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Guide · Open source

How to use Subtitle Edit: install, edit and convert subtitles

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Subtitle Edit is a desktop application for creating, editing and converting subtitle files. According to its README, it runs offline and includes video playback, so you can time and adjust subtitles while watching the video. This guide is for people who work with captions or translations and want to install it, check requirements and get started.

Subtitle EditSubtitleEdit/subtitleedit · ★ 14.8k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Check your system. Confirm your OS meets the README minimums. On Windows, use Windows 10 22H2 or newer; on macOS, use 12 or newer, with 14 recommended.
  2. 2Download the build. Go to the Releases page on GitHub and download the package for your platform.
  3. 3Install the app. On Windows, run the installer. On macOS, mount the .dmg and drag Subtitle Edit.app to Applications. On Linux, install the Flatpak package.
  4. 4Install video dependencies (native Linux only). If you use the .tar.gz build, install mpv and ffmpeg with your package manager so video works.
  5. 5Open a subtitle file. Launch Subtitle Edit and open the subtitle file you want to fix or convert.
  6. 6Adjust timing and text. Use the built-in video playback to check timing while you edit the text.
  7. 7Save the result. Save your edited or converted subtitle file. Local auto-backup runs on your device as a safeguard.

Check the system requirements first

On Windows, the README lists Windows 10 version 22H2 (build 19045) or newer, fully updated. Older Windows 10 builds (2004, 20H2, 21H1 and 21H2) are end-of-life and may fail to start with a .NET runtime error (0x80131506).

On macOS, the minimum is macOS 12 (Monterey). The README recommends macOS 14 (Sonoma) or newer, and notes that the app starts on 12 and 13 but that combination is not tested against the .NET runtime.

  • Windows: Windows 10 version 22H2 (build 19045) or newer, fully updated
  • macOS: 12 minimum, 14 recommended
  • Linux: a Flatpak package bundles its dependencies; native builds need mpv and ffmpeg for video

Install Subtitle Edit on Windows or macOS

Download the latest builds from the Releases page on the project's GitHub repository. On macOS, the .dmg is signed and notarized by Apple as of v5.2.0, so it opens without a Terminal step. The .dmg bundles libmpv and ffmpeg, so you do not need MacPorts or Homebrew.

  • Download and double-click the .dmg file to mount it.
  • Drag Subtitle Edit.app into your Applications folder.
  • Open Subtitle Edit from Applications or Launchpad.

Install Subtitle Edit on Linux

The simplest route on any distribution is the Flatpak package from the Releases page. It bundles mpv and ffmpeg, so no separate installation is needed. Install it and run it with the commands below.

If you prefer native builds (.tar.gz), install mpv and ffmpeg first using your distribution's package manager. The README gives commands for Debian/Ubuntu, Arch, Fedora and openSUSE. The provided builds do not require a separate .NET installation.

  • Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y mpv libmpv-dev ffmpeg
  • Arch: sudo pacman -S mpv ffmpeg
  • Fedora: sudo dnf install mpv-libs ffmpeg-free (or ffmpeg from RPM Fusion)
  • openSUSE: sudo zypper install mpv ffmpeg
flatpak install SubtitleEdit-linux-x64.flatpak flatpak run dk.nikse.subtitleedit

Edit and time subtitles offline

Subtitle Edit runs locally. Editing, converting, video playback and local auto-backup all run on your device, according to the README's privacy section. Because video playback is built in, you can adjust timing while watching the video rather than switching between tools.

The README says optional third-party online services (such as translation, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, OCR or dictionary lookups) are available. Only the data needed for that request is sent to the chosen provider, and that provider's privacy policy applies. If you want to avoid this, simply do not use those services.

Convert subtitles between formats

Subtitle Edit is also used for converting subtitle files between formats. Open your existing subtitle file, choose the format you need and save the result. The README does not list the full set of supported formats, so check the documentation for the exact list.

Find more help and documentation

The project publishes documentation and an FAQ at subtitleedit.github.io/subtitleedit. The README also links to the author's help page at nikse.dk/SubtitleEdit/Help as the homepage. Support for the project is available through GitHub Sponsors and PayPal, though neither is required to use the app.

What people use it for

  • Fixing timing in a subtitle file that is out of sync with its video
  • Converting a subtitle file from one format to another
  • Editing translated captions offline without uploading files
  • Adjusting captions while watching the video in the same app

Frequently asked questions

Is Subtitle Edit free?

The README lists the licence as MIT, which is an open-source licence. It also links to optional donation options through GitHub Sponsors and PayPal, but the README does not list any price.

What are the requirements for Subtitle Edit?

On Windows, use Windows 10 version 22H2 (build 19045) or newer, fully updated. On macOS, the minimum is 12 and 14 is recommended. On Linux, the Flatpak bundles its dependencies, while native builds need mpv and ffmpeg.

How do I install Subtitle Edit on Linux?

Download the Flatpak package from the Releases page, then run flatpak install SubtitleEdit-linux-x64.flatpak and flatpak run dk.nikse.subtitleedit. Native .tar.gz builds need mpv and ffmpeg installed first.

Does Subtitle Edit work offline?

Yes. The README says it is an offline application and that editing, converting, video playback and local auto-backup run on your device. Only optional third-party online services send data out.

Why won't Subtitle Edit start on Windows 10?

The README says older Windows 10 builds (2004, 20H2, 21H1, 21H2) are end-of-life and may fail with a .NET runtime error (0x80131506). Update to Windows 10 22H2 or newer.

What are alternatives to Subtitle Edit?

The README names Aegisub, Subtitle Composer and Gaupol as comparable projects. The README does not compare features, so test the options against your own files.

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Our verdict

Subtitle Edit suits people who need to fix timing or text in existing subtitle files, convert formats, or edit offline on Windows, macOS or Linux. If you want a browser-only tool with nothing to install, or cloud collaboration, pick something else, since the README describes only local, downloadable desktop use.

Install options & downloads