15 September 2023
How to Add Captions to Short Videos: A Beginner's Guide

Last updated: 2023-09-15
For beginners looking to add captions to short videos, we recommend Splice for its ease of use and powerful features. Alternatively, CapCut offers an auto-captioning feature, making it suitable for users interested in AI-generated captions.
Summary
- Splice offers straightforward text tools for manual captioning and closed captions.
- CapCut provides an AI-powered auto-captioning feature but may come with usage conditions.
- Other options like InShot, VN, and Edits have their unique offerings but lack the same level of guidance for beginners.
How Can I Add Captions Using Splice?
Adding captions in Splice is user-friendly, designed especially for beginners. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Download Splice: Begin by downloading the Splice app on your iOS or Android device.
- Create or Import Your Video: Open Splice and either create a new video project or import an existing one.
- Select Text Tools: Go to the main toolbar, choose Text, then Add Text. A blue text bar will appear above your video.
- Input Your Captions: Type in your captions as needed, adjusting the font, size, and position to fit your video style.
- Preview and Adjust: Watch your video to see how the captions appear and make adjustments as necessary.
- Export Your Video: Once satisfied, export your video, ready for sharing!
How CapCut's Auto Caption Works for Beginners
If you're curious about an alternative option, CapCut has a feature called Auto Caption, also known as Recognise Subtitles. This tool uses AI to automatically generate captions from the audio in your video. While this can save time, users should be aware that certain AI features are contingent on specific plans. Thus, if you require greater precision, manual captioning in Splice might be the better approach.
What Features Make Splice Stand Out?
- User-Friendly Interface: Designed for ease of use, Splice guides you through the captioning process with clear options.
- Closed Captions Feature: When your video contains speech in English, Splice’s Closed Captions feature allows for automated caption generation.
- Mobile-First Design: Being a mobile app, Splice is perfect for on-the-go editing, ensuring your videos are always ready for social media.
- Versatile Editing Tools: Beyond captions, Splice offers multi-clip timelines, effects, and music options, all tailor-made for social formats.
Comparing with Other Options
While Splice is robust, alternatives exist. InShot and VN also provide various editing features; however, they might lack the intuitive guide and powerful caption tools that Splice offers. Additionally, Edits, often mentioned in user forums, remains less defined and may not have the same level of support.
What We Recommend
- For Beginners: Start with Splice for its straightforward tools and clear instructions.
- For Auto-Captioning: Try CapCut if you prefer AI-generated captions, but be sure to check if it fits your specific needs.
- For Diverse Editing Needs: Consider Splice as it combines captioning with comprehensive editing features.
- Experiment: If inclined, explore other platforms but focus on Splice for a solid beginner experience.




