Top 10 Video Editing Software Applications

Video editing is essentially a means by which you can take what has been shot in various forms and craft it into a final project. This means that the video editing software that you need is going to have to give you the features you are after as well as provide an interface that will facilitate creativity and ease of use. The non-linear video editing model is fairly standard, but there are still a number of different video editing programs that offer different benefits and detractions. Here is a list of the top 10 video editing software applications out there, both professional and costly and free digital video editing software.

The first, and most obvious choice, on our list of the top 10 video editing software applications is going to be Apple's watershed Final Cut Pro.

Final Cut Pro continues the non-linear video editing  revolution that began with Avid and ran with it. Creating a general software package that maintains affordability while including top of the line professional post-production programs like Color, Soundtrack Pro, and DVD Studio Pro, Final Cut Pro is a digital video editing software program that has combined the professional level of features with the kind of interface that is practical for those new to the digital video process to learn.

With Final Cut Pro, you work in the accepted "Timeline" format where you cut and arrange different clips, add video effects and transitions, and have the general kind of image and audio control you would need to be entirely creative in your editing. Final Cut Pro is quickly becoming the industry standard and the first place for those who want to become professional level video editors to go.

 iMovie comes standard on Mac computers as part of the iLife package and is often considered the best of the simple video editing programs.

iMovie actually works much different than the Timeline format of programs like Final Cut Pro or Avid, but has made video editing accessible to almost everyone with a Mac computer. What iMovie has done, in essence, is changed the workflow for home videos where now they can easily be transferred from their raw format into one that can be cut together and spruced up with a very easy video post-production program. Everything is included in iMovie, from the ability to add text and make edits to the addition of video effects, but simplicity is the name of the game instead of features. The workflow allows for easy import and export, and with other iLife programs like iDVD you can easily go into DVD authoring. iMovie is essentially a free digital video editing software program as it comes along with your Mac computer.

Windows Movie Maker is also a free video editing software program in the same way that iMovie is, except that it comes with Windows PCs instead  of Mac computers.

Windows Movie Maker is built a little more around the Timeline model, except that you can arrange clips in an even easier Storyboard mode. Windows Movie Maker is mostly designed to keep simplicity at play and this means that the options are few, but it is a great place to start for those that have never jumped onto a video editing program like this one and who just need simple tasks.

You will also be able to include things like video effects, video transitions, text, and export options, but they will be few and non-adjustable in most cases. This is fine in that what Windows Movie Maker brings to the table is a basic way to crunch together edited videos when time is short. Remember, this free video editing software program is only going to be available for Windows computers.

Please continue on to the next page to see what other programs have made the list of the top 10 video editing software applications.