToon .

14. Genially

Genially helps teams create interactive and captivating presentations. The site offers a wide range of templates and design tools, making it easy to customize your work. Genially turns ordinary presentations into engaging visuals. Further, the program supports collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same project at once. Notably, Genially has embedded analytics, providing valuable feedback on viewer engagement.

Learn more about Genially .

15. Pitcherific

Pitcherific is a presentation software that helps you polish your public speaking skills. The site offers templates for different types of pitches. You can customize each presentation according to your requirements. The interface is user friendly and provides real-time feedback on your performance. Additionally, the program offers tips and suggestions to improve your presentation. Pitcherific is an essential tool for preparing effective pitches.

Learn more about Pitcherific .

Ludus is a unique cloud-based presentation software. This professional and innovative toolset lets you incorporate design elements from popular tools like Sketch and Illustrator. With the ability to add media from YouTube and Vimeo, Ludus lets users create engaging presentations. Slides are highly customizable and perfect for design-savvy teams.

Learn more about Ludus .

17. Slidecamp

Slidecamp is among the top presentation software that helps teams create beautiful presentations. The program’s interface and templates make it simple for individuals to design professional presentations. Users can add text, images, charts, and videos to their slides. Additionally, the software offers collaboration features that allow multiple team members to work on a presentation at once. Slidecamp provides the tools to engage your audience and deliver an unforgettable presentation.

Learn more about Slidecamp .

18. Beautiful.AI

Beautiful.AI is a presentation software that helps you make stylish slideshows easily. The program has several features to make your presentations look great. With Beautiful.AI, you can choose from different templates and themes to give your slides a professional look. The site also helps you arrange your content neatly. You can add pictures, charts, and icons to make your points clear and engaging. Plus, the site is easy to use, even if you are not a design expert. With Beautiful.AI, you can create impressive presentations without a lot of hassle.

Learn more about Beautiful.AI .

19. Focusky

Focusky is a presentation software that helps users create dynamic presentations. The site features zooming and panning effects to keep viewers engaged. With Focusky, users can add text, images, videos, and animations to their slides. These features create visually appealing presentations. The software offers a variety of templates and themes to choose from. Plus, firms can enjoy customization options for fonts, colors, and backgrounds. Focusky also allows users to present their slides online or offline, making it convenient for sharing and collaborating with others.

Learn more about Focusky .

20. FlowVella

FlowVella is a software designed to create interactive presentations. In addition, these presentations work seamlessly across different devices. With FlowVella, users can add multimedia elements such as images, videos, and audio to their slides. These effects create engaging presentations. The software offers features such as touch navigation, embedded links, and interactive hotspots. FlowVella also provides analytics tracking to monitor presentation effectiveness.

Learn more about FlowVella .

23. LibreOffice Impress

LibreOffice Impress is a free and open-source presentation software. This program is included in the LibreOffice suite. With LibreOffice Impress, users can create slideshows with text, images, charts, graphs, and multimedia elements. The program offers a range of features for designing and formatting slides. Folks will enjoy using slide transitions, animations, and drawing tools. LibreOffice Impress also supports compatibility with Microsoft PowerPoint files. This feature makes it easy to collaborate with users of other presentation software.

Learn more about LibreOffice Impress .

24. Decktopus

Decktopus is an AI-powered presentation software. Users can create professional-looking presentations quickly and easily. With Decktopus, folks can choose from a variety of smart slide templates tailored to their presentation topic and style. The software offers content suggestions, design guidance, and customizable layouts. These features streamline the presentation creation process. Decktopus also provides real-time collaboration and sharing features. Teams can easily work together on presentations.

Learn more about Decktopus .

Tips for making workplace presentations

Making engaging presentations helps convey information and keep viewers entertained.

Here are some tips for designing effective slideshows:

1. Start with a Strong Title Slide

A visually appealing title slide can capture your audience’s attention from the beginning. You can include the title of your presentation, the presenter’s name, and any relevant imagery or branding elements. The design can stay clean and professional.

2. Use Consistent Design Elements

Using the same fonts, colors, and formatting for all slides can maintain consistency. This step creates a cohesive and professional look that helps your audience focus on the content of your presentation.

3. Limit Text and Bullet Points

It is important to avoid overcrowding slides with too much text or bullet points. Instead, use short phrases or keywords to effectively share your message. Text can be brief, and you can use visuals such as images, charts, and diagrams to complement your points.

4. Ensure Readability

Audience members should be able to read text, images, and other elements from a distance. Be sure to use legible fonts and font sizes. A good place to start is 30 pt. for body text and 44 pt. for headings. Contrast between text and background colors is also important.

5. Review and Revise

Before finalizing your slideshow, review each slide carefully for clarity, accuracy, and consistency. To ensure your presentation flows well, edit and revise as needed. Consider seeking feedback from colleagues or peers for additional insights and suggestions.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right presentation software can help you share information effectively. Each tool has unique features that cater to different needs. Selecting a tool that fits your requirements and comfort level is essential. The best tool is one that helps you present your ideas clearly and impressively.

Next, check out our posts on presentation tips , team building TED talks , virtual lunch and learn ideas , and annual company meeting ideas .

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FAQ: Presentation software

Here are frequently asked questions about presentation software.

What should you consider when choosing a presentation software?

When choosing a presentation software, several factors can affect your experience.

Here are a few features to consider:

  • ease of use
  • customization options
  • collaboration features
  • compatibility with other devices or platforms
  • pricing plans

By taking these features into consideration, you will easily find the right program for your presentations.

How do you create interactive presentations using online tools?

Creating interactive presentations involves elements like hyperlinks, quizzes, or polls into your slides. Some tools also offer features like live audience participation or analytics.

Is there any mobile-friendly presentation software?

Several presentation programs have mobile availability. Examples include Google Slides and Keynote, which have mobile applications for both Android and iOS devices.

What are some free alternatives to Microsoft PowerPoint?

Google Slides is a great free alternative to PowerPoint, as it offers similar functions at no cost.

What is the best presentation software for work?

Some of the top presentation software programs include Prezi, Haiku Deck, and Decktopus.

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Author: Michael Alexis

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15 Best Presentation Software for Business Professionals In 2024

best presentation software

Table of Contents

Business presentations serve as essential communication tools to convey ideas and create a favorable image for a brand. While Microsoft Powerpoint is popular and the default software for presentations, several advanced presentation software choices are available to help you create visually appealing presentations that stand out and keep your audience engaged.

However, the key challenge lies in finding the perfect presentation software with the appropriate features to build an exceptional business presentation. To guide you through this process, we have curated a list of the top 15 presentation software solutions, outlining their features, pros & cons, and crucial factors to consider during your decision-making process.

What is a Presentation Software?

best presentation software free

Presentation software is a computer program that allows users to create visual and interactive presentations. It enables users to combine text, images, videos, charts, and other multimedia elements to convey information effectively. These software tools provide a user-friendly interface for arranging and organizing content in slides, making it easy for marketing and sales teams to structure and design presentations. Presenters can enhance their delivery by adding animations, transitions, and speaker notes.

Commonly used presentation software includes Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple Keynote, Google Slides, and various other alternatives that offer a range of features to engage and captivate the audience during business meetings, educational sessions, or public speaking events.

Key Features of a Presentation Software

Key Features of Presentation Software include the following:

1. Slide Creation : The primary function of any presentation software is to create slides. This feature enables users to add text, images, videos, charts, and shapes to build visually engaging content.

