Powtoon: An Honest Review

You may not know this about me, but as well as working in the finance space, I am also a digital marketer. I was searching recently for a program to create simple animations for my business. I trialled just about every one you can think of, and finally landed on Powtoon. I have found it difficult to find honest reviews from people who have actually used the product, so here I am, writing my own.

What is Powtoon?

What is Powtoon used for?

Is Powtoon Free?

How much does Powtoon cost?

Can you Cancel your Powtoon subscription?

Powtoon Strengths

Powtoon Weaknesses

Free alternatives to Powtoon

Is Powtoon worth the price?

Powtoon review

What is Powtoon?

Powtoon is a web-based platform that allows users to create animated videos and presentations. It provides a user-friendly interface with a range of pre-designed templates, characters, objects, and animations, making it accessible to individuals and businesses looking to produce engaging and visually appealing content.

Powtoon is often used for various purposes, including:

1. Marketing: Businesses use Powtoon to create promotional videos, explainer videos, and advertisements to showcase their products or services.

2. Education: Teachers and educators can use Powtoon to develop educational materials, such as animated lessons, tutorials, and presentations.

3. Training: It's used for employee training and development by creating training modules and onboarding materials.

4. Personal Projects: Individuals can use Powtoon to make animated videos for personal projects, such as invitations, greetings, or storytelling.

5. Non-profit and NGO Communications: Non-profit organizations and NGOs use Powtoon to create awareness and fundraising campaigns.

Powtoon allows users to add text, images, voiceovers, and music to their animations, and it provides a drag-and-drop interface for ease of use. While Powtoon offers a free version with limited features, there are also paid plans that provide more advanced options and additional resources. The platform has gained popularity for its ability to help users create engaging visual content without the need for advanced design or animation skills.

What is Powtoon used for?

Powtoon is a versatile and user-friendly animation and presentation tool that serves a myriad of purposes. Organizations and individuals alike utilize Powtoon to create engaging and dynamic animated videos, presentations, and explainer content. Whether you're a business professional aiming to craft compelling marketing materials, an educator seeking to enhance classroom presentations, or a content creator looking to captivate your audience, Powtoon empowers you to bring your ideas to life. With its intuitive interface and a vast library of pre-designed templates, characters, and assets, Powtoon streamlines the process of content creation, allowing users to produce visually appealing and impactful animations without the need for advanced design skills. By incorporating Powtoon into your toolkit, you can elevate your communication strategies, boost audience engagement, and effectively convey your message in a visually compelling manner. Unlock the potential of Powtoon to transform your ideas into captivating animated content that resonates with your target audience.

Is Powtoon Free?

Powtoon offers both free and paid subscription plans, providing users with flexibility based on their needs and budget. The free version of Powtoon allows users to create basic animated videos and presentations with limited features and access to a selection of templates. However, it may come with watermarked videos and certain restrictions on export options.

For users seeking more advanced features, a subscription to Powtoon's premium plans, such as Powtoon Pro, unlocks a range of benefits. These can include access to a broader library of templates, higher-quality exports without watermarks, increased video length, and additional customization options. The pricing structure may vary, with options for monthly or annual subscriptions.

Before choosing a plan, it's advisable to explore the specific features offered in the free version and compare them with the benefits of the premium plans to determine the most suitable option for your individual or business requirements.

How much does Powtoon cost?

There are three subscription plans offered by Powtoon, each catering to different user needs:

Lite Plan: $15/month or $180 billed annually

• Export without Powtoon branding

• 5 premium exports per month

• Download as mp4

• Access to free assets & templates

• Video length up to 10 minutes

Professional Plan: $70/month or $480 billed annually

• Includes everything in Lite

• Unlimited premium exports

• Access to complete content library

• Access to all images, footage & music

• Access to all PRO templates

• Video length up to 20 minutes

Business Plan: $125/month or $1500 billed annually

• Includes everything in Professional

• Create your own custom characters

• Add custom logo & fonts

• Convert your text to voiceover

• Add Camera movement

• 3rd-party reseller rights

• Video length up to 30 minutes

Can you Cancel your Powtoon subscription?

Certainly! Yes, you have the flexibility to cancel your Powtoon subscription at any time. It's important to note that the specific details may vary based on your subscription type. If you are canceling an annual plan, your subscription will remain active until the end of the annual billing period. On the other hand, if you are canceling a monthly plan, the subscription will continue to be active until the conclusion of the current month. Powtoon aims to make the cancellation process straightforward, ensuring users have control over their subscription preferences and allowing for a seamless transition based on their individual needs.

Powtoon Strengths

Powtoon is a powerful and versatile online presentation tool that boasts several strengths, making it a preferred choice for individuals and businesses alike. Here are some of Powtoon's notable strengths:

1. Intuitive Interface

Powtoon features an intuitive and user-friendly interface that caters to users of all skill levels. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced designer, the platform's drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy to create professional-looking animated presentations without the need for advanced technical skills. The user interface streamlines the creative process, allowing users to focus on content creation rather than grappling with complex design tools.

2. Extensive Animation Options

One of Powtoon's standout strengths is its extensive library of animation options. Users have access to a wide range of animations, transitions, and effects that can be seamlessly integrated into presentations. This not only enhances the visual appeal of the content but also enables users to convey their messages in a dynamic and engaging manner. From subtle movements to eye-catching transitions, Powtoon empowers users to bring their ideas to life with animated flair.

