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Entertainment · head to head

Kodi vs VEGAS Pro

Kodi logo

Kodi

Entertainment

The ultimate entertainment center

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 Kodi has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Kodi licensed under GPLv2, entirely free and open source with no commercial edition; VEGAS Pro windows-only, with no native macOS or Linux version.
  • They diverge on capability: Kodi covers Media playback, VEGAS Pro covers Timeline-based editing.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Kodi and VEGAS Pro differ
AttributeKodiVEGAS Pro
Starting priceFree$19.99/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tvwindows
CategoryEntertainmentVideo Production
Founded2003Unknown

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 Kodi

  • Media playback
  • Library management
  • Add-ons
  • Customization
  • Remote control
  • Smart home
  • Streaming services
  • Add-ons

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.

Kodi

  • Media centernot VEGAS Pro
  • Home entertainmentnot VEGAS Pro

VEGAS Pro

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

Where each one falls short

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

Kodi

  • Licensed under GPLv2, entirely free and open source with no commercial edition

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

Kodi

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Open source
    • All features
    • Add-ons

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 Kodi if

  • You need media playback.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tv.
  • You also want library management.
Kodi 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 Kodi or VEGAS Pro better?
Neither clearly leads. Kodi 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, Kodi or VEGAS Pro?
Kodi has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Kodi and $19.99/month for VEGAS Pro.
Does Kodi or VEGAS Pro run on more platforms?
Kodi runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tv. VEGAS Pro runs on windows.
Can I use Kodi for free?
Yes. Kodi has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. VEGAS Pro starts at $19.99/month.
What is Kodi best used for?
Kodi is most often used for media center, home entertainment. Of those, media center and home entertainment are not what VEGAS Pro is typically brought in for.
What can Kodi do that VEGAS Pro cannot?
Kodi covers Media playback, Library management, Add-ons, Customization. VEGAS Pro covers Timeline-based editing, Color grading tools, Audio mixing, Sound Forge integration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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
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