2. Templates: Presentation software offers pre-designed templates for various purposes and industries. These templates provide a quick and professional starting point for users to customize their presentations.

3. Animations and Transitions: Presentations come to life with animations and slide transitions. These features add visual appeal and help maintain audience interest during the presentation.

4. Multimedia Support: Presentation software allows users to embed videos, audio clips, and other multimedia elements, making presentations more dynamic and interactive.

5. Collaboration: Many modern presentation tools offer real-time collaboration features, enabling multiple users to work on the same presentation simultaneously.

6. Speaker Notes: Presenters can add speaker notes to each slide to guide them through the presentation and ensure a smooth delivery.

7. Compatibility: Presentation software should be compatible with different devices and operating systems to ensure seamless sharing and viewing across various platforms.

8. Export Options : Users should be able to export presentations in various formats, such as PDF, PowerPoint, or video files, for easy sharing and distribution.

9. Audience Interaction: Some advanced presentation software allows audience interaction through polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions, enhancing engagement and participation.

10. Analytics and Tracking: For business and educational purposes, some presentation tools offer analytics to track audience engagement, slide views, and other performance metrics.

11. Customization: This feature allows users to customize fonts, colors, and layouts to align with their branding or personal preferences.

12. Cloud Storage: Integration with cloud storage services allows users to save and access presentations from anywhere, making collaboration and mobility more convenient.

13. Offline Access : Some presentation software provides offline access, allowing users to work on their presentations even without an internet connection.

Overall, the critical features of presentation software empower users to create compelling, interactive, and well-structured presentations that effectively communicate their ideas and messages to the audience.

Crucial Factors To Consider Before Choosing a Presentation Tool

Choosing the right presentation tool is essential to create impactful and engaging presentations that effectively convey your message to the audience. There are several crucial factors to consider before making your decision:

1. Ease of Use

Look for a presentation tool with a user-friendly interface and intuitive features. It should be easy to navigate and allow you to create slides quickly without much technical knowledge.

2. Features and Functionality

Assess the tool’s features and functionalities, including slide templates, animations, multimedia support, collaboration options, and audience interaction capabilities. Ensure it offers the tools you need to create the type of presentation you envision.

3. Compatibility

Check if the presentation tool is compatible with different devices and operating systems. This ensures seamless sharing and viewing across various platforms.

4. Templates and Customization

Look for a tool that offers a wide range of pre-designed templates to kickstart your presentation. Additionally, ensure you can customize the templates to match your brand identity and presentation style.

5. Collaboration Capabilities

If you are working on a presentation with a team, opt for a tool that allows real-time collaboration. This enables multiple users to work on the presentation simultaneously and provides a smoother workflow.

6. Cost and Pricing Model

Consider the pricing of the presentation tool, including any subscription plans or one-time purchase options. Evaluate whether the features offered align with the cost and fit within your budget.

7. Offline Access

If you often work in environments without internet access, choose a presentation tool that offers offline functionality, allowing you to continue working without interruption.

8. Data Security

If your presentations contain sensitive information, ensure the tool offers robust data security measures, such as encryption and secure login protocols.

9. Customer Support

Look for a presentation tool with reliable customer support to assist you in case of technical issues or inquiries.

10. Reviews and Rating

Read reviews and ratings from other users to gain insights into their experiences with the presentation tool. Positive feedback from users indicates a trustworthy and effective tool.

11. Learning Resources

Check if the presentation tool provides tutorials, guides, or a knowledge base to help you master its features and maximize its capabilities.

12. Export Options

Ensure the presentation tool allows you to export your presentations in various formats, such as PDF, PowerPoint, or video files, for easy sharing and distribution.

13. Trial Period

Many presentation tools offer a free trial or limited version for testing. Take advantage of these trial periods to assess the tool’s suitability for your needs before committing to a subscription.

Considering these crucial factors, you can select the best presentation tool that aligns with your requirements and empowers you to create impactful and memorable presentations.

Here are the 15 best presentation software that caters to various needs and preferences, allowing business professionals to create presentations for different purposes, such as sales pitches, training sessions, or marketing campaigns.

1. Microsoft PowerPoint

what is the best presentation software

Microsoft PowerPoint is a widely-used presentation software developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Office suite and is available for both Windows and Mac platforms. PowerPoint allows users to create visually engaging and professional PowerPoint presentations using slides. The software offers many tools, templates, and design options, making it versatile for business presentations, educational lectures, and marketing pitches.

Users can add text, images, charts, graphs, videos, and animations to each slide, creating dynamic and interactive presentations. PowerPoint also supports collaboration, allowing multiple users to simultaneously work on the same presentation locally or through cloud-based services like Microsoft OneDrive.

With its user-friendly interface and extensive features, Microsoft PowerPoint remains the go-to choice for creating compelling presentations that captivate audiences and convey information effectively. Its seamless integration with other Microsoft Office tools and widespread use in professional settings make it a powerful tool for business professionals worldwide.

best presentation software 2023

Key Features of Microsoft PowerPoint

  • Slide Creation: Create slides with text, images, shapes, charts, and multimedia elements.
  • Templates: Access a wide range of professionally designed templates for quick, attractive presentations.
  • Animations and Transitions: Add dynamic animations and slide transitions to enhance visual appeal.
  • Collaboration: Collaborate with team members in real-time using cloud services like OneDrive or SharePoint.
  • Presenter View: Utilize Presenter View to see your notes, slide previews, and upcoming slides during a presentation.
  • Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft Office apps, like Excel and Word.
  • Charts and Graphs: Generate and customize various charts and graphs to present data visually.
  • SmartArt Graphics: Convert complex information into easily understandable diagrams using SmartArt graphics.
  • Recording: Record and narrate presentations for later playback.
  • Export Options: Save presentations in different formats, including PDF and video.
  • Widely-used and well-established presentation software.
  • User-friendly interface with a shallow learning curve.
  • Extensive features for creating versatile and visually appealing presentations.
  • Excellent compatibility with other Microsoft Office products.
  • Real-time collaboration with cloud-based storage options.
  • Limited access to advanced design features compared to specialized graphic design software.
  • Larger file sizes can be an issue when sharing presentations.
  • Some advanced features may be overwhelming for casual users.

Who is it for

Microsoft PowerPoint suits individuals and professionals in various fields, including business executives, educators, students, salespeople, marketers, and trainers. It caters to anyone who needs to create engaging presentations for communication, persuasion, or educational purposes.

Microsoft PowerPoint is available as part of the Microsoft Office suite, which offers subscription plans like Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) and one-time purchase options like Office Home & Student or Office Home & Business. Prices vary depending on the plan and the number of devices you want to use it on. The home plan starts at $69.99, while the basic business plan costs $6 monthly.

2. Google Slides

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Google Slides is a cloud-based presentation software developed by Google. It is a part of the Google Workspace suite (formerly known as G Suite) and allows users to create, edit, and collaborate on presentations online. Google Slides provides various tools and features to design and customize slides, insert multimedia elements, and share presentations with others for real-time collaboration.

Users can access Google Slides through a web browser or the mobile app, and all changes are automatically saved to Google Drive, enabling easy access and sharing across multiple devices. With its intuitive interface and collaborative capabilities, Google Slides is a popular choice for creating and delivering engaging presentations for educational, business, and personal purposes.

