Guide
Auto captions vs subtitles
The words get used interchangeably, but the format you export changes what viewers can do with the text.
Last updated: 31 October 2026
TL;DR: “Auto captions” usually means captions generated from speech. “Subtitles” can mean the same on-screen text, or a sidecar file such as SRT/VTT. For social video, burn captions in. For platforms that manage captions, export the file.
The practical definitions
| Term | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Auto captions | Timed text generated automatically from speech, often with word-level timestamps. |
| Subtitles | Text that transcribes or translates dialogue. Can be burned in or delivered as SRT/VTT. |
| Closed captions | Captions the viewer can toggle, usually including non-speech audio and speaker labels. |
| Open captions | Captions burned into the video; always visible. |
| Transcript | The spoken text, not necessarily broken into readable caption lines. |
Why the distinction matters
A sidecar file is editable, searchable and toggleable. A burned-in caption is permanent and platform-independent. The same caption text can be exported both ways, but the viewer experience is different. If you only deliver the file to a platform that ignores it, the viewer sees no captions. If you only burn in, viewers who need a larger font or a different language cannot adjust the track.
Which should you use?
- YouTube: upload SRT/VTT so viewers can toggle and search the transcript. Burn in only if you need captions on embeds that ignore tracks.
- TikTok, Reels, Shorts: burn in. The feed is vertical, often muted, and the platform UI rewards on-screen text.
- Courses and LMS: deliver SRT/VTT and review the wording; some platforms also want a transcript.
- Ads: burn in. You cannot rely on the viewer enabling captions.
What “accessible” actually requires
Captions are an accessibility feature. WCAG 1.2.2 asks for accurate, synchronized captions for prerecorded video. Auto captions are a starting point; reviewing names, timing, speaker labels and meaningful sounds is what makes them usable. A clean SRT file is not automatically compliant.
FAQ
Are auto captions the same as subtitles?
In everyday use, people say “captions” for on-screen text and “subtitles” for both on-screen text and sidecar files. Technically, captions include non-speech audio and are designed for accessibility; subtitles usually translate dialogue.
Should I export SRT or burn captions in?
Export SRT/VTT when the platform can toggle captions. Burn captions into the video for social feeds, ads and anywhere viewers watch on mute.
Is closed captioning different?
Closed captions are captions the viewer can turn on or off, usually with sound descriptions and speaker labels. Open (burned-in) captions are always visible.