Head-to-head · facts checked 22 Sept 2026
DaVinci Resolve vs Vegas Pro
2 tools, 11 differing data points, mostly pricing and positioning.
From
Free
Free plan
Yes
The verdict
DaVinci Resolve or Vegas Pro?
Section 01
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve
Free
The full editor, no expiry
DaVinci Resolve Studio
$295 once
One-time purchase, no subscription
VVegas Pro
Vegas Pro 2026
— · $99.95/yr
Vegas Pro Plus 2026
— · $149.95/yr
Adds Mocha tracking, Particle Illusion, Sound Forge
Vegas Pro 2026 (perpetual)
$219.95 one-time
Vegas Pro Plus 2026 (perpetual)
$299.95 one-time
Section 02
Pros and cons
From each tool's full review, written from the same checked facts.
DaVinci Resolve
Pros
- The free edition never expires and includes editing, color correction up to Ultra HD, visual effects, motion graphics, audio post and multi-user collaboration.
- Studio is a one-time $295 purchase rather than a subscription, so you own it once you buy it.
- Color grading includes professional scopes such as a waveform monitor and vectorscope alongside HDR color wheels, power windows and a node editor.
- Workflow integration and encoding APIs let you connect DaVinci Resolve to your own asset management and production tools.
Cons
- Magic Mask, advanced HDR grading and the AI Fairlight audio effects only unlock in the paid Studio edition.
- There is no built-in stock media library, so footage, music and graphics have to come from elsewhere.
VVegas Pro
Pros
- Vegas Pro and Vegas Pro Plus can be bought once as a permanent license for $219.95 and $299.95, instead of paying yearly.
- Color grading runs on a full scope set, including a vectorscope, waveform, histogram and RGB Parade views, alongside HDR10 and HLG grading in ACES 1.3.
- Multicam editing synchronizes and switches between footage from up to 32 cameras.
- An application scripting API automates editing operations across the timeline.
Cons
- Vegas Pro runs on Windows only, with no Mac version.
- Vegas Pro Ultimate is sold only as a subscription, with no one-time purchase option.
- CrumplePop's AI audio cleanup and speech-enhancement tools are only included in Vegas Pro Plus and Ultimate, not the base Vegas Pro tier.
Side by side
| Company | ||
| Founded | — | 1995 |
| HQ | Australia | United States |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Linux, iPad | Windows |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Free / one-time | One-time purchase or subscription |
| Free plan | Yes, the whole editor | No |
| Free trial | No | Yes, 15 days |
| Starting price | Free | $99.95/yr (Vegas Pro) |
| All plans | DaVinci Resolve — Free DaVinci Resolve Studio — $295 once | Vegas Pro 2026 Vegas Pro Plus 2026 Vegas Pro 2026 (perpetual) — $219.95 one-time Vegas Pro Plus 2026 (perpetual) — $299.95 one-time |
| Positioning | ||
| Best for | Editors and colourists who want grading with scopes, compositing and audio post in one app, and would rather buy the upgrade once than rent it | Windows editors who want a full pro editor they can buy outright instead of renting |
| Differentiator | The free edition is the full editor, and the paid Studio licence is a one-time purchase that adds the Neural Engine tools and the deeper HDR work. | Vegas Pro, now part of Boris FX, is a Windows editor sold yearly or as a licence you keep. |
| Competitors | — | Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, CyberLink PowerDirector |
Section 03
DaVinci Resolve vs Vegas Pro: common questions
Is DaVinci Resolve or Vegas Pro cheaper?
DaVinci Resolve's cheapest paid plan is Free and Vegas Pro's is $99.95/yr (Vegas Pro). Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
Keep comparing
More DaVinci Resolve matchups