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Key Features of Google Slides

  • Cloud-based: Access and edit presentations from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Real-time Collaboration: Multiple users can work on the same presentation simultaneously.
  • Auto-Save: Changes are automatically saved to Google Drive in real time.
  • Templates: Choose from a variety of pre-designed templates to create professional-looking slides.
  • Integration: Seamless integration with other Google Workspace apps like Google Docs and Google Sheets. It also allows for a simple transition between presentation apps.
  • Import and Export: Import presentations from other formats and export them as PowerPoint or PDF files.
  • Animation and Transitions: Add animations and transitions to make presentations more engaging.
  • Embedded Videos: Insert videos from YouTube or Google Drive directly into slides.
  • Commenting: Users can leave comments on specific slides for collaboration and feedback.
  • Offline Editing : Work on presentations offline with Google Slides Chrome extension.
  • Free to use with a Google account.
  • Cross-platform accessibility.
  • Real-time collaboration fosters teamwork.
  • Automatic updates and backups.
  • Integration with other Google apps enhances productivity.
  • Limited offline access without the Chrome extension.
  • Fewer advanced features compared to some desktop-based alternatives.
  • Internet dependency for real-time collaboration.
  • Students, educators, and academic institutions for educational presentations.
  • Small to large businesses for professional presentations and team collaboration.
  • Non-profit organizations and individuals for personal projects and creative presentations.

Google Slides is available for free as part of the Google Workspace suite, which offers additional features and storage options with different pricing plans. The basic version is accessible with a free Google account, while the business plan starts at $12 monthly per year.

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Prezi is a cloud-based presentation software that offers a unique and dynamic approach to creating and delivering presentations. Unlike traditional slide-based presentations, Prezi uses a zooming user interface (ZUI) to present content on a single large canvas. Users can create visually captivating presentations by zooming in and out, panning across the canvas, and transitioning between content in a non-linear manner. This innovative approach allows for more engaging and interactive presentations, making it ideal for storytelling, pitches, and educational purposes.

Prezi provides various templates and customization options to create visually appealing presentations. It also offers collaboration features, allowing multiple users to simultaneously work on the same presentation. With Prezi, presenters can emphasize connections between ideas, present information in a memorable way, and capture the audience’s attention with its dynamic visuals.

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Key Features of Prezi

  • Zooming User Interface (ZUI)
  • Non-linear Presentation
  • Templates and Customization
  • Collaboration
  • Offline Access
  • Prezi Viewer App
  • Animated Effects and Transitions
  • Embedding Multimedia (Videos, Images, etc.)
  • Analytics and Tracking
  • Presenter Notes
  • Remote Presenting
  • PowerPoint Import and Export
  • Cloud Storage
  • Private and Public Sharing Options
  • Cross-platform Compatibility (Windows, Mac, Web)
  • Real-time Editing and Commenting
  • Integrations with other Platforms (Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, etc.)
  • Data Visualization Tools
  • Interactive Polls and Surveys
  • Prezi Video Integration for Virtual Presentations.
  • Dynamic and engaging presentation style.
  • Non-linear storytelling capability.
  • Cloud-based, accessible from any device with an internet connection.
  • Collaboration features for team projects.
  • Prezi Viewer app for mobile presentations.
  • The steeper learning curve for first-time users.
  • Limited offline access in the free version.
  • Some users might prefer traditional slide-based presentations.
  • Professionals and business users for sales pitches, marketing presentations, and client meetings.
  • Educators and students for interactive classroom presentations.
  • Creatives and individuals who want to present their ideas innovative and visually captivatingly.

Prezi offers a free version with essential features and limited storage. It also provides premium plans, including Prezi Standard, Plus, and Premium, with varying subscription costs, additional features, and larger storage options. Custom pricing is available for enterprise-level needs with Prezi Business plans.

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Canva is a graphic design platform that can help you create visually engaging and compelling presentations. It offers pre-designed presentation templates suitable for various purposes, such as business pitches, educational lectures, marketing presentations, and more.

With Canvas’s user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop functionality, users can easily customize the templates by adding text, images, icons, charts, and other elements to create professional and eye-catching presentations.

Canva provides an efficient and convenient way for users to design and deliver impactful slideshows without requiring extensive design skills. It is a valuable tool for anyone looking to create visually impressive presentations.

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Key Features of Canva for Presentation

  • Templates: A vast library of pre-designed presentation templates for various purposes and industries.
  • Customization: Easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface to personalize templates with text, images, icons, and more.
  • Collaboration: Team members can collaborate in real-time on presentation designs.
  • Multimedia Support: Ability to add videos, audio, and interactive elements to presentations.
  • Animations: Access to animations and transitions for dynamic and engaging slideshows.
  • Charts and Graphs: Integrated tools to create visually appealing charts and graphs.
  • Export and Share: Options to export presentations in various formats and share them with others.
  • The User-friendly interface is suitable for both beginners and experienced designers.
  • Extensive template library for quick and professional-looking presentations.
  • Collaborative features enhance team productivity.
  • Accessible on web browsers and mobile devices for on-the-go editing.
  • Integrations with various platforms like Google Drive and Dropbox.
  • Some advanced design features are limited in the free version.
  • Offline editing requires a premium subscription.
  • Customization options might be limited compared to dedicated presentation software.
  • Business professionals, marketers, educators, students, and anyone looking to create visually appealing presentations without extensive design skills.
  • Canva offers a free version with limited features.
  • Canva Pro, which includes additional features like access to premium elements, animations, and collaboration tools, is available on a monthly or annual subscription basis.

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Visme is a cloud-based presentation software that empowers users to create visually stunning and interactive presentations, infographics, charts, and other visual content. With its user-friendly interface and extensive library of templates and design elements, Visme allows users to quickly and easily design professional presentations without needing advanced design skills.

Key Features of Visme for Presentation

  • Templates: A wide range of customizable presentation templates for different industries and purposes.
  • Drag-and-Drop Editor: Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for easy content creation and customization.
  • Interactivity: Ability to add interactive elements like animations, pop-ups, and hover effects to engage the audience.
  • Charts and Data Visualization: Built-in tools to create dynamic charts, graphs, and data visualizations.
  • Collaboration: Real-time collaboration and feedback features to facilitate teamwork.
  • Embeddable Content: Option to embed presentations on websites, blogs, or social media.
  • Analytics: Access to analytics to track the performance of presentations.

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  • The easy-to-use interface is suitable for both beginners and experienced designers.
  • Rich library of templates and design assets for creating eye-catching presentations.
  • Interactive features enhance audience engagement.
  • Cloud-based storage for easy access and sharing of presentations.
  • Integrations with popular platforms like Microsoft Teams and Google Workspace.
  • Some advanced features are only available in higher-priced plans.
  • The free version comes with limited templates and features.
  • Limited offline editing capabilities.
  • Visme is suitable for business professionals, educators, marketers, and individuals looking to create compelling and interactive presentations to convey information effectively.
  • Visme offers a free version with limited features.
  • Paid plans, including Standard, Business, and Enterprise, are available on a monthly or annual subscription basis, each with varying features and pricing. The price starts at $12.25 per month annually.

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Keynote is a presentation app developed by Apple Inc., designed specifically for macOS and iOS devices. It is a part of Apple’s iWork suite of productivity tools. Keynote allows users to create visually stunning and engaging presentations featuring multimedia elements like images, videos, charts, and animations.

