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MOV guide

How to add captions to a MOV file

Upload your .mov, auto-transcribe it, pick a style, and export a video with the captions burned in — no converting formats, no separate SRT.

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Quick answer

To add captions to a .mov file, upload the MOV directly to AnimateCaptions — no conversion needed — let it auto-transcribe the audio, pick an animated caption style, edit and position the lines, and export a standard MP4 with the captions burned into the frames. There's no separate SRT file to build or sync; the captions are part of the finished video and show for every viewer.

Step by step

Caption a MOV in 5 steps.

From .mov to a ready-to-post MP4 with captions burned in.

  1. 01

    Upload your .mov file

    Drag your MOV — the format iPhones and QuickTime record in — straight into the browser. No converting to MP4 first; .mov is supported directly, up to 2 minutes and 500 MB on the free tier.

  2. 02

    Let it auto-transcribe

    The audio is transcribed automatically with Deepgram Nova-3 into timed caption lines, so you don't type anything or build a separate SRT file by hand.

  3. 03

    Pick a caption style

    Choose from 32+ animated presets — from bold word-by-word highlights to clean broadcast-style subtitles — depending on where you're posting.

  4. 04

    Edit and position

    Click any word to correct it, and drag each caption line to sit exactly where you want it in the frame.

  5. 05

    Export with captions burned in

    Export a standard MP4 with the captions rendered into the frames. They're part of the video, so there's no separate subtitle file to keep track of or upload.

Editor walkthrough

Edit every word before you export.

Live caption preview, click-to-correct transcript, per-line drag positioning, and 32+ animated styles to pick from.

Common questions

Captions on a MOV file — FAQ.

Can I add captions to a MOV without converting it to MP4 first?

Yes. You upload the .mov directly — no conversion step. AnimateCaptions reads the MOV, transcribes the audio, and exports a finished video with the captions burned in.

Do I need a separate SRT file?

No. The captions are generated from your audio and burned straight into the video frames, so there's no SRT to create, sync, or upload alongside the file.

Why is my MOV so large, and will that be a problem?

MOV files from iPhones and cameras can be big. On the free tier you can upload up to 500 MB and 2 minutes per clip, which covers most short-form videos recorded in MOV.

What's the difference between burned-in and soft captions on a MOV?

Soft captions are a separate track inside the container that a player can toggle on or off — and many social platforms ignore them. Burned-in captions are part of the picture, so they always show for every viewer. AnimateCaptions burns them in.

What format do I get back?

You get a standard MP4 with the captions baked in, ready to post to TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts, or anywhere else — no extra files.

Is it free?

Yes — auto-transcribe and export on a free tier with no credit card. Free exports carry a small watermark; paid plans from $7.99/month remove it.

Caption your MOV, free.

Upload the .mov, pick a style, download an MP4 with captions baked in. No converting, no credit card.

Try it free