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5 Best Alternatives to Vegas Pro in 2024 [Windows, Mac]

Last Updated on Mar. 8, 2024 – by David Morgan
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Best Alternatives to Vegas Pro

As a video editor, you may be wondering if Vegas Pro is the best software for you. Of course, this depends on your skill level, the type of projects you intend to make, and the quality of your final output.

To help you decide if there is a better alternative for you, we researched and carefully analyzed the top video editors on the market. After looking at the pros and cons of each, we narrowed them down to the 5 best alternatives to Vegas Pro.

Below we review each, highlighting what sets each apart to help you make an informed decision and choose the right video editor for your needs.


Top 3 Alternatives to Vegas Pro Snapshot

PowerDirector Logo

1. PowerDirector - Best Overall

Making the top of our list is PowerDirector. It is the most well-rounded video editor balancing a beginner-friendly interface with a robust collection of professional-level video editing tools. So no matter your skill level, you can produce videos with Hollywood-worthy effects or create engaging social media content to grow your followers. Detailed Review >

Free Download
Secure Download
Download from the App Store for iOS and Android.
Shotcut Video Editor Logo

2. Shotcut Video Editor - Best for Amateurs Using Windows

Shotcut is another powerful video editing software that lets you easily edit your videos. Even though it is not as popular as other tools on this list, it is still a great tool with a lot to offer. One of the best things about this software is its user-friendly interface which makes it ideal for beginners. Detailed Review >

iMovie Logo

3. iMovie - Best for Amateurs Using Mac

iMovie has been around for years and is a well-established user-friendly editor. It includes many fun and handy features to turn home movies into exciting videos ideal for sharing with friends and family. Best of all, it comes preinstalled on your macOS device. Detailed Review >

What is Vegas Pro?

Vegas Pro is a video editing software popular among experienced video hobbyists as it doesn't quite hit the mark of being professional software but isn't ideal for casual users. 

It offers a wide range of features and tools that allow users to create high-quality videos. However, Vegas Pro is not the cheapest video editing software, and it can be challenging to learn.

It also requires a powerful computer to run smoothly. So if you don't have a newer computer, Vegas Pro might not be your best option.

5 Best Alternatives to Vegas Pro

1. PowerDirector - Best Overall

PowerDirector 365 Interface

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Overall Rating: 10 / 10

Beginner-friendly: 10 / 10

Key Features

  • Full feature editor
  • Video templates
  • Hardware optimization and acceleration
  • AI-powered editing tools and effects

The first Vegas Pro alternative on our list is PowerDirector. It is one of the most recommended and award-winning video editing software. But unlike other software in its class, it is ideal for a wide range of project types. 

From cutting home movies to producing viral-worthy YouTube videos, no editor streamlines the process better. Even if you’re a beginner, you’ll be able to use this tool without any problems. The user interface is remarkably intuitive. You can quickly find all the features and tools you need to edit your videos.

PowerDirector comes packed with a variety of creative tools and production features, including an intro designer with thousands of templates, screen recording and streaming capabilities, and vast libraries of drag-and-drop transitions, effects, and titles. 

Reasons to Recommend

  • Excellent video effect tools including chroma key, AI motion tracking and sky replacement
  • Can work with a wide range of file types
  • Fast and reliable

Free Download
Secure Download
Download from the App Store for iOS and Android.

PowerDirector App

The best full-featured video editor

2. Shotcut Video Editor - Best for Amateurs Using Windows

Shotcut Interface

Image from Shotcut.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Overall Rating: 9 / 10

Beginner-friendly: 8 / 10

Key Features

  • Video compositing
  • 3-way color wheels for color correction and grading
  • Auto-rotate with manual override

The next software we recommend is the Shotcut Video Editor. This software is a great video editing software for amateurs using Windows as it offers sleek, straightforward features.

One of the best things about Shotcut is its wide range of basic tool options. You can split or merge clips, add overlays and transitions to your videos, or create basic intros. There are many essential tools but be aware it doesn't offer nearly as many advanced tools as Vegas Pro.

Surprisingly, Shotcut has excellent format support for a basic editor thanks to FFmpeg. Plus a decent set of audio tools and video filters, including a selection for 360 videos. 

Pros
  • A wide range of basic features and options
  • Surprising selection file type support
Cons
  • Lacks a lot of advanced features

3. iMovie - Best for Amateurs Using Mac

iMovie Interface

Image from DesignBuckle.

Compatibility: Mac

Overall Rating: 8.5 / 10

Beginner-friendly: 8.5 / 10

Key Features

  • Modify and enhance video color settings
  • Crop and rotate video clips
  • Stabilize shaky videos
  • Add video transitions and change the speed of clips

iMovie is great for Mac users who want to find something easier to use as an alternative to Vegas Pro. It is a pretty good video editing software with some basic features. The first thing you will notice about iMovie is its user-friendly interface. It is very simple, making cutting clips together unintimidating.

iMovie comes with some great video stabilization tools that will help you fix any shaky videos that you might have. It also offers a wide range of video transitions and effects that you can add to your videos.