Key Features of Keynote

  • Intuitive Interface: Keynote offers a user-friendly and intuitive interface, making it easy to navigate and design presentations.
  • Media Integration: Users can seamlessly integrate multimedia elements, such as photos, videos, and audio files, to enhance the visual appeal of presentations.
  • Animations and Transitions: Keynote provides a variety of dynamic animations and smooth transitions to add visual effects to slides.
  • Real-time Collaboration: Users can collaborate with others in real time, allowing multiple contributors to work on the same presentation simultaneously.
  • Compatibility: Keynote supports various file formats and can import and export presentations to and from PowerPoint and PDF.
  • Apple Pencil Support: For iOS devices, Keynote offers Apple Pencil support, enabling users to draw and annotate directly on slides.

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  • Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.
  • Free presentation software with a wide selection of pre-designed templates and themes.
  • Advanced animations and transitions for captivating presentations.
  • Cloud-based storage for easy access to presentations across devices.
  • Keynote is exclusive to macOS and iOS devices, limiting cross-platform compatibility.
  • Users on non-Apple devices may encounter formatting issues when importing Keynote files.
  • Some features may have a steeper learning curve for new users.
  • Keynote is ideal for Mac and iOS users who want to create professional presentations on visual aesthetics and multimedia elements.
  • Keynote is free on macOS and iOS devices, included with the purchase of the corresponding hardware. No separate subscription or purchase is required to use Keynote on Apple devices.

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Powtoon is a cloud-based presentation software and animation tool allowing users to create animated videos, presentations, and explainer videos easily. It provides a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced creators. Powtoon offers a library of pre-designed templates, characters, objects, and backgrounds, enabling users to create visually engaging and interactive content.

Key Features of Powtoon

  • Animated Presentations: Powtoon allows users to create dynamic and animated video presentations with various animations, transitions, and effects.
  • Customizable Characters and Objects: Users can personalize characters, objects, and backgrounds to fit their specific content and brand identity.
  • Voiceover Recording: Powtoon enables users to add voiceover narration to their presentations, providing a more interactive and engaging experience.
  • Import and Export: Users can import images, videos, and audio files and export their presentations as video files or directly to YouTube.
  • Real-time Collaboration: Powtoon offers collaboration features, allowing teams to work together on the same project in real time.
  • Integration with PowerPoint: Powtoon provides a PowerPoint plugin for seamless integration with Microsoft PowerPoint.

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  • User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality.
  • Extensive library of pre-designed templates and characters.
  • Supports both animated and live-action presentations.
  • Allows users to create professional-looking videos and presentations without extensive design skills.
  • Limited free version with watermarked videos and reduced features.
  • Some advanced features and elements may require a premium subscription.
  • The steeper learning curve for complex animations and interactions.
  • Powtoon is suitable for educators, marketers, business professionals, and content creators who want to create visually engaging and animated presentations and videos.
  • Powtoon offers a free plan with limited features and a watermark on videos. Paid plans start at different pricing tiers, with more advanced features and options available at higher subscription levels.

8. Haiku Deck

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Haiku Deck is a presentation software focusing on simplicity, visual appeal, and ease of use. It is designed to help users create stunning and visually engaging presentations with minimal effort. Haiku Deck provides a wide range of professionally designed templates, high-quality images, and an intuitive interface, making it accessible to users of all skill levels.

Key Features of Haiku Deck

  • Visual Templates: Haiku Deck offers a variety of visually appealing templates that can be customized to match the user’s content and style.
  • Image Library: The software provides access to a vast library of high-quality images to enhance the visual impact of the presentations.
  • Effortless Charts and Graphs: Haiku Deck allows users to create charts and graphs with just a few clicks, making data visualization simple and effective.
  • Integration with Popular Platforms: Users can import content from various platforms like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Keynote to streamline the presentation creation process.
  • Real-time Collaboration: Haiku Deck enables real-time collaboration, making it easy for teams to collaborate on presentations remotely.

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  • Professionally designed templates for a polished and professional look.
  • The abundance of high-quality images and icons enhances presentations.
  • Seamless integration with popular platforms for easy content importing.
  • Limited customization options compared to some other presentation software.
  • Advanced features and options may be lacking for users who require highly complex presentations.
  • The free version has certain limitations on the number of presentations and features.
  • Haiku Deck is ideal for educators, entrepreneurs, marketing professionals, and individuals who value simplicity and want to create visually striking presentations quickly and easily.
  • Haiku Deck offers both a free plan and paid subscriptions with additional features. The paid plans provide more customization options, advanced analytics, and access to premium content libraries.

9. Slidebean

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Slidebean is an online presentation software that simplifies the process of creating professional and visually appealing presentations. It is designed to assist users, especially those with limited design skills, craft engaging slides with minimal effort. Slidebean’s AI-powered platform automates various design elements, making it easier for users to focus on their content and message delivery.

Key Features of Slidebean

  • AI Design Assistance: Slidebean’s AI algorithms analyze content and suggest appropriate design elements, layouts, and color schemes for each slide.
  • Customizable Templates: The platform offers various templates catering to different industries and presentation styles.
  • Content Importing: Users can import content from various sources, such as Google Slides, Powerpoint, and Dropbox, to seamlessly integrate existing materials into their presentations.
  • Collaboration Tools: Slidebean facilitates real-time collaboration among team members, making working remotely on presentations accessible.
  • Slide Analytics: The software provides analytics on slide engagement, enabling users to understand how their audience interacts with their presentation.

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  • AI-powered design assistance streamlines the creation process.
  • A diverse selection of customizable templates for various presentation needs.
  • Easy content importing from other platforms.
  • Real-time collaboration for effective teamwork.
  • Some advanced features may be limited compared to more robust presentation software.
  • The free version has certain limitations on the number of slides and exports.
  • Slidebean is suitable for startups, entrepreneurs, educators, and individuals who want to create professional presentations quickly, especially those without advanced design skills.
  • Slidebean offers a free plan with essential features and paid subscriptions with additional benefits such as unlimited exports, premium templates, and priority customer support.

10. Genially

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Genially is an online platform that empowers users to create interactive and visually stunning presentations, infographics, and other visual content. It offers a wide range of pre-designed templates and interactive elements that can be customized to suit various needs, making it easy to engage and captivate audiences.

Key Features of Genially

  • Interactive Content: Genially allows users to add interactive elements such as animations, pop-ups, hotspots, and quizzes to create engaging and immersive presentations.
  • Wide Variety of Templates: The platform provides a diverse collection of pre-designed templates for different purposes, saving time and effort in creating visually appealing content.
  • Collaboration and Sharing: This presentation program facilitates real-time collaboration, making it ideal for presentations and visual project teamwork. It also enables easy sharing via links or embedding in websites and social media.
  • Data Integration: Users can integrate data from spreadsheets, surveys, and other sources to create dynamic and data-driven content.
  • Analytics and Tracking: Genially offers insights on how viewers interact with the content, providing valuable feedback on audience engagement.

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  • A vast library of interactive elements and templates.
  • Suitable for creating interactive presentations, infographics, social media posts, and more.
  • Supports collaboration and sharing among team members.
  • Some advanced features may require a learning curve for first-time users.
  • The free version has limitations on the number of projects and interactive elements.
  • Genially is suitable for educators, marketers, designers, and anyone seeking to create interactive and visually rich content to engage and impress their audience.
  • Genially offers free and paid plans with additional features, including templates, storage space, and collaboration options.

