In short
Review is a built-in step
Subtitle Edit's documentation lists no roles, assignments, line comments, or approval. In CaptionsHero, each language has an editor and a reviewer who approves.
One shared workspace
Subtitle Edit opens and saves files on the computer where it is installed. CaptionsHero keeps videos, subtitles, and status in one organization that members open in a browser.
Free, and deep on formats
Subtitle Edit costs nothing for any team size and opens 380+ subtitle formats. CaptionsHero imports and exports SRT and VTT only.
CaptionsHero vs Subtitle Edit
| Feature | Subtitle Edit | CaptionsHero |
|---|---|---|
| Team workflow | ||
| Editor and reviewer assigned for each language | Not in its documentation | Yes |
| Reviewers comment on exact lines | Not in its documentation | Yes |
| Request changes and approve | Not in its documentation | Yes |
| Status of every language across projects | Not in its documentation | Yes |
| Pricing and access | ||
| Price | Free, MIT license | Free Solo plan; Team $149/mo flat |
| Where it runs | Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop | In the browser |
| Videos and subtitles stay private | Offline app; files stay on your computer | Private to your organization |
| Editor and AI | ||
| Waveform timeline | Yes | Yes |
| Netflix-style QC checks | Yes | Yes |
| AI transcription and translation | Local models, free engines, or your own API keys | Included AI minutes, 82 translation languages |
| Subtitle formats | 380+ formats | SRT and VTT |
Why teams move from Subtitle Edit
Review before delivery
A subtitle file passes from draft to review to approved inside the tool. Each reviewer sees what is waiting for them.
One place for every language
Subtitle Edit's documentation lists no progress view across files. CaptionsHero shows the state of every language and video, so a lead can see what is still open.
Nothing to install
Reviewers open CaptionsHero in a browser. On Windows, Subtitle Edit downloads FFmpeg and libmpv the first time you need them.
No more final_v3_REVIEWED.srt.
Stop passing files around. Edit, review, and approve in one place.
English
Draft312 cues · Saved 2026.10.07 3:41 PM
Spanish
Translating…Needs editorTranslating…312 cues · Saved 2026.10.07 3:42 PM
Korean
Translating…Needs editorTranslating…312 cues · Saved 2026.10.07 3:42 PM
Spanish
Needs editorDraft312 cues · Saved 2026.10.07 3:42 PM
Editor
Reviewer
los rostros.
“Rostros” reads stiff here. Try “caras”.
Daniel Cho · 2026.10.07 4:10 PM
Spanish
In reviewApproved312 cues · Saved 2026.10.07 4:32 PM
What it costs: CaptionsHero vs Subtitle Edit
Monthly list prices, paid monthly. Subtitle Edit is free for any number of people.
| Team size | Subtitle Edit | CaptionsHero |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | Free | Free, or $29 with 500 AI minutes |
| Team of 8 | Free | $149 (Team) |
| Team of 20 | Free | $399 (Studio) |
Subtitle Edit is free, so it always costs less. But its documentation lists no assign, review, or approve workflow. CaptionsHero includes it, with email notifications, AI minutes for transcription and translation, a REST API, and Cloudflare Stream and YouTube integration.
Subtitle Edit or CaptionsHero?
Choose Subtitle Edit if
- You work alone, review your own work, and want a free tool with no limits.
- You deliver EBU STL, SCC, or ASS, you need OCR for Blu-ray or DVD subtitle images, or you burn subtitles into video on your own machine.
- Your audio must stay on your own computer, with local speech-to-text and local translation models.
Choose CaptionsHero if
- More than one person works on each file, and you need to know who has it and what is still open.
- A reviewer checks each language before delivery, with comments on exact lines, request changes, and approval.
- Everyone works in a browser, with nothing to download and no FFmpeg or libmpv setup on each Windows PC.
- Email tells each person when work is assigned, commented on, or approved.
- AI transcription and translation in 82 languages are in the plan, with no API keys to manage.
- You deliver SRT or VTT and need no other formats.
Common questions
Is CaptionsHero cheaper than Subtitle Edit?
No. Subtitle Edit is free for any team size. CaptionsHero costs more because it adds shared projects, assignments, review, approval, and AI minutes.
Is Subtitle Edit free?
Yes. Its FAQ says it uses the MIT license, with no ads or limits. CaptionsHero also has a free Solo plan for one person, with 20 AI minutes to try.
Is Subtitle Edit safe to use?
Its README says the app works offline and does not collect your subtitle or media files. Optional online services receive only the data each request needs. Download it from the official Releases page.
Does Subtitle Edit run on Mac?
Yes. Subtitle Edit 5 runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The macOS download is signed and notarized by Apple.
Can a team work together in Subtitle Edit?
Its documentation lists no shared projects, roles, or review comments. In CaptionsHero, members work in one organization with assignments and approval.
Can I move my Subtitle Edit subtitles to CaptionsHero?
Yes. Save the file as SRT or VTT in Subtitle Edit, then import it into CaptionsHero.
Ready to move on from Subtitle Edit?
Bring your SRT files, invite your team, and start today.
Free forever plan. No card required. No sales call.
- Every language gets a translator and a reviewer
- Feedback on the exact line, not in an email thread
- Only the approved version ships
- See who's holding up which language
- AI drafts in 82 languages, or bring your SRT
- Private, in the browser, nothing to install
Sources
- Subtitle Edit overview, checked 2026.10.13 (archived)
- Subtitle Edit FAQ, checked 2026.10.13 (archived)
- Subtitle Edit README (platforms and privacy), checked 2026.10.13 (archived)
- Check and fix Netflix errors, checked 2026.10.13 (archived)
- Audio visualizer (waveform), checked 2026.10.13 (archived)
- Speech to text, checked 2026.10.13 (archived)
- Auto translate, checked 2026.10.13 (archived)
- Supported subtitle formats, checked 2026.10.13 (archived)
- Burn-in subtitles, checked 2026.10.13 (archived)
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