How To Make A Photo The Background In Google Slides

TechRadar Verdict

Google Slides is a surprisingly powerful free presentation tool with excellent features, a sleek interface, and unmatched tools for online sharing and collaboration.

Pros

+
Unparalleled collaboration tools
+
Intuitive interface on desktop and mobile

Cons

-
No desktop app
-
Can't consign to video

PowerPoint has been the default business presentation program for more than a decade, but the contest is seemingly getting better every twelvemonth. Google Slides and more than of the best Microsoft Part alternatives offer powerful features, frequently at a more affordable price tag.

In our Google Slides review, we'll take a look at the platform's pros and cons to assistance you determine whether it's the right option for you or your business. Brand sure to bank check out our guide to the best presentation software for more than information nigh the tiptop providers.

Yous tin can sign up to Google Slides here.

Google Slides: Plans and pricing

Like other apps in the Google Workspace suite, Google Slides is freely bachelor for both personal and business use. That said, companies with more than a few employees may get more than out of the application with a paid Workspace subscription, which has benefits for Slides and other Google apps.

Google Slides review — Paid Google Workspace plans kickoff at $6 per user per month, simply you don't need one to use Slides or any other Workspace app (Image credit: Google)

Upgrading your Workspace account will give you lot access to more than cloud storage, group-level security policies, responsive tech support, customizable business emails, and other helpful features. Subscriptions beginning at $half-dozen per user per month, and custom plans are also available for large-calibration enterprises. You can visit the website for a full comparison of every Workspace subscriptions.

Google Slides: Features

Google Slides has all the tools that you would look from a presentation tool, including a broad range of templates and themes, a deep library of free add together-ons, and the ability to export your slideshow to multiple popular formats, including PowerPoint and PDF.

But the awarding truly stands out from other presentation software in its unmatched sharing and collaboration features. Users can share files by either copying a sharing link or sending access directly to other users.

Furthermore, upwardly to 100 users with editing permissions can make changes to the same slideshow at the same fourth dimension, and every edit will immediately exist reflected on every device that'southward connected to the file. Google Drive too gives users the option to download files locally for offline admission.

Google Slides: Interface and in utilize

You won't have any trouble adjusting to the Google Slides interface if you accept experience with other Google apps. The blueprint should also be mostly familiar to PowerPoint users, and it won't take you more than a few minutes to notice the locations of the key tools and settings.

Like other presentation tools, Slides puts the current slide front end and eye, with the other slides available in a scrolling menu on the left-hand side. At that place's a toolbar on top that gives you convenient access to about features. Google Slides likewise makes it easy to find what you're looking for by clicking Help and entering a keyword to search the toolbar and menus.

Google Slides: Support

The Assistance carte is the best place to start if you're just looking for a detail part. That said, Google Slides also has a decent set of support resources for certain technical issues and more than involved questions.

For starters, Slides has a separate guide dedicated to users who are switching from Microsoft PowerPoint. At that place's likewise a general tutorial to getting started with the platforms, along with numerous support articles in the Help Heart. You can even post a question in the assist forums if you need additional assistance. Unfortunately, in that location'south no piece of cake way to contact Google directly unless you have a Workspace subscription.

Google Slides: Security

Your Slides files are as secure as your Google business relationship, and so information technology's vital to take steps to go on your information safe. The easiest way to improve your account'south security is to enable two-step authentication under account settings. Keep in mind that sharing links can also become a vulnerability if they get into the incorrect hands.

If you accept a Google Workspace subscription, you tin manage grouping-level security policies and admission other advanced features. Enterprise-level subscribers also gain access to sophisticated security tools, including S/MIME encryption and data loss prevention.

The contest

While in that location are several alternatives to these ii main providers, most users piece of work in either PowerPoint or Google Slides. The key advantages of Slides compared to PowerPoint are its free availability and streamlined file-sharing capabilities.

On the other paw, some users may prefer the convenience of a desktop app over the web interface of Google Slides. PowerPoint likewise has a few unique tools that aren't available with Slides—for instance, you tin can export a presentation every bit a video file. That said, Slides has narrowed the gap in recent years by continually adding new features.

Concluding verdict

While Google Workspace adds many helpful benefits for business users, the base version of Google Slides still has enough to exist one of the best pieces of free office software. PowerPoint has a few more advanced features and a convenient desktop app, only it tin can't compete with Slides when it comes to online sharing.

Ultimately, the right presentation tool for you depends on your usage and your preference for either a web or desktop app. While Google Slides might not convince every PointPoint user to switch, it's all the same an first-class alternative and one of the best presentation apps currently available.

You can sign up to Google Slides here.

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Alex is a writer focused on providing insightful, actionable content that can truly change the way readers approach their finances.

Alex has been writing as a freelancer for several years on a multifariousness of topics including marketing, parenting, and customer relationships forth with personal finance. He'southward particularly interested in the way seemingly small adjustments can transform a person'south financial outlook.