25 Best Free Slideshow Makers of 2023 (Desktop, Online & Apps)

Do you love taking a lot of photographs? Is videography one of your hobbies of choice? Are you seeking an excellent way to highlight your work? Whatever you require, the best slideshow maker allows you to restore your video and photo memories for a lifetime. What’s more, most of the software available today is free.

Fortunately, you will find many best free slideshow makers with music available today, running on Mac, Windows, mobile devices, and web. In this blog post, we will present everything you need to create the best photo slideshow software you can find in the market these days.

Are you now ready? Let’s dive in!

Desktop software – Windows & Mac:

Movavi Slideshow Maker, ThunderSoft Free Slideshow Maker, Free Bolide Slideshow Creator, Apple iMovie, NCH PhotoStage, Focusky Presentation Maker, Freemake Video Converter, DaVinci Resolve, Microsoft PowerPoint, Icecream Slideshow Maker

Online Tools:

Fastreel, Renderforest, PixTeller Slideshow Maker, Adobe Spark, InVideo, Kizoa Slideshow Maker, Kapwing, Promo, Smilebox

Android Apps:

Movavi Clips, Pixgram, MoShow

iOS Apps [iPhone & iPad]:

SlideLab, Slide Maker, Videoshop

The best free photo slideshow software is no doubt a vital tool for most people. No matter if you are putting together a photo collection for family, a business presentation, or just a simple slideshow with music. Whatever you require, the best slideshow maker which offers high-quality and professional results will be something you’ll wish to use.

Let’s take a look at the best desktop choice for Windows and Mac.

OS: Windows, macOS

Licensing: free 7-day trial, paid subscription or lifetime version

Size: 58.2 MB

Our rating: 10/10

First on our list is Movavi Slideshow Maker. If you want to make a stunning slideshow from pictures or videos and add some music, this software is the easiest solution. Its intuitive interface allows you to use a large number of editing features and over 150 effects and filters. With this program, you can create amazing movies, even if you are a complete beginner.

Movavi’s slideshow maker software allows you to save your photo or video slideshow in all popular video formats and enables uploading it straight to YouTube, Vimeo, or Google Drive. This program has a trial version that you can download for free.

Key Features:

• Save time with automatic slideshow creation

• Join slides with dynamic transitions, enhance picture quality

• Make your slideshow more personal by adding voice over

• Adjust the images to the beat of the music

Pros

• Sleek design and intuitive interface

• Automatic slideshow creation

• Plenty of editing features

Cons

• Some features behind a paywall

OS: Windows

Licensing: free version, paid extended version

Size: 31.4 MB

Our rating: 7/10

ThunderSoft Free Slideshow Maker is an excellently simple-to-use software package that allows you to create slideshow from your videos and pictures. You can include transition effects, play music, apply captions, use clip art, and so much more.

Key Features:

• Create HTML5 videos

• Export directly to YouTube right from the app

• More than 70 different templates

Pros

• Export as ready-to-use HTML code

• Multilanguage support

• Wide range of ready-made templates

Cons

• Some features behind a paywall

• Outdated design

OS: Windows

Licensing: free

Size: 8.6 MB

Our rating: 6/10

This one of the best slideshow makers with music provides different customization features that include effects, tunes, and transitions. The good thing about this software is that you can easily drag images on the timeline at the bottom of the page. You can also customize the preferred way by clicking on the “effects,” “transitions,” and “audio files” tab on top.

Key Features:

• Media library

• Audio tools

• Brand overlay

Pros

• Speed adjustment

• HD resolution support

• Video stabilization

Cons

• Only basic features

• Old-fashioned design

OS: macOS

Licensing: free

Size: 466 MB

Our rating: 10/10

This famous photo slideshow maker with music from Apple has been around for quite a long time, and it has focused only on its one philosophy: ease of use in an elegant and clean interface. It’s a perfect place to begin if you prefer to learn to edit videos. That’s because the basic workflow of the software is the same as that of more sophisticated software.

Key Features:

• Plenty of built-in effects

• Free-to-use soundtracks

• Green screen effects

Pros

• Excellent design

• 4K-resolution support

• Available for mobile devices

Cons

• Not available for Windows

OS: Windows, macOS

Licensing: free version, paid home and pro versions

Size: 5.5 MB

Our rating: 6/10

The optimal slideshow software is NCH PhotoStage, for its easy operations and strong functionality. It has a very user-friendly interface that allows you to grasp the employing tricks within a few glances even if you are not computer savvy. What’s more, you can easily personalize your slideshow by including background music, transitions, as well as a time interval between each picture.

Key Features:

• Wide range of export features

• Embedded photo editing tools

• Computer library of built-in effects

Pros

• Real-time preview

• Video formats support

• Audio editing features

Cons

• Some features behind a paywall

• Old-fashioned design

OS: Windows, macOS

Licensing: free version, paid subscription or lifetime version

Size: 273.54 MB

Our rating: 8/10

On the other hand, Focusky is a fully-featured best free slideshow maker with music made to help you make captivating offline and online documents for work or study. These files can be shared through Windows, Mac, or online. Therefore, the software allows you to make dynamic presentations that can be distributed to a vast number of users. That’s true irrespective of the operating system they use.

