Top 4 Tools to Add Subtitles To Video: Guide With Bonus Tips
- Last updated on 2025-05-20
Table Of Content
What Are the Benefits to Add Subtitles to a Video?
Before getting into how to add subtitles to video or YouTube videos, we will be amazed at some statistical facts about the importance of subtitles. For example,
- 80% of viewers watch videos with subtitles
- 92% of viewers watch videos without sound on mobile
- YouTube views increase by up to 7.32% after adding subtitles
- 83% of Facebook videos are watched without audio
Hence, using these statistical numbers and data, we are providing the best benefits of adding subtitles to any video, including YouTube, Facebook, office presentations, educational videos, etc.
- Adding subtitles has increased viewers' engagement on social media
- It helps video in SEO ranking while increasing keyword density and improving accessibility in search engines
- Subtitles are the only solution to enjoy for deaf or hearing-impaired people
- It helps to make your video global while reaching the maximum audience
- Viewers retain maximum information about the video with subtitles
- Subtitles give a better understanding of any foreign language video
Recommended Tools to Add Subtitles to a Video
We know that subtitles have unavoidable advantages. We have tried and tested some trending tools to know how to add subtitles to a video. Based on certain “must-have” criteria such as minimum working steps, flexible features, no skill requirements, maximum language support, and user ratings with reviews, we have listed the top 4 most authentic tools while sharing our real-time subtitles-adding experience.
UniFab AI Subtitle Generator
We consider UniFab's AI Subtitle Generator at the top of the list because of its simple interface with full AI automation without any manual steps. From auto-detection of the original language to auto-translation to our desired language, it does everything automatically without technical complications or working challenges.
Canva
We have kept the online tool Canva on the list as it has a dedicated auto-video caption-generating option. To add subtitles to a video in Canva, we used only a few clicks. It generates the best suitable subtitle according to our video style instantly and automatically with subtitle highlighting and customising functions.
Adobe Premiere Pro
The combination of AI automation and manual subtitle creation options is the prime factor keeping Premiere Pro on the list. The caption preset is another attraction that ensures the seamless subtitling process throughout the video.
iMovie
For dedicated Apple users, we have tested the Apple-developed iMovie app and added subtitles to videos manually without any automation. The designated “Title” option makes the process skill-free and straightforward. It lets us select the subtitle style under “Subtitles” depending on our needs.
How to Add Subtitles to a Video Using UniFab AI Subtitle Generator
Best For: AI-Automation with instant subtitles generation
Attractions
- Auto-detection and translation of the original language with AI integration
- Create a video in SRT files with support for 30 languages.
- Instant subtitles generator for Beginners to professionals,
- AI tools give 98% accuracy in videos like social media, movies, etc.
- Complete automatic tool without manual steps & with clarity & time synchronization.
Challenges
- This tool is currently available only on Windows.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Subtitles to Video with UniFab AI Subtitle Generator
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Select the subtitles generator module once you launch the UniFab tool on your computer.
Upload the video file for which you want to create subtitles or any SRT file with subtitles. You will either translate the subtitles to another language or modify the existing ones with AI automation.
From the 30 available options, select the language into which you want to translate the video subtitle. UniFab will then automatically generate the subtitles in your selected language.
Select the “Start” option to auto-generate the subtitles. Then, you will have a clear and editable .srt file with subtitles. Use UniFab Video Converter to add subtitles to your desired video.
How to Add Subtitles to a Video in Canva
Best For: For multiple subtitle customization options
Attractions
- The Captain Generator option for how to add subtitles to a downloaded video
- This online tool adds subtitles to any video instantly without any technical skill.
- Customize brand font using “Brand Kit” option & subtitles’ style with icons & stickers.
- Personalize editable subtitles while adjusting colors, size, text, font, etc.
Challenges
- It works only online with internet dependency.
- Auto-generated subtitles’ clarity and accuracy depend on the video's original quality.
- It has very limited language support.
- There is no control over the timing adjustment of the subtitles.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Subtitles to Video in Canva
Start the Canva app on your system. From the left-side panel, select “Text” > and hit “Add Subtitles.” > The subtitle text box will appear. Type your desired subtitles.
To “adjust the timing” of your created subtitles, you need to drag the Start and End handles.
Select “Add” to add more subtitles. Then, select “Save” to complete the subtitles-adding option.
Note: You can try the Auto-Caption function to add subtitles to any video. For doing this you need to select “Video” in the left-sidebar > hit “Auto-Caption” > subtitles will be generated automatically > you can edit the generated subtitles as per your need.
How to Add Subtitles to a Video in Premiere Pro
Best For: For the automatic and manual subtitles adding option
Attractions
- Auto-subtitle generation with built-in speech-to-text transcription function
- Create subtitles manually under the Captions and Graphics workspace.
