webvtt-py
WebVTT reader, writer and segmenter
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need straightforward WebVTT reading, writing, or format conversion without active maintenance requirements. The permissive MIT license, zero dependencies, and broad Python version support make it low-risk. However, if your project demands ongoing feature development or active bug fixes, verify first whether a more actively maintained alternative exists.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Low install friction with no runtime dependencies.
- Maintenance is dormant—last release was 806 days ago, though the repository remains active with a recent commit on 2024-06-13.
- Suitable for stable, read-heavy caption workflows.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT license is permissive and poses no restrictions on commercial or proprietary use. You can use, modify, and distribute this package freely with minimal legal overhead.
last release 2024-05-30 (806 days) · last repo commit 2024-06-13 · 234 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 1,904,723 downloads/mo, #3,441 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install webvtt-py
import webvtt
for caption in webvtt.read('captions.vtt'):
print(caption.start)
print(caption.end)
print(caption.text)- Whether caption segmentation for HLS is suitable for modern streaming workflows or if alternatives are preferred.
- Performance characteristics when processing large caption files or many segments.
- Completeness of WebVTT spec compliance beyond documented operations.
What it is and what it does
webvtt-py is a lightweight Python library for working with WebVTT caption files—the standard subtitle format for web video. It lets you read captions from .vtt files, write them back out, and convert from SubRip (.srt) and YouTube SBV (.sbv) formats. The library also includes a segmentation feature for HLS video streaming, which splits captions into chunks aligned with video segments.
The package has no external runtime dependencies, making it quick to install. It supports Python 3.7 through 3.12 and offers both a Python API and a command-line interface for caption segmentation. The codebase is stable but dormant—last updated 806 days ago—so it's best suited for straightforward caption I/O tasks rather than projects requiring active maintenance.
Use it for
- Parse and extract timing and text from existing WebVTT caption files for analysis or re-use.
- Convert subtitle files from SubRip or YouTube SBV format to WebVTT for web video playback.
- Segment captions into chunks aligned with HLS video segments for streaming delivery.
- Batch-process and write modified captions back to WebVTT format programmatically.
- Build a caption management tool that reads, edits, and exports captions in multiple formats.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need straightforward WebVTT reading, writing, or format conversion without active maintenance requirements.
The permissive MIT license, zero dependencies, and broad Python version support make it low-risk. However, if your project demands ongoing feature development or active bug fixes, verify first whether a more actively maintained alternative exists.
Install
webvtt-py on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with no runtime dependencies. Maintenance is dormant—last release was 806 days ago, though the repository remains active with a recent commit on 2024-06-13. Suitable for stable, read-heavy caption workflows.
License in practice
MIT license is permissive and poses no restrictions on commercial or proprietary use. You can use, modify, and distribute this package freely with minimal legal overhead.
Quickstart
pip install webvtt-py
import webvtt
for caption in webvtt.read('captions.vtt'):
print(caption.start)
print(caption.end)
print(caption.text)Verify before relying
- Whether caption segmentation for HLS is suitable for modern streaming workflows or if alternatives are preferred.
- Performance characteristics when processing large caption files or many segments.
- Completeness of WebVTT spec compliance beyond documented operations.
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.7 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Dormant 806 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 1,904,723 / month, #3,441 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Topic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python Modules |
Evidence: webvtt_py-0.5.1-py3-none-any.whl
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