How to Use Captions AI Like a Pro (2026 Guide)

by Fahim Joharder | Last updated Mar 4, 2026

Quick Start

This guide covers every Captions AI feature:

Getting Started — Create account and basic setup
How to Use Auto-Captions — Add accurate subtitles to any video
How to Use AI Edit — Let AI edit your entire video in one tap
How to Use AI Shorts — Turn long videos into short clips
How to Use AI Creators — Generate videos from text prompts
How to Use AI Twins — Create a digital clone of yourself
How to Use AI Avatar Generator — Build custom AI spokespersons
How to Use AI Eye Contact — Fix eye contact in your recordings
How to Use Background Noise Remover — Clean up audio instantly
How to Use Video Customization — Fine-tune every detail of your video

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives

Why Trust This Guide

I’ve used Captions AI for over 6 months and tested every feature covered here. This how to use captions ai tutorial comes from real hands-on experience — not marketing fluff or vendor screenshots.

Captions AI is one of the most powerful AI video editing tools available today.

But most users only scratch the surface of what it can do.

This guide shows you how to use every major feature.

Step by step, with screenshots and pro tips.

Captions AI Tutorial

This complete Captions AI tutorial walks you through every feature step by step, from initial setup to advanced tips that will make you a power user.

Captions AI

Turn raw footage into polished, captioned videos in minutes. Captions AI handles editing, subtitles, translations, and AI avatars — all from your phone or desktop. Start creating for free today.

TRY CAPTIONS AI NOW →

READ FULL REVIEW →

CAPTIONS AI ALTERNATIVES →

Getting Started with Captions AI

Before using any feature, complete this one-time setup.

It takes about 3 minutes.

Now let’s walk through each step.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Go to captions.ai or download the app from the App Store.

Tap “Sign Up” to create your account.

You can sign up with email, Google, or Apple ID.

✓ Checkpoint: Check your inbox for a confirmation email.

Step 2: Download or Access the App

Captions AI works on iOS, Android, and desktop web browsers.

The iOS app has the most features right now.

Here’s what the dashboard looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see the main dashboard with a plus icon to start.

Step 3: Complete Initial Setup

Choose your content type when the app asks during onboarding.

Pick a default caption style you like.

You can always change this later for each project.

✅ Done: You’re ready to use any feature below.

Try Captions AI now

How to Use Captions AI Auto-Captions

Auto-Captions lets you add accurate, animated subtitles to any video in seconds.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

See Auto-Captions in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Upload Your Video

Tap the plus icon and select your video file.

You can record directly in the app or import from your camera roll.

Step 2: Choose a Caption Style

Browse over 100 caption templates with different fonts and animations.

Pick one that matches your brand or content style.

The AI will transcribe your audio and add captions automatically.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see animated captions on your video preview.

Step 3: Edit and Export

Tap any word to fix spelling or timing issues.

Change font size, color, or position to fit your needs.

Hit “Export” when you’re happy with the result.

✅ Result: Your video now has stylish, animated captions ready for social media.

💡 Pro Tip: Review every caption before exporting. The AI can misinterpret heavy accents, technical jargon, or brand names.

Try Captions AI now

How to Use Captions AI AI Edit

AI Edit lets you turn raw footage into a finished video with one tap.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

See AI Edit in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Upload Your Raw Footage

Import any video from your camera roll or record one in the app.

Talking-head videos work best with AI Edit.

Step 2: Select an Edit Style

Choose from preset styles or type a custom prompt.

The AI adds B-roll, zooms, transitions, sounds, and captions for you.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a fully edited video preview with effects applied.

Step 3: Fine-Tune and Export

Use the chat-based editor to make changes with text prompts.

Type things like “remove the B-roll at 0:15” or “add more zooms.”

Export when the video looks right.

✅ Result: Your raw clip is now a polished, share-ready video with effects and captions.

💡 Pro Tip: Use the chat-based editor for quick fixes instead of manual editing. Just describe what you want changed.

Try Captions AI now

How to Use Captions AI AI Shorts

AI Shorts lets you turn long videos into multiple short clips for social media.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

See AI Shorts in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Upload a Long Video

Import a video between 4 minutes and 2 hours long.

You can also paste a YouTube URL if the video is public or unlisted.

