- Subtitle translators side by side
- Eleven subtitle translators to try
- Which subtitle translator fits your video
- Why reading speed matters after you translate
- File translator, video tool or full localisation?
- Six checks before you publish translated subtitles
- Signs your translated subtitles need another pass
- My plain advice on subtitle translators
- Frequently asked questions
A subtitle translator takes an existing subtitle file, or the speech in a video, and gives you the subtitles in another language with the timing kept. Some translate an SRT file in the browser, some sit inside video editors and a few add dubbing on top. Eleven options follow in no particular order.
Subtitles are the simplest way to make one video work in several languages. You keep your voice, your footage and your edit, and only the words at the bottom of the screen change.
The eleven tools below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the vendor's own website, read this week. If you'd like to see how translation fits a wider video plan, my guide on how AI video translation tools help you reach global audiences covers the bigger picture.
Subtitle translators side by side
I checked the free plan column on each tool's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the site says the tool, or a plan or version of it, is free or open source. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to try it, so check the vendor's page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amara | Subtitle editor and service | Team subtitling with human translation | Not stated |
| DeepL | AI translator with SRT support | Translating an SRT file | Trial only |
| Gglot | Subtitle translator and editor | Translating and editing in the browser | Not stated |
| Immersive Translate | Bilingual translation tool | Bilingual subtitles with the timing kept | Not stated |
| Kapwing | Online video editor | Translating subtitles inside a video edit | Yes |
| Maestra | AI subtitle translator and editor | Uploading either a file or a video | Yes |
| Matesub | AI subtitling platform | Editing AI subtitles in many languages | Not stated |
| Rask AI | Video localisation platform | Subtitles plus dubbing and lip sync | Not stated |
| Subtitle Cat | Subtitle library and translator | Finding and translating existing subtitles | Not stated |
| SubtitlesDog | AI subtitle translation assistant | Long videos and full films | Not stated |
| Translate Subtitles | Free online subtitle translator | Quick format-flexible translations | Yes |
Eleven subtitle translators to try
Amara
Best for: Nonprofits and teams who want an online subtitle editor they can share, with human translation available as a service.
DeepL
Best for: Writers who already trust a translation engine and want to upload an SRT subtitle file and get it back translated.
Gglot
Best for: Creators who want to translate a subtitle file and fix the wording in an online editor without installing anything.
Immersive Translate
Best for: Language learners and educators who want bilingual or translation-only subtitles with the original timing codes left intact.
Kapwing
Best for: Social video makers who want to translate subtitles from a video or audio file and keep editing in the same tool.
Maestra
Best for: Course creators who want to upload a subtitle file or the full video, translate it and edit the result.
Matesub
Best for: Individuals and teams who want to start from AI-generated subtitles or their own SRT and polish them for export.
Rask AI
Best for: Marketers who need translated subtitles today but expect to add AI dubbing and lip sync to the same videos later.
Subtitle Cat
Best for: Viewers and translators who want to find an existing subtitle file and translate it into another language.
SubtitlesDog
Best for: Film and series fans who want a whole film's subtitles translated in minutes with context across the full script.
Translate Subtitles
Best for: Anyone with an SRT, SUB, SBV, ASS, VTT or STL file who wants a quick translation in the browser.
Which subtitle translator fits your video
- Team subtitling with human translators: Amara.
- Translating an SRT file you already have: DeepL or Translate Subtitles.
- Translating and editing in the browser: Gglot or Matesub.
- Bilingual subtitles for learners: Immersive Translate.
- Translating inside a video edit: Kapwing.
- Uploading a whole video, not just a file: Maestra.
- Adding dubbing later: Rask AI.
- Long films and series: SubtitlesDog or Subtitle Cat.
Why reading speed matters after you translate
The BBC Subtitle Guidelines record that the word rate for live subtitles was adjusted to 160 to 180 words per minute, up from 130 to 150. Those guidelines are one of the most detailed public references on how fast people can comfortably read subtitles.
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Here's why that matters for translation. A sentence often grows when it moves into another language, but the time it sits on screen stays the same. A tool that keeps your original timing can still leave you with subtitles nobody can finish reading. After translating, play the video at normal speed and split or shorten any line you can't read twice.
File translator, video tool or full localisation?
A file translator takes an SRT or VTT file and returns it in another language. It's quick and keeps your timing, but you need the original subtitle file first.
A video tool transcribes the speech, creates subtitles and translates them in one place. It suits creators who don't have a subtitle file yet.
A localisation suite adds AI dubbing and lip sync on top of subtitles. It's more than most people need today, but worth knowing about if you'll want voice versions later.
Six checks before you publish translated subtitles
- Does the file keep the original timing codes?
- Have you read every line at normal playback speed?
- Are names, brands and product terms spelled right?
- Does the tool export the format your platform needs?
- Has a native speaker checked one sample video?
- Are on-screen words and titles translated as well?
Signs your translated subtitles need another pass
- Viewers pause to read. Shorten long lines.
- Brand names come out translated. Fix them by hand.
- Two speakers share one line. Split the subtitle.
- Jokes fall flat. Ask a native speaker.
Do you make a subtitle translation tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on subtitle translators
Translate your best-performing video first, not your newest one, and ask one native speaker to watch it before you roll out the rest. You'll learn more from one careful check than from translating every video you've made and hoping.
For the style rules that make any subtitles easier to read, keep my video caption and subtitle style cheat sheet open while you edit.
Frequently asked questions
What is a subtitle translator?
It's a tool that translates subtitles from one language to another, either from a subtitle file such as SRT or from the speech in a video, while keeping the timing.
Can I translate subtitles for free?
Several tools above have a free version. Check the free plan column, then confirm limits on file length or exports on each vendor's site.
What file format do subtitles use?
SRT is the most common. Many tools also handle VTT, ASS, SBV and other formats.
Will translated subtitles keep the same timing?
Most tools keep the original timing codes. Check the reading speed afterwards, because translated lines can run longer.
How fast should subtitles be?
The BBC Subtitle Guidelines record a word rate of 160 to 180 words per minute for live subtitles.
Is AI subtitle translation accurate?
It's good enough for a first draft in most languages. Have a native speaker check names, jokes and technical terms before you publish.
