The variety of video software available in 2012 is astonishing, and it can be confusing to figure out what the best tool to use is based on your budget and experience level. Here are five of the top tools for users from a variety of categories. Choose the one that best fits you and you’ll be one giant step closer to your first film producer credit!

1. PowerDirector

One of the best options, but also moderately expensive, PowerDirector costs about $50 and is a mid-level professional option. PowerDirector 10 includes 200 video or audio files and over 200 transitions, yet retains drag-and-drop functionality. It requires a powerful computer to operate this program, but video editing is easy if you have any computer or editing experience. There are also tutorials and manuals easily available online if you’re less certain about your abilities.

2. Adobe Premiere Elements

This is a high-end editing program for PCs and Macs, but it also has a higher price tag at about $100. It includes over 100 transitions and nearly as many video and audio files. In-depth features include track mixing and cross-fading, surround sound, and lighting correction. InstantMovie organizes footage, coordinates program features, and creates an index. Elements is harder to learn than other programs, but if you’d rate yourself intermediate at video editing, you’ll be able to learn how to use it.

3. Corel VideoStudio

Only 16 transitions are included with VideoStudio Pro X5, but other features of this program may make up for that. VideoStudio costs about $70, which is a bit overpriced. Perhaps the most useful features are the time lapse and stop motion options. Time lapse allows you to create sequences like those you see when watching National Geographic and rapidly play a lot of footage. Stop motion means you can import a series of photographs and create a simple animation without much work.

4. Apple iMovie

It may seem hardly worth mentioning, but both of these programs are typically included for free if you’ve bought a new computer recently. Apple’s iMovie is a professional option that may be worth purchasing separately if you don’t have it, and makes everything from movie trailers to audio editing easy. iMovie costs about $80 if you need to purchase it, or may already be on your system for free as part of the iLife suite. The expense will pay for itself if you’re a serious movie maker, but otherwise, look at one of the other options for video editing tools first.

5. Windows Movie Maker

If you have a PC, Windows Movie Maker is probably included. It is underpowered, but you just need simple editing tools, this program is free and probably already installed. Be warned: you get what you pay for, so you will have nowhere near the same number of transitions or effects available, and it’s probably best to invest in one of the paid software tools above if you want to do any serious editing.

These are some of the best options for video editing software available as of 2012. No matter what your requirements or budget, you can find a program that is perfect for your situation. Don’t be afraid to spend a little money if you can; the results will be worth it!

Guest post contributed by James Hesse on behalf of iWeb-FTP.co.uk. James is a freelance technology writer. He has a penchant for the latest technologies and his articles mainly appear on tech blogs. Visit their website to find out how how cloud storage saves money.