Slideshow tools have evolved dramatically over the past few years. What once were simple apps for queuing up text and images have become elaborate solutions that can combine videos, animations, and everything in-between to create some truly interactive slideshows.

Today, a basic slideshow player isn’t enough to meet modern needs; not if you want maximum engagement and value from the tool. Whether you’re managing content across multiple screens or looking to make a lasting impression, you need players that are packed with features that let you create and share slides effortlessly.

And that’s what this article is all about – we explore what makes a great slideshow player today, the top tools available today, and practical ways to use them.

A slideshow player is a software tool designed to display text, image, video content in a continuous loop. The term slideshow used to mean a rotating presentation of static images. Today, a slideshow can be a dynamic, interactive, and multimedia-rich content display with a wide range of uses.

In fact, modern slideshow software, or digital signage software, can be used to stream videos, dashboards and live data, music and more.

Slideshow players have also evolved in that they now double as slideshow makers and can be used in virtually every industry, from retail to education and public spaces.

Why do digital signage media players matter?

A digital signage media player is the backbone of any high-performance signage setup. It’s a small but powerful device that connects to TV screens and ensures your content plays smoothly. While a slideshow player manages your content, a media player provides the hardware you need to display stunning quality, whether it's a 4K slideshow or live dashboards.

Whether you're creating a business slideshow or a presentation for class, the ScreenCloud PIXI is the best choice. We've designed it specifically for digital signage, unlike generic media players that often have to be repurposed. 

The ScreenCloud PIXI has a super fast set up,  runs on a powerful CPU and GPU, and even comes with a robust storage capacity. Retailing for just $65, it's as affordable as any consumer grade media player, but offers an unbeatable digital signage performance.

Find out more about the ScreenCloud PIXI media player.

What to look for in the best slideshow maker and player?

The best slideshow players stand out by combining ease of use with advanced features, and if you’re going out of your way to find a solution, it might as well meet all your needs and deliver reliable functions.

Here are some of the main qualities to look out for in a top-tier slideshow player:

Modern slideshow players should be intuitive and user-friendly. Creating, editing, and deploying slideshows should be straightforward without needing any extensive technical skills from the user.

For example, many tools now offer drag-and-drop options, pre-designed templates, and smooth onboarding that helps you start creating slides quickly. Some even provide a free online slideshow maker option to get started without any cost.

A great slideshow player should work in different contexts and support various use cases. So whether you’re creating a digital menu for your restaurant, showcasing student achievements in a school, or presenting sales data in a corporate office, the tool should offer the versatility to work across various use cases.

Gone are the days when a few images with slick transitions made up a slideshow. Modern players support a wide range of content, including videos, live data feeds, dashboards, animations, and even interactive elements.

Being able to add background music is also a plus since it can improve your slideshow's engagement. While you might not use all these features, they can help create more engaging and impactful presentations and offer more versatility in application.

Interactivity adds a layer of engagement to slideshows, which can be really helpful whether you’re doing an office presentation or broadcasting a message on screen in a local gym. Slideshow players might use live polling, scannable QR codes, or even touchscreens to pull in audiences and encourage active participation.

Many tools offer access to free stock photos, fonts, customizable elements and easy file uploading which can improve the visual appeal of your slides. This enables you to create professional-looking slides quickly and easily, without zipping to different design platforms.

Being able to quickly add new screens, or create displays across remote locations is important for organizations managing multiple sites. Modern digital signage tools allow you to simultaneously deploy content across several devices or locations.

You may need a slideshow player outside of regular presentations – like displaying a restaurant's various menus, for example. In that case, you want the option to update or schedule content to keep viewers updated on correct information - like new meal combos or discounts. 

Integration with other tools like social media platforms, CRMs, or analytics dashboards can make your slideshow players even more functional and flexible. Imagine being able to pull live tweets and sales dashboard data to your slides, and make them more dynamic and relevant to your audience.

1. ScreenCloud: Best overall slideshow maker AND player

ScreenCloud is the market leading digital signage solution which functions as a powerful slideshow maker and player. Users get access to a CMS where you can create slideshows as easily as dragging and dropping various design elements, or you can simply upload your own photos and files if you have those already.

With ScreenCloud's slideshow creator, you can also use templates, add your personal touch, and publish your designs to as many screens as you want.

But that’s not all. Digital signage solutions like ScreenCloud also have a suite of apps that let you pull all kinds of live data into your slideshows - whether you’re creating office digital signage, or displays for your healthcare facility, school or restaurant.

Easily connect from over 80 popular app integrations, to create slideshows from your local data, social media feeds or online reviews. 

Supports dynamic and interactive content.

Centralized management for multiple screens.

You can integrate apps and various data sources with the slideshow maker.

Publish your slideshow online to any connected screen - wherever it is.

May be overkill if all you want is basic displays.

No free tier - although you can access the full product with a 14-day free trial.

With one of the best freemium models on the market, Canva has grown to be the byword in free design tools. While there are paid packages, the free tier offers great features including remote collaboration, AI background removal and a slideshow template for every occasion.

You can also launch Canva content directly to your ScreenCloud account, making it effortless to create new slides and presentations.

Excellent free tier with lots of features.

Tons of free images, fonts and emojis/stickers to make fun slides.

Versatile tool makes it great for professional presentations, promotional content and more.

Connects easily to ScreenCloud using the app.

Lacks advanced design elements that some might expect.

Paid tier can get expensive for larger teams.

3. Google Slides: Free slideshow maker for collaborations

Google Slides is a cloud-based free slideshow maker that allows you to create, share, and collaborate on slideshows with anybody. As part of the Google suite of tools, it's super easy to create slideshows and share them to your screens using casting devices, or create content for remote presentations.

You can also integrate your Google Slides presentations with ScreenCloud to effortlessly display your content.

The real-time editing capabilities make Google Slides perfect for team projects and remote presentations.

Real-time collaboration and sharing features.

Accessible from any device with an internet connection.

Easily share to your screens using ScreenCloud

Designed mostly for professional presentations so lacks the creative element.

Requires an internet connection for most functionalities.

4. Microsoft PowerPoint: Powerful slideshow software

PowerPoint was once the byword in presentations and remains a reliable choice for great quality slideshows. Its interface is intuitive and features a wide range of templates, transitions, and features.

The great thing about PowerPoint is that it can be used to create simple slideshows or get more creative, as needed, making it accessible to new and advanced users. If you're already using Microsoft's suite of software tools then it is most likely your go to presentation designer.

Supports basic animations and transitions.

Part of the Microsoft Office suite of tools which can be a bonus for those using MS.

Limited multimedia and interactivity features.

Not very versatile - mostly used for professional presentations.

Requires a paid plan with Microsoft to access.

5. Adobe Express: Photo and video slideshow player

Adobe Express (formerly Adobe Spark) is a web-based tool for creating visually stunning photo and video slideshows. It has AI-driven tools that let you create custom images, insert objects, and generate editable templates, alongside other classic slideshow features.

While it does offer access to a free tier which includes a free slideshow maker, the full features are only accessible with a paid subscription.

Powerful AI-driven design tools to create eye-catching images.

Access stock pictures, videos and more from Adobe's library.

Steep learning curve makes this not suitable for those lacking design skills.

How can you create a captivating slideshow display and which is the best player for your slides? From office to retail, we uncover the features you need.

Using a Slideshow Player to Grab the Audience's Attention

Using a Slideshow Player to Grab the Audience's Attention

Using a Slideshow Player to Grab the Audience's Attention

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