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Open Caption vs Closed Caption: the Key Differences
Discover the pros and cons of open vs closed captions, how each affects accessibility and UX, plus examples to help you choose the right subtitle format.
Video content is everywhere today, and subtitles are crucial in enhancing accessibility and engagement. They are invaluable for individuals with hearing impairments, enabling them to fully understand and enjoy video content. Additionally, subtitles benefit non-native speakers by aiding comprehension of the video’s language. They are also essential for viewers in quiet environments, such as libraries, or in public settings like buses or workplaces, where playing audio aloud may not be feasible. By providing a text-based alternative, subtitles ensure that everyone can stay connected with the content, regardless of their circumstances.
It is also possible that you may not know that subtitles exist in two versions, open and closing captions. Each of them has particular advantages and drawbacks. Therefore, how can you select the option that works best for you? The text will discuss open caption vs closed caption, the important benefits and challenges of both, open caption examples, closed caption examples. We will also look at how they shape accessibility and user ease of use.
What Are Captions?
Basically, subtitles are what show the dialogue and other sounds in the video on the screen. Apart from dialogue, subtitles include other important sound elements. They further cover things like background music, ambient sound, and even the sound of a doorbell. You can follow a video’s meaning with subtitles if the sound is bad or if you cannot hear it.
Subtitles have different applications. Educational institutions use subtitles to simplify the process of learning for students. Advertisements that include subtitles make sure that the message is clear for all viewers. Subtitles are important for individuals with hearing impairments to get information. The World Health Organization states that close to 15% of the global population has hearing loss. Research indicates that people watching videos on social media spend 80% more time on those with subtitles. This information makes it clear that subtitles have more uses than simply meeting accessibility needs. They also support viewers in both understanding and remembering what is being said. Next, let us talk about open and closing captions.
What is Open Caption?
Open subtitles are subtitles that are always present on the video screen. Unlike closed subtitles, open subtitles are permanently displayed on the video screen and do not need external resources or player settings. It is well-matched for situations in which viewers cannot customize subtitles. Many public places do not allow sound on the videos they play. These places include subways, airports, and shopping malls. Open subtitles allow viewers to comprehend the video’s message. International viewers can use open subtitles to see translations of the language. It allows people to talk with others who speak different languages. It also enables the material to be accessed by a larger number of people.
Open subtitles are compatible with a variety of devices. They prevent the loss of subtitles and errors that can happen with player or device settings. Viewers can use smartphones, tablets, laptops, or TVs to watch the video. Whichever device is used, the subtitles will be displayed properly.
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It is common for video creators to develop their own subtitles. As a result, the subtitles follow the visual style of the video. This adds a sense of professionalism to the video and helps make the viewing experience better. In brand ads and on social media, the creators can choose specific fonts, colors, and visual effects for the subtitles. This ensures that the brand’s image stays the same.
Cons
First, open subtitles remain on the screen throughout the whole video. They remain on the screen all the time, which can bother some viewers. If the video is in the viewer’s language, they often won't find subtitles necessary. These subtitles could distract the viewer and make concentrating more difficult.
It is also true that viewers are unable to change the appearance of open subtitles. As the subtitles come with the video, viewers are unable to change their size, color, or position. Some viewers may find this to be an issue. Poor readers may not be able to see subtitles clearly when the text is hard to distinguish. As a result, the video may be less enjoyable to watch for them.
Open Caption Examples
Movies, documentaries, short online videos, and different types of content often feature this type of open caption examples. Many brand marketing videos or short film ads opt for open subtitles so that viewers can watch and understand the videos in silence. In social media videos, creators commonly add subtitles to the video to help more viewers engage and learn what the video is about.
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Open caption examples are also used publicly for advertisements or news videos. There are often no sounds on advertising screens in airports, shopping malls, and subways. In places where people may not hear the audio, open subtitles allow everyone to understand the advertisement's content. As a result of using open captions, audiences who speak different languages can easily understand the content of a video, increasing the reach of the information.
What is Closed Caption?
Closed captions are displayed apart from the original video recording. The captions are either kept in a different file or can be controlled by the player of the video. The difference between open captions and closed captions is that viewers can decide to use or hide closed captions. It means users have more say and a more personal viewing experience.
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International audiences can access many videos that are accompanied by closed captions in different languages. Closed caption examples make it possible for people to watch videos in a language they feel most comfortable with. In addition, closed captions describe noises such as a phone ringing or a doorbell, as well as what the characters are doing. People with hearing difficulties can benefit from this. On streaming services, subtitles are not limited to speech; they also include explanations of noises heard in the background to give the viewer a clearer picture.
Cons
Even though closed captions provide flexibility and personalization, they also have limitations. The first limitation is reliance on external subtitle files or player settings. If the device or streaming platform does not support subtitles or the subtitle file is not loaded properly, the subtitles will not show up. Viewers may miss important information when the video is viewed on various devices or platforms.
There are times when the use of closed captions can affect how a person watches something. A user's visual experience may suffer if the subtitles have an unsuitable font size or layout design. Besides, closed captions are flexible for hearing-impaired viewers, but their reading and understanding can suffer when the subtitles move too quickly or the layout is not easy to see.