Step 2: Let AI Find the Best Clips

The AI scans your full video and picks the most engaging moments.

It generates multiple short clips ready for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see several AI-generated short clips to choose from.

Step 3: Review and Export Your Clips

Preview each short and pick the ones you like.

Edit captions, trim the clip, or change the style.

Export each short individually or all at once.

✅ Result: You now have several short clips from one long video, each ready to post.

💡 Pro Tip: AI Shorts supports multiple languages. Switch the language setting before processing to get captions in your audience’s language.

Try Captions AI now

How to Use Captions AI AI Creators

AI Creators lets you generate full videos from just a text prompt.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

See AI Creators in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Write Your Prompt

Describe the video you want to create in a few sentences.

Include your topic, tone, and target audience.

Step 2: Choose Your AI Presenter

Select from built-in AI actors or use your own AI Twin.

The AI generates a script and creates a video with the presenter.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a preview of your AI-generated video with the presenter speaking.

Step 3: Edit the Script and Export

Tweak the script if any lines feel off.

Change backgrounds, add music, or adjust the pacing.

Export the final video when everything looks good.

✅ Result: You’ve created a full video without recording any footage yourself.

💡 Pro Tip: Be specific in your prompts. Include the exact topic, tone, and key points you want covered for better results.

Try Captions AI now

How to Use Captions AI AI Twins

AI Twins lets you create a digital clone of yourself that speaks on camera.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

See AI Twins in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Record Your Training Video

Record a short clip of yourself speaking clearly to the camera.

Follow the on-screen prompts for best results.

Step 2: Wait for AI Processing

The AI builds a 3D model based on your face and voice.

This may take a few minutes to finish processing.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see your AI Twin ready in the creator panel.

Step 3: Generate Videos with Your Twin

Type any script and your AI Twin will speak it on camera.

Use it for ads, product demos, or social media content.

Export when you’re satisfied with the result.

✅ Result: Your AI Twin can now create unlimited videos without you being on camera.

💡 Pro Tip: Record your training clip in good lighting with clear audio. The better your source video, the more realistic your Twin looks.

Try Captions AI now

How to Use Captions AI AI Avatar Generator

AI Avatar Generator lets you build a custom AI spokesperson from scratch.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

See AI Avatar Generator in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Open the Avatar Creator

Go to the AI Creator section in the app.

Select “Create Avatar” or “AI Actor” from the menu.

Step 2: Customize Your Avatar

Choose from preset avatars or create one using a text prompt.

Adjust the look, background, and speaking style.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see your custom avatar preview on screen.

Step 3: Add a Script and Generate

Type or paste the script you want your avatar to speak.

The AI generates the video with matching lip movements.

Export the finished video when it looks right.

✅ Result: You have a professional video with a custom AI spokesperson.

💡 Pro Tip: Use AI Avatars for UGC-style ad content. They look natural and cost far less than hiring real actors.

Try Captions AI now

How to Use Captions AI AI Eye Contact

AI Eye Contact lets you fix your eye contact in videos so you always look at the camera.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

See AI Eye Contact in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Import Your Video

Upload any talking-head video where you glanced away from the camera.

This works best with front-facing footage.

Step 2: Enable Eye Contact Correction

Find the Eye Contact toggle in the editing toolbar.

Turn it on and let the AI process your video.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see your eyes now looking directly at the camera in the preview.

Step 3: Review and Export

Watch the full video to make sure the correction looks natural.

Export the video once you’re satisfied.

✅ Result: Your video now shows perfect eye contact throughout, looking more professional.

💡 Pro Tip: Use Eye Contact on videos where you read from a script or teleprompter. It makes a huge difference in viewer trust.

Try Captions AI now

How to Use Captions AI Background Noise Remover

Background Noise Remover lets you clean up audio by removing unwanted sounds.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

See Background Noise Remover in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Upload a Noisy Video

Import any video with background noise like fans, traffic, or wind.

The feature works on any audio source.

Step 2: Turn on Denoise

Find the “Denoise” option in the audio editing tools.

Toggle it on and the AI removes background noise instantly.

✓ Checkpoint: Play the preview — your voice should sound clear with no background hum.

Step 3: Export Your Clean Video

Listen to the full video to confirm the audio sounds right.

Export the video with the cleaned-up audio.

