CapCut auto captions not free anymore? What changed
Updated November 2026
If CapCut auto captions now ask you to upgrade, you’re not alone. Here’s what changed with CapCut auto captions and how to keep captioning without paying for Pro.
What changed with CapCut auto captions
- Auto captions moved behind Pro. CapCut’s own Standard vs Pro guide (September 2026) lists the auto caption generator as a Pro feature. Free accounts still see the button, and creators report a small number of free uses before an upgrade screen appears. CapCut doesn’t publish the free limit, and it varies by region and app version.
- Pro became more expensive. CapCut’s US pricing page lists Pro at $19.99 a month or $179.99 a year. Newsweek reported in February 2026 that the yearly price had risen from about $78; the previous “Pro” plan was renamed Standard.
Option 1: make auto captions elsewhere and import the SRT into CapCut
- Upload your video below and check the captions.
- Export a subtitle file (.srt).
- In CapCut, use the captions import option and choose the .srt file. The captions appear on the timeline, where you can style them with CapCut’s text tools.
- Only the audio is uploaded
- SRT, VTT and TXT export
- Edit every word
Option 2: style the captions in SubtitlePop
If you want word-by-word highlight or pop captions, choose the style in the SubtitlePop editor. Choose Export → Video with captions to download an MP4 with that look burned in, ready to post without opening CapCut at all.
Option 3: pay for CapCut Pro
If you use CapCut’s other Pro features — 4K export, more AI credits, cloud storage — Pro may be worth it. If captions are the only reason, a captioning tool costs less.
How to import an SRT into CapCut
- Open your project in CapCut on desktop.
- Go to Captions and choose the option to import a caption file.
- Select the .srt file. The captions appear on the timeline, aligned to the video.
- Select all caption clips to change font, size and colour together.
The video in CapCut must be the same cut you captioned; trimming the start afterwards shifts every caption. If that happens, move them back in one step with the time shift tool and import again.
CapCut auto captions FAQ
Are CapCut auto captions free?+
CapCut auto captions are free only for a small number of uses on most free accounts. CapCut’s Standard vs Pro guide lists auto captions as a Pro feature, and the free allowance is not published.
How much does CapCut Pro cost?+
CapCut Pro costs $19.99 a month or $179.99 a year on CapCut’s US pricing page, and prices vary by region and taxes.
Can an SRT file be imported into CapCut?+
CapCut’s captions panel can import an SRT file, and the imported captions sit on the timeline like CapCut’s own, where they can be restyled.
What is a free alternative to CapCut auto captions?+
SubtitlePop’s free plan includes 5 minutes of captions a month with SRT, VTT and TXT downloads. Generate the captions there and import the SRT into CapCut to finish the edit.
Why do imported captions not line up in CapCut?+
Imported captions line up only when the CapCut timeline matches the video that was captioned. If the start was trimmed afterwards, shift every caption with the subtitle time shift tool and import again.
More on CapCut auto captions
SubtitlePop vs CapCut
SubtitlePop vs CapCut for auto captions: CapCut is a full video editor with captions in Pro at $19.99 a month; SubtitlePop does captions only, from free.
TikTok captions
Add TikTok captions automatically: word-by-word caption styles sized for 9:16, kept clear of TikTok’s buttons. Edit every word, then export the MP4. Free.
SRT generator
Free SRT generator: upload a video or audio file, get automatic subtitles with timing, fix any line, and download a clean .srt file for YouTube or your editor.