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

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
• What is Vegas Pro?
• 5 Best Alternative to Vegas Pro
1. PowerDirector - Best Overall
2. Shotcut Video Editor - Best for Amateurs Using Windows
3. iMovie - Best for Amateurs Using Mac
4. Corel VideoStudio - Best for Intermediate Editors
5. Adobe Premiere Pro - Best for Professionals
• Best Alternatives to Vegas Pro Comparison Chart
• How to Edit With an Alternative to Vegas Pro
• Download the Best Alternative to Vegas Pro for Free
• Vegas Pro FAQ

Top 3 Alternatives to Vegas Pro Snapshot

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

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

2. Shotcut Video Editor - Best for Amateurs Using Windows

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. 

3. iMovie - Best for Amateurs Using Mac

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.

4. Corel VideoStudio - Best for Intermediate Editors

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.

5. Adobe Premiere Pro - Best for Professionals

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. 

Best Alternatives to Vegas Pro Comparison Chart

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. 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.
4. 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.