PowerPoint has long been the go-to tool for presentations, but as we step into 2024, there’s a growing demand for more engaging and visually appealing slides. People are looking beyond the basic animations offered by PowerPoint and seeking alternatives that bring interactivity, bold designs, and a touch of entertainment to their presentations.
In this article, we’ll explore the best PowerPoint alternatives in 2024 that can effortlessly elevate your presentations from mundane to attention-grabbing. Let’s dive into the evolving landscape of presentation-making for a more captivating and effective communication experience.
What is Microsoft PowerPoint?
Microsoft PowerPoint, a benchmark in the best presentation software category, excels in traditional presentations. It’s known for blending PowerPoint features like multimedia and design with online presentation capabilities, ideal for users who prioritize reliability and a comprehensive toolset.
This software is a hub of essential features like diverse slide templates, animations, and transitions, which are vital for any presentation. Its ability to integrate multimedia seamlessly, robust collaboration tools, and compatibility with MS Office positions PowerPoint as a leader in online and offline presentation solutions.
However, this software has been suffering from its decades of success. Users have been trying to spice up standard presentations in terms of design, workflow, and effectiveness. Although reliable, PowerPoint might not be for everyone.
Pros:
- Widely adopted in various organizations.
- Rich online learning resources.
- Stable performance and consistent features.
- Seamless integration with Microsoft tools.
- User-friendly and adaptable for different presentations.
- Simplifies video and photo integration.
- Effortless text editing.
Cons:
- Performance issues with heavy content.
- Limited community template options.
- Complex real-time collaboration.
- Restricted customization and interactivity.
- Limited non-MS product integration.
- Challenges in presenting complex data.
Pricing & Plans:
- 365 Home ($6.99/month)
- 365 Business ($6/month)
- PowerPoint Only ($159.99)
10 Best PowerPoint Alternatives in 2024
Are you looking to add more animation options or want to create presentations in seconds? Here is the list of best PowerPoint alternatives in 2024:
- Google Slides – Best for free collaboration tool
- Prezi – Best for non-linear presentations
- Canva – Best for drag and drag design
- Beautiful.ai – Best for auto-formatting
- Apple Keynote – Best presenter tool for Mac
- Mentimeter – Best for audience interaction
- Zoho Show – Best for clean and modern interface
- Visme – Best for third-party integration
- Vyond – Best for e-learning and training
- Microsoft Sway – Best for digital story telling
1. Google Slides
As the best free online presentation tool, Google Slides excels in academic and professional contexts, including lesson planning and corporate use. Its hallmark feature is unparalleled real-time collaboration, accessible to everyone on any device, even without a Google account, perfect for teams to collaborate cost-effectively.
Google Slides offers an array of features similar to PowerPoint, optimized for online use, including online syncing, interactive comments and suggestions, and Google Meet integrations. Users benefit from easy embedding, sharing options, PowerPoint support, diverse templates, and YouTube video integration.
Pros:
- Comprehensive features in a free package.
- Accessible, device-agnostic, real-time collaboration.
- Easy-to-manage permission controls.
- Cloud-based, with automatic saving and sharing.
- Embeddable presentations for broader accessibility.
- Intuitive for experienced presentation tool users.
- Completely free.
Cons:
- Limited in templates and advanced design.
- Basic in transitions and animations.
- Requires indirect audio file integration.
- Needs additional tweaks and add-ons.
- Performance lags with larger files.
Pricing & Plans:
- Free (Browser-Based)
Customer Ratings:
- G2: 4.6 out of 5 (42,222 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6 out of 5 (6,358 reviews)
Related: 10 Best Google Slides Alternatives
2. Prezi
Prezi transforms PowerPoint presentations with its unique, non-linear approach, ideal for dynamic business and educational settings. This tool allows users to create presentations that stand out with zooming and panning features, perfect for professionals and educators who need visually engaging and interactive content.
This tool enhances the art of creating presentations with features such as PowerPoint import, presenter view with a timer, and video embedding. Its mobile accessibility and features like zooming and free movement bring data visualizations to life, making every presentation a memorable experience.
Pros:
- Seamless content and video transitions.
- Showcases connections between topics.
- Automatic timer for presentation pacing.
- Interactive and visually captivating.
- Diverse, engaging slide designs.
Cons:
- It is less suitable for presentations with many slides.
- It can become cluttered with excessive content.
- Slower performance on desktop.
- Steeper learning curve than alternatives.
- Missing some traditional presentation tools.
- Only available with an annual subscription.
Pricing & Plans:
- Basic (Free)
- Standard ($7)
- Plus ($15)
- Premium ($19)
- Teams ($29/user)
Customer Ratings:
- G2: 4.2 out of 5 (5,193 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5 out of 5 (2,153 reviews)
3. Canva
Canva is inherently not a presentation tool, but its intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows even novices to craft presentations with professional designs. This makes it an excellent choice for corporate users, marketers, and individuals seeking an accessible platform for visually compelling content.
