Which Should You Use to Translate SRT Files? TMS vs LLM

Subtitles help videos travel the world. They make your content clear, accessible, and ready for global audiences.

But when it comes to translating subtitle files (like SRT), speed and accuracy matter.

With the rise of large language models (LLMs) like GPT-5, many freelancers and agencies wonder: Can these tools really replace a Translation Management System (TMS) for SRT translation?

We tested GPT-5 against Bureau Works’ professional TMS. Here’s what we found.

The Test Case: 14 Minutes, Two Tools

We ran a simple but revealing test. The task was to translate a 14-minute English subtitle file into Spanish.

Bureau Works TMS handled the entire file seamlessly.

It even gave suggestions along the file helping with better meanings for each sentence.

The result was a complete, accurate translation ready to use.

GPT-5, however, stopped after about three minutes of subtitles, leaving the rest in English. When asked to continue, it claimed the task was complete, but when we tried to download the file, it failed.

We noticed that it loses synchronization with the audio during the video.

Also, when we tried to access the material that we asked the LLM for, we couldn’t download the file the next day.

It’s another inconvenience, considering that you may want to recover it in the future.

For freelancers and agencies, this isn’t just inconvenient. It means wasted time, lost productivity, and extra manual work to fix what should have been automated.

What a TMS Does Better Than an LLM

A Translation Management System is built specifically for handling professional workflows.

That’s why Bureau Works offers advantages GPT-5 can’t match.

It delivers complete files without cutting off halfway, ensures reliability when downloading, and maintains consistent terminology throughout the subtitles.

Just as importantly, it gives you the tools to edit, adjust timing, and polish the file directly in the platform.

And because it’s designed for scale, agencies can manage multiple projects and clients without hitting frustrating limits.

Where GPT-5 Shines and Where It Falls Short

GPT-5 isn’t without its strengths. It’s quick when working with small snippets of text and can be useful for generating rough drafts or alternative phrasings.

But when it comes to subtitles, it falls short.

It doesn’t guarantee full output, lacks the ability to manage projects, and provides no editing environment to refine results.

And as our test showed, it can even produce file errors that disrupt the workflow.

For anyone working with clients, that unreliability is a dealbreaker.

Why Bureau Works Fits Agencies and Freelancers

Bureau Works was built with professionals in mind.

Instead of piecing together tools, you can manage your entire subtitle translation process in one place.

Upload your SRT files, use AI-assisted translation to save time, and then edit or collaborate without ever leaving the platform.

For agencies, this means scaling confidently with a system that keeps every file reliable.

For freelancers, it’s the assurance that you can deliver polished subtitles on time without technical headaches.

Conclusion

LLMs like GPT-5 are exciting, but they’re not ready to replace a Translation Management System for subtitle translation.

If you need complete, reliable, and scalable results, Bureau Works is the smarter choice.

Take Your Subtitle Translations Further with Bureau Works

Don’t settle for half-finished files or broken downloads.

With Bureau Works, agencies and freelancers can translate, edit, and deliver subtitles at scale, faster and smarter.

Sign up for Bureau Works today and streamline your subtitle workflow.