For quite a while, PowerPoint has dominated the presentation space as the go-to choice for presenters. But in recent years, Prezi is proving to be a viable contender, with more and more professionals opting to use it to create killer presentations. This, of course, begs the question: Which is the better choice?
The truth is, both programs have features that make them strong and drawbacks that can be bothersome, so the right software for you depends on your unique needs and presentation desires. Here, we break down the pros and cons of each so you can make an informed choice on which is best for you.
PowerPoint Pros
Easy to Use
Chances are, you’ve had at least some experience working in Microsoft programs, which means you’ll find PowerPoint’s interface to be incredibly familiar and user-friendly.
Custom Animations
With its animated entrances, exits, and emphasis effects, PowerPoint makes it really easy to punch up your presentation with engaging animations.
Responsive Hyperlinks
If you want to send someone to a website or another area in the presentation, all you have to do is click the hyperlink button and anyone who views your presentation will be able to instantly navigate to the places you want them to.
Readymade Templates
PowerPoint is full of easy-to-use templates that make it a breeze to quickly create a wide range of well-designed presentations without any design knowledge or experience.
PowerPoint Cons
Similar Look and Feel
PowerPoint’s presentation templates tend to look like they all came from the same family, which means presentations typically don’t look quite as unique as Prezi’s.
Linear Format
The linear format PowerPoint presentations adhere to can make it tough for presenters who need to go back and forth among different slides at different times.
Computer Installation
The need to install PowerPoint on your computer makes it more difficult for presenters to collaborate as well as modify presentations on the go.
Prezi Pros
Completely Web-based
One of the standout pros of Prezi is that you don’t need to download any software or be at a particular computer to use it. All you need is a device with an internet connection.
Zoom In and Out
Prezi’s zoom feature allows the presenter to easily emphasize and highlight important points as well as show a fluid overview of the presentation with just the click of a button.
Unique Designs
Unlike PowerPoint, Prezi starts presentations with a blank canvas, letting presenters more easily pick and choose the design paths they want to take for more unique-looking presentations.
Easy Collaboration
Because Prezi is entirely web-based, users can easily share and collaborate on presentations in real-time, making it an optimal choice for teams working on one presentation together.
Prezi Cons
Fewer Design Options
Prezi has fewer readymade design options than PowerPoint, so presenters without interest or experience in design will find it tougher to use for that reason. Additionally, the readymade options it does have, can’t be edited.
Unfamiliar Interface
Unlike PowerPoint, which has a similar interface to the rest of Microsoft’s programs, Prezi’s interface is unfamiliar to anyone who hasn’t used it, so there’s a bit of a learning curve involved.
No Slide Print-Outs
Because Prezi doesn’t function within a slide format, you can’t print the slides as handouts for your audience like you can with PowerPoint.
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