Motion2DHow much does an explainer video cost?
Explainer video prices range from free to tens of thousands. The spread is real, not a scam: you are paying for different amounts of strategy, custom art and revision. Here's what drives cost, so you can pick the right tier.
What you pay for
Script and strategy: someone working out what to say. Custom illustration: characters drawn for you, not from a library. Animation complexity: lip sync, camera moves and character acting. Voice talent and music licensing. Revisions and project management.
Agencies price per finished minute, and custom character animation usually costs the most.
- Length is the biggest multiplier
- Custom characters cost more than templates
- Each revision round adds time
Typical routes, roughly
Agency: highest cost, includes strategy and custom art; best for a flagship brand video. Freelancer: lower cost, quality varies widely; check portfolios. Template tools: a subscription plus your time. AI tools: a subscription or free tier, minutes of your time, less bespoke.
Prices vary too much by region and scope to quote reliably. Get three quotes for the same brief and compare cost per finished minute.
A sensible mix
Use AI for drafts, internal videos and frequent content. Spend agency budget on the one video that sits on your homepage for two years. A draft from Motion2D also makes a great brief for an agency.
Questions and answers
Why are explainer videos so expensive?
Custom animation is skilled, slow work: each minute can involve many hours of illustration and animation, plus scripting and revisions.
What is the cheapest way to get an explainer video?
An AI tool. Motion2D plans start at $20 a month, with no watermark.
Is AI good enough for a homepage explainer?
For many small businesses, yes. For a brand film, a custom studio still offers more.
Keep exploring
Simple pricing, paid in credits
Motion2D plans start at $20 a month for 10 credits: 10 short Reels or a 10-minute YouTube video. See what each plan makes, monthly or yearly.
How to make an explainer video
How to make an explainer video: define one viewer and one message, write problem-first, keep scenes short, add captions and test. A 6-step method.
Animated explainer videos, without the agency
Make animated explainer videos with AI: research, script, cartoon visuals and a natural voiceover in minutes. For products, lessons and YouTube.
Your next video starts with one sentence.
Type a topic. Motion2D researches it, writes it, draws it and voices it.
Get started