Explainer Video Voice Over: Hiring Guide & Real Costs

You want a video that talks to your customers.

Not just text they have to read.

But price it out, and the questions pile up fast.

Who records the voice?

Do you need a separate person from the animator?

What does explainer video voice over cost look like once you add it all up?

A voice over is the narrator you hear while pictures or animation play on screen. Hiring one alone can run $50 to $1,500, depending on skill and usage rights. A full video with script, human voice, and animation from a done-for-you service is often cheaper and faster than piecing it together yourself.

What Is a Voice Over and Why Does Your Explainer Video Need One?

A voice over is simply the person talking in your video.

Pictures or animation play while they talk.

It might say, "Are you tired of clogged pipes?" while your plumbing van rolls across the screen.

A real human voice builds trust faster than text alone.

People connect with tone, pace, and warmth.

Reading captions cannot match that.

That is why almost every explainer video uses a spoken script, not on-screen words alone.

Your script length decides how long your voice over runs.

Most explainer videos run 60 to 90 seconds.

According to Knowlify, that comes out to roughly 150 to 225 words of spoken script.

A good script has four simple parts.

A hook, the problem your customer faces, your solution, and a call to action (Biteable).

Need an explainer video? See our 30-second explainer offer → We write the script, record the voiceover, and animate it, delivered in 7 days.

Need an explainer video? Get a 30-second explainer for $297 → We write the script, record the voiceover and animate it, delivered in 7 days.

How Do I Hire a Voice Over Artist Myself?

You hire a voice over artist in a few steps.

Write your script first.

Post the job on a freelance voice site.

Pick someone from sample recordings.

Confirm rights before they record.

It is a process with several steps.

Each one takes time.

Step 1: Write or finalize your script

Before anyone can record anything, you need words on a page.

Keep your script short and clear.

Follow the hook, problem, solution, call to action pattern.

Step 2: Post the job on a freelance voice site

List your project on a marketplace built for voice talent.

Describe your tone: friendly, formal, or energetic.

Set your budget.

Expect several artists to apply within a day or two.

Step 3: Review sample recordings and pick an artist

Most artists send a short sample clip.

It reads part of your script.

Compare a few voices for tone and pacing before you commit.

Step 4: Confirm usage rights and turnaround time

This is the part people forget.

A usage license is permission to use the recording.

That covers your website, ads, and social media.

Confirm it in writing before the artist records.

Step 5: Get the file, check it, and ask for fixes if needed

Once you get the recording, listen closely.

Check for mispronounced words, awkward pauses, or the wrong tone.

If something is off, go back to the artist and ask for a fix.

That fix may cost extra, depending on their terms.

All of this is doable.

Knowing the real cost ahead of time helps you plan.

But it is one more task added to your week.

On top of running your business.

On top of finding an animator.

On top of stitching the pieces together yourself.

How Much Does Explainer Video Voice Over Cost by Itself?

A voice over hired on its own typically costs $50 to $1,500 or more, according to Yans Media.

It depends on the artist's experience, your script length, and the usage rights you need.

The price swings a lot.

A basic non-broadcast license for a 60-second video starts around $150 on quality freelance sites.

Higher-end talent on platforms like Voices.com often starts with a $100 minimum bid (Yans Media).

A rush fee is an extra charge for a quicker turnaround.

It can add 50% to 100% on top of the normal price.

Work with a full production studio, and voice over alone can run $200 to $1,500 per finished minute (Vidico).

That is just one line on the invoice.

Here is the catch.

This price is only for the voice.

You still need someone to write the script.

You still need someone to animate the video.

Those are separate costs on top of the voice artist.

How Much Does a Full Explainer Video With Voice Over Cost?

A full explainer video costs far less with a done-for-you service.

That beats hiring script, voice, and animation separately.

Our 30-second explainer video is $297 one time.

It covers everything.

You are not juggling three freelancers and three invoices.

It includes a written script, a human voiceover, and full animation.

Delivered in 7 days.

With three rounds of revisions and a money-back guarantee.

The 60-second version follows the same process, just longer.

Need something bigger, like multiple videos or custom characters?

We plan that on a free 30-minute call.

You get a fixed quote back in 24 hours.

For comparison, a 60-second custom animated explainer from a larger North American studio typically runs $5,000 to $10,000, according to Vidico.

Premium 3D or character work goes even higher.

Can I Use AI Voices Instead of a Real Person?

Yes, AI voices are an option.

They are usually cheaper and faster than hiring a person.

Type your script, pick a voice, and get a file back in minutes instead of days.

The tradeoff is quality and connection.

AI voices have gotten better.

