Online PPT Maker | 6 Popular Tools Reviewed In 2024

Presenting

Jane Ng 26 February, 2024 8 min read

Remember the last time you were truly excited to create a presentation? If that seems like a distant memory, it's time to get acquainted with an online PPT maker. 

In this blog post, we’ll discover the top online PPT makers. These platforms are not just about putting together slides; they're about unleashing your creativity. Whether you're a student, a professional, or just someone looking to put together a slideshow for a family event, an online PPT maker is here to simplify the process. 

Table Of Contents

Tips for Better Engagement

Key Features to Look For In An Online PPT Maker

Image: Freepik

When searching for an online PPT maker, there are several key features you should look for to ensure you can create effective and engaging presentations with ease. 

1. User-Friendly Interface

The platform should be easy to navigate, allowing you to find tools and options quickly. A good online PPT maker makes creating slides as simple as drag-and-drop.

2. Variety of Templates

A wide selection of templates helps you start your presentations on the right foot, whether you're making a business proposal, an educational lecture, or a personal slideshow. Look for a range of styles and themes.

3. Customization Options

The ability to customize templates, change layouts, and tweak designs is crucial. You should be able to adjust colors, fonts, and sizes to match your branding or personal taste.

4. Export and Sharing Capabilities

It should be easy to share your presentations or export them in various formats (e.g., PPT, PDF, link sharing). Some platforms also offer live presentation modes online.

5. Interactivity and Animation

Features like interactive quizzes, polls, and animated transitions can help keep your audience engaged. Look for tools that let you add these elements without complexity.

6. Free or Affordable Plans

Finally, consider the cost. Many online PPT makers offer free plans with basic features, which might be sufficient for your needs. However, for more advanced features, you may need to look at their paid plans.

Choosing the right online PPT maker depends on your specific needs, but by keeping an eye out for these features, you can ensure that you select a tool that will help you create professional and impactful presentations.

Popular Online PPT Makers Reviewed

FeatureAhaSlidesCanvaVismeGoogle SlidesMicrosoft Sway
PriceFree + PaidFree + PaidFree + PaidFree + PaidFree + Paid
FocusInteractive presentationsUser-friendly, visual appealProfessional design, data visualizationBasic presentations, collaborationUnique format, internal use
Key FeaturesPolls, quizzes, Q&A, word cloud, and moreTemplates, design tools, team collaborationAnimation, data visualization, interactive elementsReal-time collaboration, Google integrationCard-based layout, multimedia
ProsUser-friendly, engaging, real-time collaborationExtensive templates, easy to use, team collaborationProfessional design, data visualization, brandingFree, simple, collaborativeUnique format, multimedia, responsive
ConsLimited customization, branding limitationsStorage limitations in free planSteeper learning curve, free plan limitationsLimited features, simple designLimited features, less intuitive interface
Best ForEducation, training, meetings, webinarsBeginners, social mediaProfessional, data-heavy presentationsBasic presentations.Internal presentations
Overall Rating⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Popular Online PPT Makers Reviewed

1/ AhaSlides

Price: 

  • Free plan 
  • Paid Plan starts at $14.95/month (billed annually at $4.95/month).

Pros:

  • Interactive features: AhaSlides excels in making presentations interactive with features like polls, quizzes, Q&A sessions, word clouds, and more. This can be a great way to engage your audience and make your presentation more memorable.
  • Templates and design tools: AhaSlides offers a great selection of templates and design tools to help you create professional-looking presentations.
  • Real-time collaboration: Multiple users can work on a presentation simultaneously, making it a good option for teams.
  • User-Friendly Interface: AhaSlides is praised for its intuitive design, making it accessible to users of all skill levels. Even those new to presentation software can quickly learn how to use its features to create engaging content.

❌Cons:

  • Focus on interactivity: If you're looking for a simple PPT maker with basic features, AhaSlides might be more than you need.
  • Branding limitations: The free plan doesn't allow custom branding.

Best for: Creating interactive presentations, presentations for education, training, meetings, or webinars.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

AhaSlides is a great option for those who want to create interactive and engaging presentations. It's not as customizable as some other tools, but its focus on interactivity makes it a valuable tool for many users.

2/ Canva

Price: 

  • Free Plan
  • Canva Pro (Individual): $12.99/month or $119.99/year (billed annually)
Online PPT Maker. Image: Canva

❎Pros:

  • Extensive Template Library: With thousands of professionally designed templates across diverse categories, users can find a perfect starting point for any presentation theme, saving valuable time and effort.
  • Design Customization: While offering templates, Canva also allows for ample customization within them. Users can adjust fonts, colors, layouts, and animations to suit their brand or preferences.
  • Team Collaboration: Multiple users can work on a presentation simultaneously in real time, facilitating teamwork and efficient workflows.

