Looking for a fast, flexible, intuitive, easy-to-learn, but extremely powerful video editor for Windows PCs? Welcome to VEGAS Pro!
Whether you’re just beginning, moving into professional editing, or are working at the top level of the industry, there’s a VEGAS Pro package that’s right for you.
Here’s a list of VEGAS Pro levels and a quick description of each, so you’ll know at a glance which fits your needs.
Don’t mistake VEGAS Movie Studio Platinum for cheap consumer software. While not as full-featured as the higher levels, it offers many of the same tools. Perfect for anyone just starting out but powerful enough for advanced intermediates, expect to deliver professional results with Platinum. When you’re ready to move up, you can open your VEGAS Movie Studio Platinum projects in VEGAS Pro.
VEGAS Pro combines incredible video editing and effects features with world-leading audio tools to give you the best video-editing solution available in one package. Unleash your creativity and tell your stories in a fast, user-friendly environment without limits. Take control of your workflow -- configure and customize anything and everything to edit the way YOU want. Grade color in HDR and edit audio with the tools of an integrated, full digital audio workstation. For even greater audio processing power, it also includes Sound Forge Pro 14.
Designed for post-production at the highest levels, VEGAS Pro combines VEGAS Effects and VEGAS Image, giving you a mind-blowing, complete package for video and audio post. A new standard for high-level post and finishing for commercials, TV shows, and feature films. With unmatched tools for compositing and high-end VFX, get jobs done fast and collaborate with other professionals in your post-production pipeline.
Now, let’s take a broader look at the kinds of software available out there and see how the VEGAS Pro product line stacks up!
1. VEGAS Movie Studio
2. Filmora9
3. VEGAS Pro
4. Adobe Premiere Pro
5. VEGAS Pro
6. Adobe Creative Suite
Pros:
- Easy to learn
- Feature rich
- Powerful enough for light professional work
- Low price
Cons:
x Not as many tools as true professional software
x Doesn’t have a full set of professional delivery options
VEGAS Movie Studio Platinum is aimed directly at the kind of beginner or intermediate who has big aspirations. It’s designed with a feature set attractive to advanced hobbyists or even semi-professional videographers, but is intuitive and flexible enough for those with no video experience to start cutting slick, professional-looking videos right away. Its Guided Video Creator leads you through your first few video works, but when you’re ready, you can take full control of an impressive feature set. From advanced color correction to compositing and video effects to a great set of audio tools, it lets you create outstanding videos with confidence – your way. Easily upload your final videos directly to social media to share with the world.
Pros:
- Cross-platform (Windows & Mac)
- Sound effects library
- Option for subscription pricing
Cons:
x Non-customizable interface
x Limited audio tools
x No direct Facebook upload
Filmora9 is a traditional beginner’s video editing program with some professional features. Available on both Windows and MacOS, it’s a good choice for cross-platform users. With a nice, clean interface and a built-in sound effects library, you’ll be able to create good-looking videos to share with friends and family. Take advantage of basic color-tuning capability and chromakey effects for eye-popping video. It’s especially good for videos meant to be displayed on phones or for clip art-style animations. Its subscription pricing option makes it a good economic choice for the occasional user.
