reveal.js vs Slides (2026): which should you pick?

Pick reveal.js if

• Fits if you write HTML and want full control over how slides look and move
• Works for developers who keep decks in Git and show code on screen

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you do not write code, as the vendor sends non-coders to a different product
• Skip it if you want a drag-and-drop editor, as there is none
• Watch out: PDF export is only confirmed to work in Google Chrome and Chromium
• Watch out: loading external Markdown files needs a local web server

Pick Slides if

• Fits if you're a developer or speaker who puts code or math on slides
• Works for talks you'd publish anyway, since free decks are public

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you want private decks without paying, as free ones are public and carry ads
• Skip it if you hand decks to people who edit in PowerPoint, since those exports are flattened
• Tight if you work on decks with a group on Lite, which allows 1 collaborator per deck and 1 GB of storage
• Pricey if you need custom CSS, the API, private links or Dropbox sync, which start at Pro, $10 a month billed annually
• Watch out: editing needs a browser and a connection, there's no phone or desktop app, and offline presenting is paid

reveal.js

• It is a code framework, not a visual app. The vendor points non-coders to Slides.com, which is a separate product.
• PDF export is confirmed to work only in Google Chrome and Chromium.
• Loading external Markdown files requires running the deck from a local web server, which the full setup includes.

Slides

• Free accounts can create only public decks, and those decks show ads.
• PDF, PowerPoint and HTML export need Lite or Pro, and PowerPoint exports are flattened, so text and images cannot be edited separately.
• Lite allows 1 collaborator per deck and 1 GB of storage; private links, Dropbox sync, custom CSS and API access start at Pro.
• Editing happens in a web browser with an internet connection; presenting offline relies on a paid plan.

reveal.js

Vertical and nested slides

Slides can be nested inside one another, so a high-level slide can have detail beneath it.

Auto-Animate

Matching elements are animated automatically between consecutive slides.

Markdown and code

Slide content can be written in Markdown, and code is highlighted with highlight.js.

Speaker view

A separate notes window shows speaker notes, elapsed time, the clock and an optional pacing timer.

PDF export

A print stylesheet exports a deck to PDF through the browser's print dialog.

Touch support

Decks work on phones and tablets, where you swipe between slides.

Slides

HTML-based editor

Decks are HTML documents edited in a visual editor. Developer mode exposes each slide's markup, code blocks get syntax highlighting with line-by-line steps, and Pro adds a CSS editor.

Slides Agent

An AI agent in the editor sidebar, in beta, builds and redesigns slides, writes speaker notes, researches topics and adds charts. AI use draws on monthly credits: 50 on Lite and 400 on Pro.

Live presenting

A deck can be streamed so viewers follow along in their own browsers, with a speaker view for notes and timing, a phone remote control, a live cursor and freehand annotation.

Sharing and embedding

Public decks are shared by link or embedded on other sites. Pro and Team add named private links with passwords and expiry dates. Scroll and kiosk modes change how a deck plays.

Import and export

PDF, PowerPoint, Markdown and reveal.js content can be imported. Lite and Pro export to PDF, PPTX and a self-contained HTML package that keeps animations and works offline.

API and MCP server

A REST API works with decks and account data, a Define API creates prefilled presentations, and an MCP server connects Claude, ChatGPT and other AI tools to a Slides account.

reveal.js

• Open source$0

  The framework itself, released under the MIT license. Download it, clone the repository or install it from npm.

Slides

• Free$0

  Public decks only, displayed with ads. Private decks and exports need a paid plan.

• Lite$5

  per month, billed annually ($7 billed monthly)

  Unlimited private decks, no ads, 1 GB of storage, 1 collaborator per deck, 50 AI credits a month, PDF export, offline presenting and video uploads.

• Pro$10

  per month, billed annually ($14 billed monthly)

  Unlimited storage, 3 collaborators per deck, 400 AI credits a month, private sharing, Dropbox sync, custom CSS, API and MCP access, and Google Analytics.

• Team$20

  per month for 2 users, billed annually ($28 billed monthly)

  Everything in Pro for 2 users, with more at $10 each ($14 monthly). Adds SSO, custom branding and subdomain, a theme editor, and shared media and slide templates.

• Custom planCustom

  A tailored plan or quote on request for organizations whose needs do not fit the listed plans.

reveal.js

No public discounts listed.

Slides

• Annual discount

  Save over 25% with annual billing

  The pricing page advertises a saving of over 25% on annual billing: Lite is $5 instead of $7 a month, Pro $10 instead of $14 and Team $20 instead of $28.