PowerPoint vs. Keynote vs. Google Slides vs. Canva: Which Is Best for Your Event?
When creating a presentation, choosing the right tool is essential. PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides, and Canva are the most popular options, but they are not created equal—especially when it comes to a high-stakes, live event.
For professional events, PowerPoint consistently proves to be the gold standard. Here’s a comparison of these tools and why PowerPoint remains our go-to choice for production.
platform showdown
1. PowerPoint: The Professional Standard
Microsoft PowerPoint has been the cornerstone of presentations for decades. It leads the pack for professional use due to its robust features, flexibility, and, most importantly, reliability.
Advanced Customization: From intricate animations to complex slide layouts, PowerPoint offers unmatched control.
Presenter View: This is a critical feature. It allows us to send separate feeds to different screens, which is how we run confidence monitors with notes and a "next slide" preview for the speaker.
Offline Reliability: PowerPoint is a local application. It doesn't rely on an internet connection, removing a major potential point of failure during a live show. This is a non-negotiable for professional event production.
Wide Compatibility: It's the standard for a reason. Files work across most devices and integrate easily within corporate environments.
2. Keynote: The Sleek Apple Alternative
Keynote is Apple’s presentation software, known for its sleek design and intuitive interface.
Beautiful Design Templates: Keynote is justifiably famous for its clean, modern aesthetics and smooth animations.
Apple Ecosystem Integration: It works perfectly across Apple devices, which is convenient for Mac and iPad users.
Limitations: Its primary drawback is compatibility. Keynote files don’t always transfer well to non-Apple systems, which can create versioning issues. It also lacks some of the advanced, granular controls of PowerPoint.
3. Google Slides: The Collaboration King
Google Slides is a cloud-based tool that emphasizes real-time collaboration.
Real-Time Collaboration: Multiple users can edit and comment on a presentation at once, making it great for remote teams.
Cloud-Based Access: Presentations are stored online, ensuring easy access from anywhere with an internet connection.
Limitations: Its strengths in the cloud are its weaknesses on-site. While it has an "offline mode," it can be unreliable and is entirely dependent on a stable internet connection for any last-minute updates. This makes it a significant risk for a live event. Its feature set is also far more basic than PowerPoint's.
4. Canva: The Design Tool
Canva is a fantastic graphic design tool that has added presentation capabilities.
User-Friendly Interface: Canva’s drag-and-drop design is accessible to users with no design experience.
Creative Templates: Canva’s library of visually appealing templates is perfect for creating engaging, stylish slides for social media or internal meetings.
Limitations: Canva is a design tool first, not a presentation tool. It lacks advanced features like data-driven charts, complex animations, and the critical presenter view functions needed for a professional main-stage event.
Why PowerPoint Remains the Gold Standard for Events
While each tool has its strengths, PowerPoint consistently stands out for its reliability and advanced features.
When planning an event, the single most important factor for AV is reliability. PowerPoint’s robust offline performance and its advanced "Presenter View"—which is what allows us to run confidence monitors effectively—make it the undisputed professional choice.
At Plato Media Co., we strongly recommend PowerPoint to support our clients’ events. It ensures a stable, polished, and professional presentation every time.
If you’re planning an event and need expert AV production, contact us today to learn how we can support your speakers.
