Best Slideshow Maker for Mac: Create Professional Presentations

Looking for the best slideshow maker for Mac? Explore top-rated slideshow apps—from CapCut and Keynote to iMovie and more—that let you effortlessly create professional photo and video slideshows with music.

CapCut
CapCut
Apr 3, 2025
73 min(s)

Creating professional presentations or memorable slideshows on a Mac requires more than just basic software. A dedicated slideshow maker offers powerful features, customization, and smooth performance to help you craft visually stunning presentations, whether for personal memories or business pitches. In this article, we'll introduce you to the best slideshow maker for Mac, including both free and paid options. Plus, we'll highlight CapCut, a versatile tool that makes creating dynamic slideshows effortless and engaging.

Table of content
  1. The benefits of slideshows for different industries
  2. A brief comparison of the best 8 slideshow makers for Mac
  3. Top 8 slideshow makers for Mac to create slideshows
  4. Advanced tips for professional slideshows
  5. Conclusion
  6. FAQs

The benefits of slideshows for different industries

  • Education

Slideshows are vital in the educational sector, making lessons more interactive and engaging. Teachers and educators use the best slideshow app for Mac to create visually appealing presentations that break down complex topics into digestible content. Students can better understand and retain information by incorporating images, videos, and animations.

  • Business

In the corporate world, slideshows are invaluable for delivering impactful presentations. Using the best photo slideshow app for Mac, professionals can easily craft persuasive business pitches, project proposals, and performance reports. A well-designed slideshow adds a professional touch, making complex data more digestible and visually appealing.

  • Marketing and advertising

Creating visually captivating content is essential for marketers and advertisers. The best slideshow for Mac allows brands to present their products and services through creative visuals, catchy text, and dynamic transitions. These engaging slideshows can be shared on social media, websites, and during promotional events, helping to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement.

  • Event Planning

Whether it's a wedding, corporate event, or personal celebration, slideshows are a fantastic way to showcase memories and highlights. Event planners use slideshow apps to compile photos and videos into elegant presentations, creating a memorable experience for guests.

  • Social media content creation

Social media influencers and content creators rely on visually appealing slideshows to tell their stories. Whether sharing travel adventures, product reviews, or lifestyle moments, using the best slideshow app for Mac ensures high-quality results that captivate followers. Integrating music, text overlays, and smooth transitions helps create shareable and engaging content, boosting social media presence.

  • Photography and portfolio showcases

Photographers and creatives often must present their work in an organized and aesthetic way. Mac's best photo slideshow app helps compile images into professional portfolios, showcasing artistic skills and creativity. Photographers can elevate their presentations by adding captions, background music, and subtle transitions, making them more appealing to clients and collaborators.

A brief comparison of the best 8 slideshow makers for Mac

A brief comparison of the best 8 slideshow makers for Mac

Top 8 slideshow makers for Mac to create slideshows

CapCut

CapCut desktop — one of the best slideshow editors for Mac, is a powerful and versatile slideshow maker that stands out for its extensive range of features. It offers a rich library of stunning transition effects, allowing users to blend photos and videos into captivating slideshows seamlessly. CapCut's impressive music library also lets you add background tracks that perfectly complement your presentation, whether for personal projects or professional presentations.

Try CapCut today and transform your ideas into professional-grade slideshows!

Pros
  • There are plenty of video transitions to connect media files within a slideshow.
  • Diverse creative visual elements enrich slideshows, including effects, stickers, and filters.
  • A large stock of copyright-free music tracks for slideshows.
  • It offers powerful AI tools, such as auto-captions, AI stickers, and so on.
Cons
  • Advanced features require an internet connection.

How to make a slideshow on Mac using CapCut

    STEP 1
  1. Import your media

Open CapCut and click the "Import" button to bring in your photos, videos, and audio tracks from your device. Drag and drop your media files into the timeline in the order you want them to appear.

