Do you want to include subtitles in your video content but can’t do it in-house? Not a problem! Many language service providers (LSPs) and localization firms offer subtitling services to media houses. However, since a pool of options is available, things can soon become overwhelming if you choose a firm without proper research.
Therefore, we have reviewed and shortlisted the top 10 subtitling companies for you. We also explain why you must consider key factors like fees, certifications, and expertise before partnering with a firm.
So, let’s dive deeper into the world of subtitling.
Top 10 Subtitling & Closed Captioning Companies in 2024
We have shortlisted the top 10 subtitling companies based on their accuracy, pricing, language pairs, etc. Here, take a look and choose the one that aligns best with your business needs:
1. Veed.io
We included Veed.io in our top 10 subtitling companies listicle because many of you look for quick and cost-effective solutions. Besides, their free trial that does not require credit card details may compel you to test drive their services. They offer different paid subscriptions depending on your business needs, starting as low as $12 per month.
Veed.io automatically generates closed captions for video files. Their advanced speech-recognition system can recognize over 100 languages and accents. However, if you can’t compromise data security, you may give it a pass because it is a web-based application and does not take the necessary steps to safeguard your data.
2. Lionbridge
Lionbridge claims to have a community of more than 21,000 certified translators, and their subtitling and other language services, such as translation and transcription, are available in over 350 languages. The most impressive part is that around 92% of tasks start within an hour of ordering.
However, since they are harnessing the power of AI for most projects, the fast turnaround makes sense and gives you ample time for review and revisions. They operate in over 500 cities and offer an array of services, ranging from dubbing, voice-over, and video creation to post-production, 3D animation, and illustration.
3. Scribie
It offers manual and automated subtitling services. Like other subtitling services, Scribie’s manual subtitling ensures more accurate and culturally appropriate results compared to its automated subtitling services. Besides, they guarantee 99% accuracy for all manual translation and transcription services, bagging a spot on our top 10 subtitling companies listicle.
You can get their automated and manual service for $0.10 per minute and $0.80 per minute, respectively. The pricing for manual subtitling could have been lower if efficient human-AI collaboration was employed. On their website, they also claim to have 50,000+ certified transcribers.
4. Rev
Another company making its mark on our listicle is Rev. They also offer both manual and automated subtitling services, supporting multiple foreign languages. This feature is great if your video file has several speakers conversing in different languages. Besides, they guarantee 99% accuracy across all their translation, transcription, and subtitling services.
They are leveraging a freelance workforce of 7,000 language experts, utilizing AI-powered APIs to ensure fast delivery. Their pricing for human transcription and closed captioning is $1.50 per minute, while they charge $5-12 per minute for globally translated subtitles.
5. Limegreen Media
Limegreen Media is next on our top subtitling companies list. They are a media localization powerhouse, providing subtitling, translation, and transcription services for transnational audiences. So, if you want to build instant connections with your target market and avoid cultural blunders that may garner negative PR, they should be your go-to subtitling company.
They deal in over 100 language pairs, leverage a global team of linguists, believe in human-AI collaboration, and ensure quick turnaround without compromising quality and accuracy. Also, they assign a dedicated project manager for effective collaboration and transparency.
6. GoTranscript
GoTranscript’s average turnaround time is 6 hours with 99% accuracy. Their automated system enables you to order their subtitling services online, upload your audio, and get the final deliverable without any human intervention. Although the full automation seems impressive, they have encountered many mishaps. Besides, you won’t be able to find any help in case of technical issues. This model may not suit you if you prefer human interaction, collaboration, and transparency.
They claim to have over 45,000 transcribers with unmatched speed and expertise, and their pricing starts from as low as $0.84 per minute.
7. Amberscript
The next best foreign language subtitling company is Amberscript. They offer customized services depending on your business needs with quick turnaround and support in over 70 languages. They also offer manual and automated subtitling. Different subscription packages are available, where you can purchase credit or get a monthly subscription.
Besides, they claim 100% accuracy (which is bold), guarantee data security, and hold a TPN badge for top-tier content security. But keep in mind that you can’t expect 100% accuracy in automated subtitling and may have to review and edit them in-house or hire a professional to do it for you.
8. Iyuno
Iyuno offers subtitling services in 100+ languages and has 48 offices in 33 countries. They offer a wide range of services, including subtitling and captioning, dubbing and voice-over, distribution and media services, and creative post-production. So, if you want a one-stop shop for all your media-related services, partner with Iyuno.
Besides, their website showcases completed projects and testimonies to earn your trust. Undoubtedly, they are deeply rooted in the global entertainment industry, but we can’t say much about their pricing since they don’t have a pricing page. So, if price is a priority, maybe you should explore other options we mentioned.
9. 3Play Media
3Play Media’s services range from audio description, live captioning, closed captioning, and translation. They enable you to produce usable, industry-compliant, and engaging videos for your targeted global audience. They claim to process over 7,000 hours of videos monthly for 10,000+ clients.
The number is impressive and hints that they have successfully cracked the human-AI collaboration, ensuring unparalleled efficiency and accuracy at scale. However, they do not mention the actual pricing but offer two plans, i.e., ‘Express’ and ‘Enterprise’. Based on your unique requirements, you can ask for a quote for each.
10. Otter.ai
Otter.ai provides automated subtitling and captioning services. They leverage AI and machine learning to generate accurate subtitles and captions. Besides, they enable you to edit the final transcription to ensure quality, but it will be an added step requiring effort and time, especially if the video file is a large one.
Their live-captioning services are worth mentioning. You can use it for Zoom, Google Meet, and other video conferencing platforms. They have different subscription packages that you can get based on your requirements. However, their basic subscription is free and includes limited features, which are worth a try.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Subtitling Company
Still not sure which foreign language subtitling company to choose? This section lists down the key features to look for in an LSP to help you make a better decision:
Languages
For any subtitling company, one of the key features to look for is the number of languages they deal in and what languages they can handle. This is particularly important if you have a global target audience and may require subtitling services in multiple languages.
Native Linguists
Subtitling can either help you build a connection with your target audience or lose them. You don’t want the latter to happen. Thus, we recommend you choose a foreign language subtitling company with native linguists. The reason? Subtitles only resonate with the audience if they are linguistically and culturally coherent.
Certifications
Choose a subtitling company with an ISO certification. You may find any company with an ISO 9001 certificate. However, look for an ISO 17100 certification for localization and LSPs. It indicates that the firm employs robust translation processes while guaranteeing accuracy and quality.
Video Formats
The type of video formats a subtitling company supports also matters. Some may support limited formats, while others support all types of files. Therefore, you should ask about their supported video formats beforehand to avoid delays and issues later.
Dedicate Team
It may seem like a luxury, but it should be your key consideration. Companies that assign dedicated project managers and teams offer greater transparency and collaboration, leading to successful project delivery. Thus, if you don’t want to second guess your partnered subtitling company’s every move, choose a firm that offers this luxury and prioritizes your project.
Cost
Subtitling companies typically charge you per minute. Besides, the rate for each language pair can vary based on the complexity and availability. Therefore, get clarity on the pricing of the language pair you require. Your budget will play a significant role in choosing a service provider. However, note that high accuracy and quality are only possible if you opt for manual subtitling services, and they tend to be expensive compared to automated captioning services.
Bottom Line
We hope that this guide was enlightening for you. The top 10 subtitling companies we have discussed will significantly reduce the time and effort required to research and shortlist an LSP. If you want to partner with some other company, just remember to check the six factors we shared with you while choosing a service provider.