11. SlideShare

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SlideShare is a web-based platform owned by LinkedIn, designed for sharing and discovering presentations, documents, and professional content. It allows users to upload and share presentations, PDFs, infographics, and other documents with a global audience. SlideShare is a valuable resource for professionals, educators, and businesses to showcase their expertise, insights, and ideas through visual content.

Key Features of SlideShare

  • Presentation Sharing: Users can upload and share presentations in various formats, such as PowerPoint, PDF, Keynote, and more.
  • Document Hosting: SlideShare hosts many professional documents, including reports, whitepapers, and case studies.
  • Embedding and Sharing: Content hosted on SlideShare can be easily embedded on websites, blogs, and social media platforms for broader visibility.
  • Social Sharing and Engagement: Users can like, comment, and share content, fostering community engagement and interactions.
  • Content Categorization: SlideShare categorizes content into topics, making it easy for users to discover relevant presentations and documents.

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  • Access to a vast collection of professional presentations and documents on diverse topics.
  • Opportunity to showcase expertise and insights to a global audience.
  • Provides a valuable platform for lead generation, content marketing, and branding.
  • Easy social media sharing and embedding options.
  • Limited editing capabilities, as SlideShare primarily focuses on content sharing rather than content creation.
  • Some features may require a LinkedIn account for full functionality.
  • SlideShare is beneficial for professionals, marketers, educators, and businesses looking to share and discover informative and visually engaging content for a wider audience.
  • SlideShare offers free accounts for content sharing and viewing. However, additional paid features are available for businesses and marketers looking to enhance their visibility and analytics.

12. SlideDog

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SlideDog is a multimedia presentation software that allows users to seamlessly blend different media types into a single, interactive presentation. It enables presenters to combine PowerPoint slides, PDFs, videos, web pages, and more into a cohesive presentation experience. SlideDog is designed to streamline the process of delivering multimedia-rich presentations, making it easy to switch between various content formats without interruptions or technical glitches.

Key Features of SlideDog

  • Media Integration: Users can incorporate diverse media types like PowerPoint, PDF, videos, images, websites, and live web pages into a single presentation.
  • Seamless Transitions: SlideDog allows smooth transitions between different media elements, providing a fluid and engaging presentation experience.
  • Live Sharing and Polling: Presenters can share real-time presentations with remote audiences and even conduct polls for audience engagement.
  • Presenter View: SlideDog offers a presenter view, allowing speakers to preview and control the presentation while the audience views the main screen.
  • Playlist Management: Users can create playlists to organize and manage their multimedia content for efficient presentation delivery.

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  • Supports a wide range of media types, enabling dynamic and interactive presentations.
  • Easy-to-use interface, making it user-friendly for both presenters and audiences.
  • Suitable for both in-person and online presentations, enhancing versatility.
  • It provides live-sharing options, making it ideal for remote and virtual events.
  • Limited design and customization options compared to traditional presentation software like PowerPoint.
  • Some advanced features may require a premium subscription.
  • SlideDog is ideal for presenters, educators, event organizers, and businesses looking to create engaging multimedia presentations and streamline the delivery of content-rich materials.
  • SlideDog offers a free version with basic features. It also provides premium plans with additional features and functionality at various price points.

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Pitch is a modern presentation software designed to empower teams and individuals to create compelling and visually stunning presentations. It aims to enhance collaboration and streamline the process of building impactful pitch decks and proposals. Pitch provides a range of features and templates that enable users to craft persuasive presentations, making it an excellent tool for sales pitches, investor pitches, and other business communications.

Key Features of Pitch

  • Collaborative Workspace: Pitch offers real-time collaboration, allowing multiple team members to simultaneously work on the same presentation.
  • Smart Slide Templates: It provides professionally designed templates and customizable slide layouts to ensure a consistent and polished look for the presentation.
  • Library of Assets: Users can access a library of stock images, icons, and illustrations to enhance the visual appeal of their slides.
  • Data Visualization: Pitch supports interactive charts, graphs, and data visualizations to make complex information more accessible to the audience.
  • Integration with Other Tools: It integrates with popular productivity tools like Slack, Trello, and Google Drive for seamless workflow management.

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  • Intuitive and user-friendly interface for easy navigation and presentation creation.
  • Allows real-time collaboration, making it easy for teams to collaborate on presentations.
  • Offers a wide range of customizable templates and design elements.
  • Supports seamless integration with other productivity tools, enhancing workflow efficiency.
  • Some advanced features in the free version may be limited, requiring a premium subscription for full access.
  • Occasional minor bugs and performance issues may arise.
  • Pitch is ideal for businesses, startups, and professionals looking to create visually appealing and collaborative presentations to convey ideas, pitches, and proposals effectively.
  • Pitch offers free and premium plans, with the premium plan providing additional features and customization options.

14. Zoho Show

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Zoho Show is a cloud-based presentation software developed by Zoho Corporation. It is designed to help users create, collaborate, and quickly deliver visually engaging presentations. Zoho Show offers a range of tools and features to streamline the presentation creation process and enhance the overall productivity of individuals and teams.

Key Features of Zoho Show

  • Collaborative Editing: Zoho Show allows multiple users to work on the same presentation simultaneously, facilitating real-time collaboration.
  • Pre-designed Templates: It offers a collection of professionally designed templates to jumpstart the presentation creation process.
  • Charts and Graphs: Zoho Show supports interactive charts and graphs, making it easy to visualize data and statistics.
  • Integration with Zoho Apps: Users can seamlessly integrate Zoho Show with other Zoho productivity apps, such as Zoho Docs and Zoho CRM.
  • Privacy and Security: Zoho Show ensures data privacy and security through encryption and secure cloud storage.

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  • User-friendly interface, suitable for both beginners and experienced users.
  • Real-time collaboration enhances team productivity and efficiency.
  • Offers a variety of presentation templates and customization options.
  • Integrates well with other Zoho applications, simplifying workflow management.
  • Advanced features may require a paid subscription.
  • Limited integration with third-party applications outside the Zoho ecosystem.
  • Zoho Show caters to individuals, businesses, and educational institutions seeking a versatile and collaborative presentation tool to create professional-grade presentations.
  • Zoho Show offers a free version with basic features. Premium plans with additional features are available at various subscription levels.

15. ClearSlide

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ClearSlide is a cloud-based sales engagement platform that aims to empower sales teams with powerful tools to create, deliver, and track engaging sales presentations and content. It provides a comprehensive solution for sales professionals to enhance their communication with prospects and customers, leading to more effective sales conversations and better results.

Key Features of ClearSlide

  • Content Management: ClearSlide offers a centralized content library to organize and manage sales collateral, including presentations, documents, videos, and more.
  • Analytics and Reporting: It provides detailed analytics and insights into how prospects engage with sales content, allowing sales teams to prioritize leads and improve their outreach strategies.
  • Email and Online Presentations: ClearSlide enables sales reps to deliver presentations remotely through email or online meetings, facilitating seamless virtual interactions.
  • Integration with Sales Tools: It integrates with popular CRM platforms, such as Salesforce, enabling seamless data synchronization and streamlining the sales workflow.
  • Real-time Engagement Tracking: ClearSlide tracks real-time viewer engagement, notifying sales reps when prospects open, view, or interact with the content.