Key Features:

• Screen sharing

• Offline editing

• Multiplatform

Pros

• Customizable templates

• Built-in media library

• Excellent web work environment

Cons

• Some features behind a paywall

• The full version may seem a little bit expensive

OS: Windows

Licensing: free version, paid pro version

Size: 50 MB

Our rating: 7/10

Freemake Video Converter is another software that enables businesses and individuals to make broadcast-quality videos and professional logos. You see, it’s a rather simple video creator that helps you create beautiful and powerful videos swiftly and effortlessly.

Key Features:

• Sharing to social media right from the program

• DVD burning

• Ready-to-use HTML code for websites and blogs

Pros

• Simple interface

• Mobile screen support

• Blu-ray support

Cons

• Outdated design

• Watermark in the free version

OS: macOS, Windows, Linux

Licensing: free version, paid extended version

Size: 1.6 GB

Our rating: 9/10

You can make videos for different uses within a few minutes, ranging from commercials, infographics, slideshows, and a lot more. With this platform, your imagination is only the limit. DaVinci Resolve has a vast video template catalog too, where you can pick your desired preset and begin your work from there.

Key Features:

• Color correction tools

• Sound editing station

• Blackmagic RAW and MP4 format support

Pros

• High-quality visual effects

• Audio mixing

• Professional video editor

Cons

• Some features behind a paywall

OS: Windows, macOS

Licensing: free trial, paid home and business licenses

Size: 700 MB

Our rating: 10/10

In case you didn’t know yet, PowerPoint functions by automating the process of making presentations by just automating the slideshow making procedure. If you are a user, all you need to do is upload images and choose a template of your choice, and the software does the rest.

Key Features:

• Plenty of ready-made templates

• Slides with animated transitions

• Ease of use

Pros

• Animation and transitions

• Customizable themes

• 3D object support

Cons

• Limited functionality

• No video export

OS: Windows

Licensing: free version, paid pro version

Size: 20.8 MB

Our rating: 8/10

Icecream’s slideshow maker with music is another software where you can make a slideshow with any choice of music. It’s a flexible platform that enables you to create, collaborate, share, and present presentations and documents. Along with editing and drag-and-drop features, this photo slideshow maker is undoubtedly a responsive and flexible video creator.

Key Features:

• User-friendly interface

• Looping music

• 4K format support

Pros

• Simple interface

• Various export formats

• High-quality video processing

Cons

• No multiplatform

• Trial limitations

Free online slideshow makers do not fundamentally differ from each other and many desktop applications. Anyway, we'll point out some general information and their features.

Licensing: free version, subscription to the premium version

Our rating: 6/10

Fastreel is a simple online editor from Movavi. With its help, you can edit and cut videos and slideshows right in your browser. Registration is not required. The website has two options: online editing tools and ready-made templates.

Key Features:

• Online video editing tools

• Video compression

• Merge and cut videos

• Video looping

Pros

• Free-to-use with unlimited functionality

• No previous experience needed

• Wide range of video editing options

Cons

• Watermark in the free version

Licensing: free version, subscription plans

Our rating: 8/10

Renderforest offers pretty good online tools to create high-quality videos, logos, mockups, and websites with minimal investment of time and effort. Use easily customizable scenes to create engaging videos in just minutes.

Key Features:

• 24/7 live support

• Voice-over

• Different templates

Pros

• Modern design

• Easy-to-edit templates

• 2D and 3D animation

Cons

• Inability to create square videos

• Watermark in the free version

Licensing: free version, premium subscription plans

Our rating: 9/10

PixTeller is incredibly simple and straightforward to use. There are no ads; it starts quickly and works with no freezes. There is no limit for photos to upload. You can add beautiful transitions between photos, as well as music.

Key Features:

• Folders

• Custom title fonts

• Download as PNG, JPG, or PDF

Pros

• Simple interface

• Automated publishing

• Content management

Cons

• No official tutorials are available

• Watermark in the free version

Licensing: free version, paid subscription

Our rating: 10/10

Adobe^® Spark^® is an integrated suite of multimedia content creation applications for mobile and web applications developed by Adobe^®. It consists of three separate design apps: Spark Page, Spark Post, and Spark Video.

Key Features:

• Video montage

• Lots of templates

• Step-by-step instructions

• Absolutely free version

Pros

• Share on social media

• Easily adaptable layouts

• Beautiful designs

Cons

• Lack of available customizations

• Difficult registration

Licensing: free version, paid subscription

Our rating: 9/10

InVideo aims at the business and any other people who make presentations for professional purposes. It offers all the basic features you need to create an amazing video, from small intros to a full-fledged promotion video.

Key Features:

• Supportive staff 24/7

• Updates and improvements based on user feedback

• Control over all aspects

Pros

• Privacy options

• Text overlay

• Video capture

Cons

• Registration required

Licensing: free and paid versions

Our rating: 8/10

This online software offers a solution for the biggest challenges for photography experts, which is storing and managing RAW files. The business version gives you unlimited storage space for RAW files, regardless of file type.

