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While Microsoft PowerPoint is the industry standard, I much prefer Google Slides for whipping up a quick presentation. Both presentation software share several similarities, but I would choose Google Slides over PowerPoint for several reasons.
1Completely Free of Charge
Unlike Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides is available free of charge for individuals. There are no subscription fees or one-time costs. On the other hand, the PowerPoint desktop app costs about $180 for a single device (PC or Mac), while the 365 version is priced at $99.99/year. However, paying for an entire software suite just to make presentations doesn’t appeal to me much.
To be fair, Microsoft does offer a free web version for every Office application, but they tend to have considerably limited functionality, compared to Google Workspace alternatives. It is not much of a contest, particularly considering how much of a cheapskate I am.
2No Installation Required
Google Slides is cloud productivity software that runs on a web browser. There is no need to download and install any application beforemaking your eye-catching presentations. As mentioned before, Microsoft PowerPoint does have an online version, but it isn’t as feature-rich as its offline counterpart.
Google Slides is the ideal option when you need to work on a presentation on somebody else’s computer. Also, it helps when collaborating with people who use other operating systems such as Linux, since there is no software to install or compatibility issues to worry about.
3Better Compatibility
While there are workarounds forinstalling Microsoft Office on Linux, there is no official port for the Linux operating system to date.
Idual-boot Windows and Linux, and Google Slides gives me the option to work from either platform. As a cloud-based application, Slides is fully compatible with Linux, Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. This cross-platform accessibility ensures that you can easily access, edit, and present your work, regardless of the device or OS you’re using.
Furthermore, Google Slides is compatible with PowerPoint file formats, and you’re able to import, export, and share presentations between applications.
4Better for Online Presentations
As part of the Google Workspace, Google Slides integrates seamlessly with other Google applications. This means that I can embed YouTube videos and images from my Google Drive without leaving the application. More importantly, I can start a Google Meet video meeting in the Google Chrome browser andpresent a slideshow directly from Google Slides.
Microsoft PowerPoint, especially the desktop-only version, is best suited for traditional presentations. There used to be a Present Online feature that could broadcast your presentation to a remote audience, but it is no longer available. You need to use either the web version or Microsoft 365 to broadcast an online presentation.
5Works Better for Collaboration
Google Slides is built for collaboration and allows multiple users to collaborate on a presentation in real-time. Users can be granted access to the presentation document via the link or their Gmail address. Up to 100 people can view, edit, and comment on a Google Slides presentation at a time.
Microsoft 365 also allows you to share your presentations and collaborate with your colleagues in real-time. However, the presentations must be uploaded to OneDrive or SharePoint Online first, making the process a bit more cumbersome than Google Slides’ one-click option.
6Consistent Interface on All My Devices
The Slides interface is clean and consistent on all my devices, both PC and mobile. All features are available regardless of the platform I am using. While available for free on the web and mobile, a paid subscription is required for the desktop version of PowerPoint.
Seamless cross-platform compatibility is a very nice feature to have when you are on the move and need to switch between devices multiple times. And Google Slides offers it free of charge.
Microsoft PowerPoint is the preferred option for advanced users and business professionals who need premium templates, complex animations, and special effects. However, Google Slides works better for making simple, everyday presentations that I can share with anyone and access from anywhere.