✅ Result: Your video now has studio-quality audio with all background noise removed.

💡 Pro Tip: Always apply Denoise before adding captions. Cleaner audio gives you much more accurate caption transcriptions.

Try Captions AI now

How to Use Captions AI Video Customization

Video Customization lets you fine-tune fonts, colors, placement, zooms, and effects.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

See Video Customization in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Open the Editor

Open any project and tap the editing tools at the bottom.

You’ll see options for text, zoom, trim, music, and more.

Step 2: Adjust Visual Elements

Change caption fonts, sizes, colors, and animation styles.

Add custom zooms, transitions, and sound effects to your video.

✓ Checkpoint: Your video preview should show all your custom changes applied.

Step 3: Save Your Style and Export

Save your preferred settings as a preset for future videos.

Export the video with all your custom styling.

✅ Result: Your video is fully customized and matches your brand style.

💡 Pro Tip: Use high-contrast caption colors so text stays readable against any background. White text with a dark outline works best.

Try Captions AI now

Captions AI Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After testing Captions AI for over 6 months, here are my best tips.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
Undo last action	Ctrl + Z / Cmd + Z
Redo last action	Ctrl + Shift + Z / Cmd + Shift + Z
Play/Pause preview	Spacebar
Split clip at playhead	S
Delete selected clip	Backspace / Delete
Export project	Ctrl + E / Cmd + E

Hidden Features Most People Miss

Chat-Based Editing: Type text commands like “add zoom at 0:05” instead of manually editing the timeline. It saves tons of time.
AI Lipdub: Dub your video into 30+ languages with synchronized lip movements. Your mouth actually matches the translated audio.
Script Generator: Let the AI write your video script before you record. Great for planning content when you’re stuck on ideas.
Camera and Teleprompter: Record directly in the app with a built-in teleprompter. Your script scrolls on screen while you film.

Try Captions AI now

Captions AI Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Skipping Caption Review Before Export

❌ Wrong: Trusting AI captions are 100% accurate and exporting without checking them.

✅ Right: Always read through every caption. Fix brand names, technical terms, and any misspelled words before you export.

Mistake #2: Using Too Many AI Credits on Test Projects

❌ Wrong: Running AI Creators and AI Twins on every random idea and burning through credits fast.

✅ Right: Plan your videos first. Use the script generator to finalize your content before spending credits on generation.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Platform Differences

❌ Wrong: Assuming all features work the same on iOS, Android, and desktop.

✅ Right: Use the iOS app for the most stable experience. Some features may be limited on Android or desktop.

Try Captions AI now

Captions AI Troubleshooting

Problem: Captions Are Out of Sync with Audio

Cause: This usually happens with long videos or when the audio quality is poor.

Fix: Apply the Denoise feature first, then regenerate captions. If the issue continues, split the video into shorter clips and caption each one.

Problem: Export Fails or Freezes

Cause: Insufficient storage space on your device or a large project file.

Fix: Free up storage on your phone. Close other apps. Try exporting at a lower resolution first, then retry at full quality.

Problem: AI Twin Doesn’t Look Realistic

Cause: Poor lighting or unclear audio in your original training video.

Fix: Record a new training clip in bright, even lighting with clear speech. Avoid noisy backgrounds and keep the camera at eye level.

📌 Note: If none of these fix your issue, contact Captions AI support through the app or at help.mirage.app.

Try Captions AI now

What is Captions AI?

Captions AI is an AI-powered video editing tool that turns raw footage into polished, captioned videos in minutes.

Think of it like having a personal video editor in your pocket.

Watch this quick overview:

It includes these key features:

Auto-Captions: Add animated subtitles to any video with 100+ style templates
AI Edit: Turn raw footage into a polished video with one tap
AI Shorts: Convert long videos into multiple short clips for social media
AI Creators: Generate full videos from text prompts using AI presenters
AI Twins: Create a digital clone of yourself for unlimited video content
AI Avatar Generator: Build custom AI spokespersons for ads and demos
AI Eye Contact: Fix eye contact in any talking-head video
Background Noise Remover: Clean up audio by removing unwanted sounds
Video Customization: Fine-tune fonts, colors, zooms, transitions, and effects

For a full review, see our Captions AI review.

