Video editing web app
PowToon is a multimedia web app that lets you create video presentations. With extensive design libraries and straightforward drag-and-drop controls, it’s an easy-to-use, seamless suit for individuals and businesses.
The use of PowToon relies heavily on templates. You'll find them across three categories, personal, education, and work. They're customisable to different ratios, but their overall design corresponds to specific media situations such as YouTube ads, Facebook posts, and more.
Fast, templated presentations
Straightforward navigation
This programme is quite simple to learn and use. After you choose a template, you'll add media elements, props, and characters (clipart animation) from the built-in library. Text editing is also rather uncomplicated, featuring familiar controls and satisfying visual results.
Regarding audio, you can add background music or voice-overs. The app places some limitations here, particularly with audio file length. It is, however, quite functional overall.
Export variety
Once your presentation is finished, you can click the blue 'Export' button to view and save your work. You can send your video to various social media apps through this programme, or keep it as PDF, MP4, or PPT.
Pricing
PowToon has a free plan, but it places many limitations on your programme's use. You will see watermarks on all videos, quality, and export limits. Paid plans are quite expensive in comparison to competitors. Prezi, another costly programme with similar functionalities, is more affordable.
Collaboration
PowToon has some collaboration capabilities, but only for Business accounts. With it, you can send your videos to the collaborator, who has the possibility to add editing changes. However, it lacks the real-time features of Google Slides or Visme.
The entire programme is quite safe since it only interacts with your desktop to upload and download videos. The security remains with collaboration since you're effectively only sending your presentation to another Powtoon person.
Comprehensive but not for professionals
PowToon is an excellent video maker for beginners, facilitating the creation of animated videos for any purpose. However, the heavy use of templates can make it seem formulaic rather quickly, making it best when seldomly used.