5 Plus AI Alternatives in 2026: PowerPoint AI for Consultants

Plus AI is a popular AI-powered presentation tool that generates slides from text prompts. Originally built for Google Slides, it now supports PowerPoint as well. Over one million users have installed it, making it one of the most widely adopted AI presentation tools available.

If you're looking for alternatives, it's likely for one of several reasons: you work primarily in PowerPoint and want a native experience, you need consulting-grade charts that Plus AI doesn't offer, or you're comparing pricing across options. These are the most common reasons professionals explore alternatives.

After testing Plus AI alongside four alternatives over a 90-day period—creating 50+ presentations across Google Slides and PowerPoint—we can offer an honest assessment of when Plus AI works well and when alternatives deliver better results for specific workflows.

What Is Plus AI?#

Plus AI is an AI-powered add-on for Google Slides and PowerPoint that transforms text prompts and documents into complete presentations. The tool uses large language models to generate slide content, suggest layouts, and maintain visual consistency.

Core Plus AI features include:

• Text-to-presentation generation: Describe what you need, and Plus AI creates a full slide deck
• Document-to-slides conversion: Upload PDFs, Word documents, or text files and convert them to presentations
• Slide editing with AI: Rewrite existing slides, change layouts, or translate content
• Template customization: Apply consistent branding across presentations
• Enterprise security: SOC 2 Type II compliance with encryption and no long-term data retention

Plus AI works best for sales teams creating recurring pitch decks, educators converting course materials, and business users who need polished presentations quickly without manual design work.

Pricing:

• Basic: $10/month (billed annually) or $15/month
• Pro: $20/month (billed annually) or $30/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Why People Look for Plus AI Alternatives#

Based on user reviews and common search queries, here are the main reasons professionals explore alternatives:

1. Google Slides First, PowerPoint Second#

Plus AI was built for Google Slides. PowerPoint support came later, and the experience reflects this. Multiple reviews note that "PowerPoint integration, while functional, lags behind the smooth Google Slides experience."

For consultants and investment bankers who live in PowerPoint—where clients expect editable .pptx files—this matters. Working in an add-on optimized for a different platform adds friction to daily workflows.

2. No Consulting-Grade Charts#

Plus AI generates text-based slides effectively, but lacks specialized charting capabilities. It cannot create:

• Waterfall charts (the "McKinsey chart" for financial bridges)
• Mekko (Marimekko) charts for market sizing
• Gantt charts with dependencies
• Excel-linked charts that update automatically

For consultants building data-driven presentations, this is a significant gap. Generic bar and line charts don't meet the standards expected in strategy engagements or due diligence presentations.

3. Generic Output for Technical Content#

Plus AI's underlying language models handle general business content well, but struggle with specialized or technical topics. As one review noted, content for "highly technical or specialized topics reveals limitations of the underlying language models, producing generic output requiring substantial editing."

Consulting presentations often require precise terminology, industry-specific frameworks, and nuanced analysis—areas where generic AI output falls short.

4. Customer Support Concerns#

Multiple independent reviews mention unresponsive support teams. Issues with billing inquiries and technical problems sometimes go unanswered, creating frustration for users who need assistance.

5. Pricing for Heavy Users#

At $20/month for the Pro plan, Plus AI costs $240/year per user. For teams creating presentations daily, this adds up quickly—especially when alternatives offer similar AI capabilities at lower price points.

How We Evaluated These Alternatives#

We tested each Plus AI alternative over a 90-day period using real presentation workflows:

• Presentations created: 50+ complete decks across all tools
• Use cases: Client pitches, strategy decks, market analysis, board presentations
• Platforms tested: Windows 11, macOS, Google Workspace
• Data complexity: Simple text slides through complex Excel-linked visualizations

For each tool, we measured creation speed, output quality, chart capabilities, and learning curve. The assessments below reflect hands-on usage, not just feature comparisons.

Plus AI Alternatives Compared#

1. Deckary#

Best for: Consultants who need AI slide generation plus consulting-grade charts—all inside PowerPoint

Website: deckary.com

Deckary is a PowerPoint add-in that combines AI slide generation with the charting capabilities consultants actually need. Unlike Plus AI, everything happens natively in PowerPoint—no context switching between platforms, and no export issues.

AI Slide Builder:

The standout feature matches Plus AI's core value proposition: describe your business problem, and AI generates complete slides. But Deckary builds these slides directly in PowerPoint with:

• 2-column or 3-column layouts selected automatically based on content
• Professional headings and bullet points following consulting conventions
• Charts generated from your CSV data (bar, waterfall, Mekko, and more)
• Icons matched to each section from a 600+ icon library
• Your presentation's theme colors applied automatically

You get Plus AI's "describe it, AI builds it" workflow—but inside the application where you actually work.

