For most purposes, there is no difference (you can use them interchangeably in most situations and they should be alright). But if you have to know the subtle differences, then they are best demonstrated by the following: 1) Start Time/ Finish Time: When you demand a clear start or end time to a significant event (and there is no interest whatsoever the details of the significant event) 2) Starting Time/ Finishing Time: When you want to emphasise a process of doing something having a start or end time. The process could be a consideration here, and suggests a gradual end (and not a sudden stop like in the example [1] above) This explanation is a variation from this website: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/end-or-finish