Chang Ci

Chang Ci is a desktop subtitle editor that lets you import a video, then rapidly add and adjust subtitle blocks. It supports three methods: setting in/out points with J/K keys, dragging with the T‑shaped tool, or inserting fixed 3‑second blocks. The built‑in speech recognition engine can automatically transcribe Mandarin voice into text, reportedly with over 90% accuracy. Users can also import external fonts and style subtitles with color, shadows, and other basic effects.

Compared to adding subtitles directly inside an NLE, Chang Ci significantly reduces manual work. Several creators report that tasks that used to take two hours can be finished in about 20 minutes. The app launches and exports quickly, and its straightforward interface lowers the learning curve. For anyone who cuts first and subtitles later, it sharply cuts the time spent on captioning.

Limitations include potential issues with less common video formats (e.g., TS files may fail to load), and speech recognition depends on internet connectivity and can be affected by accent or speed, requiring manual corrections afterwards.