- Import and sync subtitles files like SCC, SRT, TTML, etc, to any video.
- Subtitles customization with options like Properties Panel & Track Styles
- Explore video editing with font, color, position, etc & try ready-to-use captions.
- It offers multiple language support with a real-time preview option.
Challenges
- Sometimes it fails to import SRT files.
- Subtitles are often out of sync.
- Premiere Pro does not support some of the subtitle formats.
- The creation process for manual subtitles is very time-consuming.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Subtitles to Video in Premiere Pro
After opening the tool's dashboard, move to the timeline > choose the audio file of your desired video to which you want to add the subtitles. You can select the whole audio file or any specific part of it.
Go to the “Window” at the upper right corner of the screen, select “Captain and Graphics,” and> the Caption menu will open. Then, choose “Transcribe,” and> the tool will automatically generate the transcript.
Next, select the “Closed Caption” (CC) option. You will then get a menu to select your caption preferences, such as duration, formatting, etc. Next, select “Create Captain.”
To customize your captions’ appearance on screen, highlight the caption in the timeline > move to the “Essential Graphics” option. Now, customize creatively by adjusting text, font, size, etc.
How to Add Subtitles to a Video on iMovie
Best For: For the manual subtitles adding option
Attractions
- It creates subtitles manually using the title tool with complete control over subtitles’ style & appearance.
- Creative customization with built-in subtitles style, including lower third, title, and subtitles.
- Try a text editing tool to personalize subtitles’ appearance with color, font, alignment, etc.
- Manual adjustment of timing, duration, and subtitles synchronization with the spoken speech
- For creating subtitles in different languages, you can add multiple subtitle tracks.
- It supports animated subtitle styles.
Challenges
- iMovie is only for Apple users
- The SRT file was neither exported nor imported.
- No automatic option, and the manual process is very time-consuming and requires experience.
- There is no advanced subtitles adding option.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Subtitles to Video in iMovie
Open iMovie, choose “New Project,” > and import your desired video for which you want to create subtitles.
Drag and drop your selected video into the timeline area. Select the section where you would like to add subtitles. Select “T” for the (Text) option. Choose the text style from the options “Subtitles”/ “Lower Third.”
In the preview, select the text box > type your required subtitles > customize with font, color, size, etc.
Adjust the timing by dragging the edges of the text clips. Then, move the clip to sync it with the audio.
Add multiple subtitles if needed, then select “Done.” > Select the share icon to export the video, then select the “Save Video” option.
Bonus: Tips to Choose the Best Video Subtitles Generators: Facts & Factors
Users often get confused about which tool to use to add subtitles to a video.Therefore, before selecting any video subtitle generator, let's look at a few facts and factors you must consider to choose the best one.
Simple Interface: The tool must have a very easy-to-use interface for newbies without complicated steps. It has to be for anyone and everyone with any skill level.
Automatic Generator: To save time, energy, and avoid technical complications, automation has to be the primary requirement to avoid time-consuming manual effort.
Output Accuracy: Accuracy is the key in any subtitles to convey the authentic message and information about the video for deaf people or to understand foreign language content.
Maximum Language: To increase the audience of your video, you must select a tool with multiple language support. Making your video global will increase the audience of your video.
Flexible Customization: The tool must allow you to customize the subtitles’ appearance to match your video context, branding, or other specific purposes.
Cost-effective: When selecting a tool, balance function and price, and therefore, select the one that offers the maximum features at the minimum price.
We considered all these factors while selecting the above-mentioned top 4 tools. In that case, we first kept the UniFab Video Converter because it meets all the parameters of being the perfect subtitle generator.
Conclusion
You have the best multi-function tool to add subtitles to videos according to your specific requirements. The features and functions of each tool will help you decide what suits you best. However, if you need a complete automatic tool with AI integration and maximum language support, you must try the advanced technology of UniFab AI Subtitles Generator.
FAQs about how to add subtitles to video
How to Add Subtitles to a YouTube Video?
There are multiple methods to add subtitles to a YouTube video. Let's see the 2 major methods.
Method 1: Add Subtitle (SRT File) to YouTube
To create your own SRT file, you can use the UniFab AI Subtitles Generator and then add it to a YouTube video by following the given steps.
- Step: Move to YouTube Studio > click on “Content” > choose your video > go to the left menu to select “Subtitles” > select “Add” > “Upload File” > Select Subtitles file in SRT format > then Upload > YouTube will automatically sync the subtitles.
Method 2: Use YouTube AI to auto-generate subtitles
Without any manual steps, generate subtitles automatically and edit them as per your preference.
- Step: Go to YouTube Studio > Subtitles > select “Auto-Sync” / “Auto Generate” > wait for a while to process YouTube > edit the error and mistake by hitting the “Edit” option.