Table of Contents ×
- 1 What Is a Whiteboard Explainer Video?
- 2 The Benefits of Using Whiteboard Explainer Videos for Your Digital Marketing Campaigns
- 3 How Much Does it Cost to Make Whiteboard Explainer Videos?
- 4 Every Industry that Uses Whiteboard Explainer Videos
- 5 Final Verdict: Create Your Whiteboard Video!
- 6 FAQs on Whiteboard Explainer Animation
There’s something oddly satisfying about watching a story unfold on a blank canvas.
That’s why whiteboard explainer videos work for education or marketing a product.
They feel personal, almost like someone teaching you face-to-face.
I’ve seen businesses use this format to explain new apps, financial services, and even nonprofit initiatives.
No matter how complex the topic, the hand-drawn visuals, and clear narration make it easy to follow along.
I bet you’ve seen at least one whiteboard animation before—maybe even one we produced for a client.
But what makes whiteboard animation stay relevant year after year?
I’ll show you why they work, how much they cost, and how you can use them effectively.
What Is a Whiteboard Explainer Video?
So, what exactly is a whiteboard explainer video?
Whiteboard explainer videos are those hand-drawn animations you’ve probably seen a hundred times.
You can think of it as watching someone sketch out an idea for you in real time with simple drawings on a blank background, paired with a clear voice that tells the story.
The idea is simple. Instead of flashy effects, you get clear sketches and narration that break down a message step by step.
Not every whiteboard animation is an explainer video, though.
The difference is that whiteboard explainer videos are built with a purpose:
“To help your audience understand your product or service, and remember it.”
Businesses love this format because it makes even the trickiest topics easy to follow.
A whiteboard explainer video feels more like being taught by a person than being “sold” by a brand, whether it’s explaining a new app, walking through a financial concept, or sharing a nonprofit campaign.
The Benefits of Using Whiteboard Explainer Videos for Your Digital Marketing Campaigns
So, why should you consider adding a whiteboard explainer video to your digital marketing mix?
For starters, they can give your campaigns a serious boost, and that’s just the beginning.
Let me walk you through the rest.
1. They make complex ideas easy to understand
I’ve noticed that whiteboard explainer videos really shine when a business offers something that’s not instantly simple to grasp.
For example, businesses like SaaS platforms, financial services, or healthcare solutions, to name a few.
The hand-drawn style feels approachable, and when paired with clear narration, it naturally breaks down complexity into bite-sized steps.
What’s best about this type of animation is that it won’t overwhelm audiences with jargon and fancy visuals.
Basically, you walk them through the “what” and “why” in a way that feels human and accessible.
That’s why so many startups and educators turn to whiteboard videos as they deliver information effectively.
2. They drive more traffic to your website
When people finally understand what you do, they’re much more likely to take the next step, for example, visiting your website.
Whiteboard explainer videos can make that process easier and more achievable.
A quick, clear video can be the bridge that brings someone from “I don’t get it” to “Let me learn more.
They remove the friction that often stops people in their tracks and, at the same time, spark curiosity to learn more.
From a marketing perspective, they also work beautifully with your website performance.
Embedding a whiteboard video on your homepage or landing page often leads to higher engagement metrics.
In other words, visitors spend more time on the page, bounce rates go down, and click-through rates go up.
3. They diversify your content mix
I’ve worked with brands that relied too heavily on just blogs or static posts, and eventually, everything started to blur together.
At this time of blurriness, whiteboard videos bring a refreshing change of pace.
They slot seamlessly into the content strategy by embedding them on the homepage, repurposing them in email campaigns, or using snippets in sales presentations.
Beyond variety, they also appeal to different learning styles.
Some people prefer reading, but many retain information better when they both see and hear it.
Adding this medium to your mix helps your brand stand out while keeping things fresh and engaging.
4. They boost your search visibility
If you’ve ever wondered why some brands seem to show up everywhere on Google, video is often part of the answer.
Search engines love content that keeps people engaged, and videos do exactly that.
A whiteboard explainer, when paired with a solid description, transcript, and SEO-friendly title, signals to Google that your content is both useful and engaging.
On top of that, videos naturally encourage visitors to stick around longer by watching on your homepage, blog, or landing page.
That extra time on-site tells search engines your page is worth ranking higher.
A single whiteboard video can quietly give your visibility a lift without you constantly chasing algorithms.
5. They enrich your social media channels
Social feeds are noisy, and they’re getting more and more noisy.
People scroll past polished ads all day long without a second thought.
