Should I upgrade to Vegas Pro 22 (and what plan) now?

Acon wrote on 2/15/2025, 8:23 PM

Hi all,

I'm still using Vegas Pro 18 and am now angry with its instability in my Windows 11 Pro. The software often freezes no matter how I tweak it. I received the new promotion email from Magix today with the bonus 500 downloads from AudioHero if I upgrade to Vegas Pro 22 now. Appsumo has an LTD for AudioHero by the way but I don't think I'll ever use more than 500 tracks in the coming years so this bonus made me want to upgrade my VP now.

I hate subscription software so always neglected the 365 versions. The only thing that I thought I would miss was the stock footages coming with the 365 versions, but after a revisit to the Magix website, I found that the perpetual licenses of Vegas 22 (Pro/Pro Suite) also have the stock footage feature now (my memory might serve me wrong but it used to be only the 365 subscriptions could use it). So I'm now seriously considering the upgrade. Can you help me make the decision?

(1) Is it a good time to upgrade to VP22? When will the VP23 come out?

(2) How does VP22 compare to the older version, say my VP18? I care more about stability, preview efficiency and useful features like stock footages rather than new fancy features.

(3) Can you really use the stock footages in VP22 perpetual licenses (Pro/Pro Suite)? Is there any difference in this feature between the 365 subscription versions? I do know you need to use all quota up in one year when you activate the new perpetual license.

(4) How is the quality of the stock footages, compared to the free ones like Pexels, Pixabay, etc?

Any input is appreciated.

Regards,

Acon

Comments

Dexcon wrote on 2/15/2025, 11:58 PM

(1) Is it a good time to upgrade to VP22? When will the VP23 come out?

For some years now, new versions of Vegas Pro have been released in August though Vegas Pro 22 was released at the end of July last year. To date, the only indication of an impending new release has been a "buy the current version now and also get the new version when released" 2-for-1 offer several weeks before the release date. Other than that, advance advice of a new version release date hasn't been given.

(2) How does VP22 compare to the older version, say my VP18? I care more about stability, preview efficiency and useful features like stock footages rather than new fancy features.

Stability and preview efficiency can be influenced by the media used and the computer on which Vegas Pro runs so the best way to ascertain this is to assess Vegas Pro 22 for yourself by installing the 30 days free trial on your computer. However, I don't believe that stock footage is available with trial versions because MAGIX incurs a cost from the 3rd party provider of that stock footage.

(3) Can you really use the stock footages in VP22 perpetual licenses (Pro/Pro Suite)? Is there any difference in this feature between the 365 subscription versions? I do know you need to use all quota up in one year when you activate the new perpetual license.

The following page from Vegas Pro 22's product webpage outlines the usages limits including the usage differences between the perpetual and subscription licences: https://www.vegascreativesoftware.com/us/product-comparison/

(4) How is the quality of the stock footages, compared to the free ones like Pexels, Pixabay, etc?

Vegas stock footage is sourced from Storyblocks so if you check out the link you'll be able to get an idea of what is available - I don't think that the entire Storyblocks library is available in Vegas but from what I've seen, the choice in Vegas is extensive depending on the subject.

Video media is usually HD (1080) or UHD (2160) in either .mp4 or .mov; and audio media is usually either .wav or .mp3.

RogerS wrote on 2/16/2025, 12:56 AM

The media support and stability have come a long way since 18. I'd test the free trial on your computer with your media and if it's better would consider the upgrade to 22.

Reyfox wrote on 2/17/2025, 3:32 AM

Additional note on the Hub stock media. Only 4K is available with Vegas Suite and Suite 365, which has unlimited. Otherwise, 1080HD.

I've found some of the stock footage really good, and have used the music in several videos.

As for the difference between VP18 and VP22, there is a lot. There is the AI, program improvements with the GPU engine, features, etc.. But as pointed out above, download the trial and try it for yourself. As always, with most new versions of any software, the hardware requirements increase, in spite of sometimes they are listed as before in the past.

VEGASDerek wrote on 2/17/2025, 8:28 AM

I will say a couple of "official" things here...

First, all features, including Text-to-speech, Speech-to-text and stock footage are available with VP 22 perpetual licenses...though the quotas associated with the perpetual license are a bit more limited than you would have have with a subscription, however you are able to purchase more quota separately if you would like.

Second, the next version of VEGAS is likely not to come out for at least 6 more months, so if you are waiting for that, you will be waiting a while.