Businesses, students, and organizations, in general, need presentation software. There’s doubt that this tool helps people to express a topic and explain certain concepts easily. And with technological advances, developers add more features to these programs that make them even better.

But how can you choose the best software to create presentations in a market filled with options such as PowerPoint, Google Sheets, or WPS?

In this comparison, we are going to discuss two strong candidates. PowerPoint, from the most used productivity suite; and Keynote, from Apple’s native productivity apps.

We will review their pros, cons, expertise, and differences so you can finally say which one you should use.

So, if you’re about to get either a Mac to use Keynote or a Microsoft Office 2021 suite license to get PowerPoint, hold your horses until you finish this comparison.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint has been one of the most used software to create presentations since it first appeared.

It’s part of the Microsoft Office suite, and you can get it when you purchase a software license.

In a PowerPoint file, you can:

• Prepare in-person presentations.
• Add graphics, animations, videos, and other media content.
• Create designs.
• Prepare digital advertisements.
• Combine programs. For example, include an Excel spreadsheet to a slide.

The main objective of this software is to make your information stand out using PowerPoint templates or a whole wide array of features that include:

• 3D objects.
• Collaboration tools.
• An extensive media files library.
• Online sharing and cooperative work.

Creating an engaging presentation is not an easy task. Since PowerPoint has many advanced functions, it could take a while before you learn how to use it properly. However, you shouldn't let that stop you.

You have an inbound tutorial and a solid Microsoft community that can help you solve any issue.

PowerPoint slides software – like any other program – is not software without flaws.

Here we will see the pros and cons of using this presentation tool for your work.

Pros

• Use It Anywhere: PowerPoint is a program that can be used on most devices. Whether it is mobile, desktop, or laptop, you can use this software to create the best presentation. If you have a license, you can use it.
• Create An Interesting PowerPoint Presentation: With PowerPoint, you can build visually appealing slides in PPT format.
• Customize Your Presentation Online: If you save PowerPoint files online, you can edit and customize them wherever you want. You can add graphics, media, animations, slides, content, and more.
• Copy Slides Between Presentations: PowerPoint users can make copies online or offline. This allows you to make corrections without touching previous documents.
• Share Your Documents With Others: If you have Microsoft 365, you can share the document with coworkers. You can modify it with them in real-time. 
• Use Rich Content: You can add images, videos, graphics, charts, and more to the presentation.
• Life-time serial code: When you purchase a serial key for Microsoft Office, you can use it permanently. 
• User-friendly platform: PowerPoint has a user-friendly interface that allows you to find anything you’re looking for. You can easily reach formatting options, opacity settings, text boxes, animation options, and more.

Cons

• Presentations with a lot of information can be uncomfortable.
• Slides can’t have a lot of text.
• Microsoft 365 is a monthly expense.
• People can get lost in your presentation.

Keynote presentation software is part of the Apple productivity suite. It comes by default with Mac so that Apple users can have an immediate tool to create their presentations. As part of the Apple ecosystem, this program:

• Has a minimalistic interface.
• Is intuitive.
• Has complete integration with other Apple products.
• Allows using an Apple Pencil on an iPad to draw diagrams.

However, if you’re not a regular Apple user, you may have trouble getting used to the interface and how to work with it. You may also have trouble with these advanced functions:

• Animation tracing.
• Using your own designed themes.
• Preparing transitions with objects.
• Uploading media files.
• Creating animations.

But besides all, keynote slides it’s a great option that also works as a free PowerPoint viewer. It’s safe to say that Mac users hardly use Microsoft Office’s suite.

Keynote is great software, but it also has some flaws. That’s why we’ll explore the Pros and Cons of this presentation software.

Pros

• In comparison to Microsoft’s PowerPoint, Keynote offers a better UI.
• It has a strong connection with other iOS devices.
• Apple’s Keynote can easily integrate media content.
• Changing position elements – such as social media graphics – is easy.

Cons

• No advanced chart options to visualize data.
• You can’t import charts.
• You can’t use common file formats.
• Saved files on iCloud lose their format.

