PPTXPPTX: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Fonts, animations and embedded media can change
PPTPPT: opens only, partial fidelity. Opens PPT files; downloads are offered as PPTX, ODP and PDF
ODPODP: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Basic formatting carries over
Needs a Google account and a browser or the mobile app. PPTX import and export work, but complex animations and fonts can change. Free version: Free with a personal Google account and 15 GB of shared storage. Google Workspace plans add admin controls and more storage.
Situational
1 tool
Right for specific needs, or not yet mature enough to recommend widely.
An HTML framework, not a slide editor. Slides are written in HTML or Markdown and need a browser. The authors also run a hosted visual editor at slides.com.
Sponsor this page: $149 for 30 days. Sponsors appear above the ranking, labeled; the ranking itself is not for sale.
Feature parity
How each alternative covers what people use Microsoft PowerPoint for. Numbers link to editor notes.
LibreOffice Impress, PPTX fidelity for layouts, animations and media: Opens and saves PPTX; animations, SmartArt and fonts can change
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, PPTX fidelity for layouts, animations and media: Native PPTX; some effects and SmartArt can differ
Google Slides, PPTX fidelity for layouts, animations and media: Imports PPTX; fonts, animations and embedded media can change
reveal.js, PPTX fidelity for layouts, animations and media: Does not open PPTX files; slides are HTML
LibreOffice Impress, Slide masters and templates: Master slides and templates
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, Slide masters and templates: Slide masters and layouts
Google Slides, Slide masters and templates: Theme builder with layouts
reveal.js, Slide masters and templates: CSS themes instead of slide masters
LibreOffice Impress, Animations and transitions: Animations and transitions are built in; PPTX effects can map differently
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, Animations and transitions: Animations and transitions with fewer effects than PowerPoint
Google Slides, Animations and transitions: Basic transitions and object animations
reveal.js, Animations and transitions: Transitions, fragments and auto-animate
LibreOffice Impress, Charts, diagrams and embedded media: Charts and diagrams are built in; SmartArt is converted to shapes
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, Charts, diagrams and embedded media: Charts and shapes; SmartArt support is limited
Google Slides, Charts, diagrams and embedded media: Charts linked from Sheets and simple diagrams; no SmartArt
reveal.js, Charts, diagrams and embedded media: HTML, SVG and JavaScript chart libraries
LibreOffice Impress, Presenter view and speaker notes: Presenter console with notes and a timer
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, Presenter view and speaker notes: Slideshow mode and speaker notes
Google Slides, Presenter view and speaker notes: Speaker view with notes and audience Q&A
reveal.js, Presenter view and speaker notes: Speaker view with notes
LibreOffice Impress, Real-time co-authoring: The desktop app has no real-time co-authoring
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, Real-time co-authoring: Real-time co-editing needs a connected ONLYOFFICE or Nextcloud server
Google Slides, Real-time co-authoring: Live editing for many people at once
reveal.js, Real-time co-authoring: No built-in collaboration; use git or a hosted editor
LibreOffice Impress, AI slide design and generation: No built-in AI by design as of 26.8
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, AI slide design and generation: AI plug-in works with your own provider and API key
Google Slides, AI slide design and generation: Gemini in Slides needs a paid Google AI or Workspace plan
reveal.js, AI slide design and generation: No built-in AI
Not covered by any free alternative yet: PPTX fidelity for layouts, animations and media, Charts, diagrams and embedded media, AI slide design and generation. See all feature gaps
File formats
Can each alternative open and save Microsoft PowerPoint files?
Microsoft PowerPoint is a product of Microsoft, named here for comparison only. Platforms listed for Microsoft PowerPoint: Windows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android.