Canva offers quick photo editing, premium content, and a vast selection of templates. Its drag-and-drop functionality simplifies design while resizing designs and branding tools, making it an excellent alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint for creating diverse content.
Pros:
- Accessible for non-graphic experts.
- Extensive content and templates are available.
- Versatile for various design needs.
- Cloud-based for easy access and storage.
- Reliable editing tools like background remover.
Cons:
- File size limitations for power users.
- There are occasional software crashes.
- Some issues with customer service.
- Requires active internet connection.
- It is more suited for basic than professional editing.
Pricing & Plans:
- Canva Free
- Canva Pro ($14.99)
- Canva for Teams ($29.99)
Customer Ratings:
- G2: 4.7 out of 5 (4,435 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7 out of 5 (11,586 reviews)
4. Beautiful.ai
Beautiful.ai is a PowerPoint alternative that is popular in the fields of sales, marketing, and education. Its AI-driven design automation offers quick, professional-looking presentations with minimal effort.
This tool utilizes artificial intelligence to provide professional-looking templates and effortless auto-formatting for presentations. Creating engaging presentation templates is easy with its branding options, audio recording, and integrations with Dropbox and Slack.
Pros:
- Simplifies crafting impactful presentations.
- Easy sharing and effective formatting.
- The rapid development of uniform slides.
- Streamlines collaboration across teams.
- Content-focused with helpful analytics.
Cons:
- AI can occasionally be slow to respond.
- User experiences may require more customization.
- Primarily suited for marketing presentations.
- Limited capabilities for educational aids.
- Optimal for presentations with less content.
Pricing & Plans:
- Pro ($12)
- Team ($40)
- Enterprise (Contact Sales)
Customer Ratings:
- G2: 4.7 out of 5 (174 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7 out of 5 (75 reviews)
5. Apple Keynote
Apple Keynote, a premier design tool for Mac users, excels in creating visually stunning presentations. It’s perfect for dynamic backgrounds, live video feeds, and smooth playback. This slide deck solution integrates seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem, offering users advanced design and delivery options.
Keynote stands out with its frequent updates and collaboration tools, making it a versatile choice for Mac enthusiasts. Its features, including dynamic backgrounds and live video integrations, can enhance any slide deck.
Pros:
- Pre-installed, easy-to-use design tool.
- Controls via Apple Watch.
- Syncs across Apple devices.
- Streamlined slide deck creation.
Cons:
- Export issues with non-Apple formats.
- Limited animations and templates.
Pricing & Plans:
- Free (For Mac Users)
Customer Ratings:
- G2: 4.4 out of 5 (525 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.8 out of 5 (122 reviews)
6. Mentimeter
Mentimeter is a dynamic tool for engaging audiences in various settings like brainstorming, feedback sessions, and educational environments. Interactive features like Q&As, polls, quizzes, and visualizations engage audiences and provide instant feedback to presenters.
With Mentimeter, creating interactive presentations is easy thanks to its visually compelling features like live polling, word clouds, and quizzes. Blending surveys and quizzes directly into presentations enhances audience participation without leaving the slide show.
Pros:
- Rolls out updates that a lot of users like.
- Real-time polls and feedback.
- Interactive and fun for learners.
- Seamless integration and implementation.
- Excellent customer support.
Cons:
- Delay in showing poll results.
- Limited integration with PowerPoint.
- Restricted customization in Word Cloud.
- No picture can be used in the free version.
- Occasional integration issues.
Pricing & Plans:
- Free
- Basic ($11.99)
- Pro ($24.99)
- Enterprise (Contact Sales)
Customer Ratings:
- G2: 4.5 out of 5 (115 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5 out of 5 (87 reviews)
7. Zoho Show
Zoho Show is highly recommended for its clean and modern interface, making it a standout choice for corporate users and teams. It excels in collaboration, communication, and follow-up within a business context. This user-friendly PowerPoint alternative is cloud-based and offers an efficient way for streamlined and modern presentations.
Zoho Show simplifies presentation creation with its user-friendly interface and diverse features like data fields, add-ons, and a rich library. It facilitates real-time collaboration and broadcasting, allowing teams to work together seamlessly.