But the hand-drawn, sketchy look of whiteboard animations may feel refreshingly different.
It almost tricks the brain into slowing down because it looks less like “marketing” and more like someone jotting down a quick idea just for you.
That scroll-stopping moment is gold.
And once you’ve got someone’s attention, whiteboard videos are good at keeping it.
They invite curiosity, they unfold like a story, and they often get watched all the way through.
6. They work as teaching tools
At its core, whiteboard animation is meant for education.
Because they mimic the feel of someone literally walking you through a concept step by step, they make even the trickiest topics digestible.
For marketing, this format makes your message feel more approachable.
I’ve seen companies use whiteboard explainers for everything from internal training to large-scale educational campaigns, and the results are consistently positive.
7. They strengthen your brand
Finally, let’s talk about whiteboard animation for branding.
Explaining your products is one thing, but staying top of mind is another.
Whiteboard videos do both at once.
The combination of narration, consistent visuals, and clear messaging builds an association in your audience’s mind, so when they see or hear that style again, they think of you.
Over time, that repetition creates brand recall, which is incredibly powerful.
And in competitive markets, being memorable is half the battle won.
How Much Does it Cost to Make Whiteboard Explainer Videos?
The honest answer is that it depends.
The cost of a whiteboard explainer video can swing quite a bit depending on the length, quality, and who’s producing it.
On average, a professionally made whiteboard animation usually falls in the range of $1,000 to $7,000 per minute.
That might sound like a big gap, but the price really comes down to factors like customization, scriptwriting, voiceover talent, and the overall animation complexity.
Now, if you’re thinking, “That’s way out of my budget,” you do have cheaper options.
DIY tools like VideoScribe or Doodly can get you started for less than $100.
The trade-off, of course, is polish.
You’ll probably save money upfront, but you’ll also spend more time learning the tools, and you may end up with a video that feels generic compared to a studio-quality production.
From my experience, whiteboard explainers are usually less resource-heavy than other styles like 3D videos or cut-out animation.
If you have an in-house creative team that’s handy with design or drawing, you could technically pull it off yourself.
However, while you don’t need years of animation training, you do need the right gear.
For example, software subscriptions (around $20/month), a high-resolution camera ($400–$1,000), lighting, a tripod, and of course, your own time.
And trust me, the time investment is often bigger than most people expect.
That’s why many businesses decide to partner with a design agency or explainer video company.
You hand off the heavy lifting and get back a polished video that looks professional and aligns with your brand.
Yes, it costs more upfront, but it also saves you the headaches and ensures your video actually performs.
In short, you have two routes:
- DIY: Affordable, but time-consuming and often lower quality.
- Professional production: Higher investment, but polished, effective, and ready to make an impact.
If you’re serious about using video to educate, market, or sell, I’d recommend at least exploring what a professional team can do for you.
Sometimes the difference in results more than justifies the cost.
If you want to hire an expert, take a look at some video production companies below.
These are companies and agencies that can make whiteboard animation at reasonable prices.
| Company | Price | Details |
| Breadnbeyond | Click here | An award-winning explainer video company with over 2000+ videos produced for clients worldwide. Best whiteboard animation cost. |
| Cognitive Media | $30,000 | This company is behind RSA Animate. Booked for TED and other top organizations and communities. |
| Switch Video | $15,000 – $20,000 | A Canadian company that is well-known for producing explainer videos. |
| Simple Show | $15,000 | The top German explainer video production company that produces videos for BMW and Mercedes. |
| Y-draw | $6,000 | They charge you a flat rate per minute. |
| Fire Starter Videos | $3,595 | They charge you $30 for every additional second. |
| Transcribe | $5,000 | There are additional charges for any extra minutes. |
| Whiteboard Animations | $15,000 | There are additional charges for any extra minutes. |
Every Industry that Uses Whiteboard Explainer Videos
Whiteboard animation is one of those formats that feels simple at first glance, but that’s exactly why it shines for certain industries.
I’ve worked with clients across different fields, and I’ve seen firsthand that this style isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
For some businesses, it’s a perfect match. For others, it can feel too informal or too minimal.
So, where does whiteboard explainer video really thrive?
Those industries where the subject matter is complex, technical, or data-heavy.
Fintech, SEO, IT, education, and even fields like electrical or mechanical engineering all benefit because whiteboard videos strip away the clutter.
With a clean background and step-by-step visuals, you can explain abstract or intimidating concepts in a way people can actually follow.
On the flip side, there are industries where whiteboard isn’t the best fit.