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  • User-friendly interface and easy content management.
  • Powerful analytics and insights to optimize sales strategies.
  • Integration with CRM systems enhances sales efficiency.
  • Mobile app allows sales reps to access and share content on the go.
  • Some advanced features may require a higher-tier subscription.
  • Limited integrations with other third-party applications.
  • ClearSlide is designed for sales teams and professionals looking to streamline their sales communication, improve content management, and enhance engagement with prospects and clients.
  • ClearSlide offers multiple pricing plans tailored to the needs of individual sales reps, teams, and enterprises, with various features and customization options available.

These 15 Online Presentation tools come with different features and capabilities to help you create visually appealing and engaging presentations that convey your messages and move your audience

How Can All Time Design Help You Create Engaging Presentations?

All Time Design can help you create engaging presentations by providing expert design services catering to your needs. Our team of skilled graphic designers understands the principles of effective presentation design and can craft visually appealing slides that capture your audience’s attention.

Here’s how All Time Design can assist you in creating engaging presentations:

  • Custom Designs: We can create custom presentation templates that align with your brand identity and style, ensuring a consistent and professional look throughout your slides.
  • Visual Storytelling: Our designers excel at visual storytelling, using compelling graphics, images, and icons to enhance your message and make your presentation memorable.
  • Data Visualization: We can transform complex data into clear and understandable visualizations, making it easier for your audience to grasp critical insights.
  • Animation and Interactivity: All Time Design can add subtle animations and interactive elements to your slides, bringing your content to life and keeping your audience engaged.
  • Content Organization: Our designers can structure your presentation logically and engagingly, guiding your audience through your key points with clarity and flow.
  • Infographics and Charts: We can create eye-catching infographics and charts that effectively communicate information and statistics.
  • Branding Integration: All Time Design ensures that your company’s branding elements are seamlessly integrated into your presentation, reinforcing your brand identity.
  • Revision and Feedback: We welcome your input and offer revisions to fine-tune the design according to your preferences and feedback.
  • Timely Delivery: We understand the importance of deadlines and strive to deliver high-quality presentations within your specified timeframe.
  • Consultation: Our team is available for consultation to understand your presentation goals and provide tailored design solutions.

By partnering with All Time Design, you can create visually stunning and engaging presentations that captivate your audience, convey your message effectively, and leave a lasting impact. Click here to get started.

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Grow » thrive, 6 user-friendly business presentation tools for small businesses.

Convey your message in person or online with presentation software. Discover six slide design, editing, and presenting applications.

 Woman presenting from her home office to a computer screen full of virtual attendees.

The best business presentation tools offer customizable pre-built templates and let you download your slides in different formats. In addition, some apps allow teams to collaborate during the creation process, publish the slide show to a web page, and present without leaving the platform. Others integrate with your favorite video conferencing tools, and you can broadcast your slides to a television screen.

Many free and paid tools are available, making business presentation software affordable for most small businesses. Ready to find the proper presentation tools for your needs? Here are six platforms for sharing your presentation live or on-demand.

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint is a familiar favorite of Microsoft users. Microsoft 365 business subscriptions come with PowerPoint, and the presentation software offers dozens of slide templates. You can track changes and improve your speech with help from the Presenter Coach, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to make recommendations for word choice and pacing.

The Microsoft platform supports on-demand and live events and has speech-to-text transcriptions and high-definition (HD) video. It works equally well for face-to-face presentations. But if your team doesn’t use Microsoft, you may prefer Google Slides or Prezi.

[ Read more: PowerPoint Tips and Tricks: 8 Ways to Create Better Presentations ]

Canva is a free PowerPoint alternative used for creating and publishing slides. It has hundreds of templates for pitch decks, keynotes, conferences, and other business-related categories. It works well on mobile and desktop devices. Plus, you can download slides as PDF or PowerPoint files. Alternatively, Canva will publish your slides to a web page and give you a shareable link.

Although Canva stands out for its graphic design, video editing, and document collaboration tools , the presentation modes are less advanced than Prezi. In most cases, you will use Canva to create beautiful slides but use a separate presentation tool, such as video conferencing software .

You can appear next to your content on the screen during presentations, making Prezi an excellent option for remote meetings. Prezi integrates with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and more.

Prezi is a cloud-based platform that works on Mac, Windows, and Chrome devices. Paid business plans include video, design, and present features, such as drag-and-drop editing and designer templates. You can appear next to your content on the screen during presentations, making Prezi an excellent option for remote meetings . Prezi integrates with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and more.

The Business Plus service plan lets you present anywhere without an internet connection, use the presenter view mode, export to PDF, and narrate your slides. However, collaboration features are only available on the Teams plan, and pricing is available as a custom quote.

[ Read more: 5 Tips for Hosting a Successful Webinar ]

Beautiful.ai

Beautiful.ai is a presentation maker that uses AI to auto-format your slides. Drag your design element to the smart slide template, and Beautiful.ai will re-size your text and images and drop them into place. You can add narration or audio to slides and share your presentation via email or a web link.

Beautiful.ai is a good choice for people without design experience and can help you give a great presentation. But, it lacks advanced presentation features and integrates with fewer programs than Prezi. Like Canva, Beautiful.ai works best for sharing a presentation online, not presenting live.

Zoho Show is a free, easy-to-use presentation app that supports collaboration and live broadcasts. It offers more than 100 templates, and you can import and export files in multiple formats, including PDF and PowerPoint. During your presentation, you can let another user take control of the slide deck and interact with attendees through a chat panel.

Zoho Show also supports video, voiceover narration, and background music. But, it offers fewer design elements and images than Canva or Prezi. Still, it’s free to use and an excellent option for presenting in person while being able to share it through a link, email, or file.

[ Read more: 5 Smart Ideas For Hosting a Hybrid Event ]

Google Slides

Google Slides is a convenient tool for collaborating and presenting slides online. It’s free to use or available with Google Workspace subscriptions. The presenter view offers live captions and speaker notes, or you can present to Google Meet without leaving the Slides program. Like PowerPoint, you can track changes and use video, images, and charts.

Google Slides also supports many file formats, allowing you to edit PowerPoint presentations without converting them. But, Google Slides lacks the advanced design editing tools and the free images available with Canva.

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Top 8 Business Presentation Software to Present and Share Your Business

Presentations are part of business life. Meeting, training, sales, engagement, information sharing, chances there may be a presentation opportunity. Business presentations don’t have to be the same all the way. A successful one isn’t about the still PowerPoint slides you create – it’s about much more than that. Giving an engaging presentation is an art. To grab more attention during your presentation, select an awesome presentation tool seems so important. It is the main point if you want to get a charming, informative and sharable business presentation. But don’t worry about that, everything will be go easily once you take your powerful presentation solution. Top 8 business presentation software will be offered here to make you present and share business presentation with ease.   > Part 1: Top 8 Business Presentation Software to Design Appealing Business Presentations > Part 2: Attractive and Innovative Business Presentation Made by Focusky

Part 1: Top 8 Business Presentation Software to Design Appealing Business Presentations

1. focusky(strongly recommended).

Foucksy.com is an online presentation platform that allows designers to download software to create killer presentation with animation effect for free. There are millions of elegant pre-set  high-quality templates consistent to diverse themes. When starting a business presentation creation, so many business templates with beautiful layout and well-organized structure can definitely simplify your design work. You also have the right to design your own stylish layout and freedom to customize the content.

Additionally, the user-friendly interface and brilliant editing tool can help to make all the total design work smoothly and efficiently. Such useful tool as formula editor and animation editor can truly do a good job in the business presentation. This service is also perfect for the chart adding and editing to show some data information, and the logo setting to boost the brand. What’s more, you are allowed to add music, video and other media to enhance an professional presentation.  All the presentations created by Focusky can be published online and shared on social media.

