If you’re going to make videos, one of the essentials is some good video editing software. These programmes will allow you to turn a random assortment of clips into beautiful, structured videos. There are a lot of editing software packages to choose from, varying in features, and of course price.

The amount of choice can be confusing for those starting out. So here’s our guide to deciding how much you should be spending on video editing software.

What Will It Be Used For?

What you’ll be editing is the first thing you should consider when browsing for new software. The higher end software packages have more built-in features, and while professional editors may need these features, if you’re just making simple testimonials or short and simple videos they may not be necessary.

Do some research into what each programme offers and consider whether you’ll need them all.
If you’re planning on selling video editing as a service, then consider what you’re most comfortable working on, and compare features on different programmes to see which one meets your needs.

How Often Will You Use It?

Following on from what the software will be used for, how often will you be using it? If video is an integral part of your company’s day-to-day operations or marketing, then investing in a reliable, professional software package may benefit you in the long run.

While short and simple videos can be easily produced in lower-end software, if you’re wanting a more polished, cinematic video for the company to use for the next several years, higher-end software can be more appealing.
Before purchasing though, we’d recommend you consider the cost, and whether you’ll be getting your money’s worth.
If you’re wanting a large promotional video, then we’d recommend forgoing the do-it-yourself way. It can lead to some ugly results.Hire a professional video production company for those.

Who’s Going to Be Using It?

Who is your in-house editor and how experienced are they? Consider how user-friendly the software will be to beginners and professionals. There are a multitude of tutorials available for most video editing software packages.

If the designated editor has experience in a specific programme, that should be considered, as long as it’s within your budget. Or better yet, if your chosen editor has their own software, see what they can do with it.

What Hardware Do You Have?

The general rule of thumb is the more advanced and powerful the video editing software is, the higher the hardware requirements.

Check what operating system your company computers are running, as well as how much RAM they have, hard drive space and what kind of graphics cards they use.

All this will have a bearing on what software you can buy and run without slowing your computers to a crawl.
Also worth noting; some software, such as Sony Vegas is built specifically for Windows-based operating systems. While iMovie and Final Cut will only work on Mac.

All these points should be considered before you settle on a particular video editing package. Do you edit videos for your company? What software do you use?