Quick Answer
To add subtitles to a video: (1) Burn them in — export an MP4 with captions permanently embedded, best for social media. (2) Add an SRT file — upload a subtitle track to YouTube, Vimeo, or your LMS. (3) Use a subtitle generator — tools like Capto transcribe and export either format automatically.
What's the Difference: Burned-In vs. Soft Subtitles?
There are two fundamentally different ways to add subtitles to a video:
Soft subtitles (SRT/VTT files) are separate files that travel alongside the video. The viewer's player or platform reads the file and renders the captions on top of the video. Viewers can turn them on or off, and the same SRT file can be translated into multiple languages. YouTube, Vimeo, Udemy, Teachable, and most course platforms accept SRT uploads.
Burned-in (hardcoded) subtitles are rendered directly onto the video frames during export. They're permanently part of the video file — visible on every platform, on every device, without any viewer action. They can't be turned off, toggled, or re-translated. Burned-in captions are standard for social platforms (Instagram, TikTok, X) that don't support separate subtitle tracks.
Which you need depends on where you're publishing:
- YouTube: upload an SRT — viewers can toggle on/off
- Instagram Reels, TikTok, X: burn in — no subtitle track support
- Online courses (Kajabi, Teachable, Thinkific): SRT if the platform supports it; burned-in if not
- LinkedIn: both work — SRT upload or burned-in MP4
Method 1: Burn Subtitles Into Video Permanently
Burning subtitles into a video is the right choice for social media, client deliverables, and any situation where you want captions always visible without relying on a platform subtitle feature.
Using Capto:
- Upload your video (MP4, MOV, WebM, MKV)
- AI transcribes automatically — review and edit any errors
- Go to the Style tab and choose a caption style (font, color, position)
- Go to Export → Burned-In MP4 → click Export
- Download the finished MP4 with captions baked in
The burned-in export costs 2 credits per minute (on top of 1 credit/min for transcription). For a 5-minute video, that's 15 credits — about $0.45 using the Essential pack.
Method 2: Add an SRT File (Best for YouTube, Vimeo, Course Platforms)
An SRT file is the most versatile subtitle format. Generate one with Capto (or any transcription tool), then upload it to your platform of choice:
YouTube: YouTube Studio → select video → Subtitles → Add language → Upload file → select .SRT → Publish
Vimeo: Your video settings → Distribution → Subtitles → Add caption track → upload .SRT
Teachable: Course builder → Lecture → Captions → Upload file → select .SRT
Kajabi: Video post → Subtitles → Upload → select .SRT
All of these platforms handle the rendering — you never see the raw SRT file as a viewer, only the correctly-timed captions.
How to Add Subtitles to MP4 Files
MP4 is a container format that can hold either soft or burned-in subtitles:
- Soft subtitles in MP4: Some MP4 players (VLC, QuickTime) can display a .SRT file if it's in the same folder with the same filename. Most online platforms strip embedded text tracks on upload.
- Burned-in subtitles in MP4: Use a tool like Capto to render the captions onto the video frames and export a new MP4. This is the reliable approach — the captions will appear everywhere.
How to Add Subtitles to YouTube Videos
Generate an SRT file in Capto (upload your video → transcribe → export SRT), then in YouTube Studio: select your video → Subtitles → Add language → Upload file → with timing → select .SRT → Publish. For step-by-step instructions, see our YouTube subtitle guide →
How to Add Subtitles to Instagram Reels and TikTok
Instagram and TikTok don't support SRT file uploads — they rely on either their built-in auto-caption tools (inaccurate, can't be styled) or burned-in captions in the video file. The reliable approach: export a burned-in MP4 from Capto and upload that directly. For detailed instructions, see our Instagram Reels caption guide → and TikTok captions feature →
How to Add Subtitles to MOV Files
MOV files work identically to MP4 for subtitle purposes. Upload the .MOV file to Capto — it's accepted natively. Capto will transcribe and give you the option to export either an SRT file or a burned-in MOV/MP4 with captions rendered in. QuickTime Player on Mac can display a .SRT file if it's in the same folder, but for online publishing, a burned-in export is more reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add subtitles to a video for free?
Yes — Capto includes 5 free minutes on every new account, no credit card required. That's enough to subtitle a short video and export an SRT or burned-in MP4 at no cost.
Do subtitles help with SEO?
On YouTube, yes — the transcript is indexed by Google and YouTube search, which helps your video appear in search results for spoken keywords. Burned-in subtitles on social media don't contribute to SEO directly, but they increase watch time and shares, which are indirect ranking signals.
Can I add subtitles in multiple languages?
Yes. After transcription in Capto, translate into any of 60+ languages. Download a separate SRT for each language and upload them to YouTube as separate subtitle tracks. Each viewer sees captions in their own language automatically.
Ready to add subtitles to your video? Start free on Capto → 5 minutes included, no credit card required.