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Head-to-head · Video Editing Software

VEGAS Pro vs Lightworks

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score VEGAS Pro #7 in Video Editing Software 8.6/10 15-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 5 features Visit VEGAS Pro
Lightworks #8 in Video Editing Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Lightworks

VEGAS Pro leads on 0 checks, Lightworks on 1, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreVEGAS Pro · 8.6/10
  • Free planonly Lightworks
  • Free trialonly VEGAS Pro
  • Most featuresLightworks · 3 of 5

VEGAS Pro scores higher on our rubric for video editing software: 8.6 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.

Lightworks offers free plan; VEGAS Pro doesn't.

VEGAS Pro is the better fit for windows editors needing advanced AI editing. Lightworks is the better fit for editors seeking a capable free desktop tool.

  • VEGAS Pro fits best

    Windows editors needing advanced AI editing

  • Lightworks fits best

    Editors seeking a capable free desktop tool

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Side by side

Feature VEGAS Pro 8.6/10 Visit ↗ Lightworks 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.5
Ranking #7 in Video Editing Software #8 in Video Editing Software
Best for Windows editors needing advanced AI editing Editors seeking a capable free desktop tool
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 15 days —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Live chat, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 8 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features VEGAS Pro 2/5 · Lightworks 3/5
Desktop app ✓ ✓
Web app Not checked yet Not checked yet
Mobile app Not checked yet —
4K export ✓ ✓
Team collaboration Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Included cloud storage Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Unlimited video and audio tracks with GPU-accelerated processing
  • AI text editing, subtitles, speech-to-text, and voice generation
  • Advanced color, multicam, compositing, audio, and 4K/8K export
  • Free timeline editing with automatic saving and 720p HD export
  • Multicam, colour, audio, VFX, proxy editing, and subtitles
  • Windows, macOS, and Linux support with cloud-library connections
Cons
  • Windows-only platform limits cross-platform workflows
  • No free plan for ongoing use
  • Higher editions add specialist tools at additional plan levels
  • Free export is limited to 720p HD
  • 4K, 8K, 10-bit, and advanced features depend on paid tiers
  • No mobile or tablet download; it is a desktop application
Our verdict

VEGAS Pro is a Windows-based nonlinear video editor for content creators, filmmakers, and post-production professionals. Its core workflow combines timeline editing, multicamera production, compositing, color grading, visual effects,…

Read the review →

Lightworks is non-linear video editing software for beginners, content creators, filmmakers, and professional editors. Its desktop application runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with Free, Create, and Pro editions. The workflow covers…

Read the review →
  1. VEGAS ProVideo Editing Software 8.615-day trial
  2. LightworksVideo Editing Software 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • VEGAS Pro — where it wins

    • Unlimited video and audio tracks with GPU-accelerated processing
    • AI text editing, subtitles, speech-to-text, and voice generation
    • Advanced color, multicam, compositing, audio, and 4K/8K export

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only platform limits cross-platform workflows
    • No free plan for ongoing use
    • Higher editions add specialist tools at additional plan levels
  • Lightworks — where it wins

    • Free timeline editing with automatic saving and 720p HD export
    • Multicam, colour, audio, VFX, proxy editing, and subtitles
    • Windows, macOS, and Linux support with cloud-library connections

    Where it doesn't

    • Free export is limited to 720p HD
    • 4K, 8K, 10-bit, and advanced features depend on paid tiers
    • No mobile or tablet download; it is a desktop application

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update