PowerPoint is the default way to build a slide deck, and it is also a tool many store owners open only when a supplier, investor, or partner asks for a presentation. The Microsoft page I reviewed lists PowerPoint for the web as free for anyone, and paid Microsoft 365 plans starting at $9.99 a month. People look for PowerPoint alternatives when they want something free, when they want to build a deck faster, or when they want to share and edit slides with a helper online. I run my own stores and teach high-ticket dropshipping at Ecommerce Paradise, so I judge presentation tools by what they cost per year and whether a store owner can produce a clean deck for a supplier meeting or a dealer pitch without spending a weekend on it.
Everything below comes from each vendor’s own page as I reviewed it in October 2026. Where a page does not show a number, I write “not shown” instead of guessing. Prices and plans change often, so confirm them before you sign up. Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
A slide deck supports a store, but it does not replace one. If you are still deciding what to sell, start with my guide to what high-ticket dropshipping is before you spend time on presentations.
PowerPoint Alternatives at a Glance
| Option | Starting price | Free option | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Slides | Free with a Google Account | Yes, with some paid features | Owners who share decks with helpers |
| Gamma | Prices not shown | Free plan, 10 slides per prompt | Owners who want AI to draft a deck |
| Pitch | Plus at 10 euros per seat a month billed yearly | Free plan with limits | Owners who build decks as a team |
| Zoho Show | Described as completely free | Yes | Owners who want a free tool with PowerPoint import and export |
| Apple Keynote | Price not shown | Not confirmed | Owners who work on Apple devices |
A strong deck helps, but the store has to be built right first. If you want a high-ticket store built for you, start here. See the done-for-you store build →
What PowerPoint Costs and Where It Falls Short
The Microsoft PowerPoint page says PowerPoint for the web is free for anyone, with sign-up using any email address. Free users get 5 GB of cloud storage on web, iOS, and Android. Microsoft 365 Personal is listed at $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year for one person, and Family at $12.99 a month or $129.99 a year for one to six people.
Personal lists 1 TB of cloud storage and Family lists 2 TB shared. The page lists Copilot in the desktop apps with Personal, and Copilot features on Family are for the subscription owner only. A one-time purchase option is not shown, because the page lists only subscriptions that auto-renew.
The drawback for a store owner is the bundle. If you pay mainly for slides, you also pay for apps you may never open. The free web version is worth testing first, since it may cover a simple supplier deck on its own.
How to Pick a Presentation Tool
Start with how you present. A deck you share as a PDF has different needs from one you present live. If you send decks by email, export quality matters more than animations.
Next, think about who else edits. If a virtual assistant or a partner changes the same deck, real-time editing and version history matter. If only you open it, a desktop app may be enough.
Finally, think about file compatibility. Suppliers and partners often send decks as PowerPoint files, so check how each tool opens and exports them. My guide to Microsoft Office alternatives compares full suites if you also need documents and spreadsheets.
1. Google Slides
Google Slides is listed as free for anyone with a Google Account, though some features need a paid plan. The page says recording and speaker spotlight require paid Workspace plans, and the Gemini feature called help me visualize is a paid add-on. You can convert PowerPoint files to Slides or edit them directly without making a copy, and the original file stays intact.
Multiple people can edit the same slide at once, with comments, sharing controls, and revision history. Gemini in Slides is said to summarize content, generate a slide from a prompt plus your Drive content, and create images. You can access, create, and edit slides offline.
Slides runs in a browser with mobile apps on the App Store and Google Play, and no desktop app is mentioned. For a custom domain and business tools, the Workspace pricing page lists Starter at $7 per user a month, Standard at $14, and Plus at $22. You can start with Google Workspace if you want those tools.
2. Gamma
Gamma lists Free, Plus, Pro, and Ultra plans with monthly and annual toggles. No dollar amounts are shown on the page I read. The Free plan lists up to 10 slides per prompt, and the page lists export to PDF, PPTX, PNG, and Google Slides.
Plus lists up to 100 slides per prompt, removal of Gamma branding, and advanced AI image models. Pro adds premium AI image models, custom branding, analytics, and up to 10 custom domains. Ultra lists 20 times more AI usage and up to 100 custom domains.
The page does not say outright that the Free plan carries Gamma branding, but Plus lists removing it as an upgrade, which implies it does. AI credits are mentioned in the FAQ without an answer, so I cannot tell you how far the free credits go. I wrote a longer take in my Gamma review.
3. Pitch
Pitch lists a Free plan and paid Plus, Team, and Business plans. Prices are shown in euros per seat per month billed yearly: Plus is 10 euros, Team is 15 euros, and Business is 20 euros. Paying yearly is said to save 17%, and monthly prices are not shown.
