Icecream Slideshow Maker vs PhotoStage
Icecream Slideshow Maker
icecreamapps.comPhotoStage
nchsoftware.comSide by side
| Figure | Icecream Slideshow Maker | PhotoStage |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $2.92/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 4 |
| Spec score · Photo Slideshow Makers | 8.1 (#5) | 8.8 (#1) |
| Privacy and security | The privacy policy says it uses administrative and technical safeguards, limits personal-data access to authorized personnel, and applies GDPR-related procedures. | NCH says its programs may collect anonymous usage data, it does not store credit card information, and its website uses SSL to encrypt personal information in transit. |
| Purpose | Creates video slideshows and presentations from photos with transitions, music, and text. | PhotoStage creates video slideshows from digital pictures, photos, video files, music, and narration. |
| Support | The Help Center accepts direct messages and states that direct support is provided in English only. | NCH provides PhotoStage video tutorials, a user forum, help manual, and a contact link for its technical support team. |
| System requirements | The listed minimums include a 2.66 GHz compatible processor, 4 GB RAM, 1280×720 display resolution, and 100 MB–5 GB disk space. | Official requirements list Windows 7 through 11, macOS 10.5 or later, a compatible sound card and a recommended dual-core CPU. |
Plans
PhotoStage
- Free versionFree
- PhotoStage Slideshow Software Pro Edition Quarterly$4.44 a month
- PhotoStage Slideshow Software Home Edition$34.99 a year
- PhotoStage Slideshow Software Pro Edition$49.99 a year
In their own words
Icecream Slideshow Maker
Icecream Slideshow Maker is a Windows desktop app for making video slideshows and presentations from photos. Users can add MP3, M4A, or WAV background music, including playlists, and customize slide text by font, color, animation, background, and position. The app offers more than 25 transitions and a random-transition option. Its free version allows unlimited use and creates videos without a watermark. Output formats include WebM, MOV, AVI, and MP4, with support for 4K output. Videos can be downloaded, uploaded to YouTube, Google Drive, or Dropbox, or burned to DVD; playback can loop a set number of times. The app restores the previous project on launch and keeps projects accessible through its History panel. It is compatible with Windows 7 through 11 and Windows Server 2008. The Free plan is free. PRO is listed at $30, paid once for a lifetime license; the maker also describes a one-year license that auto-renews but can be canceled anytime.
PhotoStage
PhotoStage turns pictures, photos, video files, music, and narration into video slideshows. Arrange slides by dragging them or use Quick Create, then add transitions, zoom, fades, pans, or Ken Burns effects. Image controls include brightness, color, and saturation adjustments, along with cropping, rotation, flipping, captions, and title animations. For sound, users can add music and effects, record or import narration, and draw on a royalty-free sound-effects and music library. Finished projects can be burned to DVD, uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or Flickr, saved to mobile devices, or exported as HTML5 video. PhotoStage supports 4K and full HD output, including 720p and 1080p, and slideshow creation works offline. It runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. The free version costs nothing, does not expire, includes most features, and is limited to non-commercial use. The product is described for personal slideshows as well as business presentations such as real estate, product showcases, and marketing.