Movavi Slideshow Maker

Movavi Slideshow Maker helps you create your own slideshows, which may include not only static images but video footage and audio as well.

The application has a neat elegant interface with a dark theme. However, it may have a rather steep learning curve for beginners, which is why the availability of a very detailed online user manual is so welcomed.

It is excellent that the tool provides two use modes: Wizard and Manual, which differ not only in their usability but available features as well. Both modes respond to the workflow typical of creating a slideshow project, which would usually include importing resources, organizing them, adding effects and exporting. In Wizard mode, you are taken through a series of steps to successful completion of the slideshow. In Manual mode, in turn, the most important element is the timeline, which lets you arrange the imported items as you desire.

Good news is that this app supports importing various types of media resources, like video, images and audio. In this respect, there are sample videos you can freely use, which are downloadable from the developer’s site. Likewise, you can also import those contents from files in many formats. Finally, the tool lets you record video or audio directly from your webcam or microphone respectively.

Another important part of generating your slideshow is using transitions (more than 100). Fortunately, the tool comes with a pack of beautiful transitions that create really nice effects. Similarly, it is possible to use a background and add titles and captions (over 40 available).

Luckily, there are a series of editing features that greatly expand its usage. In the case of video, it is possible to rotate and crop the image. Similarly, using overlay and animation are supported. Besides, there are various effects available, such as chroma key, pan and zoom as well as slow motion. For editing audio, there are various convenient filters and effects, including sound equalizer, noise removal and beat detection.

It is good that you can preview your work at all times. Then, once it is ready, you can export it to a wide range of multiple output formats, with the possibility using custom codecs and quality settings. There is also the possibility of uploading the resulting slideshow to YouTube, Google Drive and Vimeo.

All in all, Movavi Slideshow Maker is so complete in terms of features that it is practically a general-purpose video editor. Therefore, it is highly recommended for basic video editing tasks. Only as a wish: I would like to be able to use a lighter interface theme, because the dark one sometimes makes it difficult to distinguish some captions and graphical items. Finally, it is good that the product can be tried at no cost.