Tap Captions and Captions AI
Choose Tap Captions when you want to add captions and narration to local iPhone footage with on-device processing. Consider Captions when you want a broader set of AI editing and video-generation tools.
Compare the workflow
| What matters | Tap Captions | Captions AI |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | A local video in Photos or Files | Recorded or uploaded footage and AI-generated projects |
| Main focus | Captions and voiceover on iPhone | AI editing, caption styles, generated presenters and other creation tools |
| Voiceover | Apple's on-device speech synthesis on iOS 27 | AI voiceover and imported narration |
| Where you work | iPhone with iOS 27, through TestFlight | iOS and other supported Captions platforms, depending on the feature |
| Local processing | Video processing stays on the iPhone | Its published AI editing workflow includes uploading footage |
Captions describes automatic editing with elements such as B-roll, music and transitions on its product site. Its voiceover documentation explains generated and imported narration. These capabilities can matter if you want the tool to do more of the edit for you.
Where Tap Captions fits
You already have the clip. You want to caption what was said, add an explanation or prepare a finished copy while keeping the processing on your phone. Tap Captions's local import and on-device workflow are built around that job.
Before working offline, download any iCloud original and required speech assets. On-device processing does not make a cloud-only source file local.
When to choose Captions
If your project depends on an AI presenter or a more automated edit with generated material, review Captions' tools first. Tap Captions's beta focuses on your existing footage, captions and narration.
An upload step describes a workflow, not every aspect of a company's data handling. Read the Captions privacy policy for its terms rather than assuming all features behave the same way.
Try your own clip
Use the same short source video in each app. Check the words, pronunciation, editing steps and final export. Pick the workflow that makes your regular projects easier to finish.
Request Tap Captions beta access or browse the other comparisons.
Note Competitor information checked on 18 September 2026. Features, platforms and plans can change. Check the linked sources before choosing.