Explainer Video Pricing: Everything You Need to Know

Breadnbeyond explainer videos start from $1,000. The exact pricing depends on the length, style, and complexity. 

I’ve put together a quick explainer video production cost guide to give you a clear picture of what you get at our studio and why it costs what it does, so you can find the right fit for your budget.

How Much Does It Cost to Produce a Video?

Our videos start from $1,000. This base price covers the essentials: storyboarding, animation, music, and revisions. If your story needs more time, we’ll calculate extra costs in 10-second increments.

For projects with more detailed visuals, longer runtimes, or advanced animation styles, the cost may go higher. But everything is quoted upfront, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

The final price depends on several factors, such as (we’re talking about this more in-depth in the next section):

• video length
• animation style
• script complexity
• turnaround time, and 
• need extra requirements like multiple voice-overs, character animation, or 3D elements.

Video production isn’t one-size-fits-all, and we’re here to help you find the right fit for your goals and budget. 

Whether you’re looking for something short and punchy or a fully cinematic animated piece, we’ll walk you through your options and keep it transparent every step of the way.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what different budgets typically get you from us:

• $1,000: A minimalist, clean video can be in the form of simple screen capture videos or a compilation of video footage. Good for training videos and other videos for internal use or the community.
  
• $2,000–$3,000: A simple, clean 60-second 2D explainer video. Perfect for startups or straightforward messages.
• $3,000–$5,000: More customization. Richer storytelling and more detailed visuals.
• $5,000–$10,000+: Complex animations, longer videos, multiple voice-overs, or advanced graphics and transitions. Ideal for product launches, onboarding videos, or high-impact video marketing campaigns. It’s perfect for pitching, fundraising, or sponsor presentations where you need to wow and win buy-in fast.

How Do You Calculate Cost Per Video?

We calculate your price around your project’s needs. Most of our clients spend somewhere between $1,000 – $7,000, depending on length, style, and features. 

Here are the factors that go into calculating the cost of your video:

• Length: It’s how much time we need to get your message across clearly. A 60-second overview? A 3-minute product demo? Each has different storytelling needs.
• Style & Complexity: A simple motion-graphics video is quicker to produce than one with detailed characters, transitions, and custom assets. The more intricate the visuals, the more time and talent it takes.
• Scope & Extras: Will you need help writing the script with multilingual video? Do you want subtitles or social media cuts? These little extras add up, but we’re transparent about the pricing for all of them upfront.
• Timeline: Need it fast? We can fast-track production, but that means inefficient resources and a slightly higher cost.
  

Video Production Cost Models: Hourly, Project-Based, or Retainer?

At Breadnbeyond, we use a project-based pricing model. You know exactly what you’re paying upfront. But we’re flexible. If you have something else in mind (hourly, retainer, or something totally custom), we’ve got you covered.

There are three common ways to price video production: hourly, project-based, and retainer.

• Hourly video production pricing can range anywhere from $12 to $35+ per hour, depending on the team’s experience and location. It’s useful for one-off tasks or ongoing consulting, but costs can quickly add up if your project grows beyond the initial scope.
• Project-based pricing (what we use at Breadnbeyond) is a flat rate agreed upon before the work begins. This model offers peace of mind with no surprise invoices.
• Retainers are ideal for companies producing multiple videos over time. Pricing varies widely, but a monthly retainer starts from $3,000, depending on how many deliverables you need and how hands-on the team needs to be.

What Is the Cheapest Form of Animation?

The most budget-friendly type of animation is usually 2D motion graphics. Simple shapes, icons, and text animations that get your message across without complex characters or scenes. 

It’s clean, effective, and perfect for explaining ideas in a straightforward way.

Other animation styles come with different price tags depending on their complexity.

Whiteboard Animation

Often seen in educational or training videos, this style simulates a hand drawing on a whiteboard. It’s relatively simple but can still require custom illustrations.

Expect a ballpark similar to motion graphics, but slightly higher if you want detailed drawings, around $1,000 and more.

Character Animation (2D)

Want animated characters to tell your story? That adds more time and effort for design, rigging, and custom movement.

Prices typically start higher, around $2,000 and up, depending on how many characters and how detailed the scenes are.

3D Animation

This is where things get premium. 3D requires modeling, lighting, rendering, and often more processing power.

Prices usually start at $3,000+ and can go much higher based on realism, number of scenes, and visual effects.

Hybrid Animation

Some videos mix live footage with animated elements (like animated overlays or graphics on top of real people).

These can vary significantly in price depending on what’s needed, but expect a cost of $ 2,000 or more if it includes a custom design and integration.

See more of our animation styles: 20 Popular Styles of Video Animation.

How Long Does It Take to Make a 1-Minute Animation?

For a 60- to 90-second animated video, we typically need around 25 working days (about 5 weeks) to complete the entire production.  That timeline includes everything from scriptwriting and storyboarding to voiceover, illustration, animation, and revisions. 

Our professional teams carefully craft each stage to make sure your video not only looks great but also tells your story in a way that connects with your audience.

If you need your video sooner than our standard timeline, we offer a rush production option at an additional cost. Just share your deadline, and we’ll see what’s possible without compromising quality.

How Much Do Revisions Cost?

Our packages include free revisions. You won’t be charged extra, but there’s also a limit on how many revisions we can entertain, although if it’s just a minor change, we would be more than happy to help.

• Advanced and Premium packages come with 3 rounds of revisions per stage (script, storyboard, animation).
• Ultimate package gives you unlimited revisions per stage, perfect if you like refining every little detail.

Learn more about our explainer video packages.

If you need more revisions than your package allows, you can always request extras at $29/hour. We’re here to make sure you’re happy with the final result!

How Is the Price Calculated If I Need Multiple Videos?

When you need multiple videos, we calculate the price based on the total scope of the project, but we also take into account efficiency and repeatable assets, which can bring down your per-video cost.

For example, if your videos share the same visual style, branding, or structure (like a series or onboarding flow), we can reuse elements like character designs, templates, or voice-over settings. That means less time spent recreating from scratch, and more value for you.

We can provide bundle pricing or custom quotes for multi-video projects, primarily if they’re in the same video style and we can reuse assets between videos.

Let us know how many videos you’re planning, and we’ll walk you through a tailored quote that fits your goals and budget. Schedule a meeting.

Explainer Video Cost Calculator

Want to get a quick idea of how much your animated video might cost? Use our Explainer Video Cost Calculator to estimate your project based on your needs: length, style, add-ons, and more.

It’s fast, free, and gives you a ballpark figure in seconds. Perfect if you’re budgeting or just exploring your options.

If you’re not sure where to start, we’re happy to walk you through our video production process and help you find the right fit for your goals and budget. Contact us here for a free consultation.