What Does It Cost to Translate a Video? A Professional Cost Comparison

Traditional Studio Dubbing with Voice Actors

What it involves:

• Script translation by a localization agency
  
• Voice talent selection for each target language
  
• Studio recording and editing
  
• Syncing and post-production
  
• (Optional) Manual lip sync matching
  
  

Pros:

• Very high production quality
  
• Fully customizable tone and voice selection
  
• Ideal for high-stakes, creative projects
  
  

Cons:

• Expensive and time-consuming
  
• Limited scalability
  
• Requires significant project coordination
  
  

Cost estimate:

€150–€400 per minute, depending on language, voice actor rates, studio costs, and complexity

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Manual Subtitling via Translation Agencies

What it involves:

• Manual transcription of original video
  
• Professional human translation
  
• Subtitle timecoding and formatting
  
• Output as SRT or burned-in subtitles
  
  

Pros:

• More affordable than dubbing
  
• Widely accepted across platforms
  
• Good for clear, informational content
  
  

Cons:

• Viewers must read while watching
  
• Less immersive and emotional
  
• Not ideal for all audiences or use cases
  
  

Cost estimate:

€8–€20 per minute, depending on language pair, formatting, and vendor

Automatic Subtitles Using Basic AI Tools

What it involves:

• Auto-transcription of speech
  
• Machine translation
  
• Automated subtitle generation
  
  

Pros:

• Extremely fast
  
• Minimal cost
  
• Built into many platforms (e.g. YouTube)
  
  

Cons:

• Inaccurate translations
  
• No brand control or tone-of-voice adaptation
  
• Weak timing and formatting
  
• Not suitable for professional use
  
  

Cost estimate:

Essentially free, but with clear quality limitations

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AI-Powered Translation & Voiceover with Dubly

What it involves:

• Upload video to Dubly
  
• Automated transcription and translation
  
• Generation of synthetic voiceover using natural-sounding AI voices
  
• Optional: lip sync, custom vocabulary, audio optimization, multi-speaker handling, native speaker review
  
• Export as audio or fully synced video
  
  

Pros:

• High-quality voice output in 30+ languages
  
• Fast turnaround: minutes, not days
  
• Affordable even at scale
  
• Fully editable translations and glossaries
  
• Optional review by native speakers
  
• Exportable audio for all major platforms
  
• GDPR-compliant, EU-hosted infrastructure
  
  

Cons:

• Extreme emotion (e.g., screaming or crying) may need minor manual adjustments
  
  

Cost estimate:

€2–€4 per minute, depending on language, features, and volume

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