The Free plan lists 100 AI credits that do not renew, unlimited presentations and custom templates, 10 GB of storage, and 2 external guests. It does not include PowerPoint export, and its PDF exports and embeds carry Pitch branding. PowerPoint export is included on Plus, Team, and Business, and Plus is described as having no added Pitch branding.
The page says free trials are available to some customers and to contact support for details. US dollar prices are not shown, so confirm the amount at checkout. Pitch suits owners who build decks with a team and need clean PowerPoint export.
4. Zoho Show
Zoho Show says it is completely free with no ads. Pricing tiers are not shown on the page I read. You can see current options through my Zoho link.
The page lists import of PPTX, PPT, ODP, PPSX, and PPS files, and export to PPTX, PPSX, HTML, ODP, and PDF. It also lists real-time collaboration, comments, mentions, and a central library for templates, slides, and fonts. Features include over 100 templates, charts and infographics, embedded audio and video, animations, and Zia AI for generating and refining slides.
Platforms listed are the browser, iOS, Android, Android TV, and Chromebook, with broadcasting to smart TVs. A desktop app is not shown. Because the page makes its own claims about editing without formatting issues, test one of your real decks before you rely on it.
5. Apple Keynote
Keynote is Apple’s presentation app for creating, editing, saving, and sharing presentations. It includes tools for themes, slides, and aspect ratio. It runs on Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, and the web.
Keynote for iCloud runs in a browser on a Mac or Windows computer, where you can create and collaborate on shared presentations. A price is not shown on the page I read, which mentions an Apple subscription that includes Keynote without listing pricing. PowerPoint compatibility is not shown either.
Keynote suits owners who work on Apple devices and present in person. If a partner uses Windows, test sharing and export before you rely on it for an important pitch.
What Each Option Costs Per Year
These figures are my own math from the listed prices. They leave out tax and any add-on the pages do not state, and where a page does not show a price I say so.
Microsoft 365 Personal is $99.99 a year, or $119.88 a year if you pay $9.99 monthly. Family is $129.99 a year, or $155.88 on monthly billing. Google Workspace Starter at $7 per user is $84 a year, Standard at $14 is $168, and Plus at $22 is $264.
Pitch Plus at 10 euros per seat a month billed yearly is 120 euros a year, Team at 15 euros is 180 euros, and Business at 20 euros is 240 euros. Google Slides with a Google Account is $0, and Zoho Show is described as completely free. Gamma and Keynote are not shown, so I cannot work out a figure for them.
Which Option Fits Which Store Owner
If you want to pay nothing, Google Slides and Zoho Show both list free access. Slides lists live editing and sharing controls, while Zoho Show lists several import and export formats.
If you want AI to draft a deck, Gamma lists AI image models and AI credits, and its Free plan lists 10 slides per prompt. If you work on Apple devices, Keynote is worth a test once you confirm the cost.
If you hand decks to partners who use PowerPoint, check export first. Pitch lists PowerPoint export only on paid plans, while Gamma lists PPTX export on its Free plan.
Features Worth Paying For
Export comes first. A deck that cannot become a clean PowerPoint or PDF is hard to send. Pitch Free lists no PowerPoint export, and Gamma Free lists PDF, PPTX, PNG, and Google Slides.
Branding comes second. Free plans often add a logo to exports. Pitch Free lists branded PDF exports, and Gamma lists branding removal on Plus.
Collaboration comes third. If a helper builds slides with you, real-time editing saves back-and-forth. Google Slides and Zoho Show both list it, and Pitch lists external guests on its Free plan.
Using Presentations for a High-Ticket Store
High-ticket selling often involves a pitch. You may present to a supplier you want to carry, a dealer you want to partner with, or a buyer who wants a closer look at a big purchase. A clean deck makes your business look established.
Keep one master deck with your story, products, and terms, and copy it for each meeting. Export a PDF for email so the formatting does not shift. If you sell on Shopify, link to your store inside the deck so buyers can see the products.
Do not polish a deck before you know what you sell. My high-ticket niches list helps you pick a category first.
A Simple 30-Day Test Plan
Pick one real deck, such as a five-slide supplier pitch. Build it in your first-choice tool and export a PDF and a PowerPoint file. Open both on a different computer and note anything that shifted.
Share the deck with a helper and ask them to edit one slide. Check how long the job took and whether you hit a free-plan limit. A free plan with a cap is not free if it stops you before the finish.
At the end of the month, repeat the test with a second tool. Keep the one that finished your real decks best, and cancel anything you did not use.
Costs to Watch as You Grow
The first cost is the billing term. Microsoft lists lower prices on yearly billing than monthly, and Pitch lists yearly prices with a 17% saving. Read the renewal price before you click subscribe.
The second cost is per-seat pricing. Pitch bills per seat, and Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 business plans are priced per user. Plan around the full price after any trial or promo ends.
The third cost is AI usage. Gamma and Pitch both list AI credits or usage limits, and the Pitch free credits do not renew. Check what happens when they run out.