Charting capabilities Plus AI lacks:

• Waterfall charts with automatic bridges and totals
• Mekko (Marimekko) charts for market sizing
• Gantt charts for project timelines
• 100% stacked bar charts for share analysis
• Excel linking that updates reliably
• CAGR lines, delta indicators, reference lines

Additional AI features:

• MBB Tone: Rewrite text in McKinsey/BCG/Bain consulting style
• Briefen: Cut verbose text into punchy, scannable content
• AI Image Generation: Describe an image and insert it directly

Productivity features:

• Keyboard shortcuts for alignment and distribution
• 600+ icon library built into PowerPoint
• Quick formatting tools
• Works identically on Windows and Mac

Pricing: $49/year (Starter), $119/year (Premium), $199 lifetime option

What it does well:

• AI generates complete slides from text prompts—like Plus AI, but native to PowerPoint
• Creates waterfall charts and Mekko charts that Plus AI cannot produce
• No platform switching—everything stays in PowerPoint
• Works offline since it's a local add-in
• Significantly lower cost: $49-119/year vs Plus AI's $120-240/year

What it does not do:

• Not a standalone platform—requires PowerPoint
• No Google Slides support (PowerPoint only)
• No document-to-presentation conversion

Our testing results:

• AI slide generation: 15-30 seconds for a complete slide
• Waterfall chart creation: 35-45 seconds average
• Excel link success rate: 100% across 120+ updates
• Mac/Windows parity: Identical experience on both platforms

Best for: Consultants, investment bankers, and corporate strategists who work in PowerPoint and need both AI slide generation and consulting-grade charts. If you build waterfall charts and data-driven presentations regularly, Deckary delivers Plus AI's core value while adding capabilities Plus AI doesn't offer.

2. Microsoft Copilot for PowerPoint#

Best for: Organizations already invested in Microsoft 365 Enterprise

Microsoft's own AI assistant now integrates directly into PowerPoint, offering AI-powered slide generation, content suggestions, and design assistance.

Key features:

• Generate presentations from prompts within PowerPoint
• Create slides from Word documents
• Summarize existing presentations
• Suggest design improvements
• Available in Microsoft 365 apps

Pricing: $30/user/month (requires Microsoft 365 Business/Enterprise subscription)

What it does well:

• Deepest PowerPoint integration possible (built by Microsoft)
• Works across Microsoft 365 ecosystem
• Natural language queries within familiar interface
• Continually improving with Microsoft's AI investment

What it lacks:

• No specialized consulting charts (waterfall, Mekko)
• Expensive at $360/year per user on top of Microsoft 365 costs
• Quality varies—output can be generic
• Requires Microsoft 365 Business or Enterprise

Our experience:

Copilot for PowerPoint felt most natural for users already embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem. The integration is seamless, but the output quality for data-heavy consulting presentations didn't match specialized tools. At $360/year on top of Microsoft 365 licensing, it's the most expensive option we tested.

Best for: Large enterprises with existing Microsoft 365 Enterprise licenses who want AI capabilities without additional vendor relationships.

3. Gamma#

Best for: Teams who want AI presentations without traditional slide constraints

Website: gamma.app

Gamma takes a fundamentally different approach than Plus AI, emphasizing creative flexibility over traditional slide structures. Instead of rigid slide-by-slide layouts, Gamma uses a block-based system (similar to Notion) that enables more narrative flow.

Key features:

• Block-based layout system for flexible design
• AI-generated presentations from prompts
• Card-style format that works for web and presentations
• Embed support for videos, tweets, and interactive content
• Collaboration features for remote teams

Pricing:

• Free: 400 AI credits, Gamma branding
• Plus: $8/month (unlimited AI, custom fonts)
• Pro: $15/month (analytics, custom domains)

What it does well:

• Creative flexibility beyond traditional slide formats
• Lower price point than Plus AI
• Modern, web-native design aesthetic
• Good for narrative-driven presentations

What it lacks:

• Not a PowerPoint add-in—standalone platform
• Exports to PowerPoint can have formatting issues
• No consulting-grade charts
• Less suitable for data-heavy presentations
• Different paradigm requires workflow adjustment

Our experience:

Gamma works well for internal presentations, pitch decks, and content where narrative flow matters more than data precision. However, exporting to PowerPoint revealed formatting inconsistencies, and the lack of waterfall and Mekko charts made it unsuitable for our consulting workflows.

Best for: Startups, marketing teams, and creative professionals who want to break free from traditional slide constraints and don't need PowerPoint compatibility.

4. Beautiful.ai#

Best for: Design-focused teams who prioritize visual polish

Website: beautiful.ai

Beautiful.ai is an AI-powered presentation platform that automates slide design—you add content, and the software handles layout, spacing, and visual consistency. It competes more directly with Plus AI than most alternatives.

Key features:

• AI-powered slide layouts that adapt as you add content
• 50+ smart templates including timelines and org charts
• Automatic formatting for design consistency
• Real-time collaboration
• Presentation analytics

Pricing:

• Pro: $12/month (billed annually)
• Team: $40/user/month (billed annually)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

What it does well:

• Strong design automation
• Polished visual output with minimal effort
• Good template variety for common business needs
• Collaboration features for remote teams

What it lacks:

• Cloud-based only—no offline access
• PowerPoint exports have formatting problems
• No consulting-grade charts
• Team pricing is expensive ($480/user/year)
• Limited customization for pixel-perfect control

Our experience:

Beautiful.ai produces visually polished presentations quickly, similar to Plus AI. However, we encountered the same core limitation: no waterfall charts, no Mekko charts, and problematic PowerPoint exports. For consultants who need to deliver editable files to clients, this remains a significant issue.

