Do you need subtitles for movies you just downloaded? Or maybe you want to download captions from YouTube videos and online lectures to keep them as notes for later reference? A good subtitle downloader saves you the trouble of manually typing everything yourself.
Today's subtitle tools have become smarter, faster, and more accurate, so it's easy to grab captions even in different languages. Still, different tools serve different qualities. Some offer different features than the others.
This guide is your go-to resource to find the best subtitle downloaders. We'll explore a wide range of tools, from free websites to subtitle downloaders that work fast with more professional options.
Part 1. Best Subtitle Downloader Software for Saved Videos
For creators who need to do more than simply download a subtitle file, a comprehensive video editing solution like Wondershare Filmora is the best choice. It provides a professional-grade solution that allows you to extract subtitles from a video with full editing tools.
Instead of solely relying on existing subtitle files from the web, Filmora can also generate subtitles automatically from the video's audio. It's a huge time-saver for users who don't already have caption files. And if your downloaded video already has soft-coded subtitles, you can easily extract, edit, and customize them directly within the editor.
Secure DownloadWhat you can do with Filmora:
- Extract subtitles from a downloaded video: If your downloaded video already has soft-coded subtitles, Filmora can extract them for you with its Subtitle Extractor tool.
- Auto-generate captions from videos: With Filmora's Auto Caption feature, you don't need an existing SRT file. Powered by AI, it analyzes your video's audio and automatically generates an accurate, time-coded transcript.
- Customize and edit subtitles: After generating or extracting subtitles, you can easily edit and correct any errors and fully customize the style. This level of creative control is unmatched by simple online downloaders.
- Translate subtitles to different languages: Filmora offers an AI-powered translation tool, which allows you to translate your captions into multiple languages instantly. This is an essential feature when you're reaching a global audience.
Subtitle Formats: Filmora allows you to import and export subtitles in the industry-standard SRT and ASS formats. It's broadly compatible with video players, social platforms, and other editing tools.
Video Formats: Filmora supports a wide range of video formats for import, including all popular types like MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, MPEG, and FLV.
Wondershare Filmora - Filmora Subtitle Extractor
Part 2. Subtitle Downloaders for Online Streaming Platforms
For quick, one-time subtitle downloads from online videos, web-based subtitle downloader tools are convenient. You don't need to install anything. You can just upload the video and download the subtitle text. This works great when you want captions from a YouTube video for a quick transcript or a personal project.
1. DownSub
DownSub is a free subtitle downloader for users who simply want the text file without any fuss. You can download from various video streaming platforms. Just paste a video URL, and it provides you with a list of available subtitle files to download.
You can upgrade your plan for $5/month for an ad-free experience and the ability to auto-translate and download multiple subtitles.
2. Download YouTube Subtitles
As the name suggests, this is a dedicated free subtitle downloader for YouTube videos. You simply paste the URL, and it presents all available subtitle options, which include auto-generated and official ones, for download. No need to sign in to your YouTube account to use it.
3. NoteGPT
NoteGPT goes beyond simple transcription. With its AI, NoteGPT transcribes, summarizes, and even downloads YouTube subtitles. The tool provides a summary and mind map alongside the transcript, making it a great learning resource.
Free users without a login can only download a video subtitle once. Signing up for an account comes with 15 free quotas each month.
4. Notary
If you just need a quick way to grab subtitles, Notary is another excellent option for downloading YouTube captions. But unlike many other subtitle downloaders, it provides the transcript in plain text, which you can easily copy, share, or paste anywhere you like.
On top of that, it comes with a summary feature that condenses the video's key points for easier review. You can also create timestamped notes to keep track of important moments in long videos.
Part 3. Best Subtitle Downloaders for Films/Movies
For movies, subtitles may either be embedded directly within the video file or provided separately. If the movie you downloaded doesn't include subtitles, or if you'd like to have the subtitles in another language, you can find them on subtitle libraries, community sites, and databases that host multiple versions for both classic and newly released films.
The subtitle is often distributed independently in standardized formats such as SRT, ASS, or VTT. The following list is some of the best free subtitle downloader websites for movies.
1. SRTfiles
SRTfiles is a community-driven database that offers high-quality .srt subtitle files. Instead of working as a hosting platform, it helps users by recommending related websites where they can find and download the subtitles they need.
2. Subdl
Subdl is an easy-to-use website that collects subtitles from many sources and puts them in one big searchable database. You can find subtitles for both popular movies and TV shows, as well as lesser-known ones. Its clean design makes searching quick and simple.
3. Open Subtitles
Open Subtitles has one of the oldest libraries of subtitles in lots of different languages for both movies and TV shows. You can find plenty of newer titles here, but it's especially good if you're into classics. Searching is simple too, since you can even use an IMDb ID to track down the exact subtitles you need.
Conclusion
There are plenty of options for downloading subtitles. For quick, one-time tasks, free subtitle downloaders like DownSub or Download YouTube Subtitles are fast and convenient. If you're looking for subtitles for movies or TV shows, community sites like Open Subtitles and Subdl are excellent resources.
But for content creators who want more, an all-in-one video editor with built-in subtitle tools offers much greater value. Wondershare Filmora stands out here. Not only can you download subtitles from a video file, but you can also generate accurate AI-generated captions with full customization.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why do the subtitles I download not sync with the videos?
This problem often happens when the subtitles were made for a slightly different version of the video. For example, a longer director's cut or a file with a different frame rate. A mismatch in frame rates is one of the most common causes. -
Can I download subtitles in multiple languages?
Yes, most of the platforms mentioned in the article provide subtitle files in dozens or even hundreds of languages, so you can pick the one you need. Some tools, like Filmora, even include a built-in AI translation feature to make things even easier. -
Are subtitle downloader tools safe?
The websites listed in this guide are generally safe to use. Still, you should be careful with pop-up ads or misleading download buttons, as they could contain malware. For better privacy and security, a trusted software like Filmora is often the safer choice. Since everything is processed on your own computer, you won't need to upload videos to third-party servers. -
How do I embed subtitles into a video permanently?
To embed subtitles permanently (also called “hardcoding”), you'll need a video editor or converter. Once you download the subtitle file, import both the video and the subtitles into an editor like Filmora.
