Top 7 Presentation Software

Presentation software helps visualize and present data in a series of slides.

Presentations are a great way to train, educate, or sell an idea or a product to the audience. However, tired visuals, irrelevant data visualizations, and poor design layouts are some reasons why most presentations fail to leave an impact.

If your job involves creating and delivering presentations to stakeholders, including prospects, clients, and team members, and you face these challenges, presentation software could be the solution to your woes. The software lets users visualize and present project data in a series of slides. Most tools include pre-installed templates and multimedia stock libraries to build visually appealing and professional-looking presentations.

Nevertheless, we understand that it is not easy to choose a tool that perfectly aligns with your business requirements. We highlight the seven best presentation software for business professionals, in alphabetical order, based on verified software reviews. Read more.

1. Canva: Comprises a stock library for graphics and illustrations

Canva is an online graphic design tool that allows users to create anything ranging from magazine covers to presentations and graphics using a drag-and-drop editor. It comprises a wide range of pre-built presentation templates and over 1 million stock images, graphics, and illustrations that help create professional-looking presentations. Canva also furnishes a mobile application for Android and iOS users.

Product features of interest

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• Customizable designs: Upload your own photos, company logos, and other branding elements to customize pre-built presentation templates. You can add as many slides as you want and experiment with animations, videos, audio, fonts, and color schemes for an engaging presentation.

• Multiple presentation modes: Choose from different presenter modes, including standard presentation and audio-only video presentation mode, according to your project requirements.

• Real-time collaboration: Invite teammates to collaborate on presentations. This feature lets collaborators leave comments or suggestions, make changes, and add elements to the project.

Customer support options: Help center and FAQs

2. Google Slides: Offers assistive features such as Smart Compose

Google Slides is a presentation tool from the Google Workspace suite. It lets you create and sync slides, share them with your teammates, use comments, and assign action items to build presentations. Google Slides includes assistive features such as Smart Compose—an intelligence tool that provides suggestions to build slides faster—and autocorrect to eliminate spelling or formatting errors. You can use its offline mode to access, create, and edit slides without an internet connection. The solution has a mobile app for both Android and iOS devices.

Product features of interest

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• Real-time editing: Invite teammates to collaborate on slides and make real-time changes. Any changes made to the slides are automatically synced in the version history.

• Presenter view: Use the presenter view to present slides during meetings, reference speaker notes, showcase text to viewers, and access live captions for audio content. You can integrate the software with third-party video-conferencing platforms to present slides during online conferences.

• Connect with Google Apps: Integrate with other Google Apps, such as Google Sheets and Gmail, to embed data charts or give direct replies to comments. You can also search the web and Google Drive for relevant content and images directly from Slides.

Customer support options: Help center and email

3. Keynote: Comes with picture-in-picture display mode

Keynote is a presentation tool developed by Apple for macOS and iOS operating systems. It lets you create visually appealing, interactive presentation slides with dynamic backgrounds, motion titles, and pre-installed themes. With its picture-in-picture display, you can add live videos (such as how-to videos and lectures) or appear in a window within the slides. Keynote’s multiple presenter mode allows presenters to take turns controlling the deck and improve the overall experience. This tool has a mobile app for iOS users.

Product features of interest

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• Interactive elements: Create links by turning text, text boxes, images, shapes, lines, arrows, videos, and other elements into hyperlinks. You can also add captions and titles to images, videos, and shapes.

• Precise editing: Use precise editing controls to fine-tune the look and placement of your objects and images. For example, you can use the Instant Alpha tool to make parts of an image transparent and remove an unwanted background or color.

• Shapes and images gallery: Access over 700 Apple-designed shapes and images. You can change the color and size, add text, and even create and save your own shapes.

Customer support options: Help center, FAQs, chat, and call

4. Mentimeter: Features pop-up help bubbles for assistance

Mentimeter is a presentation software solution that allows users to create interactive presentations by incorporating various features, including polls, quizzes, and open-ended questions. With this tool, users can engage their audience and gather feedback in real time through mobile devices. Each Mentimeter slide features pop-up help bubbles designed to assist users in navigating the software. Mentimeter has a mobile app for both Android and iOS devices.

Product features of interest

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• Fully customizable templates: Mix and match pre-installed templates with different elements such as graphics, images, and layouts to build interactive presentations.

• Engagement tools: Leverage various engagement tools, including dynamic word clouds, live polling, quizzes, and Q&As, to capture real-time inputs, visualize the audience’s ideas, and deliver insightful icebreakers.

• Integrations: Integrate with third-party apps, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Hopin, and PowerPoint, to increase the efficiency of presentations and improve collaboration.

Customer support options: Email, chat, and a knowledge base

5. Microsoft PowerPoint: Includes an AI-powered presenter coach

Microsoft PowerPoint allows users to create professional-looking presentations using various tools and elements, including text, graphics, multimedia, and images. The tool includes an AI-powered presenter coach that analyzes the speaker’s pace, word choice, and speaking style to provide feedback and suggestions on how to improve the delivery of a presentation. Microsoft PowerPoint has a presentation app for both Android and iOS devices.

Product features of interest

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• 3D objects: Create dynamic presentations by embedding 3D objects, animated videos, and transitions.

• Convert ink to text: Convert handwritten ink annotations into text. This can be useful if you have made handwritten notes on your slides and want to convert them to text so that they are more legible and easier to edit.

