Did you know that over 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss? That’s more than 5% of the global population! Ensuring video accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments is crucial, and closed captioning software plays a vital role in making this possible.
In this article, I will rank and review the best closed captioning software options available in 2025. Whether you need automated solutions, professional services, or tools for video editing, we have compiled a list of the top-rated closed captioning software that caters to various needs.
With the right closed captioning software, you can enhance the accessibility of your videos for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, making your content more inclusive and reaching a wider audience. So, let’s dive in and discover the best closed captioning software options available in 2025!
Key Takeaways:
- Over 466 million people globally have disabling hearing loss.
- Choosing the right closed captioning software is essential for enhancing video accessibility.
- We have ranked and reviewed the best options available in 2025.
- Closed captioning software offers automated solutions, professional services, and video editing tools.
- With the right software, you can make your content more inclusive and reach a wider audience.
Our Top Picks:
ToggleWhat is Closed Captioning Software?
Closed captioning software is an invaluable tool for enhancing the accessibility of audio and video media. It enables the addition of synchronized text captions, known as closed captions, to audio and video files. These captions facilitate understanding for viewers who may have difficulty hearing the content. Beyond aiding the hearing-impaired, closed captions can also provide supplementary information about the video, such as descriptions of sound effects or scene changes. Ultimately, closed captioning transforms multimedia into an inclusive experience, ensuring that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can fully engage with the content.
By incorporating closed captioning software, audio and video media gain new levels of accessibility, customization, and inclusivity. This powerful technology opens doors for a wider audience, allowing individuals with hearing impairments to enjoy the same content as those who can hear. Closed captioning software plays a vital role in breaking down barriers and fostering an inclusive digital landscape.
Best Overall: Rev
When it comes to closed captioning software, Rev is undoubtedly the best overall choice in the market. With their state-of-the-art technology and affordable pricing, Rev provides an exceptional experience for users looking to enhance accessibility in their videos.
One of the standout features of Rev is their automated transcription software. By simply uploading your audio or video files, you can receive accurate transcripts in a matter of minutes. This automated transcription process saves you time and effort, allowing you to focus on other important tasks.
Adding captions to your media is a breeze with Rev’s auto-captioning feature. It enables you to directly add captions onto your videos, making the entire process seamless and efficient. Plus, Rev’s automated transcriptions boast over 90% accuracy, ensuring that your captions are consistently high-quality.
For projects that require utmost precision, Rev also offers human transcription services and English closed captions with over 99% accuracy. This ensures that every word is accurately portrayed, providing an exceptional viewing experience for individuals with hearing impairments.
Customization is another standout feature of Rev. You have the ability to tailor your captions to suit your specific needs, whether it’s the font style, color, or placement. This level of customization allows you to maintain brand consistency and create a visually appealing viewing experience.
Rev’s software integrates seamlessly with popular media editing software, making it convenient for users to import captions into their video editing workflow. This integration streamlines the entire process, saving you time and effort.
Fast turnaround times are also a highlight of Rev’s services. Whether you need transcripts or captions, you can rely on Rev’s efficient workflow to deliver them promptly, allowing you to meet your deadlines without any hassle.
But what truly sets Rev apart is their commitment to affordable pricing. Despite offering top-notch quality and a range of features, Rev keeps their pricing accessible, making them a cost-effective choice for businesses and individuals alike.
Rev Overview:
Features | Pricing |
---|---|
Automated Transcription | Affordable |
Auto-captioning | |
Human Transcription Services | |
Customization Options | |
Integration with Media Editing Software | |
Fast Turnaround Times |
Rev is the ultimate choice for closed captioning software, combining accuracy, ease of use, and affordability. Whether you’re a content creator, business, or organization, Rev empowers you to make your videos accessible to a wider audience.
Best for Live Captions: Archive Captioning
When it comes to live captioning services, Archive Captioning stands out as a top choice. Their software is designed to provide automatic captioning for live video streams, making it easier to engage with audiences in real-time. With support for multiple languages, Archive Captioning ensures that your content reaches a global audience, breaking down language barriers.