Try Captions AI now

Captions AI Pricing

Here’s what Captions AI costs in 2026:

Plan	Price	Best For
Free	$0	Trying out basic editing with 200 lifetime credits
Pro	$9.99/month	Solo creators who want captions and basic AI editing
Max	$24.99/month	Heavy users who need AI Twins, AI Creators, and Lipdub
Scale	$69.99/month	Businesses and agencies producing content at scale

Free trial: Yes — free plan with limited features and 200 lifetime credits.

Money-back guarantee: Monthly plans are non-refundable. You can cancel anytime.

💰 Best Value: Pro plan at $9.99/month — it covers captions, AI editing, and watermark-free exports for most creators.

Try Captions AI now

Captions AI vs Alternatives

How does Captions AI compare? Here’s the competitive landscape:

Tool	Best For	Price	Rating
Captions AI	AI video editing and captions	$9.99/mo	⭐ 4.3
HeyGen	AI avatar videos	$24/mo	⭐ 4.5
Synthesia	Enterprise AI videos	$18/mo	⭐ 4.6
Colossyan	Training and education videos	$19/mo	⭐ 4.2
Veed	Web-based video editing	$9/mo	⭐ 4.3
Elai	Personalized AI videos	$23/mo	⭐ 4.0
Fliki	Text to video and voiceovers	$21/mo	⭐ 4.2
Speechify	Text to speech and dubbing	$11.58/mo	⭐ 4.2

Quick picks:

Best overall: Captions AI — best all-in-one AI video editor for short-form content
Best budget: Veed — solid web-based editor starting at $9/month
Best for beginners: Fliki — simple text-to-video with a free plan
Best for enterprise: Synthesia — polished AI avatars for corporate training

🎯 Captions AI Alternatives

Looking for Captions AI alternatives? Here are the top options:

🚀 HeyGen: Best for creating high-quality AI avatar videos with natural lip sync. Starts at $24/month with a free plan available.
🏢 Synthesia: Top pick for enterprise teams making training and onboarding videos. AI avatars look very polished. Starts at $18/month.
🎓 Colossyan: Great for corporate training videos with AI presenters and built-in translation. Plans start at $19/month.
🎨 Veed: Solid web-based video editor with auto subtitles and team features. Good for creators who prefer browser editing. Starts at $9/month.
⚡ Elai: Creates personalized AI videos with digital presenters. Good for marketing teams. Plans from $23/month.
💰 Vidnoz: Budget-friendly AI video maker with a free tier. Great for simple avatar and talking-head videos. Free plan available.
🧠 DeepBrain: Advanced AI avatar platform with realistic human-like presenters. Good for news-style and educational content. Free plan available.
🔧 Synthesys: Offers AI voiceovers and video avatars in one platform. Helpful for explainer and demo videos. Starts at $20/month.
🌟 Hour One: Focused on professional AI presenter videos for enterprises. Great for corporate comms. Free trial available.
🎯 D-ID: Turns photos into talking videos with AI. Great for personalized outreach and creative marketing. Starts at $4.70/month.
📊 Virbo: Wondershare’s AI video platform with templates and avatars. Good for marketers. Starts at $19.90/month.
💼 Vidyard: Video platform built for sales and marketing teams with tracking and analytics. Free plan with basics. Starter at $59/month.
⭐ Fliki: Simple text-to-video tool with AI voices in many languages. Perfect for beginners. Free plan available.
🔒 Speechify: Known for text-to-speech and AI dubbing. Also handles video voiceovers. Free version with limited features.
🔥 InVideo: Template-driven video maker with AI editing. Good for social media ads and promos. Free plan available.
👶 Creatify: AI ad creator focused on UGC-style video ads. Great for e-commerce and product marketing. Free plan with starter at $19/month.

For the full list, see our Captions AI alternatives guide.

