Wave Subs

What Wave Subs is

Wave Subs is a subtitle app for macOS and Windows that turns spoken dialogue in video into SRT or ASS subtitles, with translation available as part of the workflow. It uses whisper.cpp locally for speech recognition and detects the spoken language automatically. Translation covers 29 target languages, using a local Qwen3 model by default, and the app also supports OpenAI-compatible interfaces.

Its editor lets you revise subtitle wording and timing, add or remove lines, combine lines, undo edits, and save changes automatically. For batch work, process a folder using shared settings, then adjust the subtitle track, audio track, or engine for individual files. The macOS version can also identify and translate text visible in the video, such as signs and messages.

Inputs include MKV, MP4, MOV, TS, and AVI video, as well as audio files. Once models are downloaded, recognition, alignment, translation, editing, and export can work offline. The site says videos are not uploaded and processing runs locally, with no account, analytics, or server. Wave Subs is free, with no usage limits or membership; cloud translation is optional and may carry charges from the translation provider.

Who it suits

Wave Subs suits people who want to create or translate subtitles locally, edit their text and timing, or process a folder of media files. It may also suit macOS users who need to translate text shown in video, or users who want offline processing after downloading models.

Limits

The Free plan costs nothing and has no usage limits or membership. Optional cloud translation may incur fees charged directly by the translation provider.

Getting started

1. Visit https://wavesubs.com.
2. Download the macOS version for macOS 12 or later on Apple Silicon, or the Windows version for Windows 10 or later x64.
3. Download the models needed for offline processing.
4. Open video or audio input, including MKV, MP4, MOV, TS, AVI, or other supported audio files.
5. Recognize dialogue, edit subtitles, and export them as SRT or ASS.

Verdict

Choose Wave Subs if you want a free local subtitle workflow with editing, batch processing, and translation. Look elsewhere if you need Intel Mac support; cloud translation can also bring separate provider charges.