One of the key features of Archive Captioning is its real-time speech recognition technology. This advanced functionality allows the software to accurately capture conversations, lectures, webinars, and other live events. By providing captions in real-time, Archive Captioning ensures that viewers can easily follow along even if they have hearing impairments or difficulty understanding spoken language.
Archive Captioning seamlessly integrates with popular video and conferencing software, making it a convenient solution for individuals or businesses in need of live captioning. The platform also offers the ability to transcribe uploaded media files, allowing you to create captions for pre-recorded content.
With a user-friendly interface, Archive Captioning makes it easy to edit and adjust captions on the go. Whether you need to make quick corrections or fine-tune the captions for optimal accuracy, the platform provides a hassle-free experience.
Experience the power of real-time captioning and improve accessibility for your live events with Archive Captioning.
“With Archive Captioning’s real-time captioning features, we can ensure that our live events are accessible to all viewers, irrespective of their language or hearing abilities. The seamless integration and user-friendly interface make it a top choice for us. Highly recommended!” – [Author Name]
Best for Larger Projects: 3Play Media
When it comes to larger projects and organizations, 3Play Media stands out as the top choice. They offer a comprehensive suite of services to meet all your accessibility needs. From automated captioning and transcription to audio descriptions, translation, and subtitling, 3Play Media has got you covered.
One of 3Play Media’s standout features is their automated captioning service. With their advanced technology, you can easily generate captions for your videos in just a few clicks. This saves you time and ensures that your content is accessible to a wider audience.
What sets 3Play Media apart is their commitment to accuracy and quality. They strive for excellence in their captions and transcriptions, ensuring that they meet the highest standards. Their team of professionals ensures that your content is accurately transcribed and that the captions are synchronized perfectly with your audio and video files.
In addition to captioning and transcription, 3Play Media also offers audio descriptions, translation, and subtitling services. This makes them a one-stop solution for all your accessibility needs.
Furthermore, 3Play Media provides comprehensive analytics to help you track the performance and engagement of your videos. This allows you to gain valuable insights and make data-driven decisions to optimize your content for better accessibility and user experience.
Integration is also seamless with 3Play Media. They offer integration with various media platforms, making it convenient to manage your captions and transcriptions within your existing workflow.
It’s worth noting that 3Play Media’s pricing is not available upfront. To get detailed information about their pricing plans and options, you need to sign up for an account on their website.
In summary, if you’re working on larger projects or represent an organization, 3Play Media is the ideal choice for all your captioning, transcription, audio description, translation, and subtitling needs. Their advanced technology, commitment to quality, and comprehensive suite of services make them the go-to solution for ensuring accessibility and inclusivity in your content.
Best for Video Editing: Filmora
Filmora is a versatile video editing software that also offers powerful closed captioning features, making it an excellent choice for video editors in need of comprehensive accessibility options. With Filmora, you can effortlessly edit your videos while seamlessly integrating closed captions to enhance the viewing experience.
One of the standout features of Filmora is its ability to upload video files and preview captions while they are being transcribed. This unique capability allows you to visualize how the captions will appear on the screen, ensuring optimal placement and readability for viewers.
Filmora supports closed captions in a whopping 17 languages, making it an inclusive solution for a global audience. Whether you’re creating videos for an international market or catering to specific language requirements, Filmora has you covered.
In addition to closed captions, Filmora provides a wide range of advanced tools and effects to elevate your videos to the next level. From motion tracking to green screen support, you can add professional touches that captivate your audience and convey your message more effectively.
Closed Captioning and Subtitle Customization
Filmora enables you to customize closed captions and subtitles to suit your unique needs. You can choose from a variety of fonts, colors, and styles to ensure that the captions seamlessly blend with your video’s aesthetic. This level of customization allows you to maintain brand consistency and create a visually appealing experience for your viewers.
Motion Tracking for Interactive Captions
With Filmora’s motion tracking feature, you can create captivating captions that move along with objects or individuals in your videos. This dynamic and interactive approach adds an extra layer of engagement and professionalism to your content, making it more immersive for your audience.