Moving Away From PowerPoint Safely
Do not cancel your Microsoft plan the day you try another tool. Keep it active until you have opened your important decks in the new one. Save a copy of every file in its original format first.
Check fonts, animations, and embedded media, because those are the parts most likely to change. If a deck has charts, make sure they still update. Fix any problems before you send a deck to a supplier.
Tell the people you work with where the new decks live. A short note prevents two versions of the same pitch.
When PowerPoint Is Still the Right Pick
PowerPoint still makes sense in many cases. If you present often to partners who use it, using the same app removes friction. If you need fine control over animations and layout, a long-standing tool can help.
If the free web version covers your needs, there is little reason to pay for anything else. Match the tool to your work, and do not switch only because a list told you to.
Hiring Help With Presentations
Slides are easy to hand off once you have a template. A virtual assistant from OnlineJobs.ph can update prices, swap product photos, and export PDFs from a master deck. Give them one finished example and a short checklist.
For a one-off job, such as a polished dealer pitch, a freelancer on Fiverr can be quicker than doing it yourself. Keep the master copy in your own account and share access carefully.
Common Mistakes With Presentation Tools
The first mistake is paying for a full Microsoft bundle when you only need slides now and then. The second mistake is sending an editable file when a PDF would do.
The third mistake is pitching partners before your company exists. If you have not formed your company, read my guide to business formation for high-ticket dropshipping. To file an LLC quickly, Bizee is one option I recommend.
The fourth mistake is building a deck before you have suppliers. My guide to finding suppliers for high-ticket dropshipping covers what to line up first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free alternative to PowerPoint?
Google Slides is listed as free with a Google Account, and Zoho Show says it is completely free with no ads. Gamma and Pitch also list free plans with limits.
How much does PowerPoint cost?
The Microsoft page says PowerPoint for the web is free. Microsoft 365 Personal is listed at $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year, and Family at $12.99 a month or $129.99 a year.
Can I open PowerPoint files in another tool?
Google Slides lists direct editing of PowerPoint files, and Zoho Show lists import of PPTX, PPT, ODP, PPSX, and PPS. Test your own decks, because fonts and animations may shift.
Which tool uses AI to build slides?
Gamma and Zoho Show both list AI features, and Google Slides lists Gemini. Gamma’s Free plan lists up to 10 slides per prompt, and some Gemini features need a paid plan or add-on.
Do I need a paid presentation tool as a small store owner?
Not always. If you present now and then, a free tool may be enough. Paid plans add branding removal, seats, and export options that matter once a team shares decks.
Final Verdict on PowerPoint Alternatives
Google Slides is a good first test for owners who share decks with helpers and want a free tool. Zoho Show suits owners who want free PowerPoint import and export, Gamma suits owners who want AI to draft a deck, Pitch suits owners who build decks as a team, and Keynote suits owners who work on Apple devices. PowerPoint is still worth keeping if your partners all send you PowerPoint files.
Start with the free options, confirm the current price on each live page, and test with a real deck before you cancel anything. Then put your attention back on the store, because a polished deck only helps when the products behind it can sell.
Want a high-ticket store with the products, suppliers, and pages already set up? Let my team build it for you. Get your store built →
Prefer to learn the model yourself? Start with my free mini course, or go deeper in the masterclass and coaching. Free mini course → Masterclass → Coaching →
Related Articles
If you found this useful, these guides go deeper on related topics:
- Microsoft Office Alternatives: 5 Office Suites Compared by Price and Fit (2026)
- Excel Alternatives: 5 Spreadsheet Tools Compared by Price and Fit (2026)
- Canva Alternatives: 6 Design Tools Compared for Store Owners (2026)
- Gamma Review 2026: Is This the Best AI Presentation Maker for Ecommerce and Dropshipping?
- AhaSlides Review 2026: Interactive Presentations That Invite Real Participation
Trevor Fenner is an ecommerce entrepreneur and world traveler from Seattle, Washington, and the founder of Ecommerce Paradise, a platform focused on helping entrepreneurs build and scale profitable high-ticket ecommerce and dropshipping businesses. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Trevor specializes in high-ticket dropshipping strategy, niche and product selection, supplier recruiting and onboarding, Google & Bing Shopping ads, ecommerce SEO, and systems-driven automation and scaling. Through Ecommerce Paradise, he provides free education via in-depth guides like How to Start High-Ticket Dropshipping, advanced training through the High-Ticket Dropshipping Masterclass, and fully done-for-you turnkey ecommerce services for entrepreneurs who want a faster, more hands-off path to growth. Trevor is known for emphasizing sustainable, real-world ecommerce models over hype-driven tactics, helping store owners build scalable, sellable, and location-independent brands.
He maintains homes in Seattle and Bali, spends most of the year overseas, and usually returns to Seattle for about a month each summer.
