Google Slides review

What Google Slides is

Google Slides is Google's online presentation app. It runs in the browser, on iPhone and Android, and can also work offline Google Slides ↗. Google says anyone with a Google account can create in Slides Google Slides ↗.

The AI side comes from Gemini. Inside Slides, a Gemini sidebar can create single slides, generate images from a prompt, edit images and rewrite text Computerworld on Gemini in Slides ↗. Google's product page also mentions quick summaries of your content and generating slides from a prompt plus files in Drive Google Slides ↗. These features are tied to paid plans Workspace pricing ↗ Computerworld on Gemini in Slides ↗.

Full deck generation from one prompt currently happens outside Slides. You can build a presentation in Canvas in the Gemini app and export it to Slides Computerworld on Gemini in Slides ↗ ChannelNews on Gemini Canvas ↗. Computerworld describes this as not a built in Slides function at the time it wrote its guide Computerworld on Gemini in Slides ↗. Hands on testing is in progress, and we will update this review with our results.

What it does well

Collaboration is the main strength. Several people can edit at once, leave comments and see live pointers showing where others are working Google Slides ↗. Sharing controls set who can edit, comment or only view Google Slides ↗. Revision history lets you go back to an earlier version Google Slides ↗.

It plays well with PowerPoint. You can import PowerPoint or Canva presentations, and Google says you can edit PowerPoint files directly while the original file stays intact Google Slides ↗. That makes it easy to work with clients or partners who still send .pptx files.

The core editor covers what most small businesses need: templates with varied layouts, videos, animations, transitions, GIFs and stickers Google Slides ↗.

On paid plans, Gemini's image tools are useful for quick visuals. It generates four images from a text prompt, with styles such as photography, vector art or watercolor, and can edit an image or replace its background Computerworld on Gemini in Slides ↗. It can also shorten, rephrase or formalize text, or turn it into bullets Computerworld on Gemini in Slides ↗.

Where it falls short

The AI is not free. Gemini inside Slides needs a Google AI plan or a Business Standard, Business Plus or Enterprise Workspace plan Computerworld on Gemini in Slides ↗. Google's pricing table lists Gemini in Slides on Standard, Plus and Enterprise, but not on Business Starter Workspace pricing ↗. Free accounts can try some features through Workspace Labs Computerworld on Gemini in Slides ↗.

Building a whole deck from a prompt is a two step process: generate in Gemini Canvas, then export to Slides Computerworld on Gemini in Slides ↗ ChannelNews on Gemini Canvas ↗.

Some presenting features are also paid. Recording a presentation and speaker spotlight need a Workspace plan, and domain wide templates and Meet inside Slides are only on some Business and Enterprise plans Google Slides ↗.

As with any AI tool, Gemini can make mistakes or invent information, so you need to check what it writes Computerworld on Gemini in Slides ↗. At work, an admin may need to switch Gemini on for Slides before you can use it Computerworld on Gemini in Slides ↗.

Pricing and plans

Free: the Slides editor is free for anyone with a Google account Google Slides ↗. Gemini in Slides is not included on free personal accounts Computerworld on Gemini in Slides ↗.

Google Workspace Business Starter costs $7 per user per month on an annual plan or $8.40 on flexible monthly billing, with 30 GB of pooled storage per user eesel Workspace pricing ↗ Workspace pricing ↗. Google's pricing table does not list Gemini in Slides on Starter Workspace pricing ↗.

Business Standard costs $14 per user per month annually or $16.80 flexible, with 2 TB of pooled storage per user and Gemini in Slides eesel Workspace pricing ↗ Workspace pricing ↗.

Business Plus costs $22 per user per month annually or $26.40 flexible, with 5 TB of pooled storage per user and Gemini in Slides eesel Workspace pricing ↗ Workspace pricing ↗. Enterprise is priced by sales and also includes Gemini in Slides Workspace pricing ↗.

Google says you save 16 percent with a one year commitment, Business plans max out at 300 users, and Workspace has a 14 day free trial Workspace pricing ↗. Individuals can instead get Gemini in Google apps through a Google AI plan Computerworld on Gemini in Slides ↗; Google's plan page did not show prices when we checked, so confirm the current price at sign up.

Who should (and shouldn't) use it

• Good fit: teams that already use Gmail and Google Drive and want shared decks with live editing and comments.
• Good fit: Workspace Business Standard or Plus customers, who already pay for Gemini in Slides.
• Skip it if: you want a free tool that writes a full deck from a prompt inside the editor.
• Skip it if: you are on a free account or Business Starter and AI help is the main reason you are choosing a tool.

Alternatives worth a look

• Gamma: our free pick; 400 free credits at sign up, up to 10 slides per prompt, and export to PowerPoint, PDF and Google Slides Gamma pricing ↗.
• Plus AI: works inside Google Slides and PowerPoint, but every plan starts with a 7 day trial that needs a card, and Basic is $10 a month billed yearly Plus AI pricing ↗.
• Gemini app Canvas: generates a draft deck from a prompt or uploaded files and exports it to Google Slides ChannelNews on Gemini Canvas ↗.