Why I prefer Google Slides over PowerPoint for everyday presentations
Although Microsoft PowerPoint is the industry standard, I much prefer Google Slides for a quick presentation. Both presentation programs share a few similarities, but I would choose Google Slides over PowerPoint for several reasons.
1 Totally free
Unlike Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides for individuals is available for free. There are no subscription fees or one-time costs. On the other hand, desktop PowerPoint costs about $180 per device (PC or Mac), while the 365 version costs $99.99/year. However, paying for an entire software suite just to create presentations doesn’t really appeal to me.
To be fair, Microsoft does offer a free web version for every Office app, but they tend to have very limited functionality compared to the Google Workspace alternatives. Not much of a contest, especially considering how much of a cheap guy I am.
2 No installation required
Google Slides is cloud-based productivity software that runs on a web browser. There is no need to download and install any app before creating engaging presentations. As mentioned earlier, Microsoft PowerPoint has an online version, but it is not as feature-rich as its offline counterpart.
Google Slides is the perfect choice when you need to work on a presentation on someone else’s computer. It also helps when working with people using other operating systems such as Linux, as there is no need to install any software or worry about compatibility issues.
3 Better compatibility
Although there are workarounds for installing Microsoft Office on Linux, there is no official port for the Linux operating system yet.
I’m running a Windows/Linux dual system and Google Slides gives me the ability to work from both platforms. As a cloud-based application, Presentations 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 operating system you’re using.
In addition, Google Slides is compatible with PowerPoint file formats, and you can import, export, and share presentations between applications.
4 Better for online presentations
As part of Google Workspace, Google Slides integrates seamlessly with other Google apps. This means I can embed YouTube videos and images from my Google Drive without leaving the app. More importantly, I can start a Google Meet video conference in Google Chrome and present a presentation 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’s no longer available. You must use the web version or Microsoft 365 to broadcast your presentation online.
5 Works better for collaboration
Google Slides is built for collaboration, allowing multiple users to collaborate on a presentation in real time. Users can access the presentation document via a link or their Gmail address. Up to 100 people can view, edit, and comment on a Google Slides presentation at once.
Microsoft 365 also allows you to share presentations and collaborate with colleagues in real time. However, presentations must first be uploaded to OneDrive or SharePoint Online, which makes the process a bit more difficult than the one-click option in Google Slides.
6 Consistent interface across all my devices
The Slides interface is clean and consistent across all my devices, both PC and mobile. All features are available regardless of the platform I use. While PowerPoint is available for free on the web and mobile, a subscription is required for the desktop version.
Seamless cross-platform compatibility is a very nice feature to have when you’re on the go and need to switch between devices multiple times. And Google Slides offers it for free.
Microsoft PowerPoint is the preferred choice for advanced users and business professionals who need premium templates, complex animations, and special effects. However, Google Slides works better for creating simple, everyday presentations that I can share with anyone and access from anywhere.