How text works in Vaideo Editor
Each piece of text is its own clip on a layer above your video. It's added at the playhead with a 3-second duration, and from there you treat it like any other clip: drag it to change when it appears, stretch its edges so it lasts longer or shorter, duplicate it with Ctrl+D or split it with S. Because it sits on its own layer, it never covers or cuts the video clip underneath.
The Text tab («Texto») in the left panel has eight starting styles: Text, Title, Impact, Black box, White box, Alert, Italic and Mint. They're just a starting point: once you select the text, the right-hand panel lets you rewrite it and change the size (16 to 300), bold, italic, the letter colour and the background box colour.
Placing text where it reads well
In the preview you drag the text to move it and use the corners to make it bigger or smaller. If you need precision, the Transform section in the right-hand panel has exact scale, X and Y position and opacity, in case you want semi-transparent text as your own watermark.
Choose the canvas before you type: 16:9 for YouTube, 9:16 for Shorts, Reels and TikTok, 1:1 or 4:5 for the feed. On vertical video, keep text away from the top and bottom edges, which is where each app puts its buttons and caption. Everything you upload exports with no watermark; if you want an editor for more than text, see the free video editor guide at /en/cases/free-video-editor/.
What it doesn't do (yet) and an AI shortcut
There's a single typeface (with bold and italic), and text has no animations, keyframes, fades or rotation: it appears and disappears on a hard cut. If you need text that slides in or types out letter by letter, this isn't for you yet; for titles, labels, prices, notices and calls to action, it is.
If the text you want is the whole narration of the video, there's a shortcut: Vaideo's AI turns a topic or an article into a video with a script, AI voice in English or Spanish, images and captions, and “Open in the editor” brings it in as tracks so you can add your titles on top. The free plan includes 1 AI video a day.
Ideas to use it
An opening title in the first 2 seconds
Title or Impact style, big and centred: it tells scrollers what the video is about before they swipe away.
A label with a name, price or fact
Black box or White box in a corner, only while the product or person is on screen. Readable on any background.
A call to action at the end
Alert style or your brand colour in the last 3 seconds: “Follow for part 2”, “Link in bio”.
Step by step
- 1
Open the editor and import your video
Open Vaideo Editor on your computer. In Media («Medios»), click Import files or drag the video in, then drop it on the timeline (a free account is needed to upload).
- 2
Add text at the playhead
Put the playhead where the text should appear, open the Text tab («Texto») and click a style (Title, Impact, Black box…). A 3-second text clip is created on its own layer.
- 3
Type it and style it
With the text selected, type in the box in the right-hand panel and adjust size, bold or italic, colour and background.
- 4
Position it and set how long it lasts
Drag it in the preview and use the corners to resize. On the timeline, stretch or shrink its edges or type an exact duration in the right-hand panel.
- 5
Export as MP4
Click Export, choose a resolution and download the MP4. Up to 1080p free; 2K and 4K with Unlimited.
Tips that make the difference
- ★Few words, big letters: if it can't be read in a second on a phone screen, there's too much text.
- ★Over busy backgrounds, use a boxed style (Black box, White box) instead of bare letters.
- ★Keep each text on screen for at least 2-3 seconds; any shorter and nobody reads it.
- ★Duplicate a finished text with Ctrl+D and change only the words: size, colour and position stay consistent across the video.
- ★On vertical video, keep text away from the top and bottom edges so the app's buttons don't cover it.
Adding text: other tools vs Vaideo Editor
| Desktop app or sign-up web tool | Vaideo Editor | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Download and install software, or a web tool with many steps | In your computer's browser, nothing to install |
| Watermark | Many free web tools add one on export | Your video exports clean, free plan included |
| Text styles | Lots of fonts and animations | Eight starting styles, one typeface, no animations |
| Control over timing | Depends on the tool, sometimes fixed | Each text is a clip: move, stretch and split it |
Frequently asked questions
How do I add text to a video for free with no watermark?+
Upload your video to Vaideo Editor with a free account, add text from the Text tab and export. What you upload exports with no watermark on any plan, up to 1080p for free.
Can I add several texts at different moments?+
Yes. Each text is a separate clip: move the playhead, add another and set where it starts and how long it lasts. If they overlap in time, you can put them on different layers.
Can I change the font or animate the text?+
Not for now. There's one typeface with bold and italic, and you can change size, colour, background and opacity, but there are no other fonts, animations, fades or keyframes for text.
Does it work on a phone?+
No. Vaideo Editor runs in your computer's browser and needs a screen at least 900 pixels wide. There's no mobile app.
Is the text burned into the exported video?+
Yes. On export the text is burned into the MP4 picture, so it looks the same on any platform or player. To change it later, edit the saved project and export again.
What if I actually need subtitles?+
For subtitles there's a separate Subtitles tab with one shared style for all of them. You type them by hand: the editor doesn't transcribe your video. Videos made with Vaideo's AI do arrive already captioned.
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