Top 10 Best Vegas Pro Plugins That You Should Know[2025]

Sony (Magix) Vegas Pro is a video editor designed for non-linear editing systems. Earlier, Sony owned it, but now Magix Software GmbH owns it. To get the most out of it, you must install plugins on your system.

A plugin is an element of software that adds new features/effects to an existing application. Though Vegas Pro has its video effects and built-in plugins, the new plugin will make your experience more productive. Here is a list of the top 10 best Vegas Pro Plugins that are compatible with Vegas Pro.

Part 1: Top 10 Best Vegas Pro Plugins

1. Boris FX Continuum 2025

Boris FX Continuum 2025 is a comprehensive suite of visual effects plugins designed to enhance video editing workflows across various platforms, including VEGAS Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Avid Media Composer. The 2025 release introduces several new features and improvements, particularly in AI-driven tools, transitions, and particle effects. 

🎨 Key Features

• New Transitions: Introduces four new transitions, including Smoke Wipe, Smoke & Fog Dissolve, Orbs Dissolve, and Atmospheric Glow Dissolve, enhancing visual storytelling.
• Particle Illusion Enhancements: Improved workflow for creating looping effects and added new features to the particle generation toolset.
• Mocha Integration: Seamless integration with Mocha planar tracking and masking system, enabling advanced tracking and rotoscoping within effects.
• Performance Optimization: Optimized for fast performance across various video editing and VFX applications.

🔍 Overview of Boris FX Continuum 2025:

Extensive Effect Library:

Offers over 300 effects, 40 transitions, and more than 5,000 presets, catering to a wide range of creative needs.

AI-Powered Tools:

• Motion Blur ML: Applies realistic motion blur using machine learning and optical flow algorithms.
• License Plate ML: Automatically detects and obscures license plates in footage, protecting privacy.

2. Film Looks Free

Film Looks Free by Vegasaur is a complimentary plugin designed for VEGAS Pro (version 11 or newer), offering a collection of 10 ready-to-use color grading presets. These presets enable editors to apply cinematic styles to their footage effortlessly, enhancing the visual appeal of their projects. Film Looks, a visual effects plugin, is extremely useful for video editors as it will make their projects attention-grabbing and extraordinary. It has a collection of professional styles and ready-to-use presets. The other features are:

Use Case: Ideal for filmmakers seeking to achieve a specific aesthetic without extensive color grading.

🎨 Key Features

• 10 Built-in Presets: Includes styles such as Basic, Black and White, Cartoon, Deep Blue, Film Stock, Night Vision, Old Film, Sepia, Sharpen, and Sketch.
• Custom Preset Creation: The free version allows users to save up to 10 custom presets, facilitating consistent color grading across multiple projects.
• OFX Compatibility: Supports OFX-compatible effects, ensuring seamless integration with VEGAS Pro's native tools.
• Lightweight Installation: The plugin is compact (approximately 4.7 MB) and easy to install.

📥 Download

You can download Film Looks Free from the official Vegasaur website: 👉Download Film Looks Free

3. Boris Graffiti

Boris Graffiti is a robust titling and animation plugin developed by Boris FX, designed to integrate seamlessly with various non-linear editing (NLE) systems. It empowers editors and motion graphics artists to craft sophisticated 2D and 3D titles, animations, and visual effects directly within their editing environment. The sophisticated title animation can be created conveniently by installing Boris Graffiti. The key features of this plugin are text on a path, vector paint system, 3D text with materials, reflection mapping, textures, and lights. The other features are:

Use Case: Enhances the visual appeal of titles and lower thirds.

✨ Key Features

• Advanced Text Animation: Animate text along custom paths, simulate type-on effects, and apply jitter or randomization for dynamic title sequences.
• Library Browser and Presets: The Style Palette and Boris Library Browser allow you to access hundreds of preset effects and animation styles for quick implementation.
• OpenGL Acceleration: Benefit from real-time previews and faster rendering times through OpenGL hardware acceleration.
• Integration with After Effects Plug-Ins: Enhanced support for third-party After Effects plug-ins, expanding creative possibilities within Graffiti.

🖥️ Compatibility

Boris Graffiti is compatible with a range of NLE platforms, including:

1. Adobe Premiere Pro
2. DaVinci Resolve
3. Sony VEGAS Pro
4. Pinnacle Studio
5. Grass Valley EDIUS
6. Lightworks

4. Boris RED

Boris RED is a comprehensive 3D compositing, titling, and visual effects plugin developed by Boris FX. Designed to integrate seamlessly with various non-linear editing (NLE) systems, Boris RED enhances the creative capabilities of editors and motion graphics artists by providing a robust set of tools directly within their editing environment. It is a visual effects and integrated 3D titling software with an easy-to-use custom interface. Motion tracking, standalone render engine, optical image stabilization, image restoration and retouching are some features of this plug-in.