Import media
    STEP 2
  1. Customize the slideshow

To adjust each clip's length precisely, dragging the clip or entering the duration in "Duration" is convenient. To add smooth and dynamic transitions between clips, click on the "Transitions" tab and choose your preferred transition effect. Drag the transition between clips to ensure a seamless flow. Add background music by clicking the "Audio" button for a professional touch. You can choose from sound effects, voiceovers, or music tracks and customize the volume, pitch, and speed by tapping on the audio track.

Edit Facebook slideshow
    STEP 3
  1. Export and share the slideshow

After perfecting your slideshow, it's time to save and share it. Tap the "Export" button at the top right corner, select your desired resolution (up to 4) and frame rate for high-quality output, and click "Export" again to save the slideshow video to your device.

Export Facebook slideshow

Keynote

Keynote is designed exclusively for Mac users. It offers a seamless and intuitive experience for creating professional-grade slideshows. Known for its sleek interface and powerful customization options, Keynote lets you craft visually appealing presentations with dynamic transitions, animations, and multimedia integration. Whether you're preparing a business pitch or a personal slideshow, Keynote's wide range of templates and design tools make it easy to create stunning presentations effortlessly.

Keynote interface
Pros
  • Seamless integration with Apple apps.
  • Offers high-quality slideshow templates.
  • Provides advanced animation effects for slideshows.
  • Real-time collaboration via iCloud.
Cons
  • Requires Apple ID for full functionality.

iMovie

iMovie is a popular video editing software from Apple that also works great as the best slideshow maker for Mac. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can easily compile photos and videos into captivating slideshows. iMovie offers a wide range of transitions, filters, and built-in soundtracks to enhance your presentation. iMovie delivers impressive results with minimal effort for personal projects or professional use.

iMovie interface
Pros
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
  • Offers built-in soundtracks and audio editing.
  • Provides high-quality transitions and effects.
Cons
  • Resource intensive software.

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint is a robust and feature-rich slideshow maker for Mac that empowers users to craft visually stunning presentations. It provides various customization options, from designing layouts to adding multimedia elements. Plus, its real-time collaboration feature via OneDrive makes teamwork seamless and efficient. With powerful design themes, flexible text and table options, and smooth slideshow presentation features, PowerPoint is a versatile choice for any presentation need.

Microsoft PowerPoint
Pros
  • Comprehensive design and layout options.
  • Real-time collaboration and sharing via OneDrive.
  • Rich multimedia and graphic support.
  • Mobile compatibility through PowerPoint mobile apps.
Cons
  • Requires Microsoft 365 subscription.

Movavi

Movavi — one of the best free slideshow makers for Mac, is an intuitive and powerful tool for creating captivating slideshows. It offers a sleek design and user-friendly interface, making it accessible even for beginners. Packed with built-in templates, cinematic effects, transitions, and audio options, it lets you craft professional-quality slideshows in just a few clicks. With features like pro-level color correction, frame-precise cuts, and movie-like visual effects, it's perfect for both personal and professional projects.

Movavi interface
Pros
  • Simple and intuitive interface.
  • A wide range of built-in slideshow video templates and effects.
  • Pro-quality color correction and movie-like effects.
  • Real-time effect previews.
Cons
  • The trial version has limitations (watermark and audio restrictions).

Prezi

Prezi is a dynamic and engaging slideshow maker known for its unique zooming presentation style. Unlike traditional slide-based tools, Prezi allows users to create visually compelling presentations that move smoothly from one idea to another, offering a more interactive experience. With its intuitive interface and collaborative features, this best photo slideshow maker for Mac is ideal for creating both personal and professional slideshows. It also allows for easy sharing and presentation online, making it a versatile tool for any setting.

Prezi interface
Pros
  • Interactive zooming interface for dynamic presentations.
  • Easy sharing and collaboration online.
  • Great for creating non-linear, engaging slideshows.
  • Cloud-based for easy access from any device.
Cons
  • Limited offline functionality without a premium plan.

LibreOffice Impress

LibreOffice Impress is a free, open-source and one of the best slideshow maker for Mac that's part of the LibreOffice suite. Known for its simplicity and efficiency, Impress allows users to create professional-looking slideshows easily. With various templates, transitions, and animation options, it's a great choice for those who want a no-cost solution for presentation creation. While it doesn't offer the advanced features of premium tools, Impress provides solid functionality for basic to intermediate slideshow needs.

