latex beamer alternative

What is the best latex beamer alternative in 2026?

The best latex beamer alternative depends on what you want to keep: PDF-first typesetting and math, web/HTML slides, or Markdown-first authoring with easy exports. Typst + Polylux is the closest Beamer-style replacement for PDF slide authoring, while Quarto + reveal.js is strongest for HTML slides and can be printed to PDF. Marp and Slidev are great if you want quick Markdown-to-slides with a clear export pipeline.

Rule of thumb: pick Typst/Polylux for math-heavy, Beamer-like structure; Quarto/reveal.js for HTML delivery (and printable PDF); Marp for minimal Markdown + CLI exports; Slidev for developer theming/components with exports (but note the PPTX limitation below).

Quick comparison (official docs; accessed Jun 19, 2026)

Is Typst + Polylux the closest beamer replacement?

Typst + Polylux is the most direct Beamer alternative if you want a typesetting-first slide workflow but with a more modern authoring feel than LaTeX. Polylux is described as being used for the same purpose as the beamer package in LaTeX, while also noting it is less advanced.

Typst pricing (official; accessed Jun 19, 2026)

Copy-and-do: minimal Polylux slides (from official package example)

Polylux’s package page includes an import snippet and a complete minimal example with slide blocks and progressive reveal. Source accessed Jun 19, 2026: https://typst.app/universe/package/polylux/

Step 1: Import Polylux exactly as documented: #import "@preview/polylux:0.4.0" Step 2: Set the page to a presentation aspect ratio (16:9) as shown: #set page(paper: "presentation-16-9") Step 3: Create slides with slide blocks and progressive reveal using this documented pattern: #uncover(2)[But this appears later!] All snippet patterns above are from the Polylux package page example.

Presenting like Beamer: Typst Presentation Mode (official)

• Typst shows a Present button automatically when it detects a 16:9 or 4:3 page aspect ratio; otherwise use View > Present. Source accessed Jun 19, 2026: https://typst.app/docs/web-app/presentation-mode/
• Typst can open a Speaker Mode window (controls, timer, upcoming slide view). Source accessed Jun 19, 2026: https://typst.app/docs/web-app/presentation-mode/
• Drawing/ink is supported; drawings persist while navigating but are cleared when you exit Presentation Mode. Source accessed Jun 19, 2026: https://typst.app/docs/web-app/presentation-mode/

How do I replace beamer with Quarto + reveal.js (HTML slides + PDF)?

If your goal is to get out of PDF-only slide tooling, Quarto + reveal.js is a strong latex beamer alternative: author slides in a Quarto document and render reveal.js HTML slides. Quarto’s docs state reveal.js slides can be presented as HTML and can be printed to PDF for distribution.

Quarto presentation formats (official)

• Quarto lists revealjs (HTML), pptx (PowerPoint), and beamer (LaTeX/PDF) as supported presentation formats. Source accessed Jun 19, 2026: https://quarto.org/docs/presentations/
• Quarto says revealjs presentations can be presented as HTML slides or printed to PDF for easier distribution. Source accessed Jun 19, 2026: https://quarto.org/docs/presentations/

Copy-and-do: smallest working Quarto reveal.js deck (from docs)

Quarto’s reveal.js docs show a minimal YAML header and that slides are created via Markdown headings (##). Source accessed Jun 19, 2026: https://quarto.org/docs/presentations/revealjs/

Create a .qmd with this documented header pattern: --- title: "Habits" author: "John Doe" format: revealjs --- Then create slides with level-2 headings (##) where each ## becomes a slide. Quarto’s docs also show you can create a slide without a title using ---.

Copy-and-do: export reveal.js slides to PDF (official reveal.js method)

reveal.js documents an official print-to-PDF flow: open your deck URL with ?print-pdf appended, then print to PDF with specific settings. It notes compatibility is confirmed to work only in Google Chrome and Chromium. Source accessed Jun 19, 2026: https://revealjs.com/pdf-export/

• Open your presentation URL with ?print-pdf appended (example from docs): http://localhost:8000/?print-pdf
• Open the browser print dialog (Ctrl/Cmd+P)
• Destination: Save as PDF; Layout: Landscape; Margins: None; Background graphics: Enabled

Is Marp a good latex beamer alternative for Markdown slides?

Marp is a practical latex beamer alternative when you want one Markdown file and a straightforward CLI pipeline. Marp CLI explicitly documents conversion to HTML, PDF, PPTX, and images, and provides copy-paste commands (including npx one-shot usage).

What Marp CLI exports (exact commands; accessed Jun 19, 2026)

Important limitation: browser required for some exports

Marp CLI states that conversions to PDF, PPTX, and images require a compatible browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox) to be installed. Source accessed Jun 19, 2026: https://github.com/marp-team/marp-cli

Is Slidev a beamer alternative if I need PPTX?

Slidev is a strong beamer alternative for developer-style slides (Markdown plus components and theming) and it has official export commands. But the key detail: Slidev’s PPTX export is image-based, so text is not selectable.

Slidev export facts (official docs; accessed Jun 19, 2026)

• PDF export is the default via slidev export. Source: https://sli.dev/guide/exporting
• PPTX export uses slidev export --format pptx and slides are exported as images (text not selectable). Source: https://sli.dev/guide/exporting
• CLI exporting requires playwright-chromium (docs list install commands such as npm i -D playwright-chromium). Source: https://sli.dev/guide/exporting

Copy-and-do: minimum steps to export

Step 1 (from docs): install the export dependency (one option shown): npm i -D playwright-chromium Step 2: Export PDF: slidev export Step 3: Export PPTX (image-based): slidev export --format pptx Source accessed Jun 19, 2026: https://sli.dev/guide/exporting

Can AnyGen work as a latex beamer alternative?

Yes, if what you really want is Beamer-quality structure and visuals without writing or debugging Beamer. AnyGen is useful as a latex beamer alternative when you want to generate a clean slide deck quickly, then iterate on structure and visuals without fighting LaTeX compilation or theme plumbing.

Where AnyGen genuinely helps (and where it doesn’t)

Copy-and-do: prompt structure to replace a Beamer workflow

• Write your request as: title, audience, duration, and a 6 to 12 slide outline (one sentence per slide).
• Paste 2 to 3 representative Beamer frames (especially math/code/figure-heavy) so the output respects your constraints.
• Specify aspect ratio (16:9 or 4:3) and style (lecture, seminar, conference talk).
• Iterate one slide at a time: refine bullets and regenerate only the slide that needs changes.

Frequently asked questions