Closed Caption Examples
It is very simple to switch closed captions on and off. Consequently, closed caption examples include home TVs, online streaming, and educational classes held on the internet. Both Netflix and YouTube allow viewers to decide if they need subtitles. Non-English speakers who watch English videos may select the English subtitles or have them shown in their own language. This way, people everywhere can watch videos without language barriers.
Many TV shows and movies provide closed captions to help people who are hard of hearing. This feature ensures that people with hearing problems can also see the content. People who speak other languages can also understand the content through this feature. Users can switch subtitles on or off by changing their player settings or device settings.
Open Caption vs Closed Caption: What's the Difference
Open and closed captions might look similar at first, but they actually make a big difference in how videos are watched, who can watch them, and how they are shared. It is important to know the main differences between open caption vs closed caption. These factors include what they look like, how much control users have, whether they are compatible with all devices, and the right situations for each one. You will find the main differences in the table below.
| Feature | Open Caption | Closed Caption |
| Display | Always visible, burned into the video | User-controlled, can be turned on/off |
| Editability | Not editable after rendering | Editable at any time through separate files |
| Device Compatibility | Consistent across all platforms | May not be supported on all devices |
| User Experience | Guarantees accessibility to all viewers | Offers flexibility for viewers |
| Multilingual Support | Requires multiple video versions | Supports multiple languages in one file |
| Use Cases | Social media, digital signage, cinema | E-learning, streaming platforms, TV broadcasts |
After learning about open caption vs closed caption. You need to look at how to make a choice according to real-life situations:
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Creating open captions asks you to make a separate video for every language. As a result, you spend more time and money on this. Closed captions allow you to provide lots of language options in a single video, and viewers can select the one they prefer. It makes things more efficient and less expensive, especially when you need different languages in your videos.
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Closed captions are more useful for schools and news groups that must change or update subtitles frequently. Making updates is straightforward and does not involve remaking the video.
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There are devices, such as TVs or phones, that either do not support closed captions or require manual activation. Because they are burned into the video, open captions can be viewed everywhere. Advertisements on the street and big screens should use open captions for accessibility.
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When you want your video to reach all people, both open and closing captions are helpful. With open captions, everyone can follow along with the video easily. So, it makes sense for advertisements or films that are just being released. Closed captions make it possible to display text in many languages and to explain sounds. It is most useful for videos shown in schools or online. Pick the type of captions that fit your video's viewers when choosing between open caption vs closed caption.
How Your Caption Choice Impacts Accessibility and UX
Different subtitle options can affect how accessible and easy to use a website is. For users who are hard of hearing, subtitles let them access the information. In noisy or quiet places, subtitles are the main way for non-native users to understand the video without any disturbance. If subtitles are not easy to read or incompatible with the player, users will soon leave. Using well-designed captions can make the information easier to understand and can add more time to the viewing experience.
In website design, accessibility is now seen as important for brand image and keeping users loyal. A website that focuses on accessibility can help reach users with vision, cognitive issues, and those relying on special devices. With a well-structured site, readable fonts, appropriate contrast colors, and simple navigation, companies can show respect for their users and improve how trusted their brand is online. As a result of this thinking, users are likely to stay longer, convert more, and return often, which makes the site more valuable in the long run.
Good UX design provides more than just user engagement. In addition, it earns the brand’s trust and decreases the chance that users will go elsewhere. Whether the website is for a company or personal use, it does not matter; an easy-to-use website design helps with the brand's development. Your best AI website builder, Wegic supports users in making sites that are both user-friendly and accessible without writing a single line of code. It handles site creation and management with the help of AI in easy question-and-answer exchanges. Wegic relies on GPT-4o, accommodates users of different languages, and is always prompt with its feedback. They help launch websites that meet the needs of all kinds of users quickly.
Conclusion
There are pros and cons to choosing between open captions and closed captions. Open captions don't change and appear the same throughout the video. It is easier to modify and update closed subtitles. Choose the caption type by taking into account your content, who is watching, and what the platform asks for. You should know that captions are not a minor option. They make it easier for people to have a good experience with the content.
Keep the user in mind when you start building your website. Be certain that people visiting your site can easily find the information they need. You can use tools such as Wegic to make websites without writing code. This way, you have more time to work on content and user experience. Start working on UX now and use Wegic to make your best UX website quickly.
FAQs
Are open captions more accessible than closed captions?
With open captions, the text is always on the screen, so live events and social media content benefit most. On the other hand, closed captions make it easier to fit the needs of various viewers.
How do open caption vs closed caption affect video editing?
Open captions become a permanent part of the video, so they can’t be changed after they’re made. Closed captions come as extra files, which means you can change or translate them at any time.
Can both open and closed captions be used together?
Yes, it’s technically possible, but it does not happen much and may seem unnecessary. Most of the time, people pick open or closed captions depending on the purpose and who is watching.
Which one is better for website accessibility: open or closed captions?
Closed captions give better website accessibility and are great for compliance. They make it possible for screen readers and users to change the settings.
Are there free tools for creating open and closing captions?
Yes, you can use Kapwing, Subtitle Edit, and YouTube Studio to make both types. All of these tools give you the option to create either burned-in (open) or separate (closed) captions.
Written by
Kimmy
Published on
May 26, 2025
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