ArcTime

ArcTime is a free, cross-platform subtitle editing APPlication AImed at people who need to create, time, and refine captions for vIDEo. It is positioned as a Lightweight desktop tool rather than a full video editor, so the focus stays on the subtitle track itself: typing text, syncing it to the spoken audio, and exporting a subtitle file that can be paired with footage in another program.

What it does

The app provides a Timeline-based workspace for building subtitle segments and matching each line to the corresponding moment in a video. Instead of writing timestamps by hand, users can play the video and set in and out points as they go, which speeds up the tedious part of captioning. The result is typically saved as a Standard subtitle file and then imported into a video editor or player.

Key capabilities

• timeline editing: Add, split, merge, and reorder subtitle lines while watching the video.
• WavefORM-assisted timing: Use the audio track as a visual reference when judging where a line should start and end.
• Cross-platform desktop app: The software is described as running on major desktop operating systems, though exACT compatibility may vary by release.
• Subtitle file export: Produce common subtitle formats that can be loaded into other editing tools.
• Bulk text handling: Paste or edit large blocks of transcript text and then distribute it across segments.

Who it is for

ArcTime suits Freelance video editors, content creators, translators, and students who need accurate captions without paying for a subscription suite. It is also useful for teams localizing video into another language, since the text can be edited separately from the footage. People who only need occASIonal captions may find the learning curve gentle, while heavy users will appreciate keyboard-driven timing once they are familiar with the interface.

How to get started

1. Download the installer from the project's official site for your desktop platform.
2. Open a video file and import or paste your subtitle text.
3. Play through the footage and align each line using the timeline controls.
4. Review the result for reading speed and line length before export.
5. Export a subtitle file and load it alongside your video in an editor or player.

Pricing and access caveat

ArcTime is presented as Free software, so there is no subscription requirement to begin editing subtitles. That said, features, platform support, and update frequency may change over time, and users should confirm current availability on the official download page before relying on it for a production deadline. Automatic speech recognition is not a guaranteed part of the core Workflow, so check whether your veRSIon includes assisted transcription or whether you need to supply your own transcript first.