A free, on-device Captions alternative

Start with three free captioned videos a day, without creating an account. Pro adds watermark removal and animated styles. It transcribes and burns in captions right on your iPhone — three videos a day free, on-device transcription available.

Add captions free Try it in your browser

Processed on device Captions in ~1 minute No card to start

The Captions app is a capable, full-featured AI video tool — but it leans on cloud processing, an account, and a subscription for its best features. If all you really need is fast, readable subtitles on your phone, that's a lot of overhead. Just Captions takes the opposite approach: one job, done locally, in about a minute.

Side by side

Just Captions vs. the Captions app

	Just Captions	Captions app
Where it runs	On your device	In the cloud
Footage uploaded	Local in on-device mode; optional cloud recognition sends audio	Uploaded for processing
Works offline	On-device recognition after model download; AI features need internet	No
Account required	No	Yes
Price to start	3 videos/day; watermark included	Free trial, then subscription
Auto transcription	Yes	Yes
AI translate	33+ languages	Yes
Batch videos	Up to 20	Varies by plan
Focus	Fast, readable captions	Full video editing suite

Competitor details are based on publicly available information and may change — check their site for the latest.

Why people switch

Less app, more done

What you gain

On-device recognition available; cloud features are optional
No subscription wall to get readable captions
No login, no waiting on an upload or a render queue
Works on a plane, on the subway, anywhere offline

When the Captions app fits better

You want a full editing suite, not just subtitles
You rely on AI eye-contact or avatar features
You edit mainly on desktop and want sync

We'd rather be honest about fit. If you need a captioning workhorse that's free, private and instant, Just Captions is the easy pick.

FAQ

Switching questions

Is there a free alternative to the Captions app?

Yes. Just Captions lets you caption up to three videos a day free, with a watermark and no account. It transcribes and burns in subtitles on your device, so nothing is uploaded.

Does Just Captions work without an account?

Yes. You don't need to create an account or sign in to caption a clip — download the app and start. That's a key difference from cloud-based caption apps.

What makes Just Captions different?

Captions can be generated on your device, so your video stays local with on-device recognition and on-device recognition works offline after the model download. It's focused on doing one thing fast: clean, readable subtitles in about a minute.

Can I try it before downloading?

Yes — the free online tool captions a clip right in your browser, on your device, so you can feel the engine before installing the app.

Captions without the overhead. That's it.

Three videos a day free, no card, on-device transcription available. Drop in a clip and watch the captions write themselves.

Download on theApp Store

Just Captions 2.6: three videos a day free, with a watermark. Choose from 15 styles: seven static styles are free; animated styles require Pro, with one free single-video Emoji export. Pro removes the watermark. On-device transcription is available after the model download. Optional cloud recognition sends audio for processing; AI editing and translation send caption text. These online features need a connection.

Compare options for your workflow: Captions app alternative, Submagic alternative, or CapCut alternative for captions.