The presentation software market is nothing short of crowded. Gone are the days when PowerPoint was your only option. Instead, there are now countless options with cloud-based applications, online platforms, and built-in software. With so many options, selecting the right software can seem like an impossible task.
Don’t worry. Our team has worked with many of the different options available on the market, and we’re here to help you make an educated decision on which software is best for you.
First, it’s important to understand that selecting the right software is primarily based on personal opinion and functionality needs. Each application comes with pros and cons with different cost points as well as overall functionality. It will serve you well to think through your needs before setting out on forming a decision since those will be a vital part of the selection process.
We have put together a few of our favorite options as well as some tips on when to use each.
PowerPoint
Let us start by saying PowerPoint is the workhorse of the presentation industry. This software comes with many native design functions and will satisfy many presentation needs. However, when not used correctly, PowerPoint can become static and stale leaving your audience disengaged and disconnected from your content.
If you are looking for clean templates that are easy to plug and play, PowerPoint is a great option for you. It also comes with a great compression back end that will allow you to keep files small while maintaining high class design.
Prezi
In a recent study, Harvard researchers found that Prezi is more engaging than PowerPoint placing it on the map of competitive presentation software. With its visually appealing templates and its highly adaptable usability, Prezi is a great option for the presenter who will find themselves making adjustments on the fly.
If you are interested in a presentation software that is sleek and up to date with the latest design trends, Prezi is for you. Its unique ability to jump throughout the presentation seamlessly allows for impactful engagement with your audience and a customized presentation. The con to this functionality is the risk of distraction as a presenter has the ability to go off script.
Keynote
Apple’s native presentation software is sure to wow the average user. This user-friendly interface is great for the presenter with minimal design experience. Much like PowerPoint, it comes with many native design functions and templates that will be helpful to even the most experienced designer.
If you are looking for a free built-in alternative to PowerPoint and you are a Mac user, Keynote is the software for you. The functionality at the cost cannot be beaten. However, Keynote files do tend to be large as high scale imagery brings them to life. These files can result in a clunky presentation if not exported and presented with the right hardware.
The presentation software industry is always growing. These three are just a few of the many options available to presenters. At Ethos3, we have found these three platforms to be our favorites, but selecting the right software hinges primarily on your personal preference, so don’t overthink it. Find what you like, and get started designing today.
Don’t have time to worry about design? Contact us today to find out how we can help.
