SubSmith: Transcribe Any Media. Study Any Language.

Transcribe your own media and study any language with editable, timestamped subtitles & transcripts in 99+ languages. All processed locally and privately on your computer for true immersion.

Mobile version not yet available—subscribe for updates

SubSmith Workflow: See It in Action

From video to editable transcript—watch the full workflow.

Why I Built This

I wanted to learn a language using the content I actually enjoy. I tried everything, subscription platforms like LingQ, sites like Animelon, and browser extensions like Language Reactor. Nothing quite worked. Either it was locked behind a subscription, had a limited library, or couldn't transcribe my own files.

So I built SubSmith: a one-time purchase desktop app that lets you use any video or audio file. Generate editable timestamped transcripts locally, turn them into your own study material, and keep everything offline. No account or subscription needed. Just your media and your learning.

Supported Languages

SubSmith generates subtitles and transcripts locally in 99+ languages. Here's a sample of commonly used languages (not exhaustive). See the complete list used by the underlying model here.

  • English
  • Spanish
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Portuguese
  • Somali
  • Dutch
  • Swedish
  • Norwegian
  • Danish
  • Finnish
  • Polish
  • Czech
  • Hungarian
  • Romanian
  • Russian
  • Ukrainian
  • Serbian
  • Croatian
  • Greek
  • Turkish
  • Arabic
  • Persian
  • Hindi
  • Urdu
  • Bengali
  • Mandarin
  • Cantonese
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Thai
  • Vietnamese
  • Indonesian
  • Malay
  • Swahili
Show full 99+ languages

Additional languages are supported beyond those listed here.

Want Updates?

Get notified when you can download SubSmith or when a mobile version launches.

No spam. Single notification unless you opt in later.

So what does it cost?

Pay once, keep using SubSmith for as long as it helps your language learning. No subscription, no account, no lock-in.

Lifetime Desktop License

Full offline transcription power

$39$20

Limited time offer

one-time payment

Buy License

You'll receive your license key by email after purchase

30-day money-back guarantee

  • Generate editable, timestamped transcripts and subtitles from your own videos and audio
  • Works 100% offline on your computer – your media never leaves your device
  • Supports 99+ languages via Whisper v3, with fine-grained timestamps
  • Export SRT and text files for use in players, flashcard tools, or your own workflows

SubSmith is a solo project. Your purchase directly funds development, bug fixes, and new features aimed at immersion learners and the language learning community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about SubSmith

How does this help with language learning?

You get editable, timestamped transcripts in 99+ languages. Study with comprehensible input, build vocabulary from context, and practice with content you actually enjoy, whether that's telenovelas, K-dramas, anime, podcasts, or YouTube videos.

How does pricing work?

Pay once, own the app forever. Your purchase includes all local features, now and in the future. See pricing details. Optional cloud services, like syncing, will be offered as a separate subscription in future.

How accurate is the transcription?

More than good enough for studying. You'll spot maybe 2-3 mistakes in a 10-minute video with clear audio. Noisy recordings or thick accents need more editing, but nothing that kills the flow. The inline editor makes corrections feel natural, not like busywork.

How long does transcription take?

Usually takes about half the video's length, sometimes less. A 20-minute video processes in 5-15 minutes on most computers. For best accuracy when studying, the Large model is worth the extra wait (15-25 minutes). You can start studying while it works, or let it finish in the background.

What languages are supported?

SubSmith supports 99+ languages including Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, and more.

Does my data stay private?

Absolutely. Everything processes locally on your computer. Your files never leave your device, and no internet connection is required for transcription. Read our full privacy notice.