reveal.js vs Slidev
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A free HTML framework for building slide presentations that run in a web browser.
Open source · MIT
Write presentation slides in Markdown, rendered with Vue and Vite.
The short answer
Choose reveal.js if you need…
- Developers who already write HTML, CSS, or JavaScript and want full control over slide design
- People who want presentations as code that can be versioned and reviewed like other files
- Teams who need slides with code samples or math notation
- Anyone who wants a free, self-hosted alternative to a proprietary slide tool
Choose Slidev if you need…
- Developers who want to present code, technical talks, or architecture diagrams
- People comfortable editing Markdown and who prefer version-controlled slides
- Teams that want slides stored alongside project files in a Git repository
- Anyone who wants to present from a second window or phone using presenter mode
Side-by-side
| reveal.js | Slidev | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Dev tool |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 72.5k | 49.3k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Beginner |
| How you get it | Clone and build from source | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 36 days ago | 14 days ago |
What each one is
reveal.js
reveal.js is an open source HTML presentation framework. You write slides as web pages, and the result runs in any browser, so you can present or share it without special presentation software. The README highlights features such as Markdown slides, speaker notes, PDF export, LaTeX math, syntax-highlighted code, and an API for customization.
Slidev
Slidev is an open-source tool for making presentation slides using Markdown files. You write your slides as text, and it renders them in a web browser with code highlighting, math, diagrams, and Vue components. It can export slides to PDF, PNG, or PPTX.
Best for
reveal.js
- Developers who already write HTML, CSS, or JavaScript and want full control over slide design
- People who want presentations as code that can be versioned and reviewed like other files
- Teams who need slides with code samples or math notation
- Anyone who wants a free, self-hosted alternative to a proprietary slide tool
Slidev
- Developers who want to present code, technical talks, or architecture diagrams
- People comfortable editing Markdown and who prefer version-controlled slides
- Teams that want slides stored alongside project files in a Git repository
- Anyone who wants to present from a second window or phone using presenter mode
Strengths
reveal.js
- Free and MIT licensed, with a large community (about 72,000 stars on GitHub)
- Presentations are plain web files that run in any modern browser and can be hosted anywhere
- Documented feature set covering Markdown, speaker notes, PDF export, and math
Slidev
- Slides are plain Markdown files, so they work well with Git and any text editor
- Built on Vite, so changes reload quickly while editing
- Themes can be shared as npm packages and it supports a large set of icons
Not ideal for
reveal.js
- People who want a drag-and-drop editor: the README points to Slides.com, a separate graphical editor by the same authors, for that
- Non-technical users who do not want to edit HTML or configuration files, since setup assumes some web development familiarity
- Those needing a paid video course to learn it: the README links a course, but it is a paid product and the README does not describe its contents
Slidev
- People who need a visual drag-and-drop slide editor, since Slidev is text-based (the README mentions an integrated editor, but its depth is not described here)
- Users who cannot install Node.js, since the local setup requires Node.js 22.12.0 or newer
- Those who only need simple slides and do not want to learn Markdown syntax and Vue features
Trade-offs
reveal.js
- Requires comfort with HTML and a build or hosting step, which is a barrier for non-developers
- The README is truncated here, so details of specific browser support and version requirements are not confirmed
- Design polish depends on your own CSS and theme choices
Slidev
- Requires a Node.js development environment, which may be a barrier for non-developers
- Visual design customization relies on CSS utilities and Vue knowledge for advanced changes
- The README does not detail the export quality or limitations of each export format
Getting started
reveal.js
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/hakimel/reveal.jsFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between reveal.js and Slidev?
reveal.js: A free HTML framework for building slide presentations that run in a web browser. Slidev: Write presentation slides in Markdown, rendered with Vue and Vite. reveal.js suits developers who already write html, css, or javascript and want full control over slide design, while Slidev suits developers who want to present code, technical talks, or architecture diagrams.
Are reveal.js and Slidev free?
reveal.js: Free and open source. Slidev: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, reveal.js or Slidev?
Slidev is easier to get started with (rated beginner); reveal.js is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is reveal.js or Slidev more popular?
reveal.js has more GitHub stars (72.5k) than Slidev (49.3k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to reveal.js and Slidev?
Other options people compare them with include Marp, impress.js, remark, mdx-deck, VitePress.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.