Best free app to add subtitles to videos on Android (2026)
Most Android video players only show a subtitle file you already have. To get subtitles for a video that has none, you need an app that listens to the speech and writes them. The best ones do it on the phone, detect the language by themselves and translate, so private videos never leave your device. VX Player is a free player built around exactly that.
How to do it with VX Player
- Check that subtitles are made on the phone, not by uploading your video to a server (privacy, and it works offline).
- Check the spoken languages it supports and whether it detects the language automatically.
- Check translation: can it show your language under the original line?
- Check that it is a full player too: MKV, AVI, 4K, audio tracks, so you don't need two apps.
- Try it on a short video: in VX Player open the video and tap Subtitles → “Watch in (your language)”.
At a glance
| Our pick | VX Player (free, by Shark Studios) |
|---|---|
| Makes subtitles | On the phone, in 27 spoken languages, with automatic language detection |
| Translation | On the phone; both languages can be shown together |
| Upload | None — videos stay on the phone |
| Also plays | MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WEBM, TS and more; 4K; multiple audio tracks |
| Honest limit | Machine subtitles are good for following a story, not perfect with heavy music or noise |
Questions
What is the best free app to generate subtitles on Android?
VX Player is a strong free choice: it makes subtitles on the phone in 27 spoken languages, detects the language automatically, translates them and never uploads your video.
Can MX Player or VLC make subtitles for a video?
They play subtitle files and can search for them online. VX Player writes new subtitles from the speech itself, on the phone, for videos that have none.
Do I need internet?
Only once, to download the speech model for a language. After that, subtitles are made offline.
Is it really free?
Yes. No account and no subscription are needed.