Captions App Alternatives on iPhone

Despite its name, the Captions app, made by Mirage, is a full AI video editor, with a chat-based editor, AI edits, avatars, subtitles in 91+ languages and dubbing into 29, according to its App Store description. If you use it mainly for captions, or the price no longer fits, there are cheaper or more focused options.

For reference, Captions lists Captions Basic at $9.99 a month or $64.99 a year, and Captions Max at $24.99 (US App Store, checked October 17, 2026). The alternatives below use the same kind of listed prices. One of them, CapCap, is the app we make.

First, what do you use Captions for?

• Only captions: a free or cheaper caption app will do.
• Captions in other languages: you need translation, and ideally a subtitle file for YouTube.
• Dubbing: you need an app that generates a new voice track, and maybe lip sync.
• AI editing and avatars: this is where Captions is strongest, and the apps below don't try to match it.

1. CapCap

CapCap is a caption app first. It writes captions word by word, lets you edit any word or sentence, style them, translate them and export the video or an SRT file. It can also dub into another language, with an option to keep a voice modeled on the speaker's own.

• Instead of Captions for: captions, translated captions and dubbing without the AI editing suite.
• What you give up: AI edits, avatars and lip sync. iPhone only, iOS 18 or later.
• Price: free plan with 3 captioned videos a month, up to 3 minutes each, with a small watermark. Pro is $14.99 a month or $59.99 a year.

2. Edits (by Instagram)

Free, with no in-app purchases. Its description lists automatic captions you can restyle and 4K export without a watermark.

• Instead of Captions for: plain captions at no cost.
• What you give up: translation, dubbing and subtitle files, which its listing doesn't mention.

3. HeyGen: Translate Video

If dubbing is why you use Captions, HeyGen Translate goes further. Its description says it dubs into 175+ languages, clones your voice and re-syncs your lips.

• Instead of Captions for: dubbing talking-head videos into many languages.
• What you give up: a general editor. It's built for translation.
• Price: HeyGen Creator is listed at $10 a week, $29 a month or $279 a year, plus credit packs.

4. VEED Lite

VEED's iPhone app lists auto captions, translation and automatic removal of silences and filler words, for clips up to 10 minutes. VEED's full app and website cover longer edits.

• Instead of Captions for: quick captioned clips with the pauses cut out.
• Price: "Mobile PRO" purchases are listed from $2.99 to $51.99.

5. InShot

A long-running, low-cost editor with AI auto captions and bilingual subtitles.

• Instead of Captions for: a regular video editor that also does captions, at a lower price.
• Price: InShot Pro is listed at $4.99 a month, $19.99 a year or $49.99 once.

Quick picks

• Captions and translation, lower price: CapCap.
• Free captions: Edits.
• Dubbing with lip sync: HeyGen.
• Cut pauses automatically: VEED Lite.
• Cheap all-round editor: InShot.

Comparing the two big names directly? See VEED vs Captions.

CapCap isn't affiliated with any app mentioned here. App names are trademarks of their owners. Prices are as listed on the date shown above.