Prezi Desktop is the Windows and Mac app for building, editing, and presenting prezis offline with presenter tools.
If you like Prezi’s zoom-style storytelling but need a dependable way to work without Wi-Fi, the desktop app is the answer. It mirrors the web editor’s core features, adds presenter view and local export, and lets you keep files on your laptop for travel, tight venues, or strict corporate networks. This guide breaks down what the app is, how it fits with Prezi Present and Prezi Video, where it shines, and when the browser still makes sense.
Prezi Desktop Explained For New Users
The desktop app is a native program you install on Windows or Mac. You sign in once while online, then you can create, edit, and present even when your connection drops. Changes sync to your Prezi account the next time you’re online, so your files stay backed up and available from other devices. Think of it as your “offline studio” for Prezi’s canvas-based presentations.
What You Can Do Offline
- Start a new presentation from a template, add text, images, icons, and shapes.
- Build a Zoom-in/Zoom-out path with sections and topics that guide your story.
- Rehearse and present with a built-in presenter view that shows your path and notes.
- Export a portable file for computers that don’t have Prezi or internet access.
How It Fits With Prezi’s Product Family
Prezi offers three pillars: Present (presentations), Video (on-camera overlays), and Design (infographics and graphics). The desktop app centers on Present and adds tight links to Video. You can prep slides in Present, then bring them into Video to record or use in live calls. That combo turns a standard deck into a face-to-content talk track you can send or stream.
Why A Desktop Editor Still Matters
Conference rooms get crowded. Hotel Wi-Fi stalls. Some companies block cloud tools. A local editor keeps your content in reach. With the app installed, you can open your deck, rehearse with notes, and plug in to a projector without hunting for a browser tab or a login page. You also gain a single, predictable screen layout that won’t shift with an unexpected browser update.
Presenter View And Notes At A Glance
When you present from a laptop with a second display, the app can show a private presenter screen. You see where you are on the canvas, what’s coming next, a running timer, and your speaker notes. That setup helps you pace long sessions and stay aligned with the storyline you mapped in your topics and subtopics.
Portable Files For Tough Venues
Need a plan B for a picky podium PC? The app lets you export a standalone package you can carry on a thumb drive. On Windows it runs as an .EXE and on Mac it ships as a .ZIP that opens to a local viewer. You can hand this to an AV team or run it from a guest laptop when your own machine can’t connect to the projector feed.
Getting The App On Your Computer
You can download installers for Windows and Mac from Prezi’s official download page. The app is available with paid plans. After installation, sign in with your Prezi account, choose Present from the left sidebar, and you’re ready to work. First launch takes a moment as default content loads; later opens are quick.
Basic Setup Steps
- Install the desktop app and sign in while connected to the internet.
- On the dashboard, click Create from template to start a new file.
- Name your project and pick a color theme to keep styles consistent.
- Build your sections, add content, and set the path.
- Click Present to rehearse with notes; plug in a second display for presenter view.
Prezi Present And Prezi Video Together
If you plan to record training or brief a remote team, prep your deck in Present and then open Prezi Video on the same computer. You can place your face beside your content, record a short clip, and share a link with anyone who missed the meeting. That workflow keeps visual consistency across live talks and recordings.
Everyday Use: Smart Habits That Save Time
Once you’re comfortable, a few small habits make your setup dependable in any room. These tips come from frequent presenters who run client pitches, classes, and demos with the offline app.
Keep A Local Copy In Sync
Before a big session, open the file while you still have Wi-Fi. Let the app sync changes. Export a portable copy to a USB drive as your backup. If the venue’s laptop is locked down, the portable file gets you on stage with no account login needed.
Rehearse With The Path Visible
Use presenter view during practice to see the full canvas path. If a section feels long, split it into smaller topics. Shorter hops on the canvas often improve audience focus and make Q&A easier because you can zoom back to any branch fast.
Streamline Fonts And Media
Stick to two fonts and a tidy media library. Large, crisp images look great with Prezi’s zoom. Keep total file size modest to speed up exports and avoid projector hiccups when the venue hardware is older.