✨ Key Features of Boris RED

• Integrated 3D Compositing and Titling: Boris RED offers advanced 3D compositing and titling tools, allowing users to create intricate animations and effects without leaving their NLE timeline.
• Image Restoration Tools: Enhance video quality with tools such as Noise Reduction, Smooth Tone, Pixel Fixer, and DV Fixer, ensuring clean and professional results.
• Motion Tracking and Stabilization: Implement precise motion tracking and image stabilization directly within the plugin, streamlining the post-production process.
• UpRez Technology: Convert standard-definition footage to high-definition with the UpRez feature, maintaining image clarity and detail.
• Painterly Effects: Simulate artistic styles such as pencil sketches, watercolors, and charcoal drawings, providing creative flexibility for various projects.

🖥️ Compatibility

Boris RED is compatible with a range of NLE platforms, including:

1. Adobe Premiere Pro
2. Adobe After Effects
3. Avid Media Composer
4. Sony VEGAS Pro
5. Grass Valley EDIUS
6. Media 100

5. Pixelan 3D Six-Pack

Pixelan 3D Six-Pack is a versatile and affordable 3D video transitions plugin designed for popular video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, VEGAS Pro, CyberLink PowerDirector, and Magix Movie Edit Pro. It offers over 250 high-quality 3D transitions, enhancing the visual appeal of your video projects.

🎨 Key Features

• Diverse Transition Categories: The plugin includes six main categories of transitions.
• High-Quality Visuals: Transitions feature realistic reflections, depth, motion, and transparency, giving your videos a professional look.
• Hardware Acceleration: Utilizes your computer's graphics chip for faster rendering and real-time previews.
• User-Friendly Interface: An intuitive Effects Browser allows for easy selection and preview of transition presets.

🖥️ Compatibility

Pixelan 3D Six-Pack is compatible with the following video editing platforms:

1. Adobe Premiere Pro (CS6 to CC)
2. Adobe After Effects (CS6 to CC)
3. VEGAS Pro (version 13 and later)
4. CyberLink PowerDirector (version 14 and later)
5. Magix Movie Edit Pro (2015 and later)
6. Magix Video Pro X (X7 and later)

6. PowerProduction Software Martini

PowerProduction Software Martini is a post-production visualization plugin designed to enhance the editing process by allowing filmmakers to insert storyboard-style shots directly into their timelines. This tool is particularly useful for visualizing scenes that have yet to be shot, ensuring a seamless narrative flow during the editing phase.

🎬 Key Features

• Extensive Shot Library: Martini offers hundreds of pre-designed shots, including various camera angles and scene types, enabling editors to choose and customize shots that best fit their project's needs.
• Customizable Actors and Props: The plugin includes a variety of pre-drawn actors in different poses and props, allowing for detailed scene composition.
• Diverse Backgrounds: Users can select from numerous interior and exterior backgrounds or import their own location photos to match the project's setting.
• User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive interface guides users through the process of creating composite shots, making it accessible even for those new to storyboarding.

🖥️ Compatibility

Martini is compatible with the following video editing platforms:

1. Adobe Premiere Pro (CS4 to CC)
2. Apple Final Cut Pro (6 to X)
3. Avid Media Composer (v6. x to v8. x)
4. Sony VEGAS Pro (v12 to v13)

7. Pixelan DissolveMaster

Pixelan DissolveMaster is a powerful, hardware-accelerated video transitions plugin designed to enhance your editing projects with customizable dissolves and fades. Compatible with various video editing platforms, it offers a range of features to create unique and organic transitions.

🎨 Key Features

• Extensive Preset Library: Access nearly 500 customizable presets, including film dissolves, soft directional dissolves, blur dissolves, glow/flash dissolves, and more.
• Organic Effect Animation: Beyond transitions, DissolveMaster can animate other video effects within a single clip, allowing for dynamic changes in color, blur, and other visual elements.
• Advanced Controls: Fine-tune your transitions with controls for blending modes, saturation adjustments, blur strength, and glow effects, providing creative flexibility.
• User-Friendly Interface: The animated Effects Browser enables easy previewing and selection of presets, streamlining the editing process.