Pros:
- Wide range of templates and color schemes
- Regularly updated themes, easy to use
- User-friendly interface for presentation design
- Real-time team collaboration
- Elegant inbuilt animations
Cons:
- Requires stable internet, crashes otherwise
- Slower than Google Slides
- No offline desktop application
- Online saving requires Zoho Drive
- Needs WorkDrive/WorkSpace subscription for Pro
Pricing & Plans:
- Zoho Show Free
- Professional Plan ($2.50) (Requires Zoho WorkDrive subscription)
Customer Ratings:
- G2: 4.4 out of 5 (65 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6 out of 5 (26 reviews)
8. Visme
Visme excels in blending third-party integration with a cloud-based, drag-and-drop interface, making it a top choice for creating diverse and visually appealing content. From infographics and data visualizations to dynamic presentations and reports, Visme is tailored for users looking to craft compelling visuals.
Its robust features, such as data fields, add-ons, extensive libraries, and interactive animations, empower users to create high-quality content easily. Visme’s collaboration and broadcast capabilities enhance its utility, making it perfect for producing consistent and engaging presentations and documents.
Pros:
- Suitable for users with technical expertise
- High-definition templates for sharp visuals
- Simplifies maintaining document consistency
- AI tool and extensive photo library
- Versatile for various content types
Cons:
- Challenges in standardizing formatting
- Animated screens resize during presentations
- Has a steep learning curve for less tech-savvy
- Occasional glitches and slow performance
- Complicated graphic management
Pricing & Plans:
- Basic (Free)
- Starter ($29)
- Pro ($59)
- Visme for Teams (Contact Sales
Customer Ratings:
- G2: 4.5 out of 5 (383 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5 out of 5 (647 reviews)
9. Vyond
Vyond is a dynamic tool favored by trainers and educators for transforming mundane lessons into captivating, animated video experiences. It is a great tool for enhancing educational content through visual storytelling, especially for complex software demos and explainer videos.
Utilizing Vyond’s AI-driven video creation, educators can effortlessly produce animated content that resonates with their audience. The Character Creator and extensive Props Library allow for deep customization, while Automatic Captioning ensures accessibility.
Pros:
- Enhances curriculum with engaging content
- User-friendly for non-animators doing visual content.
- Simplifies complex concepts visually
- Frequent updates add new learning dimensions
- Ideal for corporate training videos
Cons:
- High cost compared to similar tools
- Helpful features are limited to premium plans
- Pre-animated character motions can be restrictive
Pricing & Plans:
- Essential ($49)
- Premium ($89)
- Professional ($179)
- Enterprise (Contact Sales)
Customer Ratings:
- G2: 4.7 out of 5 (274 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7 out of 5 (244 reviews)
10. Microsoft Sway
Microsoft Sway, a free presentation software, excels in crafting digital stories like newsletters and business presentations. Known for its easy-to-use, web-based interface, it offers professionally designed slides and templates, making it ideal for those who value a mix of simplicity and design in their presentation space.
As a free PowerPoint alternative, Sway’s Web-Based Canvas simplifies the creation of multimedia-rich content. Its Design Engine makes it easy to achieve a professional look, while Responsive UI and Closed Captioning make presentations accessible and engaging.
Pros:
- Offers an array of professionally designed slides
- Ideal for business and e-portfolios
- Generates visually striking content
- Free, user-friendly software
- Enhances reports and presentations
Cons:
- Customization has a learning curve
- It can be slow when embedded in web pages
- Limited image resizing in templates
Pricing & Plans:
- Free (Requires Microsoft Account)
Customer Ratings:
- G2: 4.1 out of 5 (117 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.1 out of 5 (9 reviews)
Tips for Transitioning to PowerPoint Alternatives
Here are the factors to consider when choosing PowerPoint alternatives:
- Ease of use: Look for an alternative that allows you to create more intuitively, reducing the complexity often associated with presentation design.
- Customizability: Your software choice should empower you to customize your presentation and edit your slides to fit your slides precisely to your requirements.
- Libraries and assets: Access to extensive libraries/assets provides a variety of design elements, enriching your presentations with professional visuals.
- Price: Many alternatives are available for free, offering powerful features without the cost, making advanced presentation tools more accessible.
- Templates: With an array of design options in templates, these tools simplify the creation process while offering diverse aesthetic choices.
- Performance: Every PowerPoint alternative has specific performance capabilities, ensuring smooth operation for different presentation needs.
- Versatility: These tools’ versatility aids in everything from crafting a presentation from scratch to optimizing the design process for basic presentations.
Presentations with Ahsuite
We’ve taken a deep dive into some of the best PowerPoint alternatives. Most of these presentation software alternatives come with a free plan, are easy to work with and offer an array of presentation templates.
Standard PowerPoint presentations rely on external tools (Microsoft or not). However, there are instances wherein using a dedicated app can kill the momentum of information and knowledge sharing. Tools like client portals remedy this by offering a centralized hub for all documents.
Ahsuite is a free-to-use client portal that supports iframe embedding for top presentation software. It lets your clients view slides on the go without installing additional software.
Experience firsthand how a centralized hub can impact your and your client’s workflow for free with the Ahsuite Starter Plan.