Table: Features of Filmora
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Closed Caption and Subtitle Customization | Customize closed captions and subtitles with fonts, colors, and styles. |
Motion Tracking | Create interactive captions that move along with objects or individuals in your videos. |
Green Screen Support | Effortlessly replace backgrounds and create stunning visual effects. |
Advanced Video Editing Tools | Edit videos with a wide range of effects, transitions, and filters. |
With its comprehensive video editing features, closed captioning capabilities, and customizable options, Filmora is an exceptional choice for video editors seeking to enhance accessibility and engage their audience through captivating visual storytelling.
Best Free Plan: Amara
I highly recommend Amara as the best choice for a free closed captioning software. Amara’s platform offers the flexibility to manually create captions for your videos and provides various customization options. With Amara, you have the ability to edit your captions as needed, add descriptions, or include additional text to enhance the viewer’s understanding. This makes it a great tool for creating accurate and quality captions for your videos.
One of the standout features of Amara is its support for multiple languages. Whether your content is in English, Spanish, French, or any other language, Amara has got you covered. This makes it an excellent option for reaching a global audience and ensuring inclusivity.
“Amara is the best choice for a free closed captioning software. Their platform allows you to manually create captions for your videos and offers customization options.”
Manual Captioning Made Easy
Amara simplifies the process of manual captioning, making it accessible to users of all skill levels. Their intuitive interface guides you through the captioning process step by step, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience. Even if you’re new to captioning, you’ll find Amara provides an easy-to-use solution.
Additionally, Amara allows you to collaborate with others on captioning projects. You can invite team members to work on your videos, making it a great choice for group projects or when you need input from others.
Customization Options for Professional-Looking Captions
Amara’s customization options give you the ability to create professional-looking captions that align with your brand. You can choose from different fonts, colors, and styles to match your video’s aesthetics. This level of customization ensures that your captions blend seamlessly with your video, enhancing the overall viewer experience.
Furthermore, Amara allows you to add descriptions to your captions, providing more context and clarity to the video’s content. This is particularly useful for videos with complex or technical subject matter, ensuring that your viewers can follow along without any confusion.
Amara’s user-friendly platform and customization options make it the best free closed captioning software.
Can I Generate My Own Closed Captions?
Yes, generating your own closed captions is possible thanks to the advancements in automatic programs that utilize AI technology. These programs can generate captions for your content when you upload it, making the process more efficient and time-saving.
While automated captions may not always be 100% accurate, they serve as a useful starting point. Most programs allow you to manually edit the captions to ensure accuracy or even enlist the help of professional captioning services for precise results.
By utilizing automatic programs with AI technology, you can generate closed captions for your videos, enhancing accessibility and allowing a wider audience to engage with your content.
Automatic programs using AI technology can help in generating closed captions for your videos. These captions are essential for enhancing video accessibility and ensuring that people with hearing impairments can understand the content. While automatic captioning may not always be 100% accurate, it can save you valuable time. Most programs also allow you to manually edit the captions or employ the assistance of professional captioning services to ensure the utmost accuracy.
In the next section, I will discuss the best free and paid closed captioning software options available in the market.
The 6 Best Free & Paid Closed Caption Software
In this section, let’s explore the six best options for closed captioning software, both free and paid, that will suit your needs perfectly. Whether you require auto-generated captions, all-in-one recording and captioning services, or customizable subtitles, I’ve got you covered.
Free Captioning Software-
If you’re on a budget, these free captioning software options offer reliable features:
- Amara – Manual captioning with customization options.
- [Software 2] – [Description of the second free software].
- [Software 3] – [Description of the third free software].
Paid Captioning Software-
If you prefer premium features and more comprehensive services, these paid options are worth considering:
- Rev – Automated transcription and affordable pricing.
- [Software 5] – [Description of the fifth paid software].
- [Software 6] – [Description of the sixth paid software].
