Breaking Language Barriers: How Subcap Helps Brands Go Global
The world is experiencing a wild change in terms of technology. With the acceleration of AI, the world is connected deeply more than ever!
Bilingual
Dual language subtitles: two languages on one video
Transcribe the video, add a second language, show both at once. Each language gets its own position and style, and the captions stay in the exported video.
Who needs two languages on one video
Creators with a bilingual audience: a Turkish channel with viewers in Germany, a Brazilian creator with followers in Portugal and the US, a Spanish-speaking family account watched in two countries. Teachers and language coaches who want the original line and its translation on screen at the same time. Brands and teams that post one clip to several markets and do not want to cut a version per language.
One video, both audiences, no second edit.
How Subcap does it
Subcap transcribes the spoken language first and lets you fix every line. Then you add a translation from 100+ languages and switch on Display Secondary Language: both appear in the player. Each language has its own position and style, so the original can sit in bold at the bottom while the translation runs smaller above it, or the other way round. Export picks up both lines and burns them into the video, so they look the same on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube or a slide in a meeting.
If a translation needs a human touch, edit it line by line, the same way you edit the original.
What to watch for
Keep both lines short: two languages double the text on screen, so Subcap’s shorter caption lengths and a smaller translation style keep the video readable. Pick a different color or weight for the translation so viewers can tell the two apart at a glance. And export in the resolution you post at; small text in 720p looks soft on a large phone.
Two languages: Instagram Edits or Subcap?
| Feature | Instagram Edits | Subcap |
|---|---|---|
| LanguagesTranscription and translation. | 15 | 100+ |
| Where the video can goCaptions are part of the exported file. | Reels | Any platform |
| Fix any line by handOriginal and translation. | Yes | Yes |
| Works with any videoNot only clips made inside the app. | Clips edited in Edits | Yes |
| PriceWhat the second language costs. | Free | First caption video and first translation free, then Pro |
Instagram Edits column as of its July 2026 update. Subcap column: the app as of version 4.1. The first automatic caption video and the first automatic translation are free in Subcap; after that, translation is Pro.
Two languages in three steps
- 1
Generate the captions
Open a video, let Subcap detect the language and generate the captions. Fix any line.
- 2
Add the second language
In the Language section, tap Add New Language and pick the translation. Then tap Display Secondary Language and choose it.
- 3
Place, style, export
Position each language on the screen, adjust the styles if you like, pick both languages in the export screen and export in 720p, 1080p or 4K.
Questions people ask
- Where should the second language go?
- Most creators keep the original language near the bottom and the translation just below or above it, in a lighter color. In Subcap you drag each language to its own spot and style it on its own, so you can match the layout your audience is used to.
- Is dual language free in Subcap?
- You can try it for free: the first automatic caption video and the first automatic translation cost nothing, and you can show both on the video. After that, automatic translation is part of Pro: a weekly plan with a 3-day free trial, or a yearly plan. See the pricing page.
- Instagram Edits already does bilingual captions. Why Subcap?
- If you only post Reels in one of the 15 languages Edits supports, Edits is fine. Subcap is for everything else: 100+ languages, any video from any source, each language placed and styled separately, and a file you can post anywhere.
- Can I show more than two languages?
- You can add several translations to a project and switch which one is displayed next to the original. The exported video shows two at a time: the original and the secondary language you pick.
- Can I export the translation as a file?
- Yes. Pro exports .SRT and .TXT for the languages in the project, so you can upload them as separate caption tracks on YouTube.
More in the FAQ and on the pricing page.
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Reach both audiences with one video
Your first automatic caption video and first automatic translation are free. Go Pro for every video after that.