Start to Create Professional Business Presentation with Focusky

best program to make a business presentation

2. Customshow

Customshow presentation software focuses on business presentations. Combining a design-focused presentation builder, company-wide library management and multi-platform delivery options, it can help users build, manage and deliver business presentations that make a great impact every time. It gives you one more choice to present your creation work: iPad App, Desktop App and Web Viewer.

Top 8 Business Presentation Software to Present and Share Your Business

3. VideoScribe

VideoScribe empowers people to engage their audience by creating whiteboard animation video with no design or technical know-how. It helps your edit business content accessible to Mac, PC, and iPad. The simple and easy-to-use interface makes you go through an effective design work.

Top 8 Business Presentation Software to Present and Share Your Business

4. Flowpaper

Top 8 Business Presentation Software to Present and Share Your Business

5. Biteable

Biteable is a type of sophisticated online presentation software for creating video presentation without requiring any payment. You can easily to create a video business presentation from scratch using its huge library of animation, movie and still scene templates. Many other media elements are also allows you to insert to enrich the content.

Top 8 Business Presentation Software to Present and Share Your Business

6. VisualBee

VisualBee is a powerful solution for automatically designing PowerPoint presentations in a single click, and delicates to creating and exciting and powerful showcase. With VisuaBee, all the slides in your PowerPoint template will include stunning animations and transitions to emphasize your message and keep your audience always alert.

Top 8 Business Presentation Software to Present and Share Your Business

7. Fishbole

Fishbole presentation soft presentation contributes to creating a nice-look online video presentation that will help to engage the target audience. It doesn’t ask for any expert video skills, the useful features will quickly make your editable design featuring the business style. It also allows you to build in social sharing, embedding or access link to share your presentation all over the world.

Top 8 Business Presentation Software to Present and Share Your Business

8. Slide Effect

Would you want to create stunning business presentation in a few clicks? Slide Effect would be a good solution. It is windows presentation software for making professional quality presentations or slide shows with advanced effects. Whether you want to add effects to your texts, images or videos, it can meet your needs.

Top 8 Business Presentation Software to Present and Share Your Business

Part 2: Attractive and Innovative Business Presentation Made by Focusky

best program to make a business presentation

Video Tutorial

Get started, create a project, add multi media, publish and share, learn focusky in minutes.

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best program to make a business presentation

What is the Best Alternative Presentation Software to PowerPoint and Prezi

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6 online animated presentation creator - distribute your content every where

Try Focusky free and enjoy a brand new experience of presentation

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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.

A person doing a presentation on a whiteboard.

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 .

Google Apps

<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.

Prezi website screenshot

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 website screenshot

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 .

LibreOffice website screenshot

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 .

Google Slides website screenshot

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 .

WPS Office Free website screenshot

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

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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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

  • Carmine Gallo

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Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

best program to make a business presentation

  • Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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How to Create Slides That Suit Your Superiors: 11 Tips

When you’re pitching ideas or budgets to execs in your organization, you need to deliver slides that fit those particular people just right. This checklist identifies the key considerations.

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I recently interviewed 20 of my customers, all in senior roles at Fortune 100 companies, and asked them their biggest pain point in presenting to higher-ups and even colleagues. What I heard consistently was that it can feel like Goldilocks bouncing from one option to the next, testing to figure out what’s “just right.” Does the audience want deep reports? Sparse slides? Something in between? Like … what?

Teams often come to presentation meetings with vast amounts of backup content just in case an exec wants to take a deep dive on any given point. There’s often a struggle to anticipate every direction attendees might want to go. It’s frustrating, and it’s not efficient.

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There are many ways to build slides. I’m not just talking about crafting them well versus poorly. I’m talking about all of the important decisions regarding how to organize them, how much text to use, when to lean into a chart, the best ways to use bullets and color, and whether to include an appendix with additional information. Before you make your next proposal or request of the executive team, use this list of 11 tips for your next set of slides as a guide.

Four Things You Must Have in Every Exec’s Slides

Before we drill down into the harder aspects, the ones where your executives’ tastes may vary widely, let’s quickly cover four aspects that you can consider the building blocks — the basics you should never proceed without.

Start with an executive summary. Begin the slide deck with a tight executive summary that follows a three-act structure. First, start with stating the current realities. Second, clearly state the problem or opportunity your idea addresses and its potential impact. Third, explain how your recommendation solves the problem or exploits the opportunity and the next steps you’re proposing.

Have a logical organization. The arc of the deck — the package from beginning to end — should make sense. If your audience reads only the headline of every slide, the order should be coherent and make most of the case for you. The content below each slide’s headline must support the statement made in the title. Remove everything that doesn’t support your point; as writers will tell you, you sometimes need to “kill your darlings” when you’re editing.

Begin the slide deck with a tight executive summary that follows a three-act structure.

Make it skimmable. Help your audience to quickly grasp the point without getting bogged down in details. Create a clear visual hierarchy. Guide the reader’s eye through the content: Use bold headings, bullet points, and numbered lists to break down information into digestible pieces. Highlight key takeaways or conclusions in a different color or font size to draw attention to these critical points.

Focus on concise insights. Succinct statements with clear insights are everyone’s jam. Every slide should serve a purpose and contribute directly to the decision-making process. Distill complex information. Don’t use 100 words when 20 words will nail it. If you’re having difficulty trimming, consider using company-approved AI tools to help you take out the fluff.

Five Preferences to Confirm With the Person You Want to Reach

Now we’ll delve into what your particular audience does and does not want. If you haven’t yet, start by asking the person you’re presenting to what they generally prefer. They probably know themselves well but have not been asked to articulate how they like to receive information.

Ask how dense is too dense. Some executives prefer detailed slides with comprehensive data. Others favor a more high-level approach. You’re weighing how to balance informative content with readability, ensuring that slides are not overloaded yet are sufficiently detailed to support decision-making.

Confirm the delivery format and timing. Some execs like information presented to them. Others prefer a pre-read of the material followed by a discussion. I always recommend our tool Slidedocs (I’ve written a free e-book on them), which are visual documents using both words and images. The templates help presenters organize their thoughts into a document for a pre-read or a read-along. They are designed to be skimmable and able to travel through your organization without the help of a presenter.

I’m a huge fan of pre-reads and prefer to use my time in meetings to ask questions and build alignment. If your audience didn’t review your material in advance, ask at the top of the meeting whether they would like you to present it or would prefer to read through it and then discuss it.

Find out how much data visualization they prefer. Charts, graphs, photos, and illustrations often communicate complex data more clearly than words alone. When execs can see what you’re saying, they often can better understand the impact of your idea. Does the exec want to understand exact numbers? Bar charts allow them to move their eyes across a series of specifics. Does the exec want to know the shape of a trend over time? Line charts can show the pattern. (See “Classic Charts Communicate Data Quickly.”) Some prefer charts with annotations that draw attention to what you think is the most important point. Others want to make their own conclusions from the data.

One of my clients, the CEO of a massive commercial real estate company, doesn’t want anything visualized. He prefers numbers, only in a table, and only in two colors — black and red. You might think this is archaic. But the fact that he’s clear to his teams about what he wants takes all the mystery out of how to communicate with him.

