Keynote VS PowerPoint

The Keynote vs PowerPoint debate is as perpetual as the Windows/MacOS conflict. There’s diehard fans from each side and both apps are popular, with huge numbers of great presentations created using both of the tools. The truth is, though, each of them has its own ups and downs. In this article, we’ll try to make a head to head comparison so you can decide what best suits you.

Keynote: Pros

 The main thing every professional presentation service points out in Keynote vs PowerPoint debate is that Keynote is better in terms of design. It’s an easy tool that allows you to create a beautiful presentation quickly and without having to adjust a dozen of small details. Some of the other notable benefits include:

• Multimedia-friendly. Keynote allows you to easily integrate sounds and videos into your project, something that may be quite frustrating to do in PowerPoint.
• Better usability. Keynote is easier to take up for a first-time user, and there are more customizing options that, however, don’t litter your toolbar.
• Product integration. In case you are using other Apple products, you can transition smoothly from your PC to your phone to your notebook and back. As with other Apple apps, the integration level is impressive.

Keynote slides: Cons

Keynote has several major setbacks, mostly revolving around compatibility. What is more, there are several limitations within the software, especially for the users looking for a more professional and in-depth experience.

• No or bad integration outside the Apple ecosystem. Keynote is using its own file format and your presentation would probably not run smoothly on Microsoft or Android devices.
• Less elaborate manual. Keynote may be easier to use, but it’s still a huge software with a lot of various features. Unfortunately, the manual doesn’t quite capture them all well.
• Less functions available. Keynote is much younger than it’s main competitor, and hasn’t become such an all-in-one tool as the PowerPoint.

PowerPoint slides: Pros

 Overall, PowerPoint is super versatile and boasts huge compatibility with nearly any platform. It’s well-known and suited for almost any type of presentation you could think of. And to add up to this, it includes:

• Easy to edit. With PowerPoint, you have multiple editing options and can customize basically everything you see on the slide, from text form to the visuals.
• Special features. PowerPoint tries to contain anything you want to have in the presentation software. That’s why it has features such as graphic designer or ppt to video conversation.
• Common and popular. PowerPoint is a default choice for presentations for millions of people. The popularity also leads to it being a cross-platform software — it’s even available for Apple-powered devices!

PowerPoint: Cons

Of course, this software doesn’t go without any flaws. The most common negative reaction that PowerPoint evokes is the boredom — always the same structure, several most used templates. However, there are several other flaws as well:

• Too many features. PowerPoint allows you to do a lot. However, sometimes it’s easy to get carried away, resulting in an overproduced presentation with poor design choices.
• Crowded interface. The toolbar in the PowerPoint contains so much stuff it may scare away an inexperienced user.

To sum up: which one is better?

To answer shortly — it depends on what you really want. For the basic presentations both are good, so choose the one you feel more comfortable with. For more advanced stuff, it depends on what you prioritize more — if it is design, then Keynote is best, but if you want better customization, choose PowerPoint. Overall, there is no clear winner in the Keynote vs PowerPoint debate.