The best presentation tools, according to hackers
11 presentation tools recommended in Hacker News comments over the past year, ranked by how many separate people recommend each one.
All presentation tools
- Bento HTML presentation toolRecommended for building and editing slide decks as one self-contained HTML file that works offline and shares easily. Common caveats: no alt text and choppy animations on some machines.68recommend
- Microsoft PowerPointRecommended as a familiar, feature-rich slide tool with animations and Presenter View. Critics say it is buggy, and free rivals like Google Slides are enough.42recommend
- Apple KeynotePeople recommend Keynote as a free, well-designed alternative to PowerPoint that is easy to use and handles files well. Critics object to ads and upsell nags added to the app, and to paid AI features.27recommend
- reveal.jsFree HTML presentation framework that people use for quick slide decks and programmer-friendly slides; critics say custom layouts beyond the basics quickly turn into hacks.11recommend
- ImmersaOpen-source web-based tool for building 3D presentations with animations, praised for its well-executed demo and onboarding. Critics doubt many people want heavy 3D effects in presentations.8recommend
- MarpFree tool that turns plain Markdown sections into slides, with a VS Code plugin and source files that work with version control.7recommend
- SlideBySideLets co-hosts hand off slides without screen sharing, which people find smoother. Critics say it is more a proof of concept and the moving layout can distract viewers.7recommend
- BentoA full PowerPoint-style editor in one HTML file, which people find surprising. Caveat: it opens in edit mode, which one commenter thinks is worse than viewing first.6recommend
- GammaPeople recommend Gamma for turning text into presentations quickly, saving hours on slide decks. Critics say it strips formatting and produces repetitive template-based slides.5recommend
- Google SlidesRecommended for easy, browser-based slides that need no coding and export to PDF or images. Most common caveat: weak font, SVG and import support compared with PowerPoint and Keynote.5recommend
- HTML Slides with notesRecommenders praise its simple, easy practical use and how its outputs explain the tool itself. Critics most often point to confusing keyboard navigation.5recommend