Best Alternatives to PowerPoint (Free + Paid) | 2024 Comparison

Looking for alternatives to Powerpointt?

Some revolutions happen in an instant; others take their time. The PowerPoint revolution most definitely belongs to the latter.

Despite being the world's most-used presentation software (89% of presenters still use it!), the forum for dreary speeches, meetings, lessons and training seminars is dying a prolonged death.

In the modern day, its formula of one-way, static, inflexible and ultimately unengaging presentations is overshadowed by an expanding wealth of alternatives to PowerPoint. Death by PowerPoint is becoming the death of PowerPoint; audiences won't stand for it any longer.

Of course, there are presentation software other than PowerPoint. Here, we lay out 3 of the best alternatives to PowerPoint that money (and no money) can buy. These three are the best in 3 distinct fields of presentations: fun + interactive, visual + non-linear and simple + quick. So let's check out the main PowerPoint side-by-side comparison below!

Overview

Table of Contents

💡 Want to make your PowerPoint interactive? Check out our guide on how to do that in under 5 minutes!

PowerPoint Tips

• How to make an interactive PowerPoint
• Add live polls and quizzes with the AhaSlides' PowerPoint integration

1. AhaSlides

👊 Best for: creating engaging and interactive presentations that boost participation rate, compatible with PowerPoint for Mac and PowerPoint for Windows.

If you've ever had a presentation fall on deaf ears, you'll know it's a complete confidence destroyer. Seeing rows of people clearly more engaged with their phones than they are with your presentation is a horrible feeling.

Engaged audiences are audiences who have something to do, which is where AhaSlides comes in.

AhaSlides is an alternative to PowerPoint that allows users to create interactive, immersive interactive presentations. It encourages your audience to respond to questions, contribute ideas and play super fun quiz games using nothing but their phones.

A PowerPoint presentation in a lesson, team meeting or training seminar might be met with a groan and visible distress on the younger faces, but an AhaSlides presentation is more like an event. Chuck a few polls, word clouds, rating scales, Q&As or quiz questions directly into your presentation and you'll be amazed at how much of your audience is completely tuned in.

The best part? AhaSlides integrates with PowerPoint so you don't have to make a big leap! Just head over to the Microsoft Add-in Store, and you will be able to find the AhaSlides add-in that works as smoothly as butter with your favourite app.

Break the ice with:

• 21+ Icebreaker Games for Better Team Meeting Engagement
• 14+ Inspiring Games for Virtual Meetings

Click here to sign up for Ahaslides for free.

2. Prezi

👊 Best for: Visual + non-linear presentations

If you've never used Prezi before, you might be confused as to why the picture above seems to be a mockup image of a disorganised room. Be assured this is a screenshot of a presentation.

Much has been written about Prezi when it comes to alternatives to PowerPoint. In fact, Prezi is one of the longest-running advocates of the new way of presenting, which focuses on clear, attractive visuals rather than a tedious torrent of text.

And it's something that Prezi does very well. Prezi puts visuals at the very centre of its presentations and helps users shape their content around things that are nice to look at, which probably goes without saying, is a big step up from walls of words in 6-point font.

Prezi is an example of non-linear presenting, meaning that it does away with the traditional practice of moving from slide to slide in a predictable one-dimension fashion. Instead, it gives users a wide open canvas, helps them build topics and subtopics, then connects them so that every slide can be viewed by clicking from the central page:

In terms of visuals and navigation, you can already see why presentation software like Prezi is one of the top PowerPoint alternatives. The fact that it looks and feels practically nothing like PowerPoint is one of its greatest strengths, which reinforces the fact that PowerPoint looks and feels like PowerPoint is one of its most significant weaknesses.

For intermittent presenters who need a good alternative to PowerPoint for a few presentations, the 5 allowed on Prezi's free plan is enough. However, those who are looking to engage audiences on the regular, with access to features like PowerPoint import, offline-friendly desktop app and privacy controls will have to shell out at least $14 per month ($3 per month for educators and students) - not a princely sum by any means, but higher than some other software similar to PowerPoint. Therefore, AhaSlides is the best free alternative to Prezi.

Best Feature

A big plus point for Prezi is that a subscription to its presentation services also gets you two more services - Prezi Video and Prezi Design. Both are good tools, but the star of the show is Prezi Video.

