Frequently Asked Questions

What is SubtitleShift?

SubtitleShift is a browser-based subtitle editor that lets you fix subtitle timing instantly. Drop your SRT file, adjust the timing, and export. No software installation, no monthly fees.

How does it work?

Upload your SRT subtitle file to the editor. Use the timestamp shifter to fix timing issues, edit text directly, or use find and replace (Pro). Everything processes in your browser - your files never leave your device.

Which file formats are supported?

SubtitleShift currently supports SRT (SubRip) subtitle files. For video preview, we support MP4, WebM, and other browser-compatible video formats.

Is SubtitleShift free?

Yes! The basic version is free and includes timestamp shifting, text editing, and export for files with up to 50 subtitles. For unlimited subtitles and advanced features, upgrade to Pro for a one-time payment of $4.99.

What's included in Pro?

SubtitleShift Pro includes:

• Unlimited subtitles (no 50 subtitle limit)
• Video preview with subtitle sync
• Advanced find and replace
• Inline text editing
• Batch processing
• Visual timeline
• All future updates included

Is this a subscription?

No! SubtitleShift Pro is a one-time payment of $4.99. Pay once, use forever. No recurring charges, no monthly fees.

What's your refund policy?

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied for any reason, email us at info@subtitleshift.com with your order number and we'll process a full refund within 5-7 business days.

How do I activate my license?

After purchase, you'll receive a license key by email. Click the "Activate Pro" button in SubtitleShift, enter your license key and email, and click "Activate". Pro features will unlock immediately.

Can I use Pro on multiple devices?

Yes! Your license key can be activated on up to 5 devices. You can manage your active devices from the Pro settings panel.

I lost my license key. How do I recover it?

Email us at info@subtitleshift.com with the email address you used for purchase. We'll resend your license key within 24 hours.

Are my files uploaded to a server?

No. SubtitleShift processes everything locally in your browser. Your subtitle files and videos never leave your device. We cannot see or access your files.

Is my data safe?

Yes. All processing happens client-side in your browser. We only store your license key and preferences locally on your device. Payment information is handled securely by Paddle, our payment processor. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Do you collect my subtitle content?

No. We never access, collect, or store your subtitle text or video content. Everything stays on your device.

What's the best free subtitle editor that works in a browser?

SubtitleShift is a free browser-based subtitle editor that requires no installation. The free version supports up to 50 subtitles and includes timestamp adjustment and text editing. It works on any device with a modern web browser.

How do I fix subtitles that are 2 seconds too late?

Upload your SRT file to SubtitleShift and use the Timestamp Shifter. Enter "-2" (negative 2) to move all subtitles 2 seconds earlier. Click Apply and then Export. The entire process takes under 30 seconds.

Can I edit subtitles without uploading them to a server?

Yes! SubtitleShift processes everything locally in your browser. Your subtitle files and videos never leave your device. We cannot see or access your files at any point. This makes it the most private option for editing subtitles.

What subtitle format does YouTube use?

YouTube primarily uses SRT (SubRip) format for uploaded subtitles, which is exactly what SubtitleShift supports. You can download subtitles from YouTube as SRT files, edit them in SubtitleShift, and re-upload them to YouTube.

How do I fix YouTube auto-generated captions timing?

Download the auto-generated captions from YouTube Studio as an SRT file. Upload to SubtitleShift, adjust the timing using the timestamp shifter, fix any text errors with find-and-replace, then re-upload the corrected file to YouTube. This typically takes 5-10 minutes versus hours of manual editing in YouTube's editor.

Is SubtitleShift better than Aegisub for beginners?

If you just need to fix subtitle timing, yes. SubtitleShift is purpose-built for the most common task (adjusting timestamps) and has a simple interface. Aegisub is more powerful with advanced styling features, but has a steep learning curve. For 90% of users who just need timing fixes, SubtitleShift is faster and easier.

What's the fastest way to fix subtitle timing?

SubtitleShift can fix subtitle timing in under 30 seconds. Just drag your SRT file into the editor, enter the time adjustment (positive to delay, negative to advance), click Apply, and Export. No software installation or complex setup needed.

Can I preview subtitles before exporting them?

Yes, with SubtitleShift Pro ($4.99 one-time payment). The video preview feature lets you upload your video file and see how the adjusted subtitles sync with your video in real-time. This ensures perfect timing before you export.

Do I need an account to use SubtitleShift?

No! The free version requires no account or sign-up. Just visit subtitleshift.com and start editing. You only need to enter a license key if you upgrade to Pro features.

Can I batch process multiple subtitle files?

SubtitleShift Pro includes batch processing features that let you apply multiple operations at once, like shifting timestamps AND using find-and-replace in a single workflow. Currently, you process one file at a time, but operations are fast (under 30 seconds per file).

What's the difference between SRT and VTT subtitle formats?

