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Software · head to head

Google Slides vs Pear Deck

Google Slides logo

Google Slides

Software

Create amazing presentations together

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pear Deck logo

Pear Deck

Software

Interactive presentations that engage every student

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Slides presentation recording and presenter camera embedding are only available on some Google Workspace Business and Enterprise plans, not on the free consumer version; Pear Deck the Teacher Dashboard, draggable and drawing responses and Reflect and Review require Teacher Premium at $149 per year

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Slides and Pear Deck actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Slides and Pear Deck differ
AttributeGoogle SlidesPear Deck
PlatformsWebWeb, Chrome Extension
FoundedUnknown2014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Google Slides

Nothing recorded that Pear Deck does not also cover.

Only in Pear Deck

  • Interactive slides
  • Real-time responses
  • Formative assessment
  • Student-paced mode
  • Dashboard
  • Audio responses
  • Drawing
  • Vocabulary

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Slides

No use cases recorded yet. See the Google Slides review.

Pear Deck

  • Turning slide decks into interactive lessons with student responsesnot Google Slides
  • Running formative checks for understanding during classnot Google Slides
  • Student paced review activities and assessmentsnot Google Slides

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Google Slides

  • Presentation recording and presenter camera embedding are only available on some Google Workspace Business and Enterprise plans, not on the free consumer version

Pear Deck

  • The Teacher Dashboard, draggable and drawing responses and Reflect and Review require Teacher Premium at $149 per year
  • Pear Assessment Premium is a separate $125 per year purchase from Pear Deck Premium
  • Standards aligned content, district library and efficacy reports are only in the Schools and Districts plan
  • SIS and LMS integration is only in the Schools and Districts plan
  • School and district pricing is by quote with no published rate

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Slides

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Slides review.

Pear Deck

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 5 question types
    • Real-time responses
    • Student-paced mode
  • Premium$149.99/month
    • All question types
    • Audio responses
    • Flashcard factory
  • School/District$undefined/month
    • All Premium
    • Admin dashboard
    • Rostering

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Slides if

  • You want to start without paying.
Google Slides review

Choose Pear Deck if

  • You need interactive slides.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Chrome Extension.
  • You also want real-time responses.
Pear Deck review

Questions people ask

Is Google Slides or Pear Deck better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Slides starts at Free and Pear Deck at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Slides or Pear Deck?
Google Slides starts at Free and Pear Deck at Free.
Does Google Slides or Pear Deck run on more platforms?
Google Slides runs on Web. Pear Deck runs on Web, Chrome Extension.
Can I use Google Slides for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What can Google Slides do that Pear Deck cannot?
Pear Deck covers Interactive slides, Real-time responses, Formative assessment, Student-paced mode.
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Related pages

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