Powtoon vs. SmartSlides

Powtoon is a very capable suite of tools that help a developer create training videos that look way better than they should. I've used it to create fun, attention-getting commercials for new topics, I've used it to enhance what would otherwise be boring step-by-step tutorials, and I've used it to create all manner of "Explainer videos" for all kinds of topics - this is where it EXCELS! In my opinion, its biggest limitations are limits on imported video (max of 90 seconds), which mean that you have to do a lot of extra work to break up and import anything of substantive length. And because it presents your personal library of imported images and audio ONLY sequentially, it's VERY LIMITED in the re-usability of those assets - it's way faster to just import a new instance of an image and audio than to try to find it in your library.

Incentivized

• Powtoon is very easy to use; no previous experience is needed.
• It has a lot of features (images, backgrounds, videos, sounds, etc.)
• It automatically saves your work
• After you have created your video, you can download it to your computer in different resolutions

Incentivized

• Comparing it to Vyond, it is more time consuming to make videos. The timeline could be easier to understand.
• They recently started upcharging to use some scenes. This has made updating some of my videos challenging as the scenes that were included as part of my plan are now an upgrade to use.
• They don't have a voice over option. I have actually taken some of the videos out of the platform over to Vyond to add voiceover.
• Some items they have introduced, like turning a powerpoint into a video really don't work.

Incentivized

I have never needed the support feature. As I mentioned, everything was intuitive to me however I have taught myself Adobe, Final Cut and iMovie so most of these programs became intuitive.

Incentivized

Powtoon has the advantage over traditional video editing software in terms of the library of characters and elements that can be easily dragged and dropped onto the canvas. Powtoon is easier to use and has a more intuitive user interface than Vyond.

Incentivized

• We don't have to spend money on traveling to a location to do an actual live shoot.
• I'm spending less time on hand animating videos.
• We used these to create teaser videos for our professional development offerings. I believe because of the captivating graphics, we had a lot more people driven to our site.

Incentivized