❌Cons:

  • Storage and Export Limitations in Free Plan: The free plan's storage and export options are limited, potentially impacting heavy users or those requiring high-quality outputs.

Best for: Beginners, casual users, creating presentations for social media.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Canva is a fantastic choice for users seeking a user-friendly, visually appealing, and affordable way to create presentations. However, keep in mind its limitations in highly customized designs and advanced features if needed.

3/ Visme 

Price: 

  • Free Plan
  • Standard: $12.25/month or $147/year (billed annually).
Image: Wyzowl

❎Pros:

  • Wide Range of Features: Visme offers animation, data visualization tools (charts, graphs, maps), interactive elements (quizzes, polls, hotspots), and video embedding, making presentations truly engaging and dynamic.
  • Professional Design Capabilities: Unlike Canva's template-focused approach, Visme offers more flexibility in design. Users can adjust layouts, colors, fonts, and branding elements to create unique and polished presentations.
  • Brand Management: Paid plans allow for setting brand guidelines for consistent presentation styles across teams.

❌Cons:

  • Steeper Learning Curve: Visme's wider range of features can feel less intuitive, especially for beginners.
  • Free Plan Limitations: Features in the free plan are more restricted, impacting data visualization and interactivity options.
  • Pricing Might Be Higher: Paid plans can be costlier than some competitors, especially for extensive needs.

Best for: Creating presentations for professional use, presentations with a lot of data or visuals.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐

Visme is great for professional, data-heavy presentations. However, it has a steeper learning curve than other tools and the free plan is limited.

4/ Google Slides

Price: 

  • Free: With a Google account. 
  • Google Workspace Individual: Starting at $6/month.
Image: Google Slides

❎Pros:

  • Free and Accessible: Anyone with a Google account can access and use Google Slides completely free, making it readily available for individuals and organizations.
  • Simple and Intuitive Interface: Designed with ease of use in mind, Google Slides boasts a clean and familiar interface, similar to other Google products, making it easy to learn and navigate even for beginners.
  • Real-time Collaboration: Edit and work on presentations simultaneously with others in real time, facilitating seamless teamwork and efficient editing.
  • Integration with Google Ecosystem: Seamlessly integrates with other Google products like Drive, Docs, and Sheets, allowing for easy import and export of content and streamlined workflows.

❌Cons:

  • Limited Features: Compared to dedicated presentation software, Google Slides offers a more basic set of features, lacking advanced animation, data visualization, and design customization options.
  • Simpler Design Capabilities: While user-friendly, the design options might not cater to users seeking highly creative or visually stunning presentations.
  • Limited Storage: The free plan comes with limited storage space, potentially restricting usage for presentations with large media files.
  • Fewer Integrations with Third-Party Tools: Compared to some competitors, Google Slides offers fewer integrations with non-Google products and services.

Best for: Basic presentations, collaborating with others on presentations

Overall: ⭐⭐

Google Slides shines for its simplicity, accessibility, and seamless collaboration features. It's a solid choice for basic presentations and collaborative needs, particularly when budget or ease of use are priorities. However, if you require advanced features, extensive design options, or broader integrations, other tools might be more suitable.

5/ Microsoft Sway

Price: 

  • Free: With a Microsoft account. 
  • Microsoft 365 Personal: Starting at $6/month.
Image: Microsoft

❎Pros:

  • Free and Accessible: Available for anyone with a Microsoft account, making it readily accessible for individuals and organizations within the Microsoft ecosystem.
  • Unique Interactive Format: Sway offers a distinct, card-based layout that breaks away from traditional slides, creating a more interactive and engaging experience for viewers.
  • Multimedia Integration: Easily embed various media types like text, images, videos, and even 3D models, enriching your presentations.
  • Responsive Design: Presentations automatically adapt to different screen sizes, ensuring optimal viewing on any device.
  • Integration with Microsoft Products: Integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products like OneDrive and Power BI, facilitating easy content import and workflow.

❌Cons:

  • Limited Features: Compared to competitors, Sway offers a more limited set of features, lacking advanced design customization, animation, and data visualization options.
  • Less Intuitive Interface: Users accustomed to traditional presentation tools might find the card-based interface less intuitive initially.
  • Limited Content Editing: Editing text and media within Sway can be less flexible compared to dedicated design software.

Best for: Creating presentations that are different from the norm, presentations for internal use.

Overall:

Microsoft Sway is a unique presentation tool with multimedia integration, but it may not be suitable for complex presentations or users unfamiliar with its format.

Bottom Line

Exploring the world of online PPT makers opens up a realm of possibilities for anyone looking to create engaging, professional, and visually appealing presentations. With a variety of tools available, each offering unique features from interactive quizzes to stunning design templates, there's an online PPT maker out there to meet every need.