🖥️ Compatibility

DissolveMaster is compatible with the following video editing software:

1. Adobe Premiere Pro (CS6 to CC, Windows only)
2. Adobe After Effects (CS6 to CC, Windows only)
3. Adobe Premiere Elements (v13 and later, Windows only)
4. VEGAS Pro (v13 and later)
5. VEGAS Movie Studio (v13 to 17)
6. CyberLink PowerDirector (v14 and later, Windows only)
7. Magix Movie Edit Pro (2015 and later)
8. Magix Video Pro X (X7 and later)

Note: DissolveMaster is currently available only on Windows platforms.

8. Boris FX

Boris FX is a leading developer of visual effects (VFX), motion graphics, and post-production tools in film, television, streaming, and photography industries. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, Boris FX offers a comprehensive suite of plugins and applications designed to enhance creative workflows for professionals worldwide.

🎬 Core Products Overview

Sapphire

An industry-standard VFX suite featuring over 270 effects and 3,000+ presets. Sapphire is renowned for its high-quality glows, lens flares, lighting effects, and the powerful Effect and Transition Builder. It integrates seamlessly with the Academy Award-winning Mocha for advanced tracking and masking.

Continuum

A comprehensive plugin collection offering over 300 effects and 40+ transitions, including tools for image restoration, chroma keying, 3D titling, and particle generation. Continuum incorporates Mocha planar tracking and supports HDR and 360/VR content.

Mocha Pro

An Academy Award-winning planar tracking and masking toolset. Mocha Pro excels in motion tracking, object removal, screen replacement, and rotoscoping, making it indispensable for complex visual effects tasks.

Particle Illusion

A real-time particle generator included in Continuum enables the creation of photorealistic particle effects like smoke, fire, and explosions easily.

💻 Host Application Compatibility

Boris FX plugins are compatible with a wide range of industry-standard software, including:

1. Adobe After Effects & Premiere Pro
2. Avid Media Composer
3. Apple Final Cut Pro
4. Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve & Fusion
5. Foundry Nuke
6. Autodesk Flame
7. VEGAS Pro

🧰 Boris FX Suite

The Boris FX Suite offers a comprehensive subscription package that includes all Boris FX products: Sapphire, Continuum, Mocha Pro, Silhouette, SynthEyes, Optics, CrumplePop, and Particle Illusion. This suite provides a cost-effective solution for professionals seeking an all-in-one VFX toolkit.

9. Vegasaur Toolkit

Vegasaur Toolkit is a comprehensive extension for VEGAS Pro, designed to enhance the editing experience by automating repetitive tasks, streamlining workflows, and introducing advanced functionalities. Compatible with VEGAS Pro versions 14 and newer, Vegasaur integrates seamlessly into the VEGAS Pro interface, offering a suite of tools catering to novice and professional editors.

🚀 Key Features

• Transcoder: A robust batch rendering tool that goes beyond standard rendering capabilities. It automates various production processes, allowing for efficient handling of multiple files and formats.
• Proxy Media Builder: Facilitates the creation of proxy files, enabling smoother editing of high-resolution footage by generating lower-resolution copies for real-time editing.
• Render Assistant: This tool automates post-render actions such as shutting down the computer, playing a notification sound, or sending an email upon render completion or error detection.
• Batch Media Import: Streamlines the process of importing large volumes of media files, including image sequences, from nested folder structures, saving time and effort.

10. NewBlueFX Elements 3 Ultimate

NewBlueFX Elements 3 Ultimate is a comprehensive suite of 21 compositing plugins designed to enhance your video editing workflow. With over 250 presets, this collection simplifies complex compositing tasks, allowing you to create professional-grade visuals with ease.

🎬 Key Features

Chroma Key Pro

Effortlessly remove green or blue screen backgrounds using intuitive controls for range, sensitivity, spill suppression, garbage matte, and scaling. This tool also allows you to add depth with shadows and outline effects to make your subjects stand out.

Alpha Blend

Enhance your footage with eight versatile tools that enable you to add drop shadows, manipulate colors, apply gradient fills, and create outlines. Features like Luma Key and Time Clock provide additional creative project options.

Energize

Six dynamic tools—Active Camera for simulating camera jitter, Auto Pan for smooth panning and zooming, and Background Generator for creating engaging backdrops—inject energy into your scenes. Other tools, like Reflection and Tile, offer creative ways to reconstruct your images.

Overlay

Six powerful tools allow you to add sophisticated overlays to your videos. Using features like Flying PiP, Image Mapper, and Picture Grid, you can create picture-in-picture effects, split screens, and image grids. These tools provide fine-tuned control over positioning, outlines, and drop shadows.

