5 Best Auto Subtitle Generators in 2024 [Free Included]

Adding subtitles to your videos is now one of the simplest ways to improve the reach and accessibility of your content. Creating subtitles by hand can be tedious and time-consuming, but new AI tools can streamline the process and auto-generate subtitles for you. 

In this post, I'll show you how to choose an AI subtitle generator and provide a few tips for getting the best possible results. I'll also take you through some of the most popular tools for automatically generating subtitles, with a special focus on the best subtitle generator to use in different situations. 

If you're in a rush, here are the best subtitle generators for different users:

How to choose a good subtitle generator

It might seem like every subtitle generator does the same job, but each tool has its own strengths and weaknesses. Keep these points in mind when choosing a subtitle generator for your videos:

• Accuracy. Noisy audio sources, regional accents, and speech cadence can impact the accuracy of AI speech recognition. The more accurate your auto subtitle generator is, the less time you'll have to spend reviewing and editing the results. 

• Language translation. To maximize your global reach, the best subtitle generators can automatically translate your subtitles. Look for one that supports as many languages as possible, but confirm that it also supports any specific language markets you want to target. 

• Multiple output formats. Some auto subtitle generators can only create hardcoded subtitles that become a permanent part of your video. The best subtitle generators will also allow you to download your subtitles in a standard subtitle format like SRT. 

• Customization Options. Conversational audio can benefit from visual design cues to indicate different speakers. An auto generator that creates hardcoded subtitles should allow you to customize the subtitle text style and placement. 

• Watermarking. Some free subtitle generators include a watermark on any videos produced using their software. Professional video creators should avoid choosing tools with enforced watermarks since they create the impression of low production values. 

• Cost. Most AI subtitle generators price their services on a per-minute basis, so keep your average video length and total publishing output in mind when comparing pricing options. Free auto subtitling options are available, but they often contain a specific monthly usage limit. 

List of the top auto subtitle generators

#1. Zubtitle - Best for social media creators

Zubtitle is one of the simplest online subtitle generators for creators who want to focus on their content instead of technical details. It offers a streamlined process for creating hardcoded subtitles for your video content entirely within your web browser. Preset style templates make it easy to create dynamic subtitle effects, and you can download a copy of your subtitles in the standard SRT file format. 

Zubtitle is an easy way for content creators to add subtitles to their social media videos, but that simplicity means it isn't a good choice for professional subtitle tasks. There are no language translation options, and all the paid plans have low monthly usage limits. 

Pros:

• User-friendly interface suitable for beginners

• Good accuracy & spoken language support

• Creates hardcoded subtitles with customized styling

• SRT file output

Cons:

• Expensive 

• Low usage limits on paid plans 

• No subtitle translation options

Platforms: Browser-based with no mobile apps, but works with mobile browsers. 

Video File Compatibility: MP4, MOV, and M4V video formats using H.264 compression codec.

Pricing: Limited free tier available. Paid plans start at $19 USD / month.

#2. Notta - Best for translating subtitles

Notta provides a range of AI-powered voice transcription and translation services, including the ability to auto-generate subtitles for your video content. It has an impressive 98.86% transcription accuracy rate and can translate your subtitles into 41 different languages. Notta is even capable of bilingual translation for videos containing two different languages. 

Notta's high accuracy rate and translation abilities make it an excellent choice for professional subtitling projects that require SRT files. However, it cannot permanently hardcode your subtitles into your video file, so social media content creators may wish to look elsewhere.

Pros:

• High accuracy rating

• Extensive language support

• Multilingual translations for global reach

• SRT file output

• Suitable for professional usage

Cons:

• Not suited for social media videos

• Can't hardcode subtitles to video

Platforms: Browser-based, with iOS and Android mobile apps available. 

Video File Compatibility: AVI, RMVB, FLV, MP4, MOV, and WMV video formats. 

Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $9 USD / month. 

Convert audio/video to subtitles in minutes

Notta offers multi-language, accurate transcriptions to boost your video engagement

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#3. Veed - Best free subtitle generator

Veed brings together a complete suite of AI-powered video editing tools, including an accurate AI subtitle generator. While they offer plenty of professional tools in their paid plans, the most useful part of their service is free access to their auto subtitle generator. You'll only get 30 minutes of free subtitles per month, but you can also use 5 minutes of subtitle translation. 

