Prezi and PowerPoint both allow users to create presentations, but have key differences. Prezi uses a single dashboard interface that is easier to use and has a shallow learning curve. It allows for zooming between ideas and nonlinear presentations. However, inserting media can be problematic and it lacks spellchecking. PowerPoint has a steeper learning curve due to its multiple tabs and ribbons but allows for linear presentations and easy insertion of media. Both have advantages, as Prezi produces clean presentations while PowerPoint provides more options for media, saving, and printing.

1. Comparison Chart: Prezi & PowerPoint
Prezi PowerPoint
 Ease of use Easy to use the single Complicated to use, steep and
dashboard, shallow learning long learning curve; a long
curve; a short process to create process to create a good
a good presentation; 6 simple presentation: 8 different tabs
features: write, show, colours & which open ribbons with too
fonts, path, frame, and insert. many features and options to
Fun. count. Not so much fun.
 Fonts Large number of choices
 Styles Limited choices offered. While offered. While it may be
some may think too limited, appealing to have a near infinite
 Themes
these are excellent colour and number of colour and style
 Colours style combinations ensuring combinations the results can be
each presentation is appealing, disastrous if fonts, scripts, and
legible and professional. You can colours are difficult to read on
spend your efforts and energy any chosen background design.
creating content rather than Unless your graphic design skills
choosing the font, background, are well-honed, PowerPoint can
and colour combinations. thwart your efforts to
communicate clearly.
 Transitions For some material the linear
design of PowerPoint is perfect.
The zooming feature when used You can create the idea of
appropriately can emphasize zooming and rotating images
connections between ideas and and text boxes in PowerPoint
processes. however it does require
concerted effort and critical
design technique.
 Inserting Media This can be problematic in Prezi. There are many choices on how
You have to ensure you are you can display a presentation.
choosing the optimum image Inserting an image, audio, or
resolution before importing it. video file is simple. However,
Tools to change images once you cannot paste-in web
inserted are fixed. Video files images. Youtube videos are easy
are limited. You can insert to insert; however, only Flash
Youtube using PC’s an MAC’s. SWF or FLV audio files work. You
Audio files are varied. You can cannot insert a PDF, XLS, or PPT
insert PDF, XLS, or PPT. file. There are several animation
Animation used Flash SWF. options within PowerPoint.
Yep. PowerPoint spellchecks
Nope. Not available in Prezi.
 Spellchecking your work.
Updated: October 2011, Julie Anne Kent, Thompson Rivers University

2. Comparison Chart: Prezi & PowerPoint
 Presentation The results are clean and
It is too easy to get messy,
uncluttered when you have
cluttered, and disjointed when
mapped your work interestingly
using PowerPoint.
and thoughtfully.
Web-based: requires internet Purchase program (expensive)
 Presentation connection unless you purchase or pre-packaged with Microsoft
foundation a subscription allowing Office and sometimes is pre-
 Software model downloads to desktop loaded with the purchase of a
 Pricing (inexpensive yearly cost). laptop or desktop computer.
 Saving Can print, embed on Web-page,
Options include notes,
 Printing handouts, # of slides per page,
distribute on Twitter or
save to PPT file on desktop, sky
Facebook, create an elink, save
drive, or USB drive; PDF
to PEZ file on Web rd
compatible, embed with 3
(downloadable)
party program (SlideShare).
Updated: October 2011, Julie Anne Kent, Thompson Rivers University