Online Presentation Software
June 01, 2021
Online Presentation Software
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Microsoft Powerpoint Online
We are an Ed-Tech Start-up. We provide courses on various topics like App development, website development (Frontend and Backend), Cloud, graphic designing, UI/UX and many more. Due to the pandemic everything has changed. The transition from offline classes to online classes has seen an increase in usage of video conference softwares, presentation tools both for the employees [internal team meetings] and for the students [Instructors need to make some presentation for the students]. Though many people still use Microsoft Powerpoint Desktop version, Microsoft did a great work by introducing the web version. It has its own set of pros and cons and off course you can't completely rule out or outstrip the Desktop version. The best part don't have to click on save button each and everyone time you make a change. Everything is saved automatically [it has cloud storage], but only when you have good network connection.
- Free to use [up to 5 GB cloud storage per person]
- No need to click the save button again and again when you make changes. Everything gets saved automatically to cloud [provided you have good network connection]
- Web browser based application
- A lot of features from the desktop version are still missing [such as more colours, gradients, eyedropper, effects, and styles]
- It currently does not support editing on password protected presentations
- Printing of slides is limited in PowerPoint online when compared to desktop version. It allows to print only one slide per page
- Cannot be used to make advanced presentations due to lack of features [no presenter view, grid and snapping tool and many more]
- The online version helps store files in cloud storage
- You can change your file from PowerPoint web to desktop if in case you want to edit a file which cannot be edited in web version
- Slide show feature just like the desktop version
- For alignment of objects you can use smart guides.
- Although it lacks some of the best features of desktop version, the web version has helped us save time [help us share file online anytime, store files in cloud storage]
- It has a free version [initial trial purpose], like you don't have to pay anything for up to 5 GB cloud storage per person, but for premium need to pay $6.7/month [approx.] with 1 TB storage
- Features like create, reorder, edit slides, add animations, convert to desktop version, copy and paste text, font, paragraph formatting, background replace, spell checks are available for web version too.
- Some features like replace [from the Find and Replace option], limited built-in themes, limited transitions, customizing slides are not there which is a disappointment
Microsoft Powerpoint Online may not have all features of the desktop version, but still it has some necessary tools and features which is why we use it. We also use the desktop version, and Google slides [another presentation tool which helps us store files to drive]. PowerPoint online actually stores files to cloud [OneDrive account]. For people who don't want their desktop space to be consumed with a lot files it is a great alternative. Also, the collaboration part where you can send presentation directly to a person's email, or with the help of link is helpful.
Do you think Microsoft Powerpoint Online delivers good value for the price?
Not sure
Are you happy with Microsoft Powerpoint Online's feature set?
Yes
Did Microsoft Powerpoint Online live up to sales and marketing promises?
I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process
Did implementation of Microsoft Powerpoint Online go as expected?
Yes
Would you buy Microsoft Powerpoint Online again?
Yes
Evaluating Microsoft Powerpoint Online and Competitors
Yes - Microsoft Powerpoint Online hasn't replaced the desktop version of Microsoft Powerpoint, but it has complemented it. In fact some instructors still use the desktop version while the team during its meet uses the online version due to its collaboration feature. PowerPoint online lacks some quality features of the desktop version. If possible Microsoft should try to add some of those features to the web software [if not all].
- Price
- Product Features
- Prior Experience with the Product
PowerPoint online is priced at [1 TB for $6.7/month approx.] in India. Also, after using its free version we felt we needed to upgrade to premium due to the storage feature. While it lacks key features of desktop version, it still is useful and helpful for people who love to work on web. We started with the desktop version, then some felt the need of working online and that is how they shifted to web version. Overall, the usage of web version or desktop version is completely based on one's own preference.
The choice of web or Desktop version and some other softwares like Canva, Google slides can be decided only on based on needs and features. While PowerPoint Online may lack some features and cannot be used for advanced presentations, it is still good for use. If upgrades take place in future Microsoft can add some of them. I was not completely involved in selection and evaluation process but I feel the team behind this has kept certain features and our use case in mind before coming to a conclusion.