DeckCraft: design and present slides, including .pptx files.
DeckCraft is a free presentation program with slide masters, themes and transitions. It opens and saves PowerPoint files in .pptx format directly and exports PDF for sharing.
How it helps day to day
- You present your business to a customerSlide master and theme keep every slide consistent. Presenter view keeps your notes in sight.
- Training for new staff is coming upRehearsal timings help you practise, and the pen lets you highlight details during the talk.
- The slides should go out by email afterwardsPDF export creates slides or handouts anyone can open without a presentation program.
What is inside DeckCraft
Opens and saves .pptx; exports PDF and slide images.
- Templates
- Slide masters with eleven layouts and eight themes, over 150 shapes.
- Transitions
- Slide transitions including Morph.
- Presenting
- Full-screen slide show with notes, rehearsal timings and pen.
- Sharing
- Export PDF with vector slides and handouts.
DeckCraft compared with Microsoft PowerPoint
DeckCraft offers PowerPoint’s basics: slide masters, layouts, transitions including Morph and presenter view. In testing it was the least mature of the three office apps.
| DeckCraft | Microsoft PowerPoint | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | free, also for business | part of a Microsoft 365 subscription, price depends on plan Source |
| Licence | open source (Apache 2.0) | commercial software |
| Systems | Windows, macOS, Linux, in the browser | see vendor |
| Shared files | opens and saves .pptx, PDF export | |
| Maturity | in development, version 0.10.0 | on the market for years |
What independent tests say
- Office Watch, 11.10.2026Morph transitions, animations and presenter view are there. Verdict: less mature than WordCraft and GridCraft. Read the article
Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft 365 are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. It is named for orientation only; there is no connection between Microsoft Corporation and the maker of DeckCraft.
Our assessment
DeckCraft covers the basics of presentation software. It is worth testing for internal talks. Before an important meeting, click through the presentation once completely.
Already useful for
- Internal presentations and training
- Viewing and adjusting existing .pptx slides
- Handouts as PDF
Better wait for now
- Important customer meetings without a test run
- Presentations with embedded videos or special effects
- Switching every workstation over completely
Frequently asked questions
Can I reuse existing PowerPoint slides?
DeckCraft opens and saves .pptx. Before an important meeting, go through the presentation once completely; the program is still in development.
Can DeckCraft replace PowerPoint?
DeckCraft covers the basics of presentation software. It is worth testing for internal talks. Before an important meeting, click through the presentation once completely.
May I use DeckCraft commercially?
Yes. The Apache 2.0 licence allows business use without a licence fee. It does not require you to publish your own files or data. Licence notices only apply if you redistribute or modify the program itself.
What does DeckCraft cost?
Nothing. DeckCraft is open source under the Apache 2.0 licence and may also be used in a business free of charge.
How do I install it?
The vendor’s page offers installers for Windows, macOS and Linux. If you use several Craft apps, the ArtCraft Launcher installs them and keeps them up to date. In businesses with several workstations, new programs should be approved centrally; we can help with that.
Related
Sources: vendor page and source code on GitHub, accessed 25 Oct 2026. We have tested the program ourselves and rated it worth a look. We have no business relationship with the vendor.
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