Fashion, architecture, and art, for example, depend heavily on visual richness and aesthetic appeal.
A plain whiteboard doesn’t capture texture, color, or atmosphere the way those audiences expect.
That doesn’t mean you can’t use it at all.
You can, but it should be a supporting piece rather than your main format.
In short, if your goal is to simplify the complicated, such as explaining a financial product, teaching a process, or breaking down scientific principles, whiteboard explainer videos are a great option.
If your business leans on visuals, design, or emotional appeal, you’ll want to mix them with other formats that better showcase those strengths.
Here’s a quick guide:
|
Industry |
Fit for Whiteboard Explainers? |
Reason |
|
Finance (banking, investment, insurance) |
✅ Strong fit |
Simplifies complex products like loans, policies, or investment options. |
|
SEO & IT |
✅ Strong fit |
Explains abstract or technical concepts in a clear, step-by-step way. |
|
Education & Training |
✅ Strong fit |
Works like a virtual classroom—ideal for tutorials, e-learning, and employee training. |
|
Engineering & Science (electrical, mechanical, physics) |
✅ Strong fit |
Makes technical details easier to follow with diagrams and narration. |
|
Fashion |
❌ Less ideal |
Relies on color, textures, and visuals that a plain whiteboard can’t provide. |
|
Architecture |
❌ Less ideal |
Needs detailed, aesthetic, and often 3D visuals that go beyond whiteboard style. |
|
Art & Design |
❌ Less ideal |
Too minimal for audiences who expect vibrant, creative visuals. |
Final Verdict: Create Your Whiteboard Video!
Whiteboard explainer videos have proven time and again that they work.
They grab attention through simplicity, keep viewers engaged until the very end, and make even the most complex messages easy to follow.
That’s a rare combination in marketing.
Because of this, whiteboard animation has held its ground as a timeless format.
While other video styles come and go with trends, the clarity and familiarity of a whiteboard explainer still resonate with audiences.
Whether you’re trying to educate, sell, or build trust, this format gives you a reliable way to connect with people in a way they’ll actually remember.
FAQs on Whiteboard Explainer Animation
1. How long should a whiteboard explainer video be to keep viewers engaged?
Most whiteboard explainers work best when they’re between 60 to 90 seconds. That’s enough time to capture attention, explain your core message, and end with a clear next step.
If your topic is more complex, you can stretch it to 2–3 minutes, but it’s important to keep the pacing tight and the visuals engaging.
In my experience, shorter videos tend to perform better for marketing, while slightly longer ones work well for training or internal communication.
Read our case study here: 30, 60, or 90 Second Explainer Videos: How to Decide Your Explainer Video Length?
2. Are whiteboard videos only useful for education, or can they also be used for sales and marketing?
Whiteboard explainers are incredibly versatile. Yes, they’re fantastic for education because the visual storytelling makes even complex topics easy to digest.
But they’re also powerful for sales and marketing. For example, you can use them to introduce your product, simplify a value proposition, or walk potential customers through a problem–solution scenario.
Because the style feels approachable and not overly “salesy,” people often stay engaged longer, which helps build trust.
3. Do whiteboard explainer videos work well for B2B as well as B2C businesses?
Absolutely. In B2B, they help simplify complicated services, processes, or software in a way that decision-makers can quickly understand.
In B2C, they can highlight a product’s features, solve customer pain points, or even tell brand stories. What matters is tailoring the video script and visuals to the audience.
For example, a B2B whiteboard explainer might lean on clarity and professionalism, while a B2C one can afford to be more playful and casual.
4. What’s the ideal process for creating a whiteboard explainer video?
A smooth process usually follows steps like scriptwriting, storyboarding, voiceover, animation, and sound design.
From experience, the key is spending enough time on the script and storyboard. That’s where the message is shaped, then animation brings it to life.
5. How quickly can a whiteboard video be produced from start to finish?
The timeline depends on length and complexity, but generally, a professional whiteboard explainer can be completed in 2 to 4 weeks.
A shorter, straightforward video may take less time, while more detailed ones with custom illustrations or multiple revisions can take longer.
You could try making one yourself, but from experience, I can tell you it’s often more time-consuming (and expensive in the long run) than most businesses expect.
That’s where we come in.
Breadnbeyond can help you craft a whiteboard explainer video that’s not only clear and engaging but also tailored to your brand and goals.
We’ll guide you through every step, from script to storyboard to final animation, so you end up with a video that explains and converts.
Curious about the cost? Check out our pricing and packages.
Or, try our video cost calculator for a quick estimate to see what your project might look like.
