What you can do
| Task | How |
|---|---|
| Add subtitles to a video with no subtitles | Generate subtitles → Download video with subtitles |
| Burn an existing SRT into a video | Import an SRT → Download video with subtitles |
| Get an SRT for YouTube or an editor | Generate subtitles → SRT |
| Hardcode captions for Reels, TikTok or Shorts | Pick Yellow or White outline, size L → Download |
| Fix a wrong word or timing | Edit the line; click a time to jump there |
ScribeCue vs. VEED, Clideo and Canva
| ScribeCue | VEED | Clideo | Canva | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account needed | No | Yes | — | Yes |
| Watermark on free export | None | Yes | Yes | No on free elements |
| Where your video goes | Stays on your device | Uploaded to VEED | Uploaded to Clideo | Uploaded to Canva |
| Automatic subtitles | Yes, ~100 languages | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Edit lines and timing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Competitor details are from their public pages, checked 4 November 2026; a dash means we could not confirm it.
VEED and Canva are full video editors with templates and stock media; pick them when you need a whole edit. ScribeCue does one job — subtitles on your video, no watermark, without uploading it.
Why it runs in your browser
- Privacy: the video is never uploaded. The speech model (OpenAI's Whisper, base size) downloads once — about 80–210 MB — and is cached by your browser.
- Speed: with a graphics card (WebGPU in Chrome or Edge) a 10-minute video is usually transcribed in one to three minutes; on older laptops it runs on the CPU and takes longer.
- Exporting plays the video through once in real time, so a 3-minute clip takes about 3 minutes. Keep the tab open and visible.
- Chrome and Edge save an MP4 (Safari too); Firefox saves WebM. Phones work for short clips; a computer is faster.
Free, and what needs a plan
| Free | Pro ($12/mo) or any pack (from $6) | |
|---|---|---|
| Video length | Up to 10 minutes | Any length your browser can play |
| Watermark | None | None |
| Automatic subtitles, editing, styles | Yes | Yes |
| SRT / VTT / burned-in video | Yes | Yes |
| Server transcription with speaker labels (30+ languages) | Uploads, 120 free min/month | Pro 1500 min/month or pack minutes |
Because subtitles are made on your device, long videos on Pro or a pack don't use any of your minutes.
Burned-in subtitles or an SRT file?
Burned-in (hardcoded) subtitles are part of the picture: they show on every app and player, which is what you want for Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp or a presentation. They can't be turned off or translated later.
An SRT or VTT file is a separate caption track: YouTube, Vimeo and most editors accept it, viewers can turn it off, and search engines can read it. For a YouTube video that already has captions, use the SRT generator instead.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add subtitles to a video for free without a watermark?
Open the video in the tool above, press Generate subtitles, check the lines, then Download video with subtitles. There is no watermark and no sign-up for videos up to 10 minutes.
Is my video uploaded?
No. The subtitles are made and burned in inside your browser; the video never leaves your device.
Can I add an SRT file I already have to my video?
Yes — choose the video, then 'import an SRT', and download the video with those subtitles burned in. You can edit the lines first.
Which languages work?
Whisper recognises about 100 languages; the menu lists the most common, and auto-detect handles the rest. Accuracy is best for clear speech in widely spoken languages.
What format is the video I download?
MP4 in Chrome, Edge and Safari; WebM in Firefox. The SRT and VTT files work everywhere.
Can I add subtitles to a long video?
Free covers videos up to 10 minutes. Longer videos need Pro or any minute pack (from $6); it runs on your device, so no minutes are used.