These features make Veed an excellent free option for users who only need a small amount of subtitling work each month. However, it's designed as a full-fledged content creation management system, so it's more difficult to use than other paid options -- especially if you're only adding subtitles to a single video. 

Pros:

• Free access to AI subtitling and translation

• High accuracy rating

• Translation support 

• Customize every aspect of your subtitles 

Cons:

• Watermark on the free plan

• Low usage limits on the free plan

• No mobile app access on the free plan

• May offer more features than you need

Platforms: Browser-based, with iOS and Android mobile apps available. 

Video File Compatibility: Compatible with all major video file formats. 

Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $18 USD / month. 

#4. YouTube - Best for online video sharing

Everyone knows YouTube as an online video giant, but it also provides an automatic subtitle generator for creators who publish on the platform. YouTube's automatic subtitles may not be as accurate as other free subtitle generators, but there are no limits on usage, and it can automatically translate your subtitles into 135 languages!

This tool has the major advantage of being free for anyone to use, but it requires that your videos be uploaded to the YouTube platform. You can't download your subtitles for use in other apps, and you can't customize subtitle appearance or pacing. 

Pros:

• Free to use

• Most translation languages available in any tool

• No watermark

• Soft-coded subtitles for viewer choice

Cons:

• No published accuracy stats

• Works on YouTube only

• No customization options

• No SRT file output

Platforms: Browser-based, with iOS and Android mobile apps available. 

Video File Compatibility:  Compatible with all major video file formats. See the full list. 

Pricing: Free.

#5. Adobe Premiere Pro - Best for professional videographers

Premiere Pro is well-known as a video editor, but it also features a highly accurate AI subtitle generator that integrates with the rest of your production process. Premiere Pro provides complete control over the pacing and appearance of hardcoded subtitles and allows you to precisely match softcoded subtitles to video events using the editing timeline.  

Premiere Pro is a complex program with far more features than just automatic subtitling, so it's best for videographers who are already familiar with professional video editing software. It also doesn't offer any translation services, which limits you to the source language in your video. 

Pros:

• Accurate subtitle generation

• Complete control over subtitle appearance and pacing

• Hardcoded and/or softcoded subtitles

• SRT file output

Cons:

• Steep learning curve

• No subtitle translation options

• Expensive just for subtitles

Platforms: Desktop app available for Windows and macOS. 

Video File Compatibility: Compatible with all major video file formats, including unprocessed video. 

Pricing: $22.99 USD per month

Tips for automatically generating audio/video subtitles

AI subtitle generators are useful, but they can still make mistakes. To save time on your review process and get the best results from your automatic subtitles, remember these tips: 

• Use high-quality recording equipment. Professional microphones capture more detail from audio sources compared to cheap equipment, so your auto subtitle generator will make fewer mistakes. 

• Speak clearly at an even pace. This helps humans with speech comprehension and AI transcription, too! It is especially important if your audio contains regional accents with unique linguistic patterns. 

• Minimize background noise. Humans are usually good at filling in gaps in speech using context, but auto subtitle generators are not always as capable. Recording your audio in a quiet environment will help improve subtitle accuracy. 

• Review and improve. Automatic subtitles can speed up your video workflow, but you should always review the results before posting your videos. Any errors you find can teach you how to improve your next recording. 

Key takeaways

Video subtitles give your content a wider audience appeal, and auto subtitle generators are a convenient way to speed up the subtitling process. Many different tools are available for different use cases, so the best subtitle generator for one project may not be right for another. Free subtitle generators are available, but they all have limitations, so the best option for creating professional subtitles is a paid transcription tool like Notta. 

FAQs

How can I generate subtitles for a video?

You can generate subtitles for a video by hand using a simple text editor, but it's faster and easier to use an AI subtitle generator like Notta. It has a high subtitle accuracy rate and automatic translation options, so your content can reach as many people as possible. 

Is there a free subtitle generator?

Yes, there are several free subtitle generators available, including Notta, YouTube, and Veed. Unfortunately, most free subtitle tools have usage limits and they often apply watermarks to your video that can distract from your content. 

Is there an app that automatically translates videos?

Yes, Notta Showcase can automatically translate videos into 15 different languages. Its AI-powered voice cloning technology can even preserve the vocal style and emotional range of the original video.