DaVinci Resolve vs Vegas Pro (2026): which should you pick?

Pick DaVinci Resolve if

• Fits if you want editing, color, effects and audio in one app
• Works for learning professional post-production tools without paying, on the free version

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you only trim clips for social media, as this is a full post-production suite with a learning curve
• Not for you if you shoot 10-bit video or 120fps and won't pay, since those need Studio
• Pricey if you only want magic mask or voice isolation, because the AI tools are in Studio at $236, a cut from $295 with no end date given
• Watch out: text-based editing and AI noise reduction are Studio only, and Studio on iPad is a separate $94.99
• Not for you if you want to edit on a phone or in a browser, as neither is offered

Pick Vegas Pro if

• Fits if you edit on a Windows PC and want a timeline editor with GPU rendering
• Works for people who edit longer videos with several cameras

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you use a Mac or Linux, because it's Windows software only
• Tight if you want speech to text, text to speech or the Storyblocks library, which are subscription-only
• Watch out: the store also sells a perpetual licence, but its price and the monthly prices weren't visible on the pages read
• Not for you if you want to know the trial length up front, as it isn't stated
• Watch out: prices exclude tax and VAT

DaVinci Resolve

• The free version stops at 8-bit formats, 60fps and Ultra HD 3840 x 2160; 10-bit video, 120fps and higher resolutions need Studio.
• The DaVinci AI Neural Engine tools, temporal and AI spatial noise reduction and text-based editing are in Studio only.
• The App Store version is for iPad, where Studio is a $94.99 in-app purchase; no browser version is listed.
• Rental licenses for Studio are described for companies using Blackmagic Cloud Organizations; individuals buy a license.

Vegas Pro

• The product pages describe it as software for Windows; no Mac or Linux version is listed.
• Speech to text, text to speech and the Storyblocks library are marked subscription-only.
• The store also offers a perpetual license, but its price could not be read; monthly billing prices also were not visible.
• Prices exclude taxes and VAT, and Boris FX offers a 15-day money-back guarantee.

DaVinci Resolve

Cut and edit pages

Two editing workspaces: the cut page for fast turnarounds and multicam work, and the edit page with a traditional track layout, trimming tools and subtitles.

Color page

Node-based color correction with primary sliders, qualifiers, PowerWindows, trackers and HDR grading tools. HDR grading is in the free version.

Fusion effects and motion graphics

A node-based compositor in a 3D workspace for visual effects, animated 2D and 3D titles and particle systems.

Fairlight audio

Audio post-production with up to 2,000 tracks, ADR and Foley tools, and effects such as reverb, de-esser, hum remover and AI Voice Isolation.

Multi-user collaboration

Editors, colorists, effects artists and sound engineers can work on the same project at once, with projects hosted through Blackmagic Cloud.

DaVinci AI Neural Engine

Studio-only AI tools including magic mask, smart reframe, Super Scale upscaling, speed warp retiming and object removal.

Vegas Pro

GPU-accelerated timeline

A flexible timeline with unlimited video and audio tracks, running on the Vegas Core engine for playback, effects and rendering.

AI tools

Auto reframing to vertical or square, AI quick masks, text-based editing from a transcript, speech to text and text to speech.

Color and compositing

Advanced color grading, compositing modes, masks and effects for layered edits.

Multicam and audio

Multicam sync for interviews and events, plus recording, editing and mixing tools built into the editor.

Titling

Continuum 2D and 3D titling is included in every tier for animated titles and motion graphics.

Stock media

A Storyblocks library of stock footage, music and sound effects, available on subscriptions.

DaVinci Resolve

• DaVinci Resolve$0

  Editing, color, Fusion effects and Fairlight audio for 8-bit formats up to 60fps and Ultra HD, with multi-user collaboration and HDR grading.

• DaVinci Resolve Studio for iPad$94.99

  in-app purchase on iPad; billing period not shown

  Upgrade inside the free iPad app that adds DaVinci AI Neural Engine tools such as magic mask, smart reframe and voice isolation.

• DaVinci Resolve Studio$236

  to buy a license; no subscription period is listed

  Shown as Now $236, Was $295, with no end date. Adds the DaVinci AI Neural Engine, more Resolve FX, noise reduction, text-based editing and 10-bit up to 120fps.

Vegas Pro

• Vegas Pro$8.33

  per month, billed yearly

  The editor with AI tools, Continuum titling, speech-to-text, text-to-speech and Storyblocks media. $99.95 for the year.

• Vegas Pro Plus$12.50

  per month, billed yearly

  Adds Mocha Vegas tracking, CrumplePop audio plugins, Sound Forge and Acid Pro.

• Vegas Pro Ultimate$16.66

  per month, billed yearly

  Adds Continuum VFX plugins, Mocha Pro, Particle Illusion, Optics, iZotope Photon and Sound Forge Plus.

DaVinci Resolve

• Other savings

  Studio key included with editing hardware

  The DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor ($349, shown down from $435) and Editor Keyboard ($535, down from $669) both list a DaVinci Resolve Studio activation key under What's Included.

Vegas Pro

• Annual discount

  Yearly billing saves over 50%

  The Boris FX store labels its yearly subscription option as saving over 50% compared with monthly billing.