Should you build your own SlideFast?
AI carousel builder for LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and other social channels
A personal prompt-to-carousel tool is a solid weekend build, but SlideFast's polished editor, reusable brand system, asset library, dependable multi-format exports, and publishing workflow take sustained product work.
ENOriginal research content in English. Original prompt preserved in English.
Build me a local AI social-carousel maker to replace SlideFast. Requirements:
- Use Node, Express, SQLite, and a single-page vanilla JS interface.
- A composer accepts a topic, pasted notes, or a URL; URL fetching extracts
readable article text on the server.
- Send the source to one LLM (API key in .env) and require structured JSON:
hook, 5-10 slides, CTA, LinkedIn caption, and hashtags.
- Show every slide in a 1080x1350 canvas preview with inline text editing,
drag-to-reorder, duplicate, delete, and regenerate-one-slide actions.
- Include 4 fixed layouts: cover, statement, bullets, and CTA. Auto-fit text
within strict bounds and warn when copy is too dense.
- Load brand settings from brand.json: logo, two fonts, 4 colors, and footer.
Provide a small settings panel that updates and saves this file.
- Let me upload local images and assign one to a slide; store them under
data/assets and never send them anywhere except the optional LLM call.
- Save projects to SQLite and autosave edits after a short debounce.
- Export every slide as PNG and the full carousel as a LinkedIn-ready PDF
using Playwright, with deterministic dimensions and embedded fonts.
- No accounts, payments, analytics, collaboration, or direct social posting.
- Ship one sample project and a README covering setup, .env, brand.json,
supported input types, and export commands.The prompt opens pre-filled in your agent. Review it before running.
What would building your own look like?
Turn a topic, URL, or rough notes into a structured social carousel, edit the slides, apply a brand theme, and export a LinkedIn-ready PDF.
What you will need
- LLM API key
- PDF rendering library
- local image storage
- optional URL content extractor
They pay to skip the fragile parts between an AI draft and a consistently branded carousel that is actually ready to publish.
xpolished visual editor
xreusable brand and asset library
xreliable PDF and image exports
xmulti-channel publishing workflow
xhosted storage and sharing
Prefer something ready-made?
Piktochart FreeSixty AI credits refresh each month; it makes carousels, not your entire social calendar.Free↗License, setup, and limitations for each alternative.
How much does SlideFast cost?
- Monthly billing
- $19/mo$19/mo
- Per year
- $228/yr$228/yr
- Annual billing
- $67.80/yr70% cheaper than paying monthly
- On a Brazilian card, with 3.5% IOF
- R$99.29/moR$354/yr
Saved to My list. You will see a notice on this site when the price changes.
You complete the purchase on SlideFast’s site. Vibe Radar does not handle payments.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (per month) | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| starter | $19≈ $19 | $5.65≈ $5.65 | 5 AI carousels/month, 50 edit messages/month, unlimited exports |
| pro | $21.91≈ $21.91 | $15.34≈ $15.34 | 50 AI carousels/month, 500 edit messages/month, unlimited exports, custom themes/brand kit, no watermark |
| max | $44.98≈ $44.98 | $31.49≈ $31.49 | Higher carousel/edit allowance than Pro; exact numeric caps were not exposed on the live pricing card |
Free tierno free tier
Billing termsmonthly + annual (-30%); 7-day trial, no credit card; cancel anytime
Additional costsCarousel creation and AI revisions are separately capped; MAX's exact numeric caps were not publicly exposed. USD amounts vary with EUR/USD exchange rates.
verified 2026-10-20 · source ↗
Is it cheaper to build or buy SlideFast?
Adjust the numbers: hours to build, your hourly rate, running costs and the subscription price.
Over 24 months, subscribing is cheaper.
Starting hours estimated from the analysis (weekend). Does not price what you give up (support, integrations, security).
Can I rebuild SlideFast?
Kinda. The core of SlideFast is buildable in a weekend with the prompt on this page, but there are real gaps: polished visual editor, reusable brand and asset library. Read the honest list above before committing.
How much does SlideFast cost?
SlideFast costs about $19/mo (Solo, checked 10/20/2026), which is $67.80 per year.
What do I lose by replacing SlideFast?
Honestly: polished visual editor; reusable brand and asset library; reliable PDF and image exports; multi-channel publishing workflow; hosted storage and sharing. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to SlideFast?
Yes: Piktochart Free (Sixty AI credits refresh each month; it makes carousels, not your entire social calendar.) The prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.