SRT vs VTT: which subtitle format to use
SRT and VTT both store timed subtitle text and differ mainly in small details: VTT starts with a WEBVTT line and uses a dot before milliseconds. Use SRT for the widest compatibility with platforms and editors, and VTT for web video players built on HTML5.
What they have in common
Both are plain-text files listing subtitles with start and end times. Both can hold any script when saved as UTF-8, including Devanagari, Tamil and Bengali. Neither carries a burned-in look: the player decides how the text appears.
How they differ
SRT numbers each subtitle and writes times like 00:00:01,500, with a comma. It is the older format and the most widely accepted by video platforms and editing software.
VTT (WebVTT) begins with the line WEBVTT, writes times like 00:00:01.500 with a dot, and was designed for the web. It supports extra features such as positioning and styling hints, though support for those varies by player.
Which one to choose
For YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn, either usually works, and SRT is the safe default. For a video on your own website using an HTML5 player, use VTT. For editing apps, check the import options; SRT is the more common.
Tip: When in doubt, export both. They come from the same transcript, so there is no extra work.
And when to use neither
Instagram Reels, WhatsApp and many short-video apps don't use subtitle files. There, captions need to be burned into the video so they show at all.
Questions
Can I convert SRT to VTT?
Yes. The formats are close: add a WEBVTT line at the top and change the comma before milliseconds to a dot. EasyCap exports both directly on paid plans.
Does either format support Indian languages?
Both do, as long as the file is saved as UTF-8.
Which format does YouTube prefer?
YouTube accepts both. SRT is the most common choice.