Prezi Video has a very keen eye on the future. Both virtual presentations and video media are on the rise, and Prezi Video matches both intents with a simple-to-use tool that helps you illustrate your spoken presentation with slick visual effects and images before you record it.

What it lacks is the ability to easily add graphs, infographics, or anything else that might help you visualise a point. Still, that particular slack is picked up by Prezi Design, which focuses on simple graphic design to create the kind of colourful data visualisation you might want to add to your presentation.

One con to all of this is that it's easy to spend so much time flitting between the 3 bits of software that at the end of 5 hours, you might have only created one very visually indulgent slide. The learning curve is steep, but it's fun if you've got time to invest.

3. Haiku Deck

👊 Best for: Simple + quick presentations

Sometimes, you don't need the Prezi-level complexity of 3 full suites to create one presentation. When you've got the confidence to present with your voice, all you need for support is a background and a bit of text.

That's Haiku Deck. It's a stripped-back alternative to PowerPoint that doesn't overbear its users with features. It works on as simple a principle as picking an image, picking a font and combining both into a slide.

The vast majority of presenters simply don't have time to spend creating a full deck of slides that look beautiful and transition more beautifully still. Haiku Deck fits the huge group of professionals who want nothing more than a library of templates, backgrounds and images, as well as the means to embed YouTube and audio clips and see analytics once a presentation is done.

For such no-frills software, you'd be forgiven for expecting a no-frills price tag. Well, Haiku Deck might cost you more than that - it's a minimum of $9.99 a month. Not too bad in itself, but you'll also be locked into an annual plan and can't even register for the free trial without entering your card details.

Another downside to Haiku Deck is that you might also find the features to be as inflexible as the pricing structure. There's not a lot of room for customisation, meaning that if you don't like one element of a background (say, the shading or the opacity), you'll have to ditch the whole thing and go with another background entirely.

A final gripe we have is that Haiku Deck seems really intent on making you sign up for a paid account. The option to sign up for free is buried right down in the depths of the pricing page, and the free plan is limited to just a single presentation.

Best Feature

Haiku Deck's "best feature" is actually a combination of 2 features that make up one great idea: takeaway presentations.

As the presenter, you can first use the audio feature to either record your presentation or upload a prior recording of it. You can attach these to each individual slide to make a fully narrated presentation without the need for you to present it live.

After you've recorded it all, you can use the save video feature to export your narrated presentation as a video.

This may seem quite a bit less engaging for an audience, but it's highly convenient for simple webinars and explainer videos. The drawback is that this is only available on the pro account, which costs a minimum of $19.99 per month. For that money and the time you'll spend earning it, you're maybe better off using Prezi.

4. Canva

👊Best for: Versatile, user-friendly, and visually appealing.

If you are looking for a treasure trove of diverse templates for your presentation or project, Canva is an epic pick. One of Canva's key strengths lies in its accessibility and ease of use. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and pre-designed templates make it accessible to users of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced designers.

While PowerPoint may initially seem challenging, its complexity grants users extensive control over the design process. It seamlessly accommodates diverse and intricate presentation requirements with advanced features and customization options, especially in animations, transitions, and formatting.

Canva makes teamwork easy with its collaborative features, letting users work together in real-time from anywhere. PowerPoint also allows collaboration via its cloud service, but Canva stands out with its seamless integration with social media and cloud storage, making workflow smoother and more accessible.

Canva provides a free version with basic features and budget-friendly paid plans. (US$119.99/year for one person; US$300/ year total for the first 5 people). Even though Canva might cost a bit more than PowerPoint, it's worth it for all the cool stuff you can do with it. 

Best Feature

Canva is like, super awesome for making cool designs and stuff. One of the best things about it is the pre-made templates. They have templates for everything, like Instagram posts, presentations, posters, and more. It's so easy to use, even if you're not, like, a pro at design.

You just drag and drop stuff onto your design, and boom, it looks amazing! There are so many things you can do to make your design unique, like changing colours, adding text, and even putting in cool animations. Plus, you can simultaneously work on projects with your friends, which is neat. Canva does all the hard work for you, so you can just focus on making your report look awesome.

5. Visme 

👊Best for: Creating captivating visual content that effectively communicates ideas, data, and messages across various platforms and audiences.

Are you looking for a tool to spice up your visuals and make them more fun? Visme is just the thing you need!

