Aegisub

Active

Founded: 2005
Developer: Aegisub Development Team
Pricing: Free (open-source)
Open source: Yes
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux

Indexes

Subtitle Tools

Overview

Aegisub is a free, cross-platform open-source tool for creating and modifying subtitles, with emphasis on timing subtitles to audio using waveform and spectrum displays.³¹ It supports formats from simple SRT to advanced ASS and SSA for custom fonts, positioning, effects, and karaoke, targeted at experienced subtitle editors and fansub communities requiring frame-level precision and manual control.²¹

Key Features

Subtitles Grid - Displays all subtitle lines with color-coded properties for selection, comments, visibility, and overlaps.
Edit Box - Allows direct editing of subtitle text, timing, and style properties like colors.
Audio Box - Provides waveform and spectrum views for precise audio-based timing.
ASS/SSA Support - Enables advanced styling with custom fonts, positioning, outlines, shadows, and effects.
Real-time Video Preview - Shows subtitles overlaid on video for immediate visual feedback.
Karaoke Tools - Supports syllable-timed effects and animations for karaoke subtitles.
Layering - Handles multiple subtitle layers for complex designs.
Automation Scripts - Lua scripting for custom automation and advanced processing.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Free	$0	Full access to all features, no limitations.

Platforms & Requirements

Aegisub runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux as a desktop application.²³ It requires standard hardware with no specified minimums beyond OS compatibility, but performs best with video decoding acceleration. No mobile or web versions exist, limiting it to offline desktop use.²

Integrations & Ecosystem

SRT import/export
ASS/SSA import/export
Audio file loading (waveform/spectrum)
Video file preview (various formats)
Lua scripting API
Automation with external tools via scripts

Alternatives

App	Difference
Subtitle Edit	More beginner-friendly with spellcheck and batch conversion, less focus on advanced ASS styling.
Jubler	Simpler interface for basic editing, supports fewer advanced effects than Aegisub.
Gaupol	Text-focused with translation aids, lacks visual timing and preview tools.
DivXLand Subtitle Studio	Integrated video player, but discontinued and less precise for ASS/karaoke.

Reputation

Aegisub is trusted by experienced subtitle editors and fansub communities for its frame-level timing precision, advanced ASS/SSA styling, and karaoke capabilities.² Criticisms include a steep learning curve due to manual workflows and lack of automation compared to AI tools, making it slower for simple tasks.² It remains a standard for professional manual subtitling without paywalls.²

Sources (8)