⚔️ Captions AI Compared

Here’s how Captions AI stacks up against each competitor:

Captions AI vs HeyGen: Both make AI avatar videos. HeyGen has more realistic avatars, but Captions AI offers better editing and captioning tools.
Captions AI vs Synthesia: Synthesia is stronger for enterprise training videos. Captions AI wins for short-form social content and mobile editing.
Captions AI vs Colossyan: Colossyan focuses on learning and development content. Captions AI is more versatile for social media creators.
Captions AI vs Veed: Veed is a solid web editor with team features. Captions AI has better AI automation and animated caption styles.
Captions AI vs Elai: Elai specializes in personalized AI video. Captions AI covers more ground with editing, captions, and noise removal.
Captions AI vs Vidnoz: Vidnoz is more budget-friendly with a free tier. Captions AI offers more advanced AI editing and caption styles.
Captions AI vs DeepBrain: DeepBrain has very realistic AI presenters. Captions AI beats it on editing features and mobile experience.
Captions AI vs Synthesys: Synthesys is good for voiceovers and basic avatars. Captions AI does more with full video editing and shorts.
Captions AI vs Hour One: Hour One targets enterprise with polished presenters. Captions AI is better for creators and small businesses.
Captions AI vs D-ID: D-ID turns photos into talking videos. Captions AI is a full video editor with much more editing power.
Captions AI vs Virbo: Virbo offers good templates and avatars. Captions AI has stronger AI editing and better caption animation.
Captions AI vs Vidyard: Vidyard is built for sales teams with video tracking. Captions AI is better for content creation and editing.
Captions AI vs Fliki: Fliki is simpler and great for beginners. Captions AI has more features for experienced creators.
Captions AI vs Speechify: Speechify excels at text-to-speech. Captions AI is a full video editor that goes way beyond voiceovers.
Captions AI vs InVideo: InVideo uses templates for quick video creation. Captions AI has better AI-powered automatic editing.
Captions AI vs Creatify: Creatify focuses on AI ad creation. Captions AI covers ads plus full video editing, captions, and more.

Try Captions AI now

Start Using Captions AI Now

You learned how to use every major Captions AI feature:

✅ Auto-Captions
✅ AI Edit
✅ AI Shorts
✅ AI Creators
✅ AI Twins
✅ AI Avatar Generator
✅ AI Eye Contact
✅ Background Noise Remover
✅ Video Customization

Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.

Most people start with Auto-Captions.

It takes less than 5 minutes.

Try Captions AI now

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use AI subtitles?

Open Captions AI and upload your video. The app automatically transcribes your audio and adds subtitles. Choose from over 100 animated caption styles, then edit any words that need fixing. Export when everything looks correct.

What does Captions AI do?

Captions AI is an all-in-one video editing app that uses AI to add captions, edit videos, create AI avatars, remove background noise, fix eye contact, and dub videos into 30+ languages. It’s designed mainly for short-form social media content creators.

How to edit in Captions AI?

Upload a video and use AI Edit to let the app handle cuts, B-roll, zooms, and transitions automatically. You can also edit manually using the timeline editor or type text commands in the chat-based editor to make specific changes.

Is Captions AI free?

Captions AI has a free plan with basic editing and 200 lifetime credits. However, exports on the free plan include a watermark. For full features like AI Twins, AI Creators, and watermark-free exports, you need a paid plan starting at $9.99/month.

How to use captions in the AI app?

Download the Captions app from the App Store or visit captions.ai on your desktop. Upload or record a video. The app auto-generates captions from your speech. Pick a style, edit any errors, and export. The whole process takes a few minutes.

Can AI generate a caption for an image?

Captions AI is built for video, not images. It generates captions from spoken audio in video files. If you need captions for static images, you would need a separate AI image captioning tool designed for that purpose.

How to get AI captions?

Sign up for Captions AI at captions.ai or download the app. Upload any video and the AI will automatically generate captions from your audio. You can then choose styles, edit text, and adjust timing before exporting.

What is the AI caption generator app free?

Captions AI offers a free plan with basic caption features and 200 lifetime credits. The free version adds a watermark to exports. For unlimited watermark-free captions, the Pro plan costs $9.99/month.

How much does the Captions app cost?

Captions AI has three paid plans: Pro at $9.99/month for basic AI editing, Max at $24.99/month for advanced AI features like AI Twins and text-to-video, and Scale at $69.99/month for businesses that need more credits and processing power.

How does AI captioning work?

AI captioning uses speech recognition to convert spoken words into text. The AI then syncs the text to the video timeline so each word appears at the right moment. Captions AI also adds animated styles and lets you edit any mistakes before export.

How to edit text in Captions AI?

After the AI generates your captions, tap any word in the caption timeline to edit it. You can change spelling, split or merge words, and adjust timing. You can also change fonts, colors, and animation styles from the styling panel.