Comparison Table:
Captioning Software | Cost | Main Features |
---|---|---|
Amara | Free + Paid Plans | Manual captioning, customization |
[Software 2] | TBD | [Description of the second software] |
[Software 3] | TBD | [Description of the third software] |
Rev | Paid | Automated transcription, affordable pricing |
[Software 5] | TBD | [Description of the fifth software] |
[Software 6] | TBD | [Description of the sixth software] |
The image below provides a visual comparison of the 6 best closed captioning software options:
How to Choose the Best Closed Captioning Software
When looking for the best closed captioning software, there are several important factors to consider. The right software should align with your specific needs, offering fast transcription time, ease of use, and affordable pricing. By evaluating these key aspects, you can make an informed decision and select the perfect closed captioning software for your requirements.
Transcription Time
One of the crucial factors to consider is transcription time. Some software options provide faster turnarounds than others, ensuring that your captions are generated quickly and efficiently. When choosing closed captioning software, look for solutions that offer fast transcription services, allowing you to add captions to your videos in a timely manner.
Ease of Use
To maximize your productivity, it’s essential to choose closed captioning software that is user-friendly and intuitive to navigate. Look for software with a user-friendly interface that simplifies the captioning process. Intuitive features, clear instructions, and a streamlined workflow can help you save time and effort, enabling you to create accurate captions with ease.
Pricing
Pricing is another crucial consideration when choosing closed captioning software. Compare the costs of different software options and choose one that fits within your budget. Pay attention to any additional fees or hidden charges to ensure you have a clear understanding of the overall pricing structure. Remember, it’s important to find a balance between affordability and the features provided by the software.
Choosing the best closed captioning software requires careful evaluation of transcription time, ease of use, and pricing. By selecting software that offers fast turnarounds, a user-friendly interface, and affordable options, you can ensure that your closed captioning needs are met effectively.
Now that you understand the key factors to consider, you can confidently choose the best closed captioning software that aligns with your specific requirements.
Comparison Table: Closed Captioning Software Selection Criteria
Software | Transcription Time | Ease of Use | Pricing |
---|---|---|---|
Rev | Fast | Intuitive | Affordable |
Archive Captioning | Real-time | User-friendly | Customizable |
3Play Media | Quick | Comprehensive | Varies – Account Based |
Filmora | Varies | Video Editing Focused | Varies – Starter/Premium Plans |
Amara | Manual | Customization Options | Free and Premium Versions |
Best for Quality and Fast Turnaround: Rev
When it comes to closed captioning software, Rev stands out as the best choice for quality and fast turnaround. Their automated transcription services provide accurate results in a short amount of time, ensuring that your captions are always of the highest quality. Whether you’re working on a small personal project or a large-scale production, Rev has you covered.
Rev offers a user-friendly experience, making it easy for anyone to use their software. With integration options for popular editing software, you can seamlessly incorporate captions into your videos without any hassle. Plus, their pricing is affordable, making Rev an accessible option for both individuals and businesses.
With Rev, you can trust that your captions will be delivered quickly and accurately, allowing you to enhance the accessibility of your videos. Don’t compromise on quality or turnaround time—choose Rev for your closed captioning needs.
Best for All-Around Captioning: CaptioningStar
CaptioningStar is a versatile captioning platform that offers a wide range of captioning options. They excel in providing high-quality and accurate captions for various requirements, making them the best choice for all-around captioning needs. With their comprehensive services, CaptioningStar ensures that individuals and businesses can effectively reach and engage with their audiences.
One of the key features of CaptioningStar is their support for multiple formats. Whether you need closed captions for videos, real-time captions for live events, or emergency-live captions for critical situations, they have you covered. Their expertise extends beyond typical captioning needs, allowing you to address different scenarios and create an inclusive environment for your audience.
When it comes to pricing, CaptioningStar offers flexible options that cater to different budgets. They understand that captioning is essential for video accessibility and strive to make their services accessible to all. With CaptioningStar, you can expect competitive pricing without compromising on quality.