Visme also has tons of templates and design options, just like Canva. But the cool thing is, they're all made to be fun and interactive. So whether you're working on a school project or a presentation for work, you can make it look awesome with Visme.

And if you're working with friends, Visme makes collaboration become so easy. You can all work together on your project at the same time, and even give feedback to each other. It's super easy and makes group projects way more fun!

Visme's free version limits access to premium features, encouraging users to upgrade for full access to templates and advanced tools. However, paid plans, while offering valuable features, may be costlier than competitors, possibly straining budgets. Visme's pricing starts at $12.25/month for Starter and $24.75/month for Plus, slightly more than PowerPoint.

Best Feature

What makes Visme shine is its knack for bringing your visuals to life. You can jazz up your pictures with all sorts of fun elements like animations and interactive charts. It's a surefire way to make your projects pop and wow your friends and teachers! 

Unlike conventional static designs, Visme enables users to integrate animations, transitions, and interactive elements like clickable buttons and embedded multimedia. These features captivate audiences, enhancing engagement in presentations, infographics, reports, and various other forms of visual communication. By facilitating the creation of dynamic and immersive experiences, Visme stands out as a premier choice for individuals and businesses aiming to deliver impactful visual content.

Tip: Use AhaSlides random team generator to divide teams for better brainstorming sessions!

6. Powtoon 

👊Best for: Captivating, animated presentations and videos with visual flair.

Powtoon shines in creating dynamic animated presentations with its diverse range of animations, transitions, and interactive elements. This sets it apart from PowerPoint, which mainly focuses on static slides. Powtoon is ideal for presentations requiring high visual appeal and interactivity, such as sales pitches or educational content.

While PowerPoint may have a slight advantage in ease of use for users familiar with Microsoft Office, Powtoon offers a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop tools and ready-made templates, catering to beginners. Both Powtoon and PowerPoint offer cloud-based collaboration features, but Powtoon's seamless integration with social media and cloud storage enhances workflow accessibility.

In terms of cost, Powtoon offers various pricing plans, including a free version, while PowerPoint usually requires a subscription or license purchase. $15/month for Lite version, $40/month for Professional and $70/month for Agency (special price in different periods) 

Overall, Powtoon is preferred for creating dynamic and engaging animated presentations, while PowerPoint remains a solid choice for users who prefer a familiar interface and extensive feature set, especially those already using Microsoft Office products.

Best Feature

With Powtoon, you can check out how well your presentations are doing with these awesome analytics and tracking tools. You can see stuff like how many people watched your presentation, how much they liked it, and if they clicked on anything. It's like having your own personal detective to see what's working and what's not!

And that's not all! You can also record your voice to go along with your presentation! This makes it way more exciting because you can explain things while people watch. It's like being the narrator of your own movie! Voiceover recording lets you make your presentations super cool and engaging; everyone will talk about them afterwards!

7. SlideDog 

👊Best for: Dynamic presentations with seamless integration of diverse media formats.

When comparing SlideDog to PowerPoint, SlideDog stands out as a versatile presentation tool that seamlessly integrates various media formats.

While PowerPoint focuses primarily on slides, SlideDog allows users to blend slides, PDFs, videos, web pages, and more into a single, cohesive presentation. This flexibility enables presenters to craft engaging and interactive presentations that transcend traditional slideshows.

A notable advantage of SlideDog lies in its user-friendly interface, making it accessible to users of all proficiency levels. In contrast to PowerPoint's complexity, SlideDog simplifies the presentation creation process, empowering users to concentrate on content rather than technical complexities.

Regarding collaboration, both SlideDog and PowerPoint offer cloud-based collaboration features. Nevertheless, SlideDog's emphasis on multimedia integration fosters creativity and teamwork, as users can seamlessly share and collaborate on presentations containing diverse media elements.

Moreover, SlideDog offers a cost-effective solution for users seeking to create multimedia-rich presentations. With flexible pricing options and a complimentary version available, SlideDog provides affordability without compromising on features or capabilities. Conversely, PowerPoint typically requires a subscription or license purchase as part of the Microsoft Office suite.

Best Feature

SlideDog is your ultimate sidekick when it comes to presentations. Imagine you've got all these different things you want to show – slides, videos, PDFs, and web pages. Usually, it's a headache trying to switch between them without losing your audience's attention.