3. Variety of Looks and Characters

Powtoon offers a diverse array of customizable templates, themes, and characters, allowing users to create presentations that suit their unique style and messaging. The platform's rich library of pre-designed elements ensures that users can find the perfect look for their presentations, whether it's a formal business pitch, an educational tutorial, or a creative marketing campaign. The ability to personalize characters and themes adds a distinctive touch to presentations, helping users craft content that resonates with their audience.

Powtoon has a good range of characters and actions

4. Built-in Screen Capture

Powtoon goes beyond traditional presentation tools by incorporating a built-in screen capture feature. This functionality allows users to seamlessly integrate recorded screencasts into their presentations. Whether demonstrating software functionality, providing tutorials, or showcasing a product, the screen capture feature enhances the versatility of Powtoon. This integrated tool not only saves time but also ensures a smooth and cohesive presentation experience.

In conclusion, Powtoon's strengths lie in its user-friendly interface, extensive animation options, diverse visual elements, and the integration of built-in screen capture. These features collectively make Powtoon a robust platform for creating engaging and impactful animated presentations, making it a go-to choice for individuals and businesses looking to communicate their ideas effectively.

Powtoon Weaknesses

While Powtoon is a popular and effective tool for creating animated presentations, like any software, it does have its limitations. Here are some weaknesses associated with Powtoon:

1. Stability Issues

One notable weakness of Powtoon is its reported tendency to crash frequently. Users have reported instances of the platform becoming unstable, which can result in the loss of unsaved work and frustration during the creative process. The reliability of the platform in terms of stability remains an area that could be improved upon.

2. Limited Props

Despite having an extensive library of visual elements, Powtoon may be criticized for a lack of diverse and useful props. Users might find themselves wanting more options to enhance their presentations creatively. A broader selection of props could provide users with greater flexibility to convey their messages in a more personalized and unique manner.

3. Limited Background Options

Similarly, Powtoon may be considered lacking in terms of useful background options. A more expansive library of backgrounds would enable users to better tailor their presentations to different themes and styles, enhancing the overall visual appeal of their content.

4. Business-to-Business (B2B) Orientation

Powtoon's focus on the business-to-business market may be seen as a weakness for individuals or content creators aiming to produce videos for a consumer audience. The templates and themes offered may skew towards a more professional and corporate aesthetic, limiting its appeal for those creating content for personal or entertainment purposes.

5. Limited Format Options

Powtoon's format limitations can be considered a constraint for users who require versatility in their video outputs. The inability to create a single file with square, vertical, and widescreen formats may be a drawback for individuals or businesses that need content tailored to different platforms and social media channels without having to export multiple files.

It's important to note that software strengths and weaknesses can vary based on user preferences, needs, and the specific use case. While Powtoon offers a robust set of features, addressing these weaknesses could enhance the overall user experience and make the platform even more versatile and user-friendly.

Free alternatives to Powtoon

If you're looking for free alternatives to Powtoon, there are several options available that provide users with the tools to create animated presentations and videos. Here are three notable alternatives:

1. Animaker

Animaker is a user-friendly and feature-rich platform for creating animated videos. It offers a free plan with limitations on video quality and access to certain features. Animaker provides a variety of templates, a drag-and-drop interface, and a diverse library of characters and props. It supports different video styles, including 2D, 2.5D, and infographics. The free version is suitable for basic projects and allows users to explore the platform's capabilities before considering an upgrade.

Website: Animaker

2. Vyond (formerly GoAnimate)

Vyond is a powerful animation tool that allows users to create animated videos with a focus on character-driven narratives. While Vyond offers a paid version with advanced features, it also provides a free trial that allows users to explore the platform. The free trial comes with some limitations, but it's a great way to get a feel for Vyond's capabilities in creating professional-looking animated content. Vyond is suitable for both business and educational purposes.

Website: Vyond

3. Biteable

Biteable is a simple and straightforward online video maker that offers a free plan with limitations on video quality and access to certain features. It's known for its ease of use, allowing users to quickly create animated videos for various purposes. Biteable provides a library of templates, stock footage, and animations that users can customize to fit their needs. While the free version has some restrictions, it's a good starting point for those looking to create engaging videos without a financial commitment.

Website: Biteable

These alternatives provide users with a range of features to create animated content without the cost associated with premium tools. Depending on your specific needs and preferences, exploring these free alternatives can help you find the platform that best suits your requirements.

Is Powtoon worth the price?

No. For a program that I had to pay for it was still too limited and still too hard to use. I was disappointed an would have used something better if I had the option. I unfortunately did not have the skills to use a more powerful program like adobe animate. Unlike Canva which makes grpahic design accesible for people who are new to it, Powtoon is still complex and annoying to use.

Powtoon review

In conclusion, Powtoon emerges as a versatile and user-friendly platform with significant strengths, including an intuitive interface, a rich library of animation options, diverse looks, characters, and a built-in screen capture feature. However, it is not without its weaknesses. Users may face challenges due to reported stability issues, a perceived lack of useful props and backgrounds, a business-oriented focus, and limitations in creating multiple formats within a single file. Despite these drawbacks, Powtoon remains a valuable tool for creating engaging animated presentations, especially for those in a business context. Users should weigh the platform's strengths against its limitations to determine its suitability for their specific needs and consider exploring alternative options based on their preferences and requirements.