The benefits of choosing CaptioningStar for all-around captioning:
- High-quality and accurate captions for various formats
- Support for closed captioning, real-time captioning, and emergency-live captioning
- Flexible pricing options to suit different budgets
Enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of your content with CaptioningStar’s all-around captioning services. From closed captions to real-time captioning, they have the expertise and capabilities to fulfill your captioning needs effectively.
Best for Government Compliant Captioning: 3Play Media
When it comes to government compliant captioning, 3Play Media is the top choice. They prioritize meeting the latest regulations set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA). By partnering with 3Play Media, you can ensure that your content is accessible to all individuals, regardless of their hearing abilities.
With 3Play Media, you can expect accurate transcriptions that are delivered in a timely manner. Their team of experts is dedicated to providing high-quality captioning services, enabling you to reach a broader audience and comply with legal requirements. In addition to captioning, 3Play Media offers a range of additional services, including translations and audio descriptions, further enhancing the accessibility of your content.
Benefits of 3Play Media:
- Adherence to FCC, ADA, and CVAA regulations
- Accurate transcriptions and fast turnaround times
- Additional services such as translations and audio descriptions
By choosing 3Play Media for your government compliant captioning needs, you can ensure that your content is accessible to all viewers, regardless of their hearing abilities. With their high-quality services and dedication to compliance, 3Play Media is the ideal solution for government agencies, educational institutions, and any organization seeking to provide equal access to audio and video content.
Best for Live Captioning: Archive Captioning
When it comes to live captioning, Archive Captioning is the top choice. Their software provides real-time captioning for a variety of events, including live broadcasts, live streams, meetings, webinars, and more. With Archive Captioning, you can ensure that your audience has access to accurate and synchronized captions as the event unfolds.
One of the key advantages of Archive Captioning is its integration with various video conferencing and streaming platforms. This allows you to seamlessly incorporate live captions into your preferred platform without any hassle. Whether you’re hosting an important business meeting or live streaming a conference, Archive Captioning has you covered.
Archive Captioning utilizes real-time captioning technology, ensuring that captions appear instantly as the words are spoken. This not only enhances accessibility but also provides a more engaging experience for your audience. Real-time captioning eliminates any delay in communication, making it easier for participants to follow along and actively engage in the conversation.
In addition to live captioning, Archive Captioning also allows for easy caption editing and adjustment. If any revisions or edits are needed during the live event, you can make them quickly and efficiently using their user-friendly interface. This ensures that the captions remain accurate and up-to-date throughout the event.
With its seamless integration, real-time captioning capabilities, and user-friendly interface, Archive Captioning is the perfect solution for all your live captioning needs. Enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of your live events with Archive Captioning’s reliable and efficient software.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best closed captioning software, it’s important to consider your specific needs and preferences. In this article, we have reviewed some of the top options available in the market.
Rev is highly recommended for its exceptional quality and fast turnaround times. Whether you need automated transcription or accurate English closed captions, Rev has you covered.
CaptioningStar provides a comprehensive solution for all your captioning needs. With support for multiple formats and flexible pricing options, CaptioningStar is a great choice for various captioning requirements.
If government compliance is a priority, 3Play Media is the best option. They ensure that their captions adhere to the latest FCC, ADA, and CVAA regulations.
Lastly, if live captioning is your primary concern, Archive Captioning specializes in real-time captioning for live broadcasts and events. Their integration with multiple video conferencing and streaming platforms makes it a convenient choice.
Consider factors such as pricing, convenience, and features when making your decision. By choosing the best closed captioning software, you can enhance video accessibility and reach a wider audience.
FAQ
What is closed captioning software?
Closed captioning software is a tool used to add text captions (closed captions) to audio and video media. The captions are synchronized with the audio and video files, making it easier for viewers who have difficulty hearing to understand what is being said. Closed captions can also provide additional information about the video content, such as descriptions of sound effects or scene changes. They make multimedia accessible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, providing an alternative way to consume the same content.
What is the best closed captioning software overall?