However, the only thing we didn't like about this software was the time it took to process video files. Apart from that, nothing stops it from being an excellent, simple alternative to Vegas Pro.

Pros
  • Preinstalled on Macs
  • Movie magic
  • Edit videos shot in Cinematic mode on iPhone 13
Cons
  • Very few advanced features

4. Corel VideoStudio - Best for Intermediate Editors

Corel VideoStudio Interface

Compatibility: Windows

Overall Rating: 8 / 10

Beginner-friendly: 6 / 10

Key Features

  • Timeline video editing
  • Overlays, titles, filters, and transitions
  • Premium effect collections

If you are already familiar with Corel Draw, then Corel VideoStudio might be a good option for you. It is a reliable video editing software for intermediate editors. In addition, it offers a moderately intuitive timeline video editing that lets you edit your videos if you have a solid understanding of post-production.

The best thing about Corel VideoStudio is its creative overlays, titles, filters, effects, graphics, and transitions. With these features, you can add a personal style to your videos.

However, what we didn’t like about this software is the learning curve. It takes a while to get used to the features and options of the software. But once you get the hang of it, there's nothing that can stop you from creating some unique video projects.

Pros
  • Direct upload to YouTube
  • Disc burning
  • Color correction
Cons
  • Unnecessary learning curve

5. Adobe Premiere Pro - Best for Professionals

Adobe Premiere Pro Interface

Image from Adobe.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Overall Rating: 9 / 10

Beginner-friendly: 4 / 10

Key Features

  • Auto color correct
  • Multi-camera support
  • Auto reframe

If you are looking for an alternative to Vegas Pro with more professional features and better integration with Adobe products, then you should consider Adobe Premiere Pro. It is a comprehensive, high-end program for professional projects, including Hollywood films and TV shows. 

Adobe Premiere Pro is a part of Creative Cloud and Is its timeline-based video editing software application. Other Adobe CC applications include graphic design and web development programs. It comes with some great features such as the ability to auto color correct your footage, create multi-camera sequences, add audio effects, and more. 

Premiere can be challenging to learn if you are unfamiliar with video editing. This is on top of an expensive subscription and the need for a PC with decent specs to run smoothly, hence why we recommend it for professionals. 

Pros
  • Excellent video editing features
  • Reliable for large projects
Cons
  • High system spec requirements
  • Expensive

Best Alternatives to Vegas Pro Comparison Chart

Software PowerDirector Shotcut Video Editor iMovie Corel VideoStudio Adobe Premiere Pro
OS Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, Linux Mac Windows Windows, Mac
Beginner-friendly Yes Yes Yes No No
Intro Designer Yes No No No No
AI Tools Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Stock Content Yes No No No Additional cost
Free Download
Free Download
Secure Download
Download Download Download Download

PowerDirector vs

OS

Windows, Mac

-

Beginner-friendly

Yes

-

Intro Designer

Yes

-

AI Tools

Yes

-

Stock Content

Yes

-


How to Edit With an Alternative to Vegas Pro

Let's look at how easy it is to edit with the best alternative to Vegas Pro.


  1. Download, install and launch PowerDirector.
  2. Upload your desired files. To do this, all you need is to click on the import file icon, which is located in the top left corner.
  3. PhotoDirector - Import Media
  4. Once you have loaded the files, you can simply start editing your video by dragging and dropping the files from the Media Room to the timeline. You can arrange them in the order you find best for your projects. Besides that, you can also add transitions, titles, and effects this way.
  5. You can trim, cut, or even split your videos and produce your project.

Download the Best Alternative to Vegas Pro for Free

Whether you are a beginner or a pro video editor, PowerDirector will handle all of your needs without any issues. It uses advanced AI technology, video templates, and a straightforward design to help you create videos fast. Download it for free to see what you can create.

Free Download
Secure Download
Download from the App Store for iOS and Android.

PowerDirector App

The best full-featured video editor

Vegas Pro FAQ

1. Is Vegas Pro the best video editor?

Even though it is one of the most popular video editing tools out there, PowerDirector outperforms it in so many different aspects. For example, PowerDirector features advanced AI technology that helps enhance both the look and sound of your projects.

2. What is better than Vegas Pro?

PowerDirector is by far the best option available, with a wide range of features and options. It allows you to edit your videos like a true professional by adding overlays and transitions, applying filters, and much more.

3. What Features Should I Look For in a Vegas Pro Alternative?

  • Ease of Use: The software must be easy to use and have a user-friendly interface.
  • Compatibility: It should be compatible with all the major operating systems such as Windows and Mac.
  • Support for all file types: The software should support all the popular video file formats.
  • Advanced features: The software should have advanced features such as video stabilization, color grading, etc.
  • AI: The software should be using advanced algorithms such as artificial intelligence in order to enhance the output provided by the tool
  • Templates and stock content: The software should have a wide range of templates and stock video clips you can use in your projects.

If you’re looking for an alternative to Vegas Pro that checks all of these boxes, we recommend PowerDirector.

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