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Game Development · head to head

CryEngine vs VEGAS Pro

CryEngine logo

CryEngine

Game Development

Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
VEGAS Pro logo

VEGAS Pro

Video Production

Professional timeline-based video editing software from Boris FX

From
$19.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only CryEngine has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: CryEngine a royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE; VEGAS Pro windows-only, with no native macOS or Linux version.
  • They diverge on capability: CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, VEGAS Pro covers Timeline-based editing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CryEngine and VEGAS Pro actually diverge.

Attributes where CryEngine and VEGAS Pro differ
AttributeCryEngineVEGAS Pro
Starting priceFree$19.99/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Playstation, Xbox, Linuxwindows
CategoryGame DevelopmentVideo Production
Founded1999Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in CryEngine

  • Advanced graphics
  • Physics engine
  • AI system
  • Animation tools
  • Flow Graph visual scripting
  • C++ and Lua support
  • Entity component system
  • Sandbox editor

Only in VEGAS Pro

  • Timeline-based editing
  • Color grading tools
  • Audio mixing
  • Sound Forge integration
  • VFX and compositing (Post/Suite tiers)
  • Perpetual or subscription licensing

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

CryEngine

  • Game engine for indie and professional game developmentnot VEGAS Pro
  • Real-time 3D rendering and visualizationnot VEGAS Pro
  • VR and immersive experience creationnot VEGAS Pro
  • Environmental and industrial simulationnot VEGAS Pro

VEGAS Pro

  • Professional video editing on Windowsnot CryEngine
  • Color grading and finishing for video projectsnot CryEngine
  • Audio post-production paired with Sound Forgenot CryEngine
  • Long-form video editing needing perpetual licensingnot CryEngine

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

CryEngine

  • A royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE
  • Royalties are waived only on the first USD 5,000.00 of Gross Receipts per year per game
  • Royalties are calculated at source on gross receipts before any publisher or platform deductions, so a developer receiving 70% of USD 100,000 still owes USD 4,750
  • Military projects, gambling, simulation, science, architecture and serious games are excluded from the standard licence and are not covered as Games
  • The licence forbids combining CRYENGINE with code from other game engine providers
  • Supported platforms are limited to those Crytek announces at its sole discretion, listed in the agreement as Windows, Linux, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
  • Support is only provided against payment of a separate Support Fee that Crytek may change at its sole discretion
  • Crytek may modify the licence agreement at any time, with the only remedy for disagreement being to stop using CRYENGINE

VEGAS Pro

  • Windows-only, with no native macOS or Linux version.
  • Subscription pricing across Edit/Post/Suite tiers can be more expensive than one-time-purchase competitors.
  • Smaller plugin/effects ecosystem compared to Adobe Premiere Pro.
  • Perpetual license versions can lag behind the latest subscription features.

Pricing, plan by plan

CryEngine

Free
  • Free CRYENGINEFree
    • Free download and use in development
    • 5% royalty on revenue after shipping
    • First $5,000 annual revenue per project royalty-free

VEGAS Pro

$19.99/month
  • VEGAS Pro Edit$19.99/month
    • Core non-linear editing
    • Color grading
    • Audio tools
  • VEGAS Pro Post$29.99/month
    • Everything in Edit
    • Advanced finishing and VFX tools
  • VEGAS Pro Suite$49.99/month
    • Everything in Post
    • Full VFX and compositing suite

Which should you pick?

Choose CryEngine if

  • You need advanced graphics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
  • You also want physics engine.
CryEngine review

Choose VEGAS Pro if

  • You need timeline-based editing.
  • You work on windows.
  • You also want color grading tools.
VEGAS Pro review

Questions people ask

Is CryEngine or VEGAS Pro better?
Neither clearly leads. CryEngine starts at Free and VEGAS Pro at $19.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CryEngine or VEGAS Pro?
CryEngine has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CryEngine and $19.99/month for VEGAS Pro.
Does CryEngine or VEGAS Pro run on more platforms?
CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. VEGAS Pro runs on windows.
Can I use CryEngine for free?
Yes. CryEngine has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. VEGAS Pro starts at $19.99/month.
What is CryEngine best used for?
CryEngine is most often used for game engine for indie and professional game development, real-time 3d rendering and visualization, vr and immersive experience creation, environmental and industrial simulation. Of those, game engine for indie and professional game development and real-time 3d rendering and visualization are not what VEGAS Pro is typically brought in for.
What can CryEngine do that VEGAS Pro cannot?
CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Physics engine, AI system, Animation tools. VEGAS Pro covers Timeline-based editing, Color grading tools, Audio mixing, Sound Forge integration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

CryEngine: Does CRYENGINE have a free version?

Yes, CRYENGINE is free to download and use for development. When you ship a project, a 5% royalty applies to revenue, but the first $5,000 annual revenue per project is royalty-free.

Source
VEGAS Pro: What does VEGAS Pro cost?

VEGAS Pro offers three subscription tiers: Edit at $19.99/month, Post at $29.99/month, and Suite at $49.99/month, each bundling more finishing and plugin tools than the last.

Source
CryEngine: How much does CRYENGINE cost after launch?

CRYENGINE charges 5% royalty on revenue after your project ships. The first $5,000 in annual revenue per project is royalty-free; royalties apply only to revenue above that threshold.

Source
VEGAS Pro: Is there a free trial of VEGAS Pro?

Yes, Boris FX offers a free trial of VEGAS Pro that does not require a credit card to start.

Source
CryEngine: What does CRYENGINE free tier include?

Free CRYENGINE access includes full source code, all engine features, and access to all supported platforms. No payment required for development; only per-revenue royalties apply after shipping.

Source
VEGAS Pro: Can I buy VEGAS Pro as a one-time purchase instead of a subscription?

Yes, VEGAS Pro is available as perpetual licenses priced at $399 (Edit), $599 (Post), and $799 (Suite), in addition to the monthly subscription tiers.

Source
CryEngine: Does CRYENGINE offer custom enterprise licensing?

Yes, CRYENGINE offers custom-tailored enterprise licensing built around individual needs. Specific pricing is not disclosed and requires contacting the vendor.

Source
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