Here’s an in-depth comparison of the features of VEGAS Movie Studio Platinum and Filmora9:
| VEGAS Movie Studio Platinum | Filmora9 | |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing | ||
| Purchase Option vs. Subscription | One-Time Fee | One-Time Fee and Subscription Options |
| Editing | ||
| Editing | ||
| Workflow | Intuitive, logical, and easy to learn | Steeper Learning Curve |
| Rearrange Tracks | Yes | No |
| Drag Video Direct to Timeline | Yes | No |
| Guided Video Creator | Yes | No |
| Automatic Crossfades | Yes | No |
| Mode-Based Workflows | Yes | No |
| Storyboards | Yes | No |
| 4K Support | Yes | Yes |
| Screen Recording | Yes | Yes |
| Close Gaps Between Events | Yes | Yes |
| Hover Scrub | Yes | No |
| Media In / Out Points | Yes | No |
| Animated Transitions | Yes | Yes |
| Hardware Accleration / Decoding | Yes | Yes |
| Color grading | ||
| Color grading | ||
| Color Tuning Tools | Yes | Yes |
| Set of Color Grading Filters | Yes | Yes |
| 3D LUTs | No | Preset Filters Only |
| Effects | ||
| Effects | ||
| Chromakey | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Flow Slow Motion | Yes | No |
| Stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Selection of Effects and Filters | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable Presets | Yes | Yes |
| Keyframable Effects | Yes | No |
| OpenFX Support | Yes (Platinum and Suite only) | No |
| Audio | ||
| Audio | ||
| Built-In Audio Effects | Yes | No |
| Sound Effects Library | No | Yes |
| Volume Automation Envelopes | Yes | No |
| Panning Automation Envelopes | Yes | No |
| Looping Audio | Yes | No |
| Professional Meters | Yes | Only While Editing Audio |
| Export | ||
| Export | ||
| Hardware Accleration / Encoding | Yes | Yes |
| Wide Format Support | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable Presets | Yes | Yes |
| Share Online | Yes | Yes (no Facebook) |
| Platform | ||
| Platform | ||
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Mac | No | Yes |
Pros:
- Fast, intuitive timeline
- Fully customizable user interface
- GPU decoding for real-time playback and faster renders
- Full digital audio workstation
Cons:
x Non-traditional workflow
x Doesn’t integrate with Adobe apps
x Windows-only
x Weaker titler
VEGAS Pro is a full-featured solution for creatives having high aspirations for next-level video and film production. Professionals will love its incredible feature set, with VFX and compositing capabilities most other editing apps require you to go to outside software for, and the full power of a complete digital audio workstation right on the timeline. Take advantage of full GPU acceleration for more real-time playback and for much faster renders to top-level professional codecs. A flexible, fully customizable interface lets you create the way you want to without your software getting in the way. From advanced HDR color correction in the Unified Color Grading panel to full multitrack audio recording and mixing, VEGAS Pro provides ambitious professionals with everything they need for breathtaking results.
Pros:
- More like traditional editors
- Seamless integration with other Adobe apps
- Lumetri Color panel
- Cross-platform (Windows & Mac)
Cons:
x Steeper learning curve
x No GPU encoding/decoding
x Fewer VFX tools
x Fewer audio tools
Used widely in the film and TV industry, Premiere Pro is one of the original non-linear editing computer apps. With a traditional timeline style, longtime editing pros should be very comfortable in its environment. It supports a wide variety of professional codecs, both on the timeline and for export, and features the Lumetri Color panel, an advanced, integrated color correction and color grading system. Premiere Pro also comes equipped with Ultra Key for powerful, precise chromakey capability. Users enjoy seamless integration with other popular Adobe apps. It is available by monthly subscription with a discount for a full year in advance.
Let’s compare the details of what VEGAS Pro and Premiere Pro have to offer working video professionals:
| VEGAS Pro | Adobe Premiere Pro | |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing | ||
| Purchase Option vs. Subscription | One-Time Fee and Subscription Options | Subscription Only |
| Editing | ||
| Editing | ||
| Workflow | Intuitive, logical, and easy to learn | Steeper Learning Curve |
| Timeline GPU Acceleration | Extensive Hardware Decoding with support for AMD, Intel, and Nvidia | Effects accleration only |
| Automatic Crossfades | Yes | No |
| Nested Timelines | Yes | Nested Sequences |
| Storyboards | Interactive | Non-interactive |
| Screen Recording | Multiple monitors and audio sources | No |
| Smart Split | Yes | Yes |
| Scripting | Yes | Yes |
| Animated Transitions | Yes | Yes |
| 360° Editing / VR Support | Yes | Yes |
| Color Grading | ||
| Color Grading | ||
| Unified Color Grading Panel | Yes | Yes |
| Complete Set of Color Grading Filters | Yes | Yes |
| HDR Support | Yes | Yes |
| HDR-Ready Scopes | Yes | Yes |
| Environment | ACES 1.1 | Non-ACES |
| LUT Import / Export | Yes | Yes |
| Visual Effects | ||
| Visual Effects | ||
| Motion Tracking | Planar, adjusts to changing shapes, pin objects, 3D tracking | Single shape only, can't automatically pin objects, 2D only |
| Optical Flow Slow Motion | Yes | No |
| Mesh Warp Tool | Yes | No |
| Lens Correction | Yes | Yes |
| OpenFX Support | Yes | Through plugins |
| Audio | ||
| Audio | ||
| Complete Multi-Track Audio Environment | Yes | No |
| Extensive Audio Effects | Yes | Yes |
| Audio Buses | Yes | No |
| Multicam Audio Synchronization | Yes | Yes |
| Surround Sound Editing and Encoding | Yes | Yes |
| Export | ||
| Export | ||
| GPU Accleration for AVC and HEVC | Yes | No |
| Wide Format Support | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable Presets | Yes | Yes |
| Batch Rendering | Yes | Yes |
| Share Online | Yes | Yes |
| Platform | ||
| Platform | ||
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Mac | No | Yes |
Pros:
- Relatively inexpensive
- Clean, crisp interfaces
- Highest-level video creation
- 3D model integration
Cons:
x Not as many apps as Adobe Creative Cloud
x Collaboration limited to VEGAS Pro users
VEGAS Pro is a one-stop, complete solution for video and audio post-production. It includes VEGAS Pro and SOUND FORGE, as well as the extremely powerful VFX tools of VEGAS Effects and the image processing capabilities of VEGAS Image. Produce pro-level, mind-blowing visions in a high-end, top-level environment. Create whole new worlds with particle generators and cutting-edge compositing tools. Process images with the complete freedom to edit individual layers at all times. Integrate and render 3D models in a unified 3D space.