Key Features:

• Ability to create your own GIFs

• Cloud storage space

• Customer support

Pros

• Rich export options

• Full HD video processing

• Pay once, no annual/monthly payments

Cons

• Limited functionality in basic and starter packs

• Duration limitations

Licensing: free version, paid subscription

Our rating: 8/10

Kapwing offers many tools for online video editing – and they are outstanding. One of the best features is Subtitler, which allows you to autogenerate subtitles for video in almost any language. And this is really useful!

Key Features:

• Multi-language support

• AI auto-generated subtitles

• Add stylish animated titles

Pros

• AI auto-generated subtitles

• Free version available

• HD support

Cons

• No music library

• No social sharing

Licensing: free version, paid subscription

Our rating: 8/10

Promo is a web-based visual content creation platform. This powerful web slideshow creator is a perfect choice if you don’t have much free time. What is more, it has a trial version, but you can also purchase a premium version.

Key Features:

• Working online without any downloading needed

• Great for making promo videos and ads for various social media

• Animated subtitles

Pros

• Easy sharing of slideshows

• Large collection of templates

Cons

• No ability to download created videos in the free version

• Certain features can be a little tricky to use

Licensing: free version, paid subscription

Our rating: 7/10

Smilebox offers an easy way to create animated slideshows and offers a variety of templates for doing so. Although Smilebox has a free version, many features require a subscription. Apart from the web version, Smilebox offers separate installers for Windows and Mac.

Key Features:

• Categories for templates

• Includes templates for greeting cards, photo albums, and scrapbooks

• Storage space for created slideshows

Pros

• Wide range of templates

• Easy to save and share slideshows

Cons

• The interface can be confusing sometimes

• Most of the features and templates require a subscription

Licensing: free version and paid versions

Size: 74 MB

Our rating: 7/10

Movavi Clips is an easy-to-use picture slideshow maker available for both Android and iOS. With this app, you can quickly turn your pictures into a slideshow video: upload your photographs to the app, add filters and effects, add transitions and music. You can also share the results with your friends on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Key Features:

• Create a slideshow with music in 3 simple steps

• Join slides with dynamic transitions

• Add stylish animated titles

• Adjust color, enhance picture quality

Pros

• Excellent design

• Free to use slideshow software

• Fast performance

Cons

• Some features behind a paywall

Licensing: free version and paid versions

Size: 10 MB

Our rating: 5/10

With Pixgram, you can create a slideshow in three simple steps. It has all the same features as any online slideshow maker: mix pictures and videos into a collage, add music and video filters, and others. Developers claim that you can export the resulting video in HD quality.

Key Features:

• Video filters

• Instant sharing to social media

• Adjustable exports settings

Pros

• Modern design

• User-friendly interface

• Music adding

Cons

• Restrictions in the free version

Licensing: free and paid versions

Size: 100 MB

Our rating: 7/10

Developed by Picadelic, this online alternative to the best free slideshow-making apps is a good choice if you plan to post your slideshow on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. The app has a variety of different cinematic effects for your slideshow. Note that if you’re using a free version of this app, you can save videos up to 30 seconds long.

Key Features:

• More than 40 different styles

• Instant previews

• Mixed transitions

• Glitch effects

Pros

• Slick design

• Good performance

• Reliability of work

Cons

• Limited functionality in the free version

• Poor export video quality

Licensing: free with in-app purchases

Size: 205.2 MB

Our rating: 6/10

SlideLab offers many useful features – you can touch up pictures using filters, add transitions and background soundtrack, and many more. Save a slideshow on your phone or easily share it on social media.

Key Features:

• Add your choice of music

• Edit and crop

• Use different themes

Pros

• Pretty good design

• Easy-to-use

• Fast performance

Cons

• Main features behind a paywall

Licensing: free with in-app purchases

Size: 54.9 MB

Our rating: 5/10

With Slide Maker, you can enhance your photographs with filters, add free built-in or your own soundtracks to a slideshow, crop, and rotate pictures. This free slideshow-making app also adjusts the length of your slideshow for Instagram.

Key Features:

• Create photo slideshows

• Add tunes

• Add stylish transitions

Pros

• Pretty good video edits

• A free-to-use app

• Reliable performance

Cons

• Strict limitations unless you pay

• No import from iCloud

Licensing: free with in-app purchases

Size: 147.6 MB

Our rating: 9/10

Videoshop is a powerful video editor that you can also use as a picture slideshow maker. It has a wide range of features: add music and sound effects, trim and rotate, apply filters and stickers. Additionally, the app provides advanced options, such as tilt-shift, distort effect, and screen capturing.

Key Features:

• Enables video-editing options

• Screen capture capability

• Music and sounds processing

Pros

• High-tech design

• Video-editing tools

• Fast performance

Cons

• Some features behind a paywall

There are many so-called best slideshow makers for different devices with different capabilities. But if you’re seeking not a really reliable solution for your PC instead of any mobile or online slideshow makers – we recommend you to opt for Movavi’s video slideshow maker. It’s the best value for money mixed with a sleek design, fast performance, and a wide range of functionality. Check all the benefits you can get from this app right now!