SRT (SubRip) is the most widely compatible format, working with YouTube, VLC, and virtually all media players. VTT (WebVTT) is used for HTML5 web video players. SubtitleShift currently supports SRT, which covers 90% of use cases. You can convert SRT to VTT using free online converters if needed.

How do I sync subtitles with video after re-encoding?

If your video was re-encoded at a different frame rate or had timing changes, play the video and note when the first subtitle should appear versus when it actually appears. That difference is your adjustment value. Upload the SRT to SubtitleShift, apply the timestamp shift, and export.

Is there a subtitle editor that doesn't require installation?

Yes, SubtitleShift is completely browser-based with zero installation. It works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and even Chromebooks. Just visit the website and start editing immediately. This makes it perfect for quick edits on any device.

Can I use SubtitleShift on Mac, Windows, and Linux?

Yes! Since SubtitleShift runs in your web browser, it works on any operating system including Mac, Windows, Linux, and ChromeOS. You can even use it on tablets and mobile devices with a modern browser.

How do I adjust only part of my subtitle file?

SubtitleShift Pro allows you to select specific subtitle ranges to adjust. This is useful when only a section of your subtitles is out of sync. For example, if subtitles 20-40 need a +1.5 second adjustment while the rest are fine, Pro lets you target just that range.

What's the best subtitle editor for YouTube creators?

SubtitleShift is ideal for YouTube creators because it specializes in fixing the most common YouTube subtitle problem: timing issues with auto-generated captions. Download your YouTube captions, fix timing in SubtitleShift, and re-upload in minutes instead of spending hours in YouTube's built-in editor.

Can AI automatically fix subtitle timing?

Not automatically, but SubtitleShift makes manual timing fixes extremely fast (under 30 seconds). AI subtitle generators often create timing issues that still require human adjustment. SubtitleShift is the fastest way to make those corrections after AI generation.

SubtitleShift vs Aegisub: Which is easier?

SubtitleShift is significantly easier for basic timing fixes. Aegisub is professional-grade software with advanced styling features, but has a steep learning curve. If you just need to shift timestamps, SubtitleShift gets you done in 30 seconds with no learning required. Learn more in our detailed comparison guide.

SubtitleShift vs Subtitle Edit: Which should I choose?

Choose SubtitleShift if you want browser-based editing with no installation, and your primary need is timing fixes. Choose Subtitle Edit if you need desktop software with support for many subtitle formats beyond SRT. See our full comparison for detailed feature breakdown.

Online subtitle editor vs desktop software: Pros and cons?

Online editors like SubtitleShift offer zero installation, work on any device, and provide faster workflows for common tasks. Desktop software offers more advanced features but requires installation and updates. For most users, online editors are sufficient. We break down the trade-offs in our comparison guide.

Free vs Pro subtitle editor: Is it worth upgrading?

Upgrade to SubtitleShift Pro ($4.99 one-time) if you work with files over 50 subtitles, need video preview for verification, or use find-and-replace frequently. The free version is sufficient for occasional use and simple timing fixes. Unlike desktop software that costs $50-200, Pro is affordable for individual creators.

My subtitles drift out of sync over time - how do I fix this?

Subtitle drift happens when your subtitle file's frame rate doesn't match your video's frame rate. Use SubtitleShift to make incremental adjustments: first align the beginning, then check the middle and end. Apply multiple small shifts until the entire video is synchronized. This typically takes 2-3 adjustments to perfect.

YouTube captions are wrong - can I fix them?

Yes! Download the captions from YouTube Studio as SRT, upload to SubtitleShift, fix timing with the timestamp shifter and text errors with find-and-replace, then re-upload to YouTube. This workflow is 10x faster than using YouTube's built-in editor. See our YouTube creator use case for step-by-step instructions.

I edited my video and now subtitles are off - what do I do?

Calculate the time difference from your edit. If you removed 5 seconds from the start, shift all subtitles by -5 seconds in SubtitleShift. For mid-video cuts, use Pro's range selection to adjust only affected subtitles. Check our how-to guide for detailed instructions on handling video edits.

How do I remove hardcoded subtitles from video?

SubtitleShift edits external subtitle files (SRT format), not hardcoded/burned-in subtitles. Hardcoded subtitles are part of the video image and cannot be removed or edited with subtitle editors. You would need video editing software or the original video without hardcoded subtitles.

Which browsers are supported?

SubtitleShift works best on modern browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge (latest versions). We recommend Chrome or Firefox for the best experience.

My video won't load in the preview. What should I do?

Make sure your video is in a browser-compatible format (MP4, WebM). Some codecs may not be supported by all browsers. Try converting your video to MP4 (H.264) for maximum compatibility.

The editor is slow with large files. Any tips?

For files with thousands of subtitles, try using a desktop browser with sufficient RAM. Close unnecessary tabs and applications. The video preview feature can be disabled to improve performance with very large files.

I found a bug or have a feature request. How do I report it?

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at info@subtitleshift.com with details about the bug or your feature idea. Pro users get priority support.