• Track changes: Access version history to track and compare changes, navigate between versions, and restore to an older version if required.

Customer support options: Knowledge base, chat, email, help desk, phone support, and FAQs

6. Piktochart: Integrates with IconScout for design icons

Piktochart is a web-based tool that allows users to create visual content such as presentations, infographics, and business reports. It provides pre-installed templates, graphics, and design elements that can be customized to create professional-looking content. The software integrates with IconScout, which offers a wide range of icons in different styles and categories, such as social media, business, and technology, to add visual interest and clarity to your presentations.

Product features of interest

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• Branding: Drag and drop company logos, screenshots, and fonts to customize your presentation templates. You can create a custom color palette and add design components to align with your company’s branding.

• Online and offline sharing: Download your presentation in PPT or PDF format and share it on social media or with your stakeholders. You can switch to presentation mode to present your slides during a virtual conference or video call.

• Storytelling: Leverage data charts and maps to visualize your data and highlight focus areas in the presentation.

Customer support options: Chat, video tutorials, and help center

7. Prezi: Comprises Zoom Reveal to focus on critical details

Prezi allows users to create dynamic, interactive presentations. It uses a canvas-based interface, rather than traditional slides, that allows users to pan and zoom between different elements of their presentation. This presentation tool offers a range of templates and design elements, as well as the ability to import multimedia content such as videos and images. It has a mobile app for both Android and iOS users.

Product features of interest

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• Drag-and-drop editor: Drag and drop content and design elements to your slides with the Smart Structures feature, making it easy to organize your presentation without disrupting the layout.

• Presenter tools: Use the presenter view to leave notes, prompts, and talking points only you can see while you present; and Live Prezi to share presentations in real time with anyone via a dedicated link. You can use the voice-over feature to record step-by-step narration that plays as people view your presentations.

• Analytics: Monitor the progress of your presentation’s viewers and determine how long they spend on each topic. Obtain individualized data on who has viewed or shared your presentation and when, allowing you to effectively target your follow-up efforts.

Customer support options: Chat, email, help center, and FAQs

How to choose the best presentation software for your business

There are several factors to consider while selecting the best presentation software for your business. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:

• Consider your feature requirements: Before selecting business presentation software, consider your business needs and must-have features. For example, you will need a multimedia stock library, collaboration tools, and the ability to track changes. Also, check if the software allows you to customize and format your slides, including themes and layout options, to create a cohesive and professional presentation.

• Look for presentation template library and multimedia support: Software solutions that offer a wide selection of professional-looking templates and fonts can provide a helpful starting point and save time while creating presentations. Besides that, the ability to incorporate multimedia elements can enhance the visual appeal and impact of a presentation.

• Check multi-user screen-sharing options: Some presentation software apps allow multiple users to share their screens simultaneously, while some tools do not offer this option. If you are looking for a tool to improve team collaboration, you should consider multi-user screen-sharing features.

• Consider collaboration elements: Consider a tool that allows you to collaborate on presentations with your teammates and stakeholders. Real-time collaboration features, such as the ability to share and edit presentations, add comments, and leave feedback, can improve the efficiency of the presentation-creation process.

• Assess file formats and device support: Presentation software typically allows incorporating images, audio, and video, but you should double-check which file types are supported and select a solution that supports different file formats. Checking the types of supported hardware is also important, as options to connect with wireless devices and the availability of mobile apps will make it easier to use the tool.

How much does presentation software cost?

Most products in the market are priced on a “per user, per month” basis and can be broken down into three common pricing tiers based on their starting price.

Price ranges:

• $11 – $13

• $14 – $30

• $31+

*The pricing included is for the entry-level/lowest-priced offering found on vendor websites on January 04, 2023. These ranges correspond to the 25th, 75th, and 100th percentiles of pricing information gathered from vendor websites of sample products.

Hidden costs associated with presentation software

The above pricing list summarizes pricing for the base plans of most products. An enterprise or premium product that is priced higher may include additional features, for example, unlimited presentation templates, custom colors, custom themes, company branding, workspace analytics, and priority support. However, even the free plan may have hidden charges, such as training and implementation costs, customization costs, add-on charges, and integration and scalability costs. Before making a choice, ask the software vendor about any such hidden charges to ensure full pricing transparency.

Frequently asked questions when selecting presentation software

Here are some questions to ask presentation software providers before making a final purchase:

Does the presentation solution support real-time collaboration?

If you have a cross-functional team with multiple stakeholders, look for presentation software that supports collaboration. This will help your team make changes to the presentation in real time and reduce the risk of inconsistencies with instant feedback on the content.

Does the software offer stock content?

Stock content, such as pre-installed templates, graphics, videos, fonts, and icons, can save time and effort in the presentation process by allowing you to easily insert pre-made content into your projects rather than having to create everything from scratch. Check with your software vendor if their tool offers access to a variety of stock content options.

Does the software offer offline/online capabilities?

The right presentation tool should be accessible online and offline to accommodate situations where a reliable internet connection may not be available. It should also allow you to easily create, save, and present an appealing presentation without an internet connection. This will help streamline the presentation creation process and make it more convenient.

How well does the tool integrate with other software solutions?

Most presentation tools integrate with communication platforms to facilitate sharing files and assets, collaboration, conferencing, and task management. Before finalizing, you can ask vendors if their presentation software supports easy integration with third-party applications you use. For example, integration with project management software and customer relationship management (CRM) systems can help streamline the presentation-creation process and improve communication.