
mpv-autosub
mpv-autosub automatically downloads subtitles when opening a video if suitable subtitles are not already present.

About mpv-autosub
mpv-autosub is a Lua script for the MPV media player that downloads subtitles when a video is opened, but only when suitable subtitles are not already present. It uses the Python program subliminal to perform the downloads, so subliminal must be installed separately with pip. The homepage describes the script as cross-platform for Windows, Mac and Linux, and the repository is open source under the MIT License.
Setup involves copying autosub.lua into the MPV scripts folder and setting the subliminal path in the script for your system. Subtitle languages can be changed by ISO code, with the preferred language listed first. Login credentials for subtitle providers can be added optionally. Automatic downloading can be turned off so that only hotkeys are used.
Key features
- Downloads subtitles automatically when a video opens, if suitable ones are missing
- Supports multiple subtitle languages, ordered by preference in the script
- Manually triggers first or second choice language downloads with the b and n keys
- Optional login support for subtitle provider accounts
- Automatic downloading can be disabled so only hotkeys are used
- Locations can be excluded from auto-downloading, or set as the only locations that auto-download
- Open source under the MIT License, so the script can be modified and adapted
- Works without hotkeys in its default automatic mode
- Language order and provider login can be configured
- Requires Python and the subliminal tool to be installed separately
- The subliminal path must be set manually in the script, with extra escaping on Windows
- The author notes that correct subtitles may not be found for some niche movies or series
mpv-autosub at a glance
- Category
- Software & Utilities › Media Players & Servers
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Linux, Windows
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Guides for Media Players & Servers

mpv-autosub alternatives
Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.
MoonPlayer plays online videos from YouTube and Bilibili, can download them, and also opens local videos.
Streamlink pipes streams from supported services into a media player through its command-line utility and Python library.
Quod Libet is a music player and library manager for Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Synchronize subtitles automatically for mpv with AutoSubSync MPV, which lists ffsubsync and alass as supported backends.
Play multiple videos side by side with gridplayer, a desktop video player project.
This mpv script ports SponsorBlock to the player and skips sponsored segments in YouTube videos.
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mpv-autosub FAQ
What needs to be installed before using mpv-autosub?
Can automatic subtitle downloading be turned off?
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