Rules, Limits, And Practical Notes
Like any native editor, the app follows your computer’s specs. If you work with large images or long videos, plan for extra RAM and a capable graphics card. Keep your OS and drivers current. If you switch between laptops, sign out on the old machine to prevent sync conflicts.
Who Gets The Desktop App
Access depends on your Prezi plan. Individual, business, and education tiers vary by features. Plans that include the desktop tools unlock offline editing, portable exports, and presenter features. If you’re on a basic tier and don’t see the download option, upgrading unlocks the installer.
When The Browser Still Makes Sense
Use the web editor when you’re on a shared machine, when you need quick feedback in comments, or when your team edits the same deck at once. The browser is also handy for pulling in web-hosted assets or working from a Chromebook.
Close Variant: The Prezi Desktop App In Real-World Workflows
Let’s map a simple end-to-end flow you can repeat for sales demos, lectures, or workshops. The steps keep your content usable with or without Wi-Fi and give you a buffer if the venue setup shifts minutes before you go live.
Build A Resilient Presentation Pack
- Design the deck in the desktop editor with a clear canvas path and short topic hops.
- Add speaker notes for timing cues, key stats, and links you may want to open later.
- Export a portable copy to a USB drive and label it with the event name and date.
- Record a two-minute teaser in the Video app to send to attendees after the talk.
- Sync the final version by going online once before you leave for the venue.
Make Q&A Feel Natural
One perk of Prezi’s canvas is fast navigation. During questions, zoom to the branch that matches what someone just asked. Keep a “parking lot” topic at the edge of the canvas with extra charts or diagrams you may or may not need. That way you can pivot without flipping through a long linear slide deck.
Feature Snapshot: Desktop App Versus Browser
The matrix below keeps your choice simple when you plan a session or coach a teammate. It reflects what most presenters need day to day.
| Task | In Desktop App | In Browser |
|---|---|---|
| Create & Edit Without Wi-Fi | Yes, full editor works offline once signed in | No, needs an active connection |
| Presenter View With Notes | Built in with timer and next steps | Limited by browser and device setup |
| Export Portable File | Yes (.EXE on Windows, .ZIP viewer on Mac) | Not the typical path |
| Team Co-Editing | Works, but sync timing matters | Smooth when everyone is online |
| Quick Access On Shared PCs | Only if installed and signed in | Open a tab and log in |
Simple Safety Checks Before You Present
Even a strong deck can stumble if the room setup changes. Run this five-minute list the day before a talk and again in the venue.
Five-Minute Checklist
- Open the file in the desktop app and scan the canvas path.
- Test presenter view on a second display; check notes and timer.
- Plug in the projector and check that zooming stays smooth.
- Carry a portable export on a USB drive as a backup.
- Mute system notifications and pause sync tools during the talk.
When You Need To Present On A Different Computer
If the venue insists on using their laptop, hand them your portable file. On Windows, double-click the .EXE to run the built-in viewer. On Mac, open the .ZIP and launch the local app inside. You won’t need admin rights or a Prezi login to show your content.
Performance Tips For Smooth Zooms
Keep image dimensions under control. Aim for a balanced mix of vector shapes and mid-size PNGs or JPEGs. Short embedded videos are fine, but trim dead air and keep bitrates reasonable. If your deck includes many high-res visuals, close other heavy apps before you present.
Style That Looks Crisp On Big Screens
Prezi’s canvas shines when your typography is clean. Use one strong sans-serif for headlines and a legible companion for body text. Keep contrast high. Test a full-screen view on the projector you’ll use; adjust topic sizes so section titles stay readable from the back row.
Who Should Pick The App Over The Browser
Road warriors, trainers, teachers, and anyone who faces tight network rules gain the most. If your schedule includes airplanes, expo halls, or client sites with guest networks, the app cuts friction. People who record content with the Video tool also get a tidy setup since both apps live on the same machine.
Wrap-Up: A Handy Editor That Travels Well
The desktop app gives you Prezi’s trademark canvas with reliable offline work, a private presenter screen, and portable exports. Keep a synced copy, carry a backup, and you’ll be ready for rooms where Wi-Fi is shaky or logins are slow. Pair it with Prezi Video when you want the same visuals in a recorded briefing or a live call.
Helpful references:
Prezi for Desktop overview •
portable presentation export