GuidesMay 18, 20267 min read
Best Free Subtitle Translators in 2026 (Compared)
A practical comparison of the best free subtitle translation tools in 2026, including features, format support, pricing, and what each tool does well.
Comparison
A practical comparison of the best free subtitle translation tools in 2026, including features, format support, pricing, and what each tool does well.
Comparison
Some tools require video upload. Some only handle SRT. Some are free but limited. This guide compares the real options available in 2026 so you can pick the right one for your workflow.
Key takeaways
Before comparing tools, here is what actually matters for subtitle translation:
Approach: File-based subtitle translation. Upload your subtitle file directly — no video needed.
What it does well:
Free tier: 3 translation credits on signup. Each credit translates one file.
Pricing: Credit packs starting from a few dollars. Subscription plans available for regular use.
Best for: Anyone who already has subtitle files and wants fast, accurate translation without uploading video.
Approach: Video-first platform with subtitle translation as one feature among many.
What it does well:
Limitations:
Free tier: Limited video length, watermarked exports.
Best for: Creators who need video editing and subtitle generation in one tool.
Approach: Online video editor with AI subtitle generation and translation.
What it does well:
Limitations:
Free tier: Limited exports with watermark.
Best for: Teams doing collaborative video editing who also need subtitles.
Approach: Transcription and subtitle service with translation capabilities.
What it does well:
Limitations:
Free tier: Limited trial minutes.
Best for: Professional transcription workflows where translation is a secondary need.
Approach: Video subtitle tool focused on social media creators.
What it does well:
Limitations:
Free tier: Limited video minutes.
Best for: Social media creators who want styled, burned-in subtitles.
Approach: AI-powered transcription, subtitling, and voiceover platform.
What it does well:
Limitations:
Free tier: Limited trial minutes.
Best for: Enterprise teams needing transcription, translation, and voiceover together.
| Feature | Translate My Subtitle | VEED | Kapwing | Happy Scribe | SubtitleBee | Maestra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video upload required | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SRT/VTT input | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| ASS/SSA support | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Batch translation | Yes (5 files) | No | No | No | No | No |
| Bilingual output | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Timing preserved | Always | N/A | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free credits | 3 files | Limited | Limited | Limited | Limited | Limited |
| Best for | File translation | Video editing | Team video | Transcription | Social media | Enterprise |
If you already have subtitle files (downloaded from YouTube, extracted from video, or received from a translator), use a file-based tool like Translate My Subtitle. You skip the video upload step entirely, keep your timecodes intact, and get a translated file back in seconds.
If you need to generate subtitles from scratch (no existing subtitle file), you will need a video-based tool first to create the initial transcription. After that, you can either translate within that tool or download the generated subtitle file and translate it with a dedicated subtitle translator for better results.
If you need video editing too, tools like VEED or Kapwing make sense because you are already in a video editing workflow.
Next step
Upload your subtitle file and get a translated version back in seconds. No video upload, no watermarks, no length limits. 3 free credits to start.
Translate a subtitle fileTranslation accuracy depends more on the AI model and context handling than the tool itself. Translate My Subtitle uses Gemini 2.5 Flash with context-aware translation, which produces strong results across most language pairs. For best accuracy with any tool, provide clean source subtitles with proper punctuation.
Yes — if you use a file-based subtitle translator. Most video editing platforms require video upload because their subtitle features are built around video processing. Translate My Subtitle works directly with subtitle files (SRT, VTT, ASS, etc.), so you never need to upload video.
For batch work like TV seasons, Translate My Subtitle's batch feature (up to 5 files at once) is the most practical free option. The 3 free credits cover 3 episodes, and credit packs are inexpensive for the rest. Video-based tools would require uploading every episode individually, which is impractical for a full season.