LibreOffice Impress interface
Pros
  • Completely free and open-source.
  • Lightweight and fast.
  • Supports a wide range of file formats.
  • Customizable templates and animation options.
Cons
  • Slower development of new features.

FlowVella

FlowVella is a mobile-first presentation tool allowing users to create interactive, engaging presentations easily. It supports video embedding, offline viewing, and PDF integration, making it versatile for different content types. The Kiosk Mode ensures secure, no-interaction displays for public settings, while customizable links and navigation enhance audience engagement. With cloud-based sharing, each presentation gets a unique URL for easy distribution and embedding. FlowVella also offers analytics to track viewer interaction and provides a range of professional templates for faster creation. It's available on iPad, iPhone, and Mac, making it perfect for on-the-go presentations.

FlowVella interface
Pros
  • Optimized for mobile devices, especially iPad, iPhone, and Mac.
  • Works offline for uninterrupted presentations.
  • Interactive features like Kiosk Mode and navigation links.
  • PDF embedding and easy media integration.
Cons
  • The free plan has limited public presentation options.

Advanced tips for professional slideshows

  • Start with a clear goal: Before you begin designing your slides, define the objective of your presentation. Are you trying to inform, persuade, or entertain? A clear goal will help guide your presentation's content, tone, and structure, making it more focused and impactful.
  • Keep text concise: Avoid overwhelming your audience with long or excessive paragraphs. Stick to the essentials by focusing on key points and ideas. Bullet points or short, impactful sentences work best. This will allow your audience to absorb the main takeaways quickly and stay engaged.
  • Use high-quality media files: To maintain a professional look, use high-resolution images, videos, and graphics. Low-quality visuals can diminish the credibility of your presentation. Investing in high-quality media ensures that your slides look polished and visually appealing.
  • Add smooth transitions: Transitions between slides should be smooth and subtle, not flashy or distracting. Choose simple transitions that complement the flow of your content. This helps maintain focus on the message while keeping the presentation dynamic and engaging. CapCut offers diverse video transition effects, such as black fade, for different styles of slideshows.
  • Add audio/voiceover: Background music or voice narration can greatly enhance your presentation. A well-timed voiceover can guide the audience through the content, while background music can set the tone. CapCut's music library offers a variety of tracks for different moods, and its audio copyright detection tool ensures that you stay compliant with copyright laws.
  • Use harmonious colors: Color plays a key role in the overall feel of your presentation. Stick to a color palette that complements the mood and message of your slides. Choose colors that work well together and avoid using too many contrasting colors, as this can create visual clutter and distract your audience from the key points.

Conclusion

In a conlusion, slideshow maker is an important tool for users on different industries. We recommend the best 8 slideshow makers for Mac users. Choosing the best slideshow maker for Mac depends on your specific needs, whether you're creating professional presentations, personal memories, or dynamic video slideshows. CapCut stands out as the best slideshow maker for Mac due to its extensive features, including advanced editing tools, music integration, and creative templates. It's an all-in-one solution that makes crafting stunning slideshows easy and enjoyable. Try CapCut today and transform your ideas into captivating slideshow!

FAQs

    1
  1. Can I share my slideshow directly to social media from slideshow makers?

Yes, most slideshow makers for Mac offer direct sharing options to social media platforms. For example, after editing a slideshow using CapCut, you can share the edited slideshow on YouTube or TikTok directly.

    2
  1. How do I add custom audio tracks to my slideshow?

To add custom audio, simply import your chosen track from your device's library or an online source. In CapCut, you can browse the built-in music library and seamlessly add audio clips. Additionally, you can check the music copyright using CapCut's audio copyright detection tool for free to avoid copyright issues.

    3
  1. Can I use AI tools in free slideshow software?

Yes, some free slideshow makers, like CapCut, integrate AI tools to enhance your presentations. You can use CapCut's auto caption feature to generate subtitles automatically, saving time and ensuring information clearly. The AI stickers feature can also generate dynamic stickers to add a creative touch to your slideshows.