Cheerfold vs a shared Slides deck
Better than a shared Slides deck for a group card
A shared Google Slides deck or Doc is the default DIY group card. It works until someone deletes a slide, the permissions break, or every message reads the same.
A shared Slides deck or Doc is free and familiar, but everyone can see and edit everyone else’s message, you have to manage sharing permissions, and video is awkward. Cheerfold gives each person a private space to write or record, needs no permissions, and assembles everything into a flip-book with a printable PDF.
Side by side
Cheerfold vs Google Slides
How the two stack up, feature by feature.
| Feature | Cheerfold | Google Slides |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | One link, under a minute | Create deck, manage sharing |
| Private contributions | Yes | Everyone sees everything |
| Contributors can delete others’ work | No | Yes, with edit access |
| Video messages | Recorded in browser | Upload and embed manually |
| Works for people outside your company | Yes | Depends on sharing settings |
| Finished keepsake | Flip-book + PDF | Deck or doc |
| Price | Free to start | Free |
Google Slides details reflect our understanding at the time of writing — always check their site for the latest.
Why teams switch
What you get with Cheerfold
Every message stays private
Contributors never see each other's notes, so you get genuine, original words — not copies of the message above. The recipient is the first to read it all.
A flip-book keepsake, not a wall
Messages are delivered as an animated, page-by-page flip-book to open online, plus a printable PDF on paid cards — something to keep, not a link that expires.
Video with a live transcript
Anyone can record a short video right in the browser. In supported browsers a transcript is captured as they speak (and can be edited), so the words live on in the printable PDF too.
Designed for the occasion
Each occasion — farewell, birthday, retirement, work anniversary — has its own design and built-in writing prompts, so the right words come easily.
How it comes together
From idea to keepsake in four steps
No accounts for contributors, no chasing people in a shared doc. Just one link and a beautiful result.
Set up the card
Pick an occasion, add the recipient’s name, and get a shareable link plus your own dashboard — about a minute’s work.
Invite the team privately
Teammates open the link and add a message or video without seeing anyone else’s, so nothing gets spoiled.
Lock it in
Watch the message count climb (never the contents), then close the card whenever the moment’s right.
Hand over the keepsake
The recipient flips through every message page by page — and paid cards add a printable PDF to keep.
Credit where it's due
- Free, and almost everyone already has access
- Fully flexible layout: any image, font, or colour
- Easy to edit after the fact
The bottom line
If you’re a Slides power user with a free afternoon, a DIY deck can look great. If you want the team to write privately and get a finished keepsake without babysitting permissions, use Cheerfold.
Questions, answered
Try the Google Slides alternative your team will keep
Start a card in under a minute — free, no credit card. Everyone adds a private message, and you hand over a flip-book keepsake plus a PDF.
No credit card required.