💻 Compatibility

Elements 3 Ultimate is compatible with a wide range of 64-bit video editing applications on both Windows and macOS platforms, including:

1. Adobe Premiere Pro CC or later
2. Adobe After Effects CC or later
3. Avid Media Composer & Symphony 6+
4. Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve 11+
5. Apple Final Cut Pro X
6. Grass Valley EDIUS 7, 8, and 9
7. Magix Vegas Pro 10+
8. Magix Video Pro X & Vegas Movie Studio

Note: Requires a recent Nvidia or AMD GPU that supports OpenGL 2.1 or later. 1 GB VRAM is required; 4 GB VRAM is recommended for HD content.

Part 2: Mastering Plugins and Presets in VEGAS Pro 21: A Comprehensive Guide

Enhancing your video editing capabilities in VEGAS Pro 21 involves effectively managing plugins and presets. This guide provides detailed instructions on installing and utilizing plugins, managing presets, and ensuring compatibility with the latest VEGAS Pro version.

1. How do I add plugins to Sony Vegas?

Installing Plugins:

1. Run the Installer: Download and execute the installer for your desired plugin. Ensure that the installation path corresponds to your VEGAS Pro version (e.g., C:\Program Files\VEGAS\VEGAS Pro 21.0\).
2. Activate the Plugin: If the plugin requires activation, follow the provided instructions, which may involve entering a serial number or logging into an account.
3. Restart VEGAS Pro: After installation, restart VEGAS Pro to allow it to recognize the new plugin.

Installing Plugins:

Step 1: Run the installer for the VST plugin.

Step 2: Configure VEGAS Pro:

• Open VEGAS Pro.
• Navigate to Options > Preferences > VST Effects.
• Click on Alternate VST Search Folders and add the folder where the VST plugin was installed (commonly C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins\).
• Click Scan for VST Plugins.

Step 3: The VST plugin should now appear in your audio effects list.

Note: VEGAS Pro supports VST2 plugins. VST3 plugins are not compatible.

2. How do I obtain Sapphire plugins for VEGAS Pro?

Sapphire plugins are premium visual effects tools developed by Boris FX. To acquire them:

To get free Sapphire Plugins in Sony Vegas Pro. Plugins can be found at this address. Open the link and skip the ads. You can download it from here and run it on your device. Unzip and extract the Sapphire plugin once downloaded; it should take a few minutes. Click to complete the installation, making sure you run as the administrator.

Official Purchase:

• Visit the Boris FX Sapphire product page to purchase the plugins.
• After purchase, download the installer and follow the provided activation instructions.

Free Trial:

• Boris FX offers a free trial version of Sapphire plugins.
• Download the trial from the official website and install it to evaluate the plugins before purchasing.

Caution: Avoid downloading Sapphire plugins from unofficial sources or using unauthorized activation methods, as this may lead to software instability, security risks, and legal issues.

3. How do I use the Preset Manager in VEGAS Pro?

The Sony Preset Manager is a legacy tool primarily designed for managing audio plugin presets and packages. However, it is no longer officially supported and may not function correctly with newer versions of VEGAS Pro.

Alternative Solution: Vegasaur Presets Manager

For a more comprehensive and compatible solution, consider using the Vegasaur Presets Manager, which offers advanced features for managing presets in VEGAS Pro:

1. Visit Vegasaur's official website to download and install the extension.
2. Within VEGAS Pro, navigate to Extensions > Vegasaur > Presets Manager.
3. Manage Presets:

• Export: Save your current presets for backup or transfer.
• Import: Load presets from other projects or systems.
• Transfer: Move presets between different versions of VEGAS Pro.

Vegasaur's Presets Manager supports many preset types, including render templates, FX chains, and more, providing a robust solution for modern VEGAS Pro users.

Additional Tips:

• Plugin Compatibility: Ensure that any plugins you install are compatible with your version of VEGAS Pro.
• System Requirements: Verify that your system meets the requirements for the plugins, especially for GPU-accelerated effects.
• Regular Updates: Keep both VEGAS Pro and your plugins updated to take advantage of the latest features and compatibility improvements.

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced creative landscape, leveraging the right Sony Vegas plugins can significantly enhance your workflow, elevate video quality, and unlock features beyond the built-in capabilities of VEGAS Pro 21. Whether you’re a beginner looking to streamline your edits with drag-and-drop effects or a seasoned creator seeking advanced tools for color grading, motion tracking, or 3D transitions, the top 10 best Vegas Pro plugins offer powerful solutions tailored to your needs.