Comparison

SubTrans vs LiveSub

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SubTrans

Create, translate, and edit video subtitles with local models and OCR. This app supports embedding subtitles directly into videos or exporting them as SRT files, offering a comprehensive workflow for video creators and language learners.

Highlights
  • Local speech recognition and translation
  • OCR subtitle detection
  • Subtitle editing and timing adjustment
  • Export video with embedded subtitles
  • Export SRT subtitle files
  • Comprehensive subtitle workflow
Features
Read full description

Create, translate, edit, and export video subtitles in one workflow. This app is designed for video creators, editors, students, language learners, and anyone who needs a practical way to add subtitles to videos. You can use locally deployed models to recognize speech and translate subtitles, or use OCR to detect existing on-screen subtitles and translate them into another language. Whether you are adding captions to your own videos, translating videos without subtitles, or preparing subtitle files for editing and publishing, the app helps you manage the process from recognition to final export. Key features: Local speech recognition and translation Use locally deployed models to process video audio and generate subtitles. This is useful when you want more control over your workflow and prefer not to rely entirely on online subtitle services. OCR subtitle recognition For videos that already contain on-screen subtitles, OCR can help extract the text so you can translate, correct, and reuse it. Subtitle editing and correction Edit recognized text, adjust subtitle timing, refine translations, and correct segmentation before exporting. This makes it easier to prepare subtitles that match the pace and meaning of the video. Export video or SRT Export a video with subtitles embedded, or save subtitles as an SRT file for use in video editors, media players, or other production tools. Useful for: Adding subtitles to personal videos, vlogs, tutorials, and courses Translating videos without subtitles Extracting and translating existing on-screen subtitles Creating bilingual subtitles Exporting SRT files for editing, publishing, or archiving From subtitle recognition to translation, editing, and export, the app brings the main subtitle workflow into one place so you can create captions with more control and less switching between tools.

About

LiveSub

Features
Read full description

LiveSub turns your iPhone into a real-time subtitle and translation device for meetings, lectures, and conversations — powered entirely by Apple's on-device AI, with no internet required. Speak naturally. LiveSub listens, transcribes, and translates instantly using Apple's built-in Speech Recognition and Translation frameworks — all processed locally on your iPhone. Nothing is sent to any server. Your conversations stay completely private. LIVE TRANSLATION See the original speech and translation side by side as words are spoken. Supports Japanese, Korean, English, Chinese (Traditional & Simplified), French, German, Spanish, and more. FULL TRANSCRIPT Every session is automatically saved as a text file. Review, share, or export transcripts anytime from the History screen. IMPORT AUDIO FILES Already have a recording? Import any audio file to get a full transcript and translation without real-time capture. SESSION HISTORY Browse past sessions, select multiple transcripts, share or delete them — all in one place. COMPLETELY PRIVATE No account required. No subscription. No data collection. All speech recognition and translation run on your device using Apple's built-in frameworks. LANGUAGE SUPPORT • Chinese (Traditional) ↔ Japanese, Korean, English, and more • Japanese ↔ Chinese, English, Korean • English ↔ Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spanish, and more • 20+ supported language pairs REQUIREMENTS • iPhone or iPad with iOS 26 or later • Translation language packs can be downloaded once in Settings → General → Language & Region → Translation Languages

Screenshots

SubTrans4 screens
LiveSub4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: LiveSub at none against SubTrans's 3. LiveSub also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). SubTrans's advantage is iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SubTrans sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. LiveSub asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SubTrans ships an update weekly, LiveSub every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SubTrans versus LiveSub: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSubTransLiveSub
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.3 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size475 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer夏骏 倪YenChang Lin

In-app purchases

3 purchases

SubTrans

One-time3
  • 永久Free
  • 月卡$0.99
  • 年卡$0.99
None

LiveSub

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SubTrans free?
SubTrans is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LiveSub free?
LiveSub is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SubTrans or LiveSub have ads?
Neither SubTrans nor LiveSub shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SubTrans or LiveSub?
SubTrans ships an update weekly, and LiveSub every 3 days. Most recently, SubTrans was updated on October 6, 2026 and LiveSub on October 8, 2026.

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