Captions AI Free Alternatives For Subtitles 2026

Captions AI is a widely recognized mobile app known for adding captions to social media videos. Apart from video subtitles, it boasts a range of features including AI eye contact, AI trim, speech enhancement, and more.

In this blog post, I’ll introduce you to the best alternatives to Captions AI. Whether you’re looking for a free trial or advanced features, there’s something here for everyone.

Table of Contents

• ZapCap
  • Pricing
• Descript
  • Pricing
• Veed
  • Pricing
• Capcut
  • Pricing
• Opus Pro
• Adobe Premiere Pro

ZapCap

ZapCap stands out as a powerful AI-driven alternative to manual captioning tools. Unlike Canva’s new captions feature, which requires manual adjustments and editing, ZapCap provides automated, highly accurate captions with advanced customization options.

ZapCap automatically transcribes and syncs captions to videos with high precision, reducing the need for manual corrections. It also offers animated subtitle templates designed to enhance engagement, a feature that Canva lacks.

Additionally, ZapCap includes AI-assisted B-roll selection, sound effects, and transitions, helping creators streamline their workflow without extensive manual editing.

Pricing

Descript

Descript emerges as a robust alternative to Captions.ai. Unlike Captions.ai, Descript doesn’t have a mobile app but offers a dedicated desktop application alongside a web-based version.

Descript excels in text-based editing. It automatically transcribes your audio into editable text and allows precise editing by deleting specific sections of the video.

Descript offers a unique feature where you can type your text to add voiceovers. It even allows for voice cloning, enabling video editing directly through text manipulation.

Moreover, Descript boasts a range of advanced features including speech enhancement, AI eye contact, customizable subtitle templates, the ability to extract viral clips from longer videos, an AI background remover, and much more.

Descript’s AI text-to-speech functionality delivers remarkably realistic voiceovers. Overall, Descript covers all the essential features found in the Captions app.

Additionally, Descript supports screen recording and remote recording, making it possible to conduct studio-quality online meetings without the constraints of internet connectivity.

Pricing

You can try Descript for free without any credit card. Here are the plans for the Descript.

Pros

• More & Better AI features (Transcription, Voice clone, Speech enhancement)
• Better Desktop and web experience
• Build in Recording feature (Screen and Remote)

Cons

• More expensive
• Fewer Subtitle templates
• No Mobile app

Veed

Veed is a cloud-based video editor that has recently integrated AI features into its platform. Subtitling and transcription are just some of the features offered by Veed.

Recently, Veed also introduced a mobile app tailored for iPhone users, focusing on adding video captions seamlessly.

Veed offers a wide range of subtitle templates along with extensive customization options, making it a superior choice for users prioritizing subtitles. Beyond that, Veed boasts a comprehensive suite of video editing features compared to Captions AI and Descript.

Among its notable AI capabilities are speech enhancement, voice cloning, AI background remover, and AI avatars. Additionally, Veed allows users to dub videos into different languages.

Unlike Descript, Veed does not support text-based editing.

Pricing

While Veed offers a free trial, videos exported in this trial will include a watermark.

Veed offers varying pricing based on your location. In India, the Veed Pro plan is priced at ₹599 ($5.99/month), while in the USA, the same plan costs $38/month.

Pros

• More Video editing features
• Better User experience

Cons

• More expensive
• Basic features in mobile app & is only available for IOS users

Capcut

CapCut is a robust alternative to TikTok itself, available across multiple platforms and designed specifically for short-form content creators.

CapCut is free to use, allowing users to export unlimited videos. However, its subtitle templates are basic, and its transcription accuracy falls short compared to Captions AI and other alternatives.

CapCut lacks an AI eye contact feature but excels in many other areas, making it a top choice for short-form content creators.

For instance, it includes Auto Reframe, also known as AI or Smart Crop, along with text-based editing capabilities. CapCut features a Text-to-Speech (TTS) function with various voices and a voice cloning feature.

Additionally, CapCut offers unlimited AI avatar video generation for free, positioning it as a robust alternative to Heygen.

CapCut boasts a vast library of pre-made effects, filters, and user-friendly templates.

Pricing

Pros

• Free
• More video editing features
• Pre-made templates, and effects to make editing faster

Cons

• Basic subtitle templates
• Imperfect accuracy in transcriptions
• Limited Number of language
• Missing AI eye contact feature

Opus Pro

Opus Pro is a powerful tool designed to transform long-form videos into viral short clips effortlessly. It automatically identifies the most engaging segments and intelligently crops them to fit formats like reels and TikTok dimensions.

Moreover, the tool seamlessly adds captions to your videos and provides a virality score to estimate potential reach. It also features AI-generated B-roll footage, enhancing the visual appeal of your edits.

For further customization, Opus Pro allows you to export edited videos in XML format, compatible with Premiere Pro.

Pros

• Best for making short-form content for long-form
• Amazing captions templates

Cons

• Missing a lot of AI features (AI eye contact, background remover, etc)
• No Mobile App

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is a professional video editing software extensively utilized by filmmakers, video editors, and content creators alike. It provides a robust array of tools for editing, color correction, audio enhancement, and visual effects.

The software integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, facilitating a streamlined workflow across diverse media projects. Its flexibility enables users to craft high-quality videos tailored for platforms such as YouTube, social media, and broadcast television.

Pros

• Professional-Grade Tools: Offers advanced editing features suitable for professional projects.
• Flexibility: Supports a wide range of formats and resolutions, from HD to 8K.
• Regular Updates: Frequent updates provide new features and improvements.
• Extensive Learning Resources: Numerous tutorials and a large user community for support and learning.

Cons

• Cost: The subscription model can be expensive, especially for long-term use.
• Learning Curve: Can be challenging for beginners due to its extensive features.
• System Requirements: Requires a powerful computer to run smoothly, which can be a barrier for some users.
• Occasional Bugs: Some users report occasional bugs and crashes, particularly with new updates.
• Missing AI features such as voice clone, AI eye contact, etc.

Final words

In conclusion, the choice of video editing software depends largely on your specific needs and the type of content you wish to produce. Whether you prioritize advanced AI features, mobile accessibility, or robust subtitle capabilities, there’s an option that fits your requirements. From ZapCap for dynamic subtitling to Descript’s powerful desktop solutions and Veed’s versatile editing tools, each offers unique advantages.

CapCut excels in mobile editing for short-form content, while Adobe Premiere Pro sets the standard for professional-grade video production. By evaluating your priorities and budget, you can select the ideal software to elevate your video editing projects and achieve your creative ambitions.