Rev is the most popular closed captioning software on the market. Their automated transcription software allows you to upload audio or video files and get accurate transcripts in minutes. Rev’s automated transcriptions are over 90% accurate, while their human transcription and English closed captions are over 99% accurate. They also offer customization options, integration with popular media editing software, and fast turnaround times at affordable pricing.
Which closed captioning software is best for live captions?
Archive Captioning is a top choice for live captioning services. Their software provides automatic captioning of live video streams and supports multiple languages for global audiences. The captions are generated in real-time, accurately capturing conversations, lectures, webinars, and more. Archive Captioning integrates with popular video and conferencing software, making it suitable for individuals or businesses in need of live captioning. The platform also allows for transcription of uploaded media files and offers a user-friendly interface for quick edits and adjustments.
What is the best closed captioning software for larger projects?
3Play Media is the best choice for larger projects and organizations. They offer a range of services, including automated captioning, transcription, audio descriptions, translation and subtitling, and more. With support for multiple languages, comprehensive analytics, and integration with various media platforms, 3Play Media is a comprehensive solution for accessibility needs. Their pricing is not available upfront and must be obtained by signing up for an account.
Which closed captioning software is best for video editing?
Filmora is primarily a video editing software, but it also offers closed captioning features. With Filmora, you can upload your video files and preview captions while they are being transcribed. Filmora supports 17 languages and provides advanced tools and effects for customizing videos. It also offers motion tracking, green screen support, and other editing capabilities. Filmora is a great choice for video editors in need of closed captioning capabilities.
What is the best free closed captioning software?
Amara is the best choice for a free closed captioning software. Their platform allows you to manually create captions for your videos and offers customization options. You can edit the captions as needed and add descriptions or additional text. Amara supports multiple languages and is a user-friendly tool for captioning. While the free plan has limitations, it is a great option for those on a budget.
Can I generate my own closed captions?
Yes, you can generate your own closed captions using various programs. Many automatic programs utilize AI technology to generate captions when you upload your content. While these automated captions may not always be 100% accurate, they can save you time. Most programs allow you to edit captions manually or enlist the help of professional captioning services for accurate results.
What are the best free and paid closed captioning software options available?
In this article, we have ranked and reviewed the six best free and paid closed captioning software options available. These options include Rev, Archive Captioning, 3Play Media, Filmora, Amara, and more. Each software has its own unique features and capabilities, catering to different needs and preferences.
How do I choose the best closed captioning software?
Choosing the best closed captioning software requires considering factors like transcription time, ease of use, and pricing. Some software offers fast turnarounds, while others provide more accurate transcription. It’s important to find a tool that aligns with your budget and offers a user-friendly interface. Considering these factors will help you select the best closed captioning software for your needs.
Which closed captioning software is best for quality and fast turnaround?
Rev is the best closed captioning software for quality and fast turnaround. Their automated transcription services deliver accurate results in a short amount of time. Rev offers a user-friendly experience and integration with popular editing software. Their pricing is affordable, making them a top choice for individuals and businesses.
What is the best closed captioning software for all-around captioning needs?
CaptioningStar is a versatile captioning platform that offers a wide range of captioning options. They support multiple formats and provide flexible pricing options. CaptioningStar is suitable for various captioning needs, including closed captioning, real-time captioning, emergency-live captioning, and more.
What is the best closed captioning software for government compliant captioning?
3Play Media is the best choice for government compliant captioning. They ensure that their captions adhere to the latest regulations from the FCC, ADA, and CVAA. They provide accurate transcriptions with fast turnaround times and offer additional services like translations and audio descriptions.
Which closed captioning software is best for live captioning?
Archive Captioning is the best closed captioning software for live captioning needs. They offer real-time captioning for live broadcasts, live streams, meetings, webinars, and more. Archive Captioning integrates with various video conferencing and streaming platforms, making it a convenient choice for live captioning requirements.
Source Links
- https://createandgo.com/closed-captioning-software
- https://riverside.fm/blog/best-closed-captioning-software
- https://www.notta.ai/en/blog/best-closed-captioning-software
Related software:






