Short answer
It depends on four things: length, animation style, complexity and turnaround. There's no official industry price list, and quotes vary widely between DIY tools, freelancers, specialist studios and agencies. At Clickcode Media, a complete 30-second explainer with script, professional voiceover, original animation, music and 2 rounds of revisions starts from $199, and 60- and 90-second videos get a fixed quote before work begins.
What you are paying for in an explainer video
An explainer video is a bundle of creative jobs. When you compare quotes, check which of these are included:
- Scriptwriting: turning your product into a short, clear story.
- Storyboard and art direction: planning each scene before anything is animated.
- Illustration and design: characters, icons, screens and backgrounds in your brand style.
- Animation: bringing the storyboard to life, usually the biggest share of the work.
- Voiceover: a professional voice artist reading the approved script.
- Music and sound design: licensed background music and sound effects.
- Revisions and project management: rounds of changes and someone keeping it on schedule.
The 4 factors that decide the price
1. Length
Every extra second needs more script, voiceover and animation. A useful rule of thumb comes from speaking pace: the average conversational rate for English speakers in the US is about 150 words per minute (National Center for Voice and Speech). That means roughly 75 words for a 30-second video, 150 words for 60 seconds and 225 words for 90 seconds. See our guide to choosing between 30, 60 and 90 seconds.
2. Animation style
Motion graphics, kinetic typography and whiteboard animation are usually quicker to produce than custom character animation or 3D. If budget is tight, a simpler style with a strong script often beats an elaborate style with a weak one. You can compare styles on our explainer videos page.
3. Complexity
The number of scenes, custom characters and product screens all add production time. Detailed software walkthroughs need your interface redrawn and animated, which is why product demo videos are usually quoted on the number of screens and features.
4. Turnaround
Rush delivery means reshuffling a production schedule, so express timelines usually cost more than standard delivery. Planning a few weeks ahead is the simplest way to keep the price down.
Explainer video options compared
There is no official industry price list, and quotes vary widely. Instead of guessing at averages, here is what each type of provider typically gives you:
| Option | What you get | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| DIY template tools | Fast and inexpensive; you drag and drop pre-made scenes. | Generic visuals, no scriptwriting help, and your time to learn the tool. |
| Freelancer | Flexible pricing and direct contact with the animator. | Script, voiceover and music may be separate; quality and deadlines vary. |
| Specialist explainer studio | Script, voiceover, animation, music and revisions from one team with a set process. | Check what's included and how many revision rounds you get. |
| Full-service agency | Strategy, campaigns and video under one roof. | Higher overheads, and video may be one of many services. |
Are explainer video costs going up in 2026?
Marketers are split. In Wyzowl's 2026 survey, 38% of marketers said video marketing costs are increasing, 32% noticed no change and 30% said costs are getting cheaper (Wyzowl, 2026). The same report found that 63% of video marketers have used AI to help create videos, which is one reason some production steps are getting faster.
Budgets are holding up: 92% of marketers plan to spend the same or more on video marketing in 2026 (Wyzowl, 2026).
Is an explainer video worth the cost?
Survey data suggests video pays off for most teams, though your results will depend on your product, audience and where you use the video:
82% of marketers say video marketing has given them a good ROI (Wyzowl, 2026).
96% of people have watched an explainer video to learn more about a product or service (Wyzowl, 2026).
83% of video marketers say video has directly increased sales (Wyzowl, 2026).
57% of video marketers say video has helped them reduce support queries (Wyzowl, 2026).
How to get an accurate quote
The more a studio knows up front, the more accurate (and fixed) your quote can be. Have these ready:
- Your goal and placement: homepage, ads, sales emails, onboarding or investor pitch.
- Target length: 30, 60 or 90 seconds, or ask for a recommendation.
- Style references: two or three videos you like, and why.
- Brand assets: logo, colors, fonts and product screenshots.
- Deadline: your launch date, so express delivery can be planned if needed.
- Extras: languages, vertical or square versions, and social cut-downs.
What does Clickcode Media charge?
We keep pricing simple. A complete 30-second explainer starts from $199, including script, professional voiceover, original animation, music and sound, and 2 rounds of revisions. 60- and 90-second videos get a fixed quote based on style and complexity, agreed before work starts. Standard delivery is 2–3 weeks. Full details are on our pricing page.
Not sure yet? Send your brief and we'll create a free 10-second teaser for your product along with your quote, so you can judge the quality before spending anything.
Explainer video cost FAQs
Why do explainer video prices vary so much?
Because the work behind them varies. A template-based video reuses stock assets, while a custom explainer involves original scriptwriting, illustration, animation, professional voiceover and music. Length, animation style, the number of scenes or screens, and turnaround time all change the effort involved.
Is a cheap explainer video worth it?
It can be, if the price still includes the parts that make a video work: a clear script, a professional voiceover, original visuals and revisions. Before you compare quotes, check exactly what is included so you are comparing like for like.
What hidden costs should I look out for?
Common extras are additional revision rounds, voiceover re-records, extra languages, vertical or square versions, music licensing and rush delivery. Ask for a written, fixed quote that lists what is included and what counts as extra.
How long does an explainer video take to make?
It depends on length and complexity. At Clickcode Media, standard delivery is 2–3 weeks from an approved brief, with express 3-day and 5-day options for urgent launches.
How much does an explainer video cost at Clickcode Media?
A complete 30-second explainer starts from $199, including script, professional voiceover, original animation, music and 2 rounds of revisions. 60- and 90-second videos get a fixed quote based on style and complexity.
Sources
Wyzowl, Video Marketing Statistics 2026: https://wyzowl.com/video-marketing-statistics/
National Center for Voice and Speech, Voice Qualities: https://ncvs.org/tutorials/voice-qualities/