CapCut does them well, it is free, and it works on both mobile and desktop.
85%
of social video is watched without soundThat single fact makes auto-captions the most important feature in any video editing tool for social media.
Here is how to use it properly.
Auto-captions: the feature that changes everything
Open your clip in CapCut. Go to Text, then Auto Captions. CapCut transcribes your audio and places captions automatically as text overlays, timed to your speech.
From there you can: change the font and colour to match your brand, adjust the position (centre screen typically performs better than the bottom for Reels and TikToks), and correct any transcription errors by tapping on individual words.
You do not need to add captions manually to every video anymore. This process takes under two minutes per clip.
Templates: working with what is trending
The Templates tab in CapCut shows trending formats in real time — synced with TikTok sounds and effects. These templates show you what is performing on the platform right now.
Use them as starting points, not finished products. Pick a template with a structure that fits your content, replace the placeholder footage and text with your own, and adapt the style to your brand.
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The advantage is speed. You are not building a video from scratch. You are customising something that already has a proven structure.
Batch editing on desktop
CapCut's desktop version allows you to edit multiple videos at once using the same settings. If you have clipped eight short videos from a recording session, you can apply the same caption style, colour grading, and branding to all of them simultaneously.
This is the biggest time-saver for teams producing content at volume. Set up your template once, apply it across everything.
The production settings that matter
Export at 1080p — the social standard for clean motion. Turn off HDR video for easier editing and better compatibility across platforms. Film vertically at 9:16 for Reels and TikTok. Film horizontally at 16:9 for YouTube and LinkedIn.
One overlooked step: clean your lens before filming. It is the most common source of soft, hazy footage — and the easiest fix.
The honest summary
CapCut is not the most powerful video editing tool. It is the most accessible. For social media content — short clips, captions, simple effects — it handles everything most teams will ever need, for free.
If you are currently not adding captions to your videos, start there. Turn on auto-captions on your next video. It will take two minutes and meaningfully improve your content's performance.
Want a video content workflow built for your business? Book a free Social Signal Diagnostic.