With almost everything moved to ‘online’ it’s not surprising that our favourite productivity tools are there as well. Of course, that now means that we have a choice between programs, It’s time to answer that “age old question” (from 2006 🤣) Microsoft or Google. This one is a rather quiet question – Google Slides vs PowerPoint Online.
Note: To keep with the theme, I’m taking Canva out of the equation even though it’s definitely a top contender for presentations.
Seeing Double
Having this week taken these screenshots of both programs, I can be forgiven for thinking that I’m seeing double!
When did they become copies of each other?
They both have the web-browser screen split in the same three sections – on the left is the slides or slide sorter. The middle has the current slide, ready to be edited. And finally on the right, they both have suggestions for the look of the slide. Slides is calling it themes, while PowerPoint Online it’s the designer pane.
Both of the sections on the right can be switched off to give you more space.
How on earth are you supposed to be able to choose between these two, when they appear so similar?
Let’s give it a try.
Slide Content and Design
Layouts
When you create the next slide, it’s a lot easier if you are able to use one of the built-in layouts. It simply means that if you change your mind switching to a different layout is a click, rather than manually moving things.
PowerPoint Online has 9 layouts to choose from, however, Slides offers you a choice of 11.
The additional options with Slides seems to be a single column of text, and big number.
Content Options
Looking through both apps, there doesn’t seem to be that much difference between them.
They both offer the expected items, from Text, Images, Drawing, to Charts, Tables, Audio and Video.
I didn’t see anything ‘stand out’ from either Google Slides compared to PowerPoint to help choose one over the other.
Design
Now this is personal preference.
However, I’m finding the options in PowerPoint Online to be more colourful and interesting compared to Google Slides.
Yes, I did scroll down, to see that Slides has some colour options, rather than monochrome – but they seemed to be blocks of colour, rather than anything interesting. The built-in options are what you can see on screen, with the option to import more.
PowerPoint Online offers a better design selection, with more than simple blocks of single colours. The standard list on screen is a starting point, with the option to see more designs.
I’ll be the first to say that the design needs to be based on who and what you’re presenting – fancy isn’t always (or usually) the best option.
Presenting
Animations and Transitions
To be clear on the differences:
Transitions is the effect moving from one slide to the next.
Animations are the effects for the items on the slides.
Now that that’s all cleared up:
Google Slides has a choice of 9 transitions to select from. PowerPoint Online has a surprising 46 (yes, almost 50) transitions to pick from!
Sadly, like the design, it’s better to choose one transition (if you’re going to use one at all) and stick to it throughout the whole presentation.
Note: You can add other transitions in, if it helps you make a point, but less is definitely more for this.
Animation
Here’s where you can really go overboard (please don’t) with things flying in and appearing all over the place.
Slides has grouped the animation into the transition task pane (it’s the second set of options). You have a choice of 15 animations, although there’s only 6 options, the rest are different directions.
PowerPoint Online has separate options (on the ribbon) for each command.
Here you’ve got 37 different animations to choose from, plus the direction (when relevant).
If slide effects are your thing, you’ll want to go with PowerPoint Online for the depth of options and choice.
Running the Show
Your slide deck is created and it’s finally time to present – what are the options?
Speaker notes can be added at the bottom of the slides in the main view – so that’s the same on both programs.
Look at Google Slides it feels a bit light.
The Slideshow button is on the top right of the Slides page, and you can either click on it to start the presentation from the current slide, or use the drop-down arrow to select to start from the beginning, or use the presenter view.
On the other hand, PowerPoint Online has a few more options, that can be found in the Slide Show Ribbon Tab.
Note: If took me longer than I care to admit to find, but use the Slide Show view in the bottom right hand corner to see the current slide displayed.
Microsoft offers the same options, plus Present Live (if you don’t have an online meeting system to use), Rehearse with Coach and Subtitles options.
Watch my YouTube video to see Microsoft PowerPoint Online: How to Present a Slide Deck
Your Choice
When it comes to Slides vs PowerPoint Online, I have a pretty clear winner, but you’re not me.
It comes down to what you want the slides to look like – the choices available to you.
How important are the effects, both movement between slides and items on the slide.
Depending on how you feel and what you want, this will help you to make the best choice for you with Google Slides vs PowerPoint Online.
Next Steps
Comparing Microsoft Office Online and Google Office over these last few weeks, it’s pretty clear that there isn’t an obvious answer which you should choice.
Of course, you don’t have to choose between the two web based office suites – you can pick and choose between the individual apps to find the best ones for now, not just “you”.
At the end of the day, it’s what you feel comfortable using, and the options that you want/need to use.
Over to you – what do you think?
Working Online Posts
Google Office vs Microsoft Online: Deciding on the best one for you
What online word processor is best for you?
How to choose your favourite online spreadsheet
What’s the best online slides program? (current post)
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