Corel offers VideoStudio in two editions: Pro and Ultimate. Both are one-time-purchase, Windows-only video editors with the same core timeline, multi-camera editing, screen recording, motion tracking, and 360° video capabilities. The difference between them comes down to the bundled third-party effects, the size of the creative asset library, and a handful of advanced features in the colour and compositing tools. This guide breaks down exactly what Ultimate adds over Pro and helps you decide which edition fits your workflow and budget.
Features Shared by Both Editions
Both VideoStudio Pro and Ultimate include the complete core editing feature set:
- Multi-track timeline with up to 100 tracks
- Multi-camera editing (up to 6 angles)
- Screen recording with webcam overlay
- Motion tracking for text, graphics, and blur effects
- 360° equirectangular video editing and export
- Stop-motion animation tools
- Audio mixer with noise removal and normalisation
- Basic colour correction tools (brightness, contrast, white balance, colour wheels)
- Title and text animation library
- Standard transitions, filters, and overlay effects
- Export to MP4, MOV, AVI, and popular streaming presets
- DVD and disc authoring tools
What VideoStudio Ultimate Adds
Ultimate builds on Pro with a larger bundled effects package and a handful of additional creative tools. The additions fall into three categories:
Extended Third-Party Effects Bundles
The most significant difference between Pro and Ultimate is the size of the bundled NewBlueFX and Boris FX effects packages. Ultimate includes a substantially larger selection from both vendors:
- NewBlueFX: Ultimate includes the extended NewBlueFX bundle with additional titling effects, transitions, and video enhancement filters not present in Pro’s standard selection
- Boris FX: Ultimate bundles selected Boris FX plugins including Primatte Studio (chroma key / green screen compositing) — a significant addition for creators who shoot against green screen
- Additional creative overlays and textures: a larger library of light leaks, film grain overlays, and creative filters
Advanced Colour Tools
Ultimate includes expanded LUT (Look Up Table) support for colour grading, allowing import and application of professional colour grades from third-party LUT files. Pro includes basic colour correction; Ultimate adds the LUT pipeline that gives creators access to cinematic colour grades used in professional production.
Mask and Compositing Tools
Ultimate adds more advanced masking capabilities for compositing — useful for layering multiple video tracks with custom transparency and blend modes. Pro’s compositing tools are functional for standard overlays; Ultimate extends them for more complex multi-layer compositions.
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | Pro | Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Core editing timeline | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-camera (6 angles) | Yes | Yes |
| Screen recording | Yes | Yes |
| Motion tracking | Yes | Yes |
| 360° video editing | Yes | Yes |
| Stop-motion animation | Yes | Yes |
| Audio noise removal | Yes | Yes |
| NewBlueFX effects | Standard bundle | Extended bundle |
| Boris FX / Primatte Studio | No | Yes |
| LUT colour grading | Basic | Extended LUT import |
| Advanced masking/compositing | Standard | Extended |
| Creative overlays & textures | Standard library | Larger library |
| Approximate price | ~$80 one-time | ~$100 one-time |
Who Should Buy Pro
VideoStudio Pro is the right choice for the majority of creators using VideoStudio. The core editing tools, multi-camera support, screen recording, and standard effects library cover virtually everything needed for YouTube tutorials, event videography, educational content, and hobbyist projects. The ~$20 price difference between Pro and Ultimate is not meaningful, but if the specific additions in Ultimate aren’t relevant to your workflow, Pro is the cleaner purchase.
You want a complete, capable editor at the lower price
Pro includes every core feature. If you don’t specifically need green screen compositing (Boris FX Primatte), an extended LUT grading pipeline, or the larger NewBlueFX effects library, Pro delivers everything you need at the lower price point.
Get VideoStudio ProWho Should Buy Ultimate
Ultimate earns the upgrade price for creators who specifically need one or more of its additions. The Boris FX Primatte Studio green screen tool alone justifies the price difference for anyone doing chroma key compositing — Primatte is a professional-grade keyer that produces significantly cleaner keys than standard chroma key tools. The extended LUT support is valuable for creators who want cinematic colour grades. And the larger NewBlueFX bundle matters if you produce content that relies heavily on animated titles and stylised transitions.
You need green screen, advanced colour, or the extended effects library
Ultimate is worth the additional ~$20 if you shoot against green screen (Boris FX Primatte is a professional keyer), work with LUT-based colour grades, or rely heavily on NewBlueFX animated title and transition effects. The price difference is small; if any of these features matter to you, Ultimate is the better value.
Get VideoStudio Ultimate- Same core features: timeline, multi-cam, screen record, motion tracking, 360°, stop-motion
- Ultimate adds: Boris FX Primatte (green screen), extended LUT grading, larger NewBlueFX bundle, more overlays
- Choose Pro (~$80): for most tutorial, vlog, event, and general creator workflows
- Choose Ultimate (~$100): if you need green screen compositing, LUT colour grading, or the extended effects library
- Both are: Windows only, perpetual licence, no subscription
- Full review: Corel VideoStudio Pro Review