Microsoft PowerPoint vs Slides: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Microsoft PowerPoint and Slides side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Slides leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Industry-standard presentation software
Best for you if:
- • You want industry standard presentations
Slides
Create and share presentations online
Best for you if:
- • You want clean interface
| At a Glance | Microsoft PowerPoint | Slides |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $6/user/mo, billed monthly Business Basic plan | Free plan, paid from $5/mo, billed monthly Lite plan |
Category | Presentation Design AI Assistants | Presentation Design Productivity |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 4,398 reviews | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 21 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Microsoft PowerPoint or Slides?
Choose Microsoft PowerPoint if
- You want industry standard presentations
- You want powerful features
Choose Slides if
- You want clean interface
- You want HTML/CSS support
- Budget matters ($5/mo, billed monthly vs $6/user/mo, billed monthly)
In-Depth Analysis
Microsoft PowerPoint
Industry-standard presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint's pricing is generally fair, offering a generous free web version and competitive paid tiers.
Strengths
- Pro: Industry standard presentations
- Pro: Powerful features
- Pro: Designer AI assistance
- Pro: Good templates
- Pro: Animation options
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires Microsoft 365
- Con: Large file sizes
- Con: Collaboration less smooth
- Con: Can encourage bad design
- Con: Mobile apps limited
Key features
Slides
Create and share presentations online
The pricing for Slides is quite fair and generous, especially for individual users.
Strengths
- Pro: Clean interface
- Pro: HTML/CSS support
- Pro: Good for developers
- Pro: Real-time collaboration
Weaknesses
- Con: Less features than PowerPoint
- Con: Requires internet
- Con: Limited templates
Key features
Plans and prices: Microsoft PowerPoint vs Slides
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft PowerPoint |
| microsoft.com/powerpoint/pricing read Oct 1, 2026 |
| Slides |
| slides.com/pricing read Oct 9, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Microsoft PowerPoint pricing and Slides pricing.
Key Takeaways
Microsoft PowerPoint
- Choose if you want industry-standard presentation software
Slides
- Lower entry price: $5/mo, billed monthly vs $6/user/mo, billed monthly
What the data shows
On the data below, Slides leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 4,398 reviews for Microsoft PowerPoint, 4.4/5 from 21 reviews for Slides).
- Slides has the lower entry price: $5/mo, billed monthly (Lite) against $6/user/mo, billed monthly (Business Basic) for Microsoft PowerPoint.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Microsoft PowerPoint and Slides compare in 2026?
On the data below, Slides leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 4,398 reviews for Microsoft PowerPoint, 4.4/5 from 21 reviews for Slides). Slides has the lower entry price: $5/mo, billed monthly (Lite) against $6/user/mo, billed monthly (Business Basic) for Microsoft PowerPoint. Both have a free plan.
What are Microsoft PowerPoint and Slides used for?
Microsoft PowerPoint: Industry-standard presentation software. Slides: Create and share presentations online.
What does Microsoft PowerPoint cost vs Slides?
Microsoft PowerPoint's cheapest paid plan is Business Basic at $6/user/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Slides's cheapest paid plan is Lite at $5/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 9, 2026.
What's the main difference between Microsoft PowerPoint and Slides?
Microsoft PowerPoint's main strength: industry standard presentations. Slides's main strength: clean interface.