mdx-deck vs reveal.js
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
Build slide presentations in React using MDX, with a zero-config setup.
Open source · MIT
A free HTML framework for building slide presentations that run in a web browser.
The short answer
Choose mdx-deck if you need…
- Developers who already write React and want to present technical material
- Teams that keep documentation in Markdown and want slides from the same source
- People who want a zero-config starting point for a web-based deck
Choose reveal.js if you need…
- Developers who already write HTML, CSS, or JavaScript and want full control over slide design
- People who want presentations as code that can be versioned and reviewed like other files
- Teams who need slides with code samples or math notation
- Anyone who wants a free, self-hosted alternative to a proprietary slide tool
Side-by-side
| mdx-deck | reveal.js | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dev tool | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 11.5k | 72.5k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Clone and build from source |
| Main language | JavaScript | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 4 years ago | 36 days ago |
What each one is
mdx-deck
mdx-deck is a tool for making slide presentations by writing Markdown mixed with React components (MDX). Each slide is written as content in a file, and the tool turns the file into a deck you can present in a browser. It is aimed at people who already work with React and want slides that can include live components or code.
reveal.js
reveal.js is an open source HTML presentation framework. You write slides as web pages, and the result runs in any browser, so you can present or share it without special presentation software. The README highlights features such as Markdown slides, speaker notes, PDF export, LaTeX math, syntax-highlighted code, and an API for customization.
Best for
mdx-deck
- Developers who already write React and want to present technical material
- Teams that keep documentation in Markdown and want slides from the same source
- People who want a zero-config starting point for a web-based deck
reveal.js
- Developers who already write HTML, CSS, or JavaScript and want full control over slide design
- People who want presentations as code that can be versioned and reviewed like other files
- Teams who need slides with code samples or math notation
- Anyone who wants a free, self-hosted alternative to a proprietary slide tool
Strengths
mdx-deck
- Uses familiar Markdown syntax together with React components
- Described as zero-config, so you can start without extensive setup
- MIT licensed and open source
reveal.js
- Free and MIT licensed, with a large community (about 72,000 stars on GitHub)
- Presentations are plain web files that run in any modern browser and can be hosted anywhere
- Documented feature set covering Markdown, speaker notes, PDF export, and math
Not ideal for
mdx-deck
- Non-technical users who want a visual slide editor, since it requires writing code and MDX files
- People who need a finished PowerPoint or Keynote file, since output is a web presentation
- Anyone unwilling to set up a Node.js project, because the README describes a JavaScript toolchain
reveal.js
- People who want a drag-and-drop editor: the README points to Slides.com, a separate graphical editor by the same authors, for that
- Non-technical users who do not want to edit HTML or configuration files, since setup assumes some web development familiarity
- Those needing a paid video course to learn it: the README links a course, but it is a paid product and the README does not describe its contents
Trade-offs
mdx-deck
- Requires familiarity with React and MDX, which is a barrier for non-developers
- Last code push listed as January 2023, so maintenance activity may be limited; check the repository before relying on it
- No published release is listed, so you would install from the repository source
reveal.js
- Requires comfort with HTML and a build or hosting step, which is a barrier for non-developers
- The README is truncated here, so details of specific browser support and version requirements are not confirmed
- Design polish depends on your own CSS and theme choices
Getting started
mdx-deck
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/jxnblk/mdx-deckreveal.js
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/hakimel/reveal.jsFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between mdx-deck and reveal.js?
mdx-deck: Build slide presentations in React using MDX, with a zero-config setup. reveal.js: A free HTML framework for building slide presentations that run in a web browser. mdx-deck suits developers who already write react and want to present technical material, while reveal.js suits developers who already write html, css, or javascript and want full control over slide design.
Are mdx-deck and reveal.js free?
mdx-deck: Free and open source. reveal.js: Free and open source.
Is mdx-deck or reveal.js more popular?
reveal.js has more GitHub stars (72.5k) than mdx-deck (11.5k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to mdx-deck and reveal.js?
Other options people compare them with include Spectacle, Slidev, Marp, impress.js, remark.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.