Product Features Pricing FAQ Download for Mac
📖 Step-by-step guide · Updated April 2026

How to Add Subtitles
to a Video on Mac

4 methods compared — from AI-powered automation to manual text overlays. We'll cover which tools are free, which handle SRT files, and which can burn subtitles directly into your video.

In this guide

  1. Method 1: Vosuba AI (fastest — AI-powered, offline)
  2. Method 2: iMovie (manual text overlays)
  3. Method 3: DaVinci Resolve (professional editor)
  4. Method 4: HandBrake (burn existing SRT into video)

Method 1: Vosuba AI

Best for: Auto-generated subtitles with styled captions and SRT export

Price: Free (SRT) / $49+ (styled) Speed: ~30 seconds per minute of video Offline: ✓ Yes
  1. Download Vosuba from vosuba.com/download. Install it on your Mac — no account or internet required.
  2. Import your video. Drag and drop any file — MP4, MOV, MKV, or AVI.
  3. Click "Transcribe." Vosuba runs OpenAI's Whisper model locally on your Apple Silicon chip. It generates word-level timestamps in 99 languages.
  4. Edit in the timeline. Fix any misheard words, adjust timing, or split long segments. Changes are reflected in real-time on the video preview.
  5. Choose your output:
    • Export SRT/VTT — upload to YouTube, Vimeo, or import into Premiere Pro.
    • Burn into video — permanently embed styled captions into your video file for social media.

Pros

  • AI auto-generates subtitles (no typing)
  • 100% offline — no cloud upload
  • SRT export free and unlimited
  • Styled captions with 10 presets
  • WCAG compliance checker built in

Cons

  • macOS only (no Windows or web)
  • Styled captions require paid tier ($49+)
  • Not a full video editor (no cuts/transitions)

Best for: Creators and professionals who need subtitles fast, with professional export formats (SRT, VTT, ASS), without uploading footage to the cloud. The free tier is genuinely useful — unlimited AI transcription and SRT export with no watermark.

Method 2: iMovie

Best for: Quick manual text overlays on short clips

Price: Free (pre-installed) Speed: Slow (manual per-segment) Offline: ✓ Yes
  1. Open iMovie and create a new project.
  2. Import your video into the timeline.
  3. Click Titles in the toolbar. Choose a style (e.g. "Lower Third").
  4. Drag the title onto your timeline at the position where you want the subtitle.
  5. Double-click the title to edit the text. Manually type your subtitle.
  6. Adjust the duration by dragging the title's edges to match the spoken timing.
  7. Repeat for every line of dialogue.
  8. Export via Share > File.

Pros

  • Free and pre-installed on every Mac
  • No internet required
  • Simple interface

Cons

  • No auto-transcription — type every word
  • No SRT/VTT export
  • Extremely slow for long videos
  • Limited text positioning and styling

Method 3: DaVinci Resolve (Free)

Best for: Professional editing with full subtitle track control

Price: Free Speed: Moderate (manual or SRT import) Offline: ✓ Yes
  1. Download DaVinci Resolve from Blackmagic Design (free).
  2. Import your video into a new project.
  3. If you have an SRT file (e.g. from Vosuba): Go to File > Import > Subtitle and load your .srt file.
  4. If you don't have an SRT file: Create subtitles manually via the "Subtitle" track in the Edit or Fairlight page.
  5. Style your captions using the Inspector panel — font, size, colour, background.
  6. To burn subtitles into the video, enable the subtitle track before rendering in the Deliver page.

Pros

  • Professional-grade editor (free version)
  • Imports SRT/VTT files natively
  • Full styling control over subtitle appearance
  • Can burn-in or export subtitles separately

Cons

  • Steep learning curve for beginners
  • No auto-transcription (need SRT from another tool)
  • Large download (~3 GB)
  • Resource-intensive

Pro tip: Use Vosuba's free SRT generator to auto-transcribe your video, then import the .srt file into DaVinci Resolve for professional editing. This gives you AI accuracy + DaVinci's full editing power.

Method 4: HandBrake

Best for: Burning an existing SRT file into a video

Price: Free (open source) Speed: Fast (if you already have SRT) Offline: ✓ Yes
  1. Download HandBrake from handbrake.fr.
  2. Open your video file in HandBrake.
  3. Go to the Subtitles tab.
  4. Click Import SRT and select your .srt file.
  5. Check "Burn In" to permanently embed the subtitles.
  6. Choose your output format and click Start Encode.

Pros

  • Free and open source
  • Fast batch processing
  • Simple one-purpose workflow

Cons

  • Requires an existing SRT file
  • No auto-transcription
  • Very limited subtitle styling (no colours, no positioning)
  • Re-encodes the entire video (quality loss possible)

The fastest path: auto-generate + export

Vosuba turns any video into timed subtitles in seconds — no typing, no cloud, no subscription. Free SRT export, unlimited use.

Download Vosuba — Free Learn More →