The Cost of an Animated Explainer Video in 2024

Do you plan to create an animated explainer video but would like to know all ins and outs of cost video estimation? Here we provide essential information to help you assess the video production price. Prior to your video production, consider what determines the price of the service, how it is formed, and how much it costs to create one or more videos for your business depending on all the process specifics.

If you’re going to create an animated explainer video for your business, your mind might be attacked by questions like: “How much does an explainer video cost?”, “What am I going to pay money for?”, “What is the process?”, “Who are the coolest guys in the industry that can help me implement this?” If you have them, you’re in the right place. In this article, we will try to provide answers to all of these questions.

What Is The Cost of Animated Explainer Video?

How much do animations cost? The explainer video costs range from 5000 USD to 35 000 USD, depending on the scope of various factors. They usually include the animation style, the studio, and the country of production.

There’s also the data on a one-minute 2D animated video cost. Thus, it may reach from $8,000 to $50,000. 3D animation graphics will be much pricier, as its cost can reach from $10,000 to $200,000 per minute. The price range difference is mostly based on the number of characters involved and other advanced features. Most studios don’t put up their animated video pricing or animation production cost on their websites because each project is unique and demands a customized estimation in most cases.

If many changes are made to a typical project, its final cost can reach the price of an individual project. Besides, for those who like a special approach, an individual video shoot for their brand is suitable. Equipment, photographers, voices, real actors and other specialists may be involved and prepared specifically for the project. The concept of such a video production approach may turn out to be pricier, and all the time is devoted to your products so that the studio will include that in the final price.

Factors That Define The Explainer Video Cost

There are two most important factors that affect the video animation price of an animated explainer video. These are the video longevity and animation style. Let’s consider them in detail.

Longevity

The saying “time is money” has a special meaning when it comes to animated video production and animation production cost. Usually, the length of the video is one of the cost-determining factors. The longer the video, the higher the price. Modern marketing tends to go micro. It means that the so-called “micro-videos” (under 1 minute) are gaining even more attention and popularity in the digital landscape. 

To be remarkable and astonishing, the video mustn’t be necessarily long. The most popular explainer video lengths are 30, 60, and 90 seconds. Everything over 90 seconds doesn’t perform as great as short videos since the average user’s attention spans have become significantly shorter in recent years.

Animation style

Another crucial factor is an animation style since it defines the complexity of the project implementation. There are 5 of the most popular animation styles. Let’s take a closer look at them.

1. Whiteboard animation

Whiteboard animation is the process of creating illustrations and animations set on a white background. Usually, it’s accompanied by the author’s hand that draws the story in the video and narration. It’s one of the most affordable animation styles estimated by the complexity of its implementation in an explainer video.

2. Motion graphics

Motion graphics refers to computer animation with graphical elements rather than characters. This style is one of the most flexible. Illustrators and animators can literally depict all ideas possible using it. The price depends on the graphics’ complexity. It might start from the lowest one in the market to the premium quotes in terms of animated video cost.

3. 2D and 3D animation

2D and 3D animation styles often come hand in hand. They are frequently combined in the video that’s why we mention them together. 2D animation is about moving characters and objects linearly in a two-dimensional space. In comparison, 3D animation implies designing complicated object rotations, twists, and turnings in a three-dimensional environment. 

Consequently, 2D animation is cheaper than 3D but still looks great in the video. 3D animation makes the video look like a professional Disney cartoon, more visually exciting and realistic. However, the price might be higher than for 2D animation. 

4. Kinetic typeset

It means animating text and different kinds of typography. While it might seem a visually poor style at first sight, it can be powerful in an explainer video if combined with an engaging narrative. 

5. Stop motion animation

Stop motion is an animated filmmaking technique in which objects are physically manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames to imitate motion when the frames are played back. It is a very engaging style of animation, which, however, is usually more expensive than others.

Six Animated Video Production Stages That Make The Price

The animation production process typically consists of six stages: research, script development, storyboarding, voiceover creation, design and animation, and sound design. All of them make the animated explainer cost. 

Research

The animation team researches your product and industry to create visual and audial parts of the video and communicate the targeted message in the best way.

Scriptwriting

At this step, the team develops a script for the video. It includes the storyline and narrative used in the animation. If the client already has a script, the overall video production cost might be lower. However, we highly recommend writing a script together with a professional writer and animation team since they have experience in what usually performs better in the video and rocks the audience.

Storyboard

At this stage, illustrators and animators create quick sketches of everything that will happen in the video, including characters, environments, objects, and their movements. 

Voiceover

The voiceover stage is about recording the narrative for the story. Commonly, it’s performed by a professional voice artist.

Design and animation

Now, the idea comes to reality as an engaging animated video. The animator breathers life into illustrations and brings all visuals together.

Sound design

This phase implies producing a unique sound for the animated video or choosing royalty-free background music. It also includes creating special audio effects.

Are You Up to Create Your Animated Video?

This was a brief guide to explainer video cost estimation. Hopefully, it will help you understand the process better and what really makes the price for a great animated video for business. Are you up to create an animated video for your business? If yes, we’re here to help you navigate the process. 

Explainer video company can assist you in implementing your boldest ideas into an animated video that performs. Don’t hesitate to say hello at [email protected]!