But with SlideDog, it's like having a superpower. You can throw all these elements together seamlessly, creating a presentation that's not just informative but engaging too. It's like having a magic wand that turns your boring slides into a dynamic show that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats. So, forget about boring presentations – with SlideDog, yours will be the one everyone remembers!

8. Pitch

👊Best for: interactive and collaborative presentations.

Pitch offers a range of interactive tools and features that elevate presentations beyond traditional slides. With Pitch, users can create dynamic presentations with embedded videos, interactive charts, and live polls, enhancing audience engagement and interaction. This sets Pitch apart from PowerPoint, which primarily focuses on static slides and may lack the same level of interactivity.

While PowerPoint boasts extensive features, Pitch offers competitive pricing, starting at $20 per month for the Pro tier and $80 per month for the Business tier. Despite being higher than some PowerPoint subscriptions, Pitch's affordability, combined with its interactive and collaborative features, makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious users seeking impactful presentations.

Best Feature

Pitch is the ultimate tool for making presentations that pop! It's perfect for when you need to show off your ideas in a way that's super eye-catching and unforgettable. With Pitch, you can create slides that are as unique as you are, with cool designs and fun features that make your presentations stand out from the rest.

And the best part? Pitch excels in collaboration, allowing users to work together in real-time on presentations. Pitch's collaborative features are designed to streamline teamwork and enhance productivity. Pitch's seamless integration with cloud storage services and social media platforms further enhances collaboration, making it easier for teams to collaborate from anywhere.

9. Emaze

👊Best for: Visually stunning presentations with its modern templates and easy-to-use design tools.

While PowerPoint is a classic choice for presentations, Emaze stands out for its user-friendly interface and visually appealing templates. Emaze simplifies the design process with intuitive drag-and-drop tools and a wide selection of pre-designed templates, catering to users of all skill levels. In contrast, PowerPoint's initial complexity may present a barrier for beginners, although it offers extensive control over design elements.

Emaze offers collaborative features similar to PowerPoint's cloud service, but it distinguishes itself with seamless integration with social media platforms and cloud storage services, enhancing workflow efficiency and accessibility.

A standout feature of Emaze is its diverse array of templates and customization options. Users can effortlessly create captivating presentations with visually appealing designs, animations, and transitions.

Additionally, Emaze offers affordability, with a free version and budget-friendly paid plans with three pricing for different users: the Student plan at $5/user/month, the EDU PRO plan at $9/user/month for educational institutions, and the Pro Plan at $13/month for advanced features. These options ensure accessibility to Emaze's innovative presentation tools for students and professionals alike.

Best Feature

Emaze's templates offer an incredible range of options for your presentations. It's like having access to a vast wardrobe full of different styles, from classic and refined to playful and bold. Whether you're preparing for a formal business pitch or a creative project, there's a template that perfectly complements your vision.

And the best part? They're incredibly user-friendly – just select the template that resonates with you, add your content, and voila! You're ready to impress your audience. It's like having a personal stylist for your presentations, ensuring you always look polished and professional.

Why Choosing an Alternative to PowerPoint?

If you're here of your own accord, you're probably well-versed in the problems of PowerPoint.

Well, you're not alone. Actual researchers and academics have been working for years to prove that PowerPoint. We're not sure whether that's just because they're sick of sitting through 50 PowerPoints in every 3-day conference they attend.

• According to a survey by Desktopus, one of the top 3 expectations from an audience in a presentation is for interaction. A well-meaning 'how are you guys doing?' at the start probably won't cut the mustard; it's best to have a regular stream of interactive slides embedded directly into your presentation, related directly to the content, so that audiences can feel more connected and more engaged. This is something that PowerPoint doesn't allow but something that AhaSlides does immensely well.
• According to the University of Washington, after 10 minutes, an audience's attention to a PowerPoint presentation will 'plummet to near zero'. And those studies weren't conducted exclusively with presentations on unit-linked insurance planning; these were, as described by professor John Medina, 'moderately interesting' subject matter. This proves that attention spans are becoming ever-shorter, which demonstrates that PowerPoint users need a fresh approach and also that Guy Kawasaki's 10-20-30 rule might require an update.

Our Suggestions

Like we said at the start, the PowerPoint revolution will take a few years.

Amongst increasingly impressive alternatives to PowerPoint like AhaSlides, Prezi and Haiku Deck, each offers its own unique take on the ultimate presentation software. They each see the chink in the armour of PowerPoint and offer their users a simple, affordable way out.