PresentSyncAt a glance
| PresentSync | Cliqer | SlideLynk | PPTControl | Universal Presenter Remote | RPad | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phone apps | iPhone, iPad, Android, HarmonyOS (Huawei AppGallery, Huawei phones in mainland China only) | Android (iOS listed as coming soon), watch apps, browser | iPhone, iPad, Android, watch apps | iPhone, iPad, Android, watch apps | iPhone, Android, browser, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets; Apple Watch and Wear OS |
| Computer | Windows, Mac | Windows 11, macOS 15+ | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows, Mac | Windows, Mac | Mac, Windows 10/11, Linux (beta) |
| Connection | Same local network | Peer-to-peer with room code | Same local Wi-Fi or phone hotspot | Same local network or Bluetooth | Wi-Fi or cellular through its service | Same Wi-Fi network, paired with a 6-digit code |
| On-screen pointer | Yes, drawn on the computer screen, so it shows on every connected display | Yes (laser) | Yes, inside the slideshow window (Premium) | Yes (Pro) | Not listed on its site | Yes: touch and hold, and a laser dot follows where you point the phone; also from the watch (public beta) |
| Drawing on slides | Yes (long-press, fades) | Yes | Not listed on its site | Not listed on its site | Not listed on its site | Not listed on its site (iPad with Apple Pencil works as a drawing tablet for a Mac) |
| Several presenters | Yes, each with their own pointer color (5 devices, 10 on Pro) | Yes | Not listed on its site | Not listed on its site | Not listed on its site | Not listed on its site |
| Speaker notes / slide preview on phone | No | Notes yes; preview not listed | Yes (Premium) | Yes (Pro) | Not listed on its site | Not listed on its site (Screen mode shows the Mac's display on the phone) |
| Timer | No | Countdown / count-up | Yes (Premium) | Not listed on its site | Not listed on its site | Yes (slide timer) |
| Price as listed | Free tier (30 min of hosting a day after a 7-day trial); Personal $5.99/mo or $49.99/yr; Pro $11.99/mo or $99.99/yr (Google Play USD) | Free tier (1 device); paid plans from $22/mo (Plus) | Free; Pro $4.99/yr; Premium $19.99/yr | Free; Pro $4.99/mo, $19.99/yr or $49.99 once (US App Store) | Free | Free for 7 days, then RPad Pro US$1.99/mo, US$14.99/yr or US$39.99 once (App Store; covers iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac); Android at the local Google Play price; Windows and Linux: RPad for PC €1.99/mo, €15.99/yr or €39.99 once |
| Account | Needed to host | Needed to host | Not needed | Not needed | Not needed | Not needed |
Prices are in the currency each source shows and are not converted. Features and prices change; check each product's site before you decide. "Not listed" means we could not find it on that product's own pages, not that it is missing.
Which one fits you
- You need everyone to see the pointer on a TV, LED wall or projector, draw on the slide, or let several people point: PresentSync draws the pointer, highlight and lines on the computer screen itself, and each participant gets a pointer color. Cliqer also offers drawing and several presenters.
- You want speaker notes and slide previews on your phone: SlideLynk Premium or PPTControl Pro list both. PresentSync does not show notes or previews on the phone.
- You want a timer or a smartwatch remote: SlideLynk, PPTControl, Cliqer, Universal Presenter Remote and RPad list watch apps; SlideLynk, Cliqer and RPad list timers. PresentSync has neither.
- You want to aim the phone like a real laser pointer, or also use it as a trackpad and keyboard: in RPad the laser dot follows where you point the phone, and its watch app can point too (public beta); it needs no account and is paid after a 7-day trial. In PresentSync you move the pointer by swiping on the phone screen.
- You want something completely free with no account: Universal Presenter Remote says it is always free and needs no account; its site lists previous and next slide, not a pointer.
- You present on Linux: SlideLynk and RPad (beta) list Linux; PresentSync supports Windows and Mac only.
Where PresentSync is different
- The pointer is part of the screen image. It is drawn by the computer, so it appears on every display connected to it, not only inside one window, and where a laser dot is hard to see.
- Point, highlight and draw: swipe to point, double-tap for a ripple, long-press to draw a line that fades.
- Several presenters with their own colors, and the same controls on iPhone and Android. See how it works as a laser pointer alternative.
- Limits: the phone and computer must be on the same local network; the desktop app and a PresentSync account are needed to host; no speaker notes, previews, timer or watch app.
More comparisons
- Unified Remote alternative for presenting
- Universal Presenter Remote alternative
- PPTControl vs SlideLynk vs PresentSync
- 激光笔 App 对比（简体中文）
Sources
- Cliqer: cliqer.io and its pricing page (note: cliqer.com is a different company). SlideLynk: slidelynk.com and its pricing page. PPTControl: pptcontrol.app and its US App Store page. Universal Presenter Remote: universalpresenterremote.com. All checked 2026-11-09. RPad: rpad.app and its Google Play page, checked 2026-11-13.
Common questions
What is the best laser pointer app for presentations?
It depends on what you need. If the audience must see the pointer on any screen, or several people point and draw, PresentSync or Cliqer fit. If you want speaker notes and previews on your phone, SlideLynk Premium or PPTControl Pro list them. If you want the laser dot to follow where you point the phone, RPad lists that (paid after a 7-day trial). If you want free with no account, Universal Presenter Remote is free but lists only slide controls.
Does PresentSync show speaker notes on the phone?
No. The phone is the pointer and the remote; speaker notes and slide previews are not shown on the phone.
When was this comparison checked?
On 2026-11-09, using each product's own website or store page; RPad was added on 2026-11-13 from rpad.app and its Google Play page. Prices and features can change.
Last updated 2026-11-13