Pick by how you work
Free slide software comes in four kinds. Pick the kind first, then compare the limits:
| Kind | Examples | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Office apps in the browser | Google Slides, PowerPoint for the web, Zoho Show | Classic slide decks, sharing and editing together |
| Desktop apps | Keynote, LibreOffice Impress, Sozi | Working offline and presenting from your own computer |
| Design-focused web apps | Pitch, Visme | Polished templates, brand colors and shared links |
| Slides as code | Slidev, Marp, reveal.js, Quarto, Beamer | Developers, scientists and anyone who writes in Markdown or LaTeX |
If you will present on someone else's computer, bring a PDF export as a backup copy.
PowerPoint files and exports
Sooner or later someone sends you a .pptx file or asks for one. What the official pages say:
| App | Opens PowerPoint files | Exports named on the page |
|---|---|---|
| Keynote | Yes, import and edit | PowerPoint, PDF, HTML, movies, images |
| Zoho Show | Yes: PPTX, PPT, PPSX, PPS, ODP | PPTX, PPSX, HTML, ODP, PDF |
| Google Slides | Yes, edit directly without making a copy | Not named on the product page |
| Pitch | Not stated | PDF with Pitch branding; PowerPoint export not on the free plan |
| Visme | Not stated | JPG, PNG, PDF on the free plan |
| Marp | Not applicable | HTML, PDF, PowerPoint |
Slidev can also export PDF, PPTX and PNG. Its export guide notes that a standard PPTX export turns slides into images, while an editable PPTX option rebuilds them as PowerPoint shapes.
Free plan limits
The browser office apps are free with an account, but some extras are paid. Google says anyone with a Google Account can create in Slides, while recording and speaker spotlight need a Google Workspace plan. PowerPoint for the web comes with 5 GB of cloud storage, and files must be saved in OneDrive.
The design-focused apps cap their free plans more tightly:
- Pitch: up to 5 members, 2 external guests, 10 GB storage, 100 AI credits that do not renew.
- Visme: 500 MB storage, 50 pages per project, 10 AI credits a month.
Keynote is free on the App Store with in-app purchases. Its listing says creating, editing and real-time collaboration need no subscription, while some premium features do (US$12.99 a month or US$129 a year).
Slides as code
With these tools you write slides in a text file and the tool turns them into a presentation. They are free and open source:
- Slidev: Markdown slides for developers, MIT license, needs Node.js 22.12 or newer.
- Marp: Markdown to HTML, PDF and PowerPoint, with a VS Code extension and a command line tool.
- reveal.js: an HTML presentation framework with Markdown support, speaker notes and PDF export.
- Quarto: one source for reveal.js, PowerPoint or Beamer slides.
- Beamer: a LaTeX class for slides with PDF output.
Write your slide text in the Markdown editor first if you want a live preview of headings and lists.
Free tools for your next talk
- Script timer: how long your talk takes to read aloud at your pace.
- Aspect ratio calculator: size images for 16:9 or 4:3 slides.
- Color palette generator: a matching set of colors for your theme.
- Compress PDF: shrink the exported deck before you email it.
For pictures and type, see free stock photos, free icon sets and free fonts. We opened each app's official page on the date in the table and wrote down only what it says.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Slides free?
Google's product page says anyone with a Google Account can create in Slides. Some features, such as Slides recording and speaker spotlight, are only available on Google Workspace plans, and Gemini features are an add-on.
Can I use PowerPoint for free?
Microsoft offers PowerPoint for the web free in the browser, and on iOS and Android, with 5 GB of cloud storage. Files must be saved in and shared from OneDrive.
Is Keynote free?
Yes. The App Store lists Keynote as free with in-app purchases. Creating, viewing, editing and real-time collaboration do not need a subscription, but some premium features do. It runs on Mac, iPhone and iPad.
How can I open a PowerPoint file without PowerPoint?
Google Slides can edit PowerPoint files directly, Keynote imports and exports them, and Zoho Show opens PPTX and PPT files and exports PPTX. All three are free.
What are slides as code?
You write the slides as plain text, usually Markdown or LaTeX, and a tool turns them into a presentation. Slidev, Marp, reveal.js, Quarto and Beamer work this way and are open source.