Below you can find the main differences between PowerPoint and Keynote. They will help you find out which one is the best presentation software for you.

The reasons to get presentation software on your computer or mobile device can vary.

But, in general terms, you would need a presentation tool like this – whether it is Keynote or PowerPoint – to:

• Create, edit, read, share or complete PPT files from different devices.
• Look for mistakes in presentations made by others.
• Present an innovative feature.
• Easily explain a topic with interactive slides.

Every employee and student should have a presentation app that helps them explain topics easily to others. 

For example, if you are in a marketing agency and want to present a strategy that could help the company get more clients, you can do it through a slide presentation.

After an extensive comparison, we can safely say that Microsoft PowerPoint presentation software is a better option than Keynote.

Even when Keynote is a free choice with a better style, it doesn’t have all the features that you may need to create solid slides that can engage your audience. 

And with limited usability, it can be hard for users to create something using Keynote and then not be able to open it because there isn’t an Apple device nearby.

Thanks to compatibility, advanced features, a newly refreshed interface, and integration with other software, this is why PowerPoint is the best option for you.

If you’re ready to create a presentation, you sure want to create the best one you can. So, here are seven tips so you can improve your MS PowerPoint presentations.

Express One Idea Per Slide

Slides aren’t like the common pages from Microsoft Word. Here, you need to present an idea from start to finish on each slide so the flow is concise. This enhances your communicative skills while presenting and makes the slides easier to read.

Also, an unwritten rule says that a slide shouldn’t last more than a minute. And in total, a presentation should last over 20 minutes tops.

Use Graphical Elements Instead of Bullet Points

People understand more when you show them graphics instead of words. 

You should consider replacing your bullet points with graphical elements such as images, videos, infographics, etc. This will also make the presentation more interesting for readers.

Design Your Template

Let’s be honest. Microsoft PowerPoint’s templates are the worst.

Yes, they can help you sometimes with their minimalist design, but if you’re looking for a complex presentation and something that engages your audience, you won’t find it.

That said, you should create your template based on your requirements.

Reduce The Information Expressed In Charts

Charts should contain the needed information. Period.

When a chart or a graphic has more than it needs, it becomes unclear and confusing. So, the best thing you can do is delete all the useless information for readability purposes.

This will also indicate that you understand the topic you’re talking about.

Don’t Use Pictures In Your Background

Back were the days when using a background was cool. Now, in our minimalistic society, the less, the better. 

That’s why you shouldn’t use backgrounds on your slides. This will make it difficult to read and make your presentation confusing and boring.

Use Animations To Control The Presentation’s Flow

If you’ve done presentations before and your readers are concentrated on the slide’s content instead of what you have to say, you should consider controlling the flow of your meeting.

You can do this by applying transition animations to slides, texts, graphics, and more.

This way, readers will follow you, and you’ll get to prepare more of a conversation instead of a robotic presentation. This strategy is used by business presenters when they want to make sure that everybody understands what they are saying.

Delete The Texts You Don’t Need

A slide isn’t a notebook where you can type all your thoughts. This is a serious document that you will use to guide your presentation.

So, if you want to prepare solid slides, you should erase all the information that is not specific to a topic. This will make you look like an expert and show that your experience is talking, not just PowerPoint.

The best presentation app is the one that suits your needs. Whether it is PowerPoint from the Microsoft Office suite or Keynote for Apple devices, you need software that can create visually enhanced presentations that delight your audience.

But all this is worthless if you can’t understand how to use the program's potential.

That’s why MS PowerPoint is such a great option. This program is the definitive tool you can use to develop your presentation files. With too many features available to use and a steep learning curve, PowerPoint makes it all easier for you.

Of course, you will need to purchase a license if you want to enjoy all of the features. The good thing is that a Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2021 license doesn’t cost you more than $12.

By using a third-party seller, you find these licenses and activate your software as you would with an original key. The difference is that Microsoft will charge you over $150.