Tutorial Guide
5-Minute Setup
How to Add Subtitles
to Your Twitch Stream
The easiest way to add subtitles to Twitch: install the StreamTranslate extension. Viewers get real-time subtitles in their language inside the Twitch player — no OBS overlay required.
Two Ways to Add Subtitles to Twitch
There are two approaches to subtitles on Twitch. This guide covers both so you can pick what's right for you:
- Method 1 — Twitch Extension (Recommended): Install StreamTranslate as a native Twitch extension. Viewers choose their language and see subtitles in the Twitch player panel. Works for every viewer, every language, simultaneously. No OBS needed.
- Method 2 — OBS Browser Source Overlay: Add StreamTranslate as a browser source in OBS. Subtitles appear burned into your stream video in one language. Simpler setup, but less flexible — all viewers see the same language.
For most streamers, Method 1 (the Twitch extension) is the right choice — it gives viewers control, supports every language simultaneously, and doesn't clutter your stream layout.
Method 1: Twitch Extension — Step-by-Step
- Step 1 — Install the extension: Click the button below to open the StreamTranslate page in the Twitch Extensions Marketplace. Click "Install".
- Step 2 — Create your account: Go to streamtranslate.live and sign up. It's free to start.
- Step 3 — Activate the extension: In your Twitch Creator Dashboard, go to Extensions → My Extensions → find StreamTranslate → click "Activate".
- Step 4 — Set your spoken language: In the StreamTranslate dashboard, choose the language you stream in (e.g., English). Viewers will be able to choose their translation language.
- Step 5 — Go live with subtitles: Start your OBS stream, then open StreamTranslate and click "Go Live". Your stream is now live with real-time subtitles available to all viewers.
→ Install StreamTranslate on Twitch
Method 2: OBS Browser Source Overlay — Step-by-Step
- Step 1: Create your account at streamtranslate.live
- Step 2: In your StreamTranslate control panel, copy your unique overlay URL
- Step 3: Open OBS Studio → click + in the Sources panel → choose Browser Source
- Step 4: Paste your StreamTranslate overlay URL. Set size to 1920x1080.
- Step 5: Click "Go Live" in StreamTranslate before or after you start streaming — subtitles appear on your stream video immediately
This method works with OBS Studio, Streamlabs, Prism Live Studio, and any software that supports browser sources.
What Viewers See
With the Twitch extension method: viewers see a new button in the Twitch player. They click it, choose their language from a dropdown, and subtitles appear below the video in a panel. They can toggle it on/off at any time without affecting other viewers.
With the OBS overlay method: subtitles appear directly on the stream video in one language, visible to all viewers. Viewers can't hide them or choose a different language.
Tips for Best Subtitle Quality
- Use a good microphone — clarity of your audio directly affects transcription accuracy
- Avoid heavy background music during speech — it can interfere with speech recognition
- Speak at a normal pace — extremely fast speech reduces accuracy for any AI transcription tool
- Choose your spoken language correctly in the StreamTranslate settings — wrong language = poor results
- Test subtitles in a private stream before going live to your audience
FAQ
- Is this free? StreamTranslate has a free tier. A Stream Pass ($9.99 one-time) covers a full session. Monthly plans start at $14.99.
- Do I need OBS? Not for the Twitch extension method. You need OBS for the browser source overlay method.
- How many languages are supported? 30+ languages for both input (your spoken language) and output (viewer's subtitle language).
- Will subtitles slow my stream? No — all processing is cloud-based.