When the stakes are high, have a conceptual thinker help with diagrams and concepts. If you don’t have one on your team, and when it’s high stakes, find an internal designer to help you or hire one. You can’t afford to have the baby (your idea) thrown out with the bathwater (terrible slides).

Identify which details need spelling out. How well do the people you’re presenting to know the landscape and function of the company and products you’re talking about? For example, if your engineering team threw a slide into a deck about an issue that requires executive approval, do the execs all speak geek? Or do you need to explain the technology so that they will really understand the ask? Either eliminate internal jargon and acronyms or unpack those bits, especially if your proposal deeply involves expertise outside of the executives’ domain.

Ask whether appendices will be useful. When you’re organizing a presentation, you often troll data, read through complicated reports, and even hire external experts to figure out what’s best for the company. Do your execs want access to that supporting data? You can add a document to the end of the presentation as an appendix to show all of the data and source material. This allows the main content of the slides to remain focused and accessible while still providing comprehensive background information for those who want more.

Two Tips to Improve Your Presentation Skills

Getting materials in place is the biggest step. They will be your best tools for selling your ideas. But there are two extra areas to pay attention to as a presenter: how you handle questions and how you use every experience to improve.

Anticipate questions, and practice your answers. Before you have your meeting, gather a small team to challenge every point you make. Invite colleagues you trust to role-play as “a rapidly inquisitive exec” or “the doubting naysayer exec” so you are prepared to present your idea well. They’re gonna grill you, and practicing will help you remain unruffled when it happens.

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Ask for feedback after the presentation. Establish a feedback loop with those you presented to. Ask what worked well and how you can improve. If attendees don’t have the time, find people who have had their ideas funded and talk to them about what they did that worked. Advice and some perspective will help you nail your performance even better next time.

Empathetically understanding your audience members and how they process information, whether it’s executives or peers, sets up your ideas for success. Clarity creates efficiency. When a presentation fits just right, you’ve given your great thinking the best chance of moving through your organization and having maximum impact.

About the Author

Nancy Duarte is CEO of Duarte Inc. , a communication company in the Silicon Valley. She’s the author of six books, including DataStory: Explain Data and Inspire Action Through Story (Ideapress Publishing, 2019).

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  1. 15 Best Presentation Software for 2024 (Full Comparison Guide)

    You need high-quality business presentation software to take your slides to the next level. Some of the best presentation software include Visme, Haiku Deck, Prezi, Microsoft Powerpoint, Canva and Google Slides. In this comparison guide, we'll analyze each of these tools and many more to understand what the difference is between them so you ...

  2. Best presentation software of 2024

    The best presentation software makes it simple and easy to create, manage, and share slideshow presentations. ... Presentation software runs at the heart of business sales, management, and ...

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    The best presentation software. Canva for a free presentation app. 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.

  4. 12 Best Presentation Software for 2024

    4. Keynote (for Mac users) Source: Screenshot from Keynote. For Apple users, Keynote is a presentation tool designed exclusively for your Apple devices and is available on macOS, iOS and iPadOS. Keynote is known for its sleek and intuitive interface, reflecting Apple's design aesthetics.

  5. The Best Presentation Software

    The Best Slideshow Creation Apps. The slideshow format is the classic presentation option, and the best two apps in this category are Microsoft PowerPoint and Apple Keynote, which is a part of the ...

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    Pricing: Individual, $249.99/user/year; Business $249.99/user/year; Education, $169.99/user/year; Government and Non-Profit, $223.99/user/year. 14. SlideShare. SlideShare is a popular choice for sales and marketing professionals looking for a way to share their content publicly. Because it already has a built-in audience, you can easily distribute your presentation out to lots of people -- and ...

  7. The 11 Best Presentation Software to Use in 2023

    Among the other presentation software on this list, Prezi Business might be one of the most unique presentation tools. Rather than offering a regular slideshow format, Prezi looks more like a 3D interactive mind map where viewers jump dynamically from one idea to the next.

  8. 13+ Best Presentation Software to Bid Farewell to PowerPoint

    The presentation software lets users create personalized presentations using ready-to-use templates with custom fonts and styles, color schemes, animations, transitions, and background images. If you're a larget team, you can also upload files from Google Drive or Dropbox. 5. Microsoft Sway.

  9. Presentations and slides for any occasion

    Choose a design from our presentation templates or create your own from scratch. Customize your presentation with colors, fonts, and key information. Add animations, videos, images, illustrations. Use assets and other media content from your Brand Kit (Pro) to stay consistent with your business or school brand.

  10. 14 Best Presentation Software Alternatives to PowerPoint

    6. Canva: Best for teams looking for designer features. Design library: Canva contains thousands of templates and millions of stock images, videos, audio, and graphics. While not every template is for presentations, you can use their Pro plan's resize tool to take graphics from one template to another.

  11. 15 Best Presentation Software Alternatives To PowerPoint in 2024

    Beautiful.ai helps you to create presentations 10X faster. This software allows you to edit and present offline. It allows you to track your presentations to see which slide is getting the most attention. With Beautiful.ai, you can securely share your presentation so that only the people you want are able to view it.

  12. 24 Best Presentation Software Tools in 2024

    8. Emaze. Emaze is an impressive business presentation software suite that is ideal for professionals and students alike. The program's varied features set it apart, such as 3D slides, video backgrounds, and analytic tools. Emaze supports multiple formats for importing presentations, making it a versatile choice.

  13. 15 Best Presentation Software for Business Professionals

    1. Slide Creation: The primary function of any presentation software is to create slides. This feature enables users to add text, images, videos, charts, and shapes to build visually engaging content. 2. Templates: Presentation software offers pre-designed templates for various purposes and industries. These templates provide a quick and ...

  14. 6 Business Presentation Tools for Small Businesses

    Discover six slide design, editing, and presenting applications. From Canva to Microsoft PowerPoint, there are many free and paid presentation software options available to businesses of all sizes. — Getty Images/SDI Productions. The best business presentation tools offer customizable pre-built templates and let you download your slides in ...

  15. Top 8 Business Presentation Software to Present and Share ...

    Download/More Info. 7. Fishbole. Fishbole presentation soft presentation contributes to creating a nice-look online video presentation that will help to engage the target audience. It doesn't ask for any expert video skills, the useful features will quickly make your editable design featuring the business style.

  16. How to Make a "Good" Presentation "Great"

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  17. Best free presentation software of 2024

    The best free presentation software makes it simple and easy to create presentations as an alternative to subscribing to Microsoft PowerPoint. Best free presentation software of 2024: quick menu ...

  18. What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

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  19. Online PPT Maker

    Microsoft's presentation software has long been a standard but if you want to make an impact on your audience, you've got to break the mold. Canva's presentation maker not only looks good, it feels good to use. It's completely online so there's no need to download any bloated software. Best of all, it's completely free.

  20. Free Video Presentation Maker

    Head on to the recording studio. Access the "Present and record" option on the editor's top-right side or click on the three-dot menu to select it among recommended actions. Select "Go to recording studio" and set up your camera and microphone. Start recording with your notes in Presenter's View and have the options to pause and ...

  21. How to Create Slides That Suit Your Superiors: 11 Tips

    Make it skimmable. Help your audience to quickly grasp the point without getting bogged down in details. Create a clear visual hierarchy. Guide the reader's eye through the content: Use bold headings, bullet points, and numbered lists to break down information into digestible pieces.

  22. Forget PowerPoint: This is the AI presentation app of the future

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