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Updated 2026-06-28

Best Apps to Add Subtitles to a Video on iPhone (2026)

An honest comparison of the apps people actually use to caption and subtitle video on iPhone — picked by what matters: offline use, watermark, SRT export and price.

What's the best app to add subtitles to a video on iPhone?

There's no single 'best' — it depends on your priority. For private, offline captioning with no watermark and an SRT export, Subly fits. For free platform-native captions, the Clips app or each app's built-in caption tool works. For heavy multi-track editing, CapCut or Captions are strong. The table below compares them on the factors that actually differ.

Quick comparison

AppOfflineNo watermarkSRT exportPrice
SublyYesYesYesFree + $4.99 unlock
Apple ClipsYesYesNoFree
CapCutNoEnd-card removableVariesFree + subscription
CaptionsNoYesVariesSubscription
MixCaptionsNoNoYesFree + IAP

Disclosure: we build Subly. The comparison above is kept factual — every column is something you can verify in each app.

The apps, in detail

Subly

On-device captioning: transcribes and exports entirely on your iPhone, so it works offline and never uploads your footage. Free to download; word-by-word styles, with watermark-free export after a one-time $4.99 in-app purchase (no subscription), and SRT/VTT export. Best for: private/offline captioning, no-watermark exports, and anyone who hates subscriptions. We build it — see our honesty policy.

Apple Clips

Apple's free app adds Live Titles — auto-captions — to videos you record or import in Clips, on-device and watermark-free. Styling is limited and there's no SRT export. Best for: a quick, free, clean caption when you don't need custom style or a subtitle file.

Apple Clips on the App Store →

CapCut

Powerful free editor with cloud auto-captions and animated styles. Captioning needs internet, and it adds a default end-card you should delete for a clean export; some features are paywalled. Owned by ByteDance, and your media is processed in the cloud. Best for: heavy editing and trendy styles when you're online and privacy isn't a concern.

CapCut on the App Store →

Captions

A polished, AI-heavy captioning and creator app with strong animated styles. Cloud-based and subscription-priced. Best for: creators who caption constantly and want an all-in-one studio, and don't mind a monthly fee.

Captions on the App Store →

MixCaptions

Long-standing iPhone caption app that transcribes in the cloud and can export SRT. The free tier watermarks and caps length; a purchase removes that. Best for: simple subtitle jobs when you're online and want an SRT out.

MixCaptions on the App Store →

FAQ

Is there a free way to add captions on iPhone without an app?
For videos you record, Apple's free Clips app adds Live Titles automatically. For posting, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube each have a built-in auto-caption tool. They're free but online, platform-locked, and offer limited styling — a dedicated app gives you control, offline use and a clean export.
Which app adds captions without a watermark?
Subly is free to download and exports watermark-free after a one-time $4.99 in-app purchase. CapCut exports without a watermark if you remove the end-card. Many 'free' web tools stamp a watermark unless you subscribe — check before you export.
Do any of these work offline?
Subly transcribes and exports fully on-device, so it works in airplane mode. Most others (and all browser tools) need a connection to transcribe in the cloud.

Prices and features as of 2026-06-28; check the App Store listing for the latest.