Reading time
5
min read
Date
Sep 3, 2025
Written by
Rich Roginski (Founder)
That Presentation You Keep Avoiding: Pick Your Deck Design Tool and Get It Done
Still avoiding that presentation because you can’t decide between PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Canva? This no-nonsense guide breaks down when each tool actually works, and how to stop the tech from getting in the way of your message.
One of the most common questions I get is: What tool should I use to design my presentation? Canva?
Google Slides? PowerPoint? And honestly... it's a good question. Because most presentation problems people run into aren't about design; they're about:
Sharing or screen sharing struggles
Version control nightmares
It looking great on your screen but funky in the meeting
Or just wrestling the damn controls while everyone stares at you
So let's break this down with a no-fluff comparison of the three most popular options.
Quick Comparison
Feature / Tool | PowerPoint | Google Slides | Canva |
Sharing & Access | Email attachments, OneDrive | Easy sharing via link | Can be clunky if not a Canva user |
Version Control | Easy to mess up (v3_final2.pptx) | Live updates, good tracking | Decent, but easy to overwrite |
Looks Great When... | You present from your laptop | Web-based is consistent | Often gorgeous but slow to load |
Controls & Navigation | Reliable but old-school | Intuitive and web-friendly | Can lag or misbehave |
Offline Use | Yes | Limited | Limited |
Design Templates | Tons, some outdated | Basic but customizable | Beautiful, drag-and-drop |
Best For... | Big decks, heavy content | Team projects, quick updates | Visual storytelling, branding |
This or that? So Which One's Best?
Depends on your situation. Here's my no-BS breakdown:
Use PowerPoint if you're deep in corporate, need complex animations, or want guaranteed offline reliability. Just be ready for "final-final-FINAL.pptx" syndrome.
Use Google Slides if you're collaborating with a team or presenting from random devices. It's not fancy, but it rarely fails.
Use Canva if you want to look like a designer without being one. Just test your deck before the meeting; it can lag or look wonky in live presentations.
Pro Tips
Always test on the device you're presenting from. Don't assume it'll look the same everywhere.
Keep a PDF backup in case tech fails you.
Build for clarity, not just beauty. A great-looking slide that's confusing is still a bad slide.
What We Recommend at FutureNova
At FutureNova, we've seen every kind of deck under the sun; investor pitches, clinical trials, product demos, the works. Our take?
Use Google Slides for live collaboration and reliability. It's the most forgiving when you're switching devices, updating last-minute, or juggling multiple presenters. It's not glamorous, but it shows up when it counts.
Use Canva when design matters and the deck is mostly static. For brand storytelling, leave-behinds, or presentations where you're not toggling slides under pressure, Canva makes it look damn good.
Avoid PowerPoint unless you absolutely need complex formatting or offline access. It's powerful, sure, but too easy to break or fumble in a live setting.
Bottom line: Prioritize clarity, test your setup, and don't let the tool get in the way of your message. Your slides are there to support your voice, not replace it.
Honestly? The easiest way to cross "presentation" off your to-do list?
Send it our way. At FutureNova Health, we take decks from "ugh, I need to fix this" to "ready to present" faster than you can debate platforms. No tool wrestling, no formatting nightmares, no version control chaos.