Slidepicker vs Slidev
Quick verdict: Slidev is a powerhouse for developer conference talks with live coding, Vue.js components, and recording built in. Slidepicker is for anyone who wants Markdown-to-slides in a browser without setting up a Node.js project. Two very different audiences, two great tools.
Feature Comparison
A developer presentation framework vs a general-purpose Markdown slides web app.
| Feature | Slidepicker | Slidev |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free + $9/mo Premium | Free (open-source) |
| Platform | Web browser | Local dev server (Node.js) |
| Setup required | None | Node.js + npm install |
| Framework | Reveal.js-based | Vue.js + Vite |
| Live coding in slides | No | Yes - execute code in slides |
| Code highlighting | Basic | Shiki with line highlighting |
| Auto-layout | Yes - automatic from content | No (custom Vue layouts) |
| Collaboration | Real-time editing | None (local files) |
| Custom components | No | Vue.js components |
| Presenter mode | Yes | Yes, with notes + timer |
| Recording | No | Built-in recording |
| Export formats | PDF, PNG | PDF, PNG, SPA |
Built for Different Stages
Slidev was created by Anthony Fu (the prolific open-source developer behind Vitest, UnoCSS, and more) specifically for developer presentations at conferences and meetups. Its headline feature is the ability to run live code directly in your slides - write a Vue component, execute JavaScript, demonstrate an API, all within the presentation itself.
Slidepicker was built for a broader audience: anyone who wants to create clean, professional presentations from written content. It doesn't run code, but it doesn't require you to run npm init slidev either. These tools overlap in their use of Markdown but serve fundamentally different presentation needs.
When to Choose Slidepicker
- ✓ Your presentation doesn't involve code demos. For business updates, pitch decks, team meetings, and any presentation where content matters more than code, Slidepicker is the faster, simpler choice.
- ✓ You don't want to maintain a Node.js project for slides. Slidev creates a full project with
package.json, dependencies, and a dev server. Slidepicker is a URL you open in your browser. - ✓ Non-technical team members need to contribute. If your slides are a team effort, Slidepicker's web-based real-time collaboration is accessible to everyone. Slidev requires developer tooling knowledge.
- ✓ You want automatic design. Slidepicker's auto-layout turns your Markdown into well-designed slides without CSS or custom layout work. Slidev requires manual layout configuration for polished results.
When to Choose Slidev
- ✓ You're giving a conference talk with live coding. This is what Slidev was born for. Execute code, show interactive demos, and highlight code with line-by-line animations. Nothing else comes close for developer presentations.
- ✓ You want Vue.js components in your slides. Embed interactive charts, custom animations, or any Vue component directly in your presentation. Slidev turns slides into a Vue application.
- ✓ You want to record your talk. Slidev has built-in recording with camera overlay - great for creating video content from your presentation.
- ✓ You want maximum customization. Since Slidev uses Vite and Vue.js, you can customize everything with standard web technologies. Install npm packages, write custom CSS, create reusable layout components.
Pricing Comparison
Slidepicker
Free or $9/mo
Yearly plan: $49/year ($4/mo)
- Free tier for core features
- Premium: PDF export, branding, sharing
- Hosted - nothing to deploy
Slidev
Free
Open-source (MIT license)
- 100% free, community-driven
- Self-deploy to GitHub Pages, Netlify
- Hosting costs are on you
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Slidev only for developers? ▾
Practically, yes. Slidev requires Node.js, npm, and comfort with a terminal. It's built on Vue.js and uses Vite as its build tool. Non-technical users would find the setup challenging. Slidepicker works for anyone who can type Markdown in a browser.
Can Slidev run code live in presentations? ▾
Yes. Slidev supports live coding demos, code highlighting with Shiki, and even embedded Vue components in slides. This is its killer feature for conference talks and developer presentations. Slidepicker doesn't support executable code in slides.
Which is better for conference talks? ▾
Slidev was specifically designed for conference talks and tech meetups. Its live coding, code highlighting, presenter mode, and recording features make it the best tool for developer-focused presentations. Slidepicker is better for business presentations, team updates, and pitch decks where content clarity matters more than code demos.
Can I deploy Slidev presentations online? ▾
Yes. Slidev generates static HTML that you can deploy to GitHub Pages, Netlify, or any static host. Slidepicker hosts your presentations for you and provides shareable links with its Premium plan.
Do I need to know Vue.js to use Slidev? ▾
Basic usage doesn't require Vue.js knowledge - you write Markdown and it becomes slides. However, Slidev's advanced features like custom layouts, interactive components, and animations use Vue.js syntax. To unlock Slidev's full potential, Vue.js familiarity helps significantly.
More Comparisons
Presentations without a build step
No npm, no Vite, no deploy. Just Markdown in your browser and slides that look great automatically.