Useful tips: Learn Green Screen
Pros:
- Longtime mainstay of professionals
- Includes After Effects and Photoshop, the industry standards
- Greater number of apps
- Individual apps or full suite available
Cons:
x Subscription only
x Expensive
x May includes apps you don’t need
x Need 3rd-party plugins for some features
For top-level video creation, Adobe Creative Suite includes Premiere Pro and industry-standard visual effects and editing apps such as After Effects and Photoshop. It also includes Audition, an advanced audio editing app, as well as Spark and Animate, specialized graphics- and animation-creation software, and other mainstays such as Illustrator and Lightroom. It’s a very powerful, integrated suite for demanding professionals. Select individual apps, or get all Adobe products in a single suite for a lower monthly price.
Let’s directly compare some of the apps available in VEGAS Pro Post and Adobe Creative Suite:
| VEGAS Pro Post | Adobe Creative Cloud | |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing | ||
| Purchase Option vs. Subscription | One-time fee and subscription options | Subscription only |
| Platform | ||
| Platform | ||
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Mac | No | Yes |
| VEGAS Effects | Adobe After Effects | |
| Full GPU acceleration | Yes | Yes |
| True 3D compositing | Yes | Yes |
| 3D model import | Yes | Yes |
| Real-time 3D model rendering | Yes | No |
| 3D text extrusion effect | Yes | No |
| 360° video editing | Yes | Yes |
| OpenFX support | Yes | No |
| Effects presets | Yes | Yes |
| OpenEXR and HDR import | Yes | Yes |
| Light wrap effect | Yes | Yes |
| Native anamorphic and customizable lens flares | Yes | No |
| Native 3D-based particle FX engine | Yes | No |
| Export queue and codec presets | Yes | Yes |
| Extensive 3rd-party plugin availability | No | Yes |
| VEGAS Image | Adobe Photoshop | |
| Unlimited layers | Yes | Yes |
| 16-bit color space | Yes | Yes |
| Group image layers | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced text tools | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable effects | Yes | Yes |
| Full GPU acceleration | Yes | No |
| LUT support | Yes | Yes |
| Industry-leading keying | Yes | No |
| Dyanmic effects masks | Yes | No |
| Light wrap effect | Yes | No |
| Color matching | Yes | No |
| Spill suppression | Yes | No |
| Non-destructive RAW compositing | Yes | No |
Whether you’re starting out, looking to move up, or at the top of the industry, VEGAS Pro has everything you need for beginning and professional editing in Windows. Take advantage of excellent media management tools and powerful Storyboards. The Unified Color Correction panel brings all your color grading tools together into one convenient window. Create professional titles, and leverage visual effects tools right on the VEGAS Pro timeline, with no need to go to outside software.
For Pro users, polish your soundtrack with world-class audio tools. And because professional editing is often done with others, utilize the collaboration features in VEGAS Pro and VEGAS Pro for communication with other members of your team.
All of this and more makes the VEGAS Pro family the best video editors available for Windows.
What's the difference between VEGAS Pro and VEGAS Pro Suite?