Live Captions, Subtitles & Captioning Services for Events
Captioning and subtitling captures the spoken word in written format and displays it on screen for your audience in real time or alongside pre-recorded content.
It works for in-person events, virtual events, hybrid formats and video content and it is one of the most effective ways to make your event more inclusive, more engaging and more accessible to a wider audience.
Captions are not just for the hearing impaired, 80% of 18-25 year olds use subtitles and captions all or some of the time while consuming media. It’s fast becoming the norm amongst key demographics when consuming content - no matter what the channel.*
Who benefits from captions and subtitles at events?
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Deaf and hard of hearing attendees who rely on written text to follow content
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Attendees for whom the event language is a second language
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Neurodivergent attendees, including those with ADHD or Sensory Processing Disorder, who find written reinforcement of spoken content helpful
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Anyone in a loud or acoustically challenging environment where hearing the speaker clearly is difficult
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Virtual and hybrid attendees watching on smaller screens or in noisy surroundings
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Anyone reviewing recorded content after the event
AI captioning uses speech recognition technology to generate captions in real time during your event. It is the fastest and most cost-effective live captioning option and works well for events with clear audio, standard accents and straightforward subject matter.
TranslateAble works as an experienced broker across multiple AI captioning platforms. We don't have a single preferred tool. Instead, we assess each platform against your specific brief, taking into account the languages you need, your speakers' accents, the technical terminology involved and how captions will be displayed to your audience. We then recommend the right platform for your event and manage the setup on your behalf.
Things to consider with AI captioning include speaker accents, specialist vocabulary and Q&A handling. We advise on all of these during the quotation process so there are no surprises on the day.
Live captions using human captioners
Human captioning is the premium live option, delivering the highest accuracy rates particularly for events with complex content, specialist terminology, international speakers or emotionally sensitive subject matter.
Human captioners work in real time, producing captions that are not only accurate in words but also precise in punctuation, grammar and capitalisation. They can make contextual judgements that AI cannot such as interpreting tone, correcting on the fly and ensuring the caption reflects what the speaker meant, not just what they said.
For panel discussions, keynote speeches on sensitive topics, medical or legal conferences, or any event where accuracy is non-negotiable, human captioning is the right choice. TranslateAble sources and manages qualified human captioners and handles all technical delivery so your team doesn't need to.
AI or human, how do you choose?
The right solution depends on your event. Here is a straightforward guide:
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Your budget is tight and accuracy requirements are standard
Speakers are primarily native English speakers with neutral accents
The subject matter is general rather than highly technical
You need captions in multiple languages simultaneously
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Accuracy is critical and errors would be disruptive or embarrassing
Speakers have strong regional or international accents
Content is emotionally sensitive or involves complex specialist terminology
You are running a formal, high-profile or broadcast event
Live captions using AI
Captions and subtitles for pre-recorded event content
Captioning isn't limited to live events. If you are producing video content — post-event highlights, training films, product launch videos, virtual event recordings or any other content that will be shared or broadcast — captions and subtitles make that content accessible and searchable from the moment it is published.
We provide two formats for pre-recorded content:
SRT files are separate, timecoded caption files that sit alongside your video. They allow viewers to turn captions on or off depending on their preference and are compatible with most video platforms including YouTube, Vimeo and most event platforms. SRT files are also useful if you plan to translate the same content into multiple languages, as each language version can be created as a separate file.
Burnt-in subtitles are permanently embedded into the video itself — the captions cannot be switched off. This option is ideal for content shared on social media, shown on screens at events, or published in formats where a separate caption file is not supported. Burnt-in subtitles are also the right choice when you want to ensure every viewer sees the captions regardless of their device or platform settings.
Not sure which format is right for you? We'll advise based on how and where your content will be used. Contact the team
Why TranslateAble for captioning?
Most captioning providers specialise in technology or in human captioners but not both. TranslateAble sits across the full range, which means we give genuinely impartial advice based on what your event needs rather than what we have to sell.
We also bring something no other captioning agency can, our 20+ years of event operations experience. We understand how conferences, trade shows and awards ceremonies actually run. We understand the last-minute programme changes, the speaker who goes off script, the Q&A that overruns.
Our advice and our delivery is shaped by that experience at every stage and event teams notice the difference.
How it works
Getting captions set up for your event is simpler than most event managers expect.
1. Tell us about your event
Include format, date, location, languages, number of speakers and how captions will be displayed
2. We recommend the right solution
AI platform, human captioner or pre-recorded subtitling, with a clear explanation of why
3. We handle the setup
Platform configuration, captioner briefing, glossary preloading and technical testing before the event
4. We support you on the day
Available onsite or on-call throughout to ensure captions run smoothly from the first session to the last
Let’s Chat
Got an event in mind? Not sure where to start?
Get in touch with us and let’s chat!