Subtitle Editor – Add and Edit Video Subtitles
Movavi Video Editor lets you add subtitles to any video automatically or by hand with full control over timing, style, and position, and export a finished file ready to upload or share.
This app combines auto-caption generation, manual text tools, and a complete video editor in one app, so you never need to switch between programs to deliver a captioned video.
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Everything you need to add, edit, style, and export subtitles in a single program.
The Auto subtitles tool converts speech to text automatically and places each caption on the timeline with timing already set. This eliminates the most time-consuming part of editing captions – transcribing and timing each line individually – and gives you a usable first draft in seconds that you can then review and correct rather than build from scratch.
For editors who need precise control, the Text tab functions as a full manual subtitle editor: type any caption text, set its exact start and end time on the timeline, and position each subtitle anywhere in the frame. This mode is essential when auto-generated captions contain errors, when working with non-speech audio, or when the program needs to match a specific broadcast or accessibility standard.
Every subtitle line can be styled independently: choose the font family, adjust the size, change the colour, apply bold or italic styling, and set the vertical and horizontal position in the frame. Consistent readable styling across a video is as important as the accuracy of the text, and Movavi Video Editor gives you full control over both.
When subtitles are complete, export the finished video as an MP4, MOV, AVI, or other popular file format with subtitles embedded directly in the video track.
Three reasons Movavi Video Editor beats separate online tools and dedicated subtitle apps.
From a raw video file to a fully captioned, export-ready video in minutes.
Open Movavi Video Editor and click Add Files, or drag your file straight into the program window. The app supports common formats like MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, and WMV, so in most cases you can start editing right away instead of converting first.
If you want the fast route, go to Tools, open the Audio tab, and click Auto subtitles.
If you want full control, open the Text tab, choose a text preset, type your captions, and place each subtitle where it belongs on the timeline. This is the part where a good subtitle editor earns its keep: you can fix pacing, trim awkward delays, and make the text match the spoken line instead of settling for a rough draft.
Once the captions are in place, adjust the font, size, color, style, and position so they stay readable from start to finish. Then hit Export, choose your settings, and save the final video with embedded subtitles. If your project calls for a separate subtitle file, Movavi’s online subtitle tool also lets you upload an SRT or download the one you created.
Adding subtitles is a standard requirement across many different types of video content and workflows.
YouTube creators and video podcasters · CONTENT CREATION
Creators who publish long-form video content on YouTube or as video podcasts use this type of software to improve accessibility and keep viewers engaged when watching without sound – a common scenario on mobile. Movavi's tool generates the caption track automatically, and the manual text editor handles corrections for technical terms, names, and specialist vocabulary the AI transcribes incorrectly.
Educators and online course creators · EDUCATION
Teachers producing video lessons and online course creators publishing on platforms like Udemy or Coursera are often required to provide accurate captions for accessibility compliance. Movavi Video Editor gives educators a straightforward workflow for adding and timing captions and full styling control to ensure subtitles remain readable across different screen sizes and video resolutions.
Translators and localisation professionals · LOCALISATION
Video localisation teams and freelance translators use editing software to add foreign-language captions to existing video content. Movavi's manual editor lets them type translated text directly onto the timeline with precise timing control, adjust the subtitle position to avoid overlapping with on-screen graphics, and export the captioned video file in a format compatible with the client's delivery requirements.
Common questions about subtitle-editing software, how it works, and what to look for.
Yes. Using dedicated software such as Movavi Video Editor is safe, provided you download the application from the official website. The subtitle-editing tool is a standard feature of Movavi Video Editor and operates entirely offline: it does not upload your video files to a remote server, which means your content stays on your machine throughout the entire editing and export process. As with any file modification task, keeping a backup of the original video file before exporting a subtitled version is good practice. It ensures you can return to the unedited file if you need to revise the captions later.
To use Movavi Video Editor, start by downloading and installing the app on your Windows or Mac computer. Open the program, click Add Files, and import the video file you want to caption. The app supports MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI, and other common formats. Once the clip is on the timeline, choose your approach: for automatic captions, go to Tools, open the Audio tab, and click Auto subtitles. The subtitle software transcribes the speech and places timed captions on the timeline automatically.
For manual captions, open the Text tab, select a preset, type your subtitle text, and drag the caption clip on the timeline to set precise timing. After adding subtitles, select each line to adjust font, size, and colour in the styling panel. When finished, click Export to save the video file with embedded subtitles.
The best option depends on whether you need a standalone app or a subtitle feature integrated into a full video-editing workflow. For integrated editing on Windows and Mac, Movavi Video Editor is the most practical option for non-professionals: it includes both auto subtitles and manual captions editing, and processes everything offline.
Subtitle Edit is a dedicated open-source tool with deep support for SRT, ASS, and VTT formats and is free to download and use without restrictions.
Aegisub is a powerful program used in fansub communities, with advanced timing and styling tools suited to complex formatting requirements.
For browser-based use, Kapwing and Clideo work online without installation, though they impose file-size limits and add watermarks on free plans.
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