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Descript captions

Descript captions: pricing, SRT export, and an alternative.

Descript is a full text-based video editor. If you only need animated captions on a short clip, here is how it compares.

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Quick answer

Descript generates captions from its transcript, lets you style them in the editor, and can export subtitle files such as SRT. Its free plan includes 1 media hour per month with 720p, watermarked exports; paid plans start at $16/month billed annually. AnimateCaptions is an alternative when you only need animated, burned-in captions on a short clip without learning a full editor.

Key takeaways

  • Descript is a complete editor (text-based editing, recording, multitrack); captions are one feature.
  • Descript's free plan lists 1 media hour per month and 720p export with a watermark.
  • Descript can export subtitle files; AnimateCaptions exports burned-in MP4 only.
  • For caption-only short-form work, a focused tool is faster to learn.

How Descript captions work

Descript transcribes your media, and captions follow the transcript. You can style captions in the canvas, burn them into an export, or export a subtitle file. Editing the transcript edits the video.

Descript captions pricing

When checked on October 28, 2026, Descript listed Free (1 media hour/month, 720p, watermark), Hobbyist ($16/month annually or $24 monthly, 10 hours), Creator ($24 annually or $35 monthly, 30 hours, 4K), and Business ($50 annually or $65 monthly, 40 hours).

Descript captions export SRT

Descript can export captions as a subtitle file (such as SRT) for YouTube or other players. AnimateCaptions cannot — it only renders captions into the MP4. If you need both, use Descript or another file-export tool for the SRT.

VEED vs CapCut vs Descript captions comparison

VEED is a browser editor with auto subtitles and subtitle file export. CapCut is a free-to-start editor (mobile, desktop, web) with auto captions and animated text templates. Descript is a text-based editor for podcasts and long-form video. All three are general editors; AnimateCaptions only does animated captions on short clips.

Descript vs AnimateCaptions for captions

FeatureAnimateCaptionsDescript
Product typeCaption-only toolFull text-based video editor
Animated word-by-word styles32+ presetsCaption styling in editor
Subtitle file exportNoYes
Free plan2-min clips, 1080p, watermark1 media hour/month, 720p, watermark
Entry paid planSee /pricing$16/mo annual, $24 monthly
Learning curveUpload → style → exportFull editor

Descript details checked on October 28, 2026 from descript.com/pricing. Plans change — verify before buying.

Step by step

From source video to captioned MP4.

  1. 1

    Upload your short video

    Choose an MP4 or MOV file in the browser. The spoken audio is transcribed automatically with word-level timing.

  2. 2

    Review and correct the words

    Read the transcript against the preview and fix names, brands, numbers, or specialist terms before they reach your audience.

  3. 3

    Choose and customize a caption style

    Start from one of 32+ animated presets, then adjust the font, colors, outline, background, emphasis, and position for the video.

  4. 4

    Export a burned-in MP4

    Render the captions into the video and download a finished file whose text stays consistent across social platforms and devices.

Editor walkthrough

Edit and preview before you export.

Correct words, customize the style, reposition individual lines, and preview the burned-in result.

Related guides

Continue with a specific workflow.

VEED alternativeCapCut alternativeBest subtitle generator
Common questions

Frequently asked questions.

Are Descript captions free?

Descript's free plan includes captions with limits: 1 media hour per month and 720p exports with a watermark.

Can Descript export captions as SRT?

Yes, Descript can export captions as a subtitle file. AnimateCaptions does not export SRT.

Is AnimateCaptions a replacement for Descript?

Only for the captioning step on short clips. It does not edit video by transcript, record, or mix audio.

What video files can I upload?

AnimateCaptions accepts MP4 and MOV files up to 500 MB. It is designed for short-form clips up to two minutes long.

Can I correct the transcript before exporting?

Yes. You can click incorrect words in the browser editor, correct names or terminology, hide unwanted segments, and preview the result before export.

Are the captions permanently added to the video?

Yes. The export is an MP4 with open captions rendered into the video frames. They remain visible when the file is posted or shared.

Is AnimateCaptions free?

There is a free tier with no credit card required. Free exports include a small AnimateCaptions watermark; paid plans remove it.

Sources

Add accurate animated captions to your next clip.

Upload, correct, style, position, and export in one browser workflow.

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