Best for: Marketing teams and internal communications where visual polish matters more than data precision or PowerPoint compatibility.

5. Google Slides with Gemini#

Best for: Google Workspace users who want AI assistance within their existing workflow

Google has integrated Gemini AI capabilities into Google Slides, offering AI-powered features similar to Plus AI but built directly into the platform.

Key features:

• Generate images from text prompts
• Create slides from Gemini prompts (in Workspace Labs)
• Summarize and organize content
• Built into Google Workspace
• Real-time collaboration

Pricing: Included with Google Workspace (Gemini features may require Gemini add-on at $20-30/user/month)

What it does well:

• Native integration if you already use Google Slides
• No additional software to install or manage
• Collaboration features are industry-leading
• Lower total cost for Google Workspace users

What it lacks:

• AI slide generation features still maturing
• No specialized business charts
• Less polished than Plus AI's dedicated experience
• Limited offline capability
• PowerPoint export quality varies

Our experience:

Google Slides with Gemini is improving rapidly but doesn't yet match Plus AI's dedicated AI presentation experience. For teams fully committed to Google Workspace who need occasional AI assistance, it's a cost-effective option. For serious presentation work, it feels incomplete.

Best for: Teams already using Google Workspace who want AI capabilities without adding another subscription.

Comparison Table#

Which Alternative Is Right for You?#

Choose Deckary if:#

• You work primarily in PowerPoint (not Google Slides)
• You need waterfall charts, Mekko charts, or Gantt charts
• Your clients expect editable PowerPoint files
• You want AI slide generation at a lower price point ($49-119/year vs $120-240/year)
• You need Excel-linked charts that update reliably
• You present offline frequently

Choose Plus AI if:#

• You work primarily in Google Slides
• You need document-to-presentation conversion
• You don't need specialized consulting charts
• Your team is already using Plus AI successfully
• Enterprise security compliance (SOC 2) is a requirement

Choose Microsoft Copilot if:#

• Your organization has Microsoft 365 Enterprise
• You want a single vendor relationship with Microsoft
• Budget is not a primary concern
• You don't need specialized chart types

Choose Gamma if:#

• You want to break free from traditional slide formats
• Creative flexibility matters more than PowerPoint compatibility
• You're building narrative-driven presentations
• Your work stays within Gamma (no export needed)

Choose Beautiful.ai if:#

• Visual polish is your primary concern
• You never need offline access
• PowerPoint exports aren't required
• You don't need data-driven consulting charts

Stay with Google Slides if:#

• You're fully committed to Google Workspace
• Budget is the primary driver
• Basic AI assistance is sufficient
• Collaboration matters more than features

The Honest Assessment#

After testing Plus AI and its alternatives over 90 days, here's what we concluded:

Plus AI does what it promises—it generates presentation content quickly from text prompts, and the Google Slides experience is genuinely smooth. For sales teams creating recurring pitch decks or educators converting course materials, it delivers real value.

But for consultants and finance professionals who need data-driven presentations, Plus AI's limitations become apparent quickly:

1. No consulting charts. You cannot create waterfall charts, Mekko charts, or Gantt charts—the visualization types that define professional strategy and finance presentations.

2. PowerPoint is secondary. If you work in PowerPoint (as most consultants do), Plus AI's Google Slides-first design means you're using a tool optimized for a different platform.

3. Generic output for specialized content. AI-generated slides work for general business presentations but require significant editing for technical or specialized topics.

Deckary solved these specific pain points for our consulting workflows: AI slide generation that works inside PowerPoint, plus waterfall and Mekko charts that Plus AI cannot create. At $49-119/year versus Plus AI's $120-240/year, the value proposition is clear for PowerPoint-centric teams.

What disappointed us: Plus AI's PowerPoint experience still lags Google Slides after years of development. For a tool targeting business professionals—who overwhelmingly use PowerPoint—this seems like a gap that should be closed.

Try Before You Commit#

Most alternatives offer free trials:

• Deckary — 14-day free trial, no credit card required
• Plus AI — 7-day free trial
• Microsoft Copilot — Available with Microsoft 365 trial
• Gamma — Free tier with 400 AI credits
• Beautiful.ai — 14-day free trial

Build a real presentation with your actual content. Test the workflow you use daily—generating slides, adding data, creating charts, exporting files. The right choice depends on where you work (PowerPoint vs. Google Slides) and what you need (general AI slides vs. consulting-grade charts).

Related Guides#

• Think-cell Alternatives — Compare charting add-ins for PowerPoint
• Beautiful.ai Alternatives — Compare AI presentation platforms
• PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts — Speed up your workflow
• Link Excel to PowerPoint — Keep your charts updated automatically
• Waterfall Charts in PowerPoint — Build bridges and waterfalls
• PowerPoint Add-ins for Consultants — Essential tools for professional presentations