PowerPoint holds a solid position as the leading presentation software and it has since 1987. However, Google Slides entered the market in 2012 and has steadily grown since. Today, both PowerPoint and Google Slides are massively used across the globe and are equally popular among users in personal as well as professional contexts.
In a professional environment, performing presentation software is a must. In fact, Sales Collateral is often created in this type of software and it is safe to say that businesses are most likely using one or the other. So, where do you stand on this debate? Is Google Slides or PowerPoint a better fit for your company’s needs?
In this article, we will compare both on 10 different criteria and find out which one wins the battle, or if there is no battle as both are targeting a different audience.
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1. Online Performance
PowerPoint
The online version of PowerPoint, PowerPoint online, is not as performant as the desktop version. It comes with fewer features and is therefore functionally less advanced than Google Slides when it comes to online presentation creation. For more details, Microsoft Office’s support is posted on their blog the differences between the desktop and the online version of PowerPoint.
Google Slides
Google Slides was imagined with the intent of being used online. It is a cloud-based software with great online performance. However, since it runs in your browser, it depends on the quality of your internet connection: you may experience slow loading or glitches sometimes if your connection is rather slow.
2. Offline Performance
PowerPoint
As Google Slides was designed to be used online, PowerPoint was imagined to run on your desktop. Once downloaded and properly installed, you can enjoy its full capabilities. The desktop version of PowerPoint includes a wide array of features, animations, and effects that enable the creation of advanced presentations in terms of design capabilities.
Google Slides
Even though it was not initially intended to be used off the internet, Google Slides also has an offline mode. However, the option to work offline needs to be activated beforehand – while you are still online.
3. Pricing
PowerPoint
PowerPoint is a part of the Microsoft Office Suite, so a license is required to be able to use it. Prices vary depending on the package chosen.
Google Slides
Google Slides is a part of Google Docs and is, therefore, free to use for anyone who owns a Google Account (a gmail.com address is enough for example).
4. Accessibility
PowerPoint
PowerPoint requires a Microsoft Office installation on the PC to run. Presentations are directly saved on the computer’s hard drive and therefore accessible at any time from there. However, to access presentations online, access to Microsoft’s cloud storage OneDrive is required. As mentioned, Microsoft offers a free online version of PowerPoint, but it is less equipped than the full desktop version of the product.
Google Slides
As mentioned before, Google Slides is a cloud-based software so only a Google Account and an internet connection are needed to start creating presentations. Therefore, presentations are accessible from anywhere as long as there is a reliable internet connection.
5. Storage
PowerPoint
When it comes to storage and backups, PowerPoint offers automatic saving only from PowerPoint 2016 on and only for Office 365 subscribers. If this is the case, when the AutoSave is checked, documents are saved every few minutes directly on OneDrive.
- For non Office 365 subscribers, PowerPoint includes an AutoRecover option that allows it to recover presentations in case of an unexpected crash.
Google Slides
Google Slides automatically saves all data on Google Drive, so there is no need to click on “Save” for a presentation to be stored. Moreover, it also includes a History of prior versions of presentations, which can be restored at any time if needed.
6. Collaboration
PowerPoint
Collaboration on PowerPoint can sometimes be tricky. First of all, it requires it to be running on at least the 2010 version. If this is the case, presentations can be saved and shared through OneDrive. A better collaboration setting is also available for Office 365 subscribers.
Google Slides
Google Slides enables seamless collaboration between users as it was always meant to be used online. It offers different possibilities such as comments, simultaneous editing, and even a chat.
7.Pre-set templates
PowerPoint
PowerPoint includes a wide range of ready-to-use templates that serve different purposes. In terms of variety, PowerPoint is a step ahead with several custom templates including a higher degree of customization and graphic elements.
Google Slides
Google Slides also comes with a selection of basic templates that can be customized. Moreover, several templates available online are made to be opened and used directly on Google Slides.
8. Embedding
PowerPoint
PowerPoint allows the embedding of audio and video files. These files can be stored on your computer but can also come from the web. For example, you can insert a YouTube video by using the Online video option. In the same way, PowerPoint supports any kind of animations and graphics elements.
Google Slides
Google Slides allow video embedding from Google Drive or YouTube. In the same way, you can add graphic elements such as pictures issued from Drive, your PC, or the web. However, Google Slides does not support audio files.
9.Fonts
PowerPoint
PowerPoint runs with locally installed fonts. If you can have a great diversity of fonts on your PC, it is better to avoid using non-default fonts if you plan to share the presentation or open it on another PC. If you do, there is a chance that they will not display correctly.
Google Slides
Google Slides runs with all Google Fonts so there is a great variety of fonts available without a prior need to install them. As they are available online, they will always display correctly.
10. Export and Conversion
PowerPoint
PowerPoint files can easily be converted to Google Slides format and vice versa. When it comes to exporting, PowerPoint supports a wide array of export formats such as .pdf, .jpg, .gif, .mp4 among others.
Google Slides
When it comes to Google Slides, there are fewer formats for export. The following options are available : .potx, .pptx, .txt, .jpg, .png, .svg.
In conclusion
All in all, both PowerPoint and Google Slides offer advantages over the other in different areas. For example, Google Slides is user-friendly, enables easy collaboration, and is multifunctional. PowerPoint, on the other hand, is a more advanced product that results from several years of development so naturally, it offers more functions for the end-user.
At the end of the day, we think that it is up to you to choose your winner according to your priorities and needs in terms of presentation creation.?