But many still sound a little flat on longer scripts.

Especially when the tone needs to shift between excitement and reassurance.

For a business trying to build trust with a new customer, a human voice tends to land better.

It carries warmth an algorithm cannot fake yet.

That is why every package we offer uses a real human voiceover.

Not an AI-generated one.

It is a small detail.

It changes how your video feels to the person watching it.

Real Example: A Plumber Hiring Voice Over vs. Getting a Done-for-You Video

Picture a plumber named Mike.

He wants a 30-second video for his homepage.

He wants it to explain why customers should call him, not a competitor.

He has two paths.

Path one: Mike writes his own script, or pays someone to write it.

He posts a job for a voice artist.

He waits for samples, picks one, and pays for the recording.

Then he finds a separate animator to build the visuals.

Each step has its own back-and-forth.

Its own invoice.

Its own waiting period.

This is where the real explainer video voice over cost adds up.

The voice fee is just one piece of the total bill.

Path two: Mike pays one flat price for our 30-second explainer.

He gets a written script, a human voiceover, and full animation.

All coordinated together.

Delivered in 7 days.

With three rounds of revisions and a money-back guarantee if he is still not happy.

Same outcome. A finished video.

But one path is a single price and one deadline.

The other is three moving parts he has to manage himself.

Want something bigger? Book a free 30-minute video call → We plan your custom video with you and send a fixed quote within 24 hours.

Want something bigger? Book a free 30-minute video call → We plan your custom video with you and send a fixed quote within 24 hours.

How Long Should My Script and Voice Over Be?

Your script should run about 150 spoken words per minute of finished video.

So a 60-second video needs roughly 140 to 160 words, according to Breadnbeyond.

That is shorter than most people expect.

Shorter is almost always better for small business videos.

Your customers are scanning your website, not settling in for a documentary.

A tight script hits four parts: hook, problem, solution, call to action.

That keeps them watching, according to Biteable.

If your first draft runs long, the fix is to cut.

Do not talk faster.

A calm, clear pace matters more than cramming in extra details.

Which Video Style Works Best With Your Voice Over?

The best video style depends on what your business does.

And how you want to explain it.

There are three common styles worth knowing.

Whiteboard animation shows a hand drawing simple sketches on screen.

It is a budget-friendly choice for step-by-step teaching, according to Pexo.

Think of a repair process, or a legal procedure.

2D motion graphics uses flat, colorful shapes and characters.

It fits almost any business, from a dental office to a gym.

Live action is real footage of a person or product.

It works well when you want a face customers recognize, like a coach or a realtor.

A plumber or an accountant explaining a process often does well with whiteboard or 2D.

A gym or a coach building a personal connection might lean toward live action.

Or a 2D style with a friendly narrator voice.

What If I Don't Like the Voice or Need Changes?

Hire a voice over artist on your own, and dislike the recording?

You will likely pay extra for a re-record.

Especially if you need it fast.

Rush requests alone can add 50% to 100% to the cost, according to Yans Media.

That is before any extra fee for redoing the work.

With our done-for-you package, you are not stuck in that position.

It includes three rounds of revisions.

If the tone feels off, or a line needs adjusting, you ask and we fix it.

No extra invoice.

A money-back guarantee stands behind the whole package.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a special license for the voice recording?

Yes. You generally need to confirm a usage license.

That means permission to use the recording on your website, in ads, or on social media.

Hire a freelance artist directly, and you ask about this yourself before they record.

Use a done-for-you package like ours, and those rights are part of what you pay for.

What is the cheapest way to get a professional voice over?

Hiring a voice artist alone can start as low as $50.

But that price usually skips script writing and animation.

Your real cost adds up once you add those pieces.

Our all-in-one explainer video often ends up cheaper than a writer, a voice artist, and an animator hired separately, especially once you count rush fees or revision charges.

How fast can I get my video done?

A 30-second or 60-second explainer video is delivered in 7 days from when you approve the script.

That includes the script, the human voice recording, and the finished animation.

All handled together, not passed between separate freelancers.

Is a human voice over better than AI for customer trust?

A human voice generally carries more warmth and natural tone shifts than an AI-generated voice.

That can help a first-time visitor feel more at ease.

AI voices are cheaper and faster.

But for building trust with new customers, a real person's voice tends to connect better.

What industries use explainer videos with voice over most?

Small service businesses use them most: plumbers, dentists, med spas, gyms, roofers, lawyers, accountants, and coaches.

They walk new customers through what they offer.

The format works well anywhere a business needs to explain a service or process quickly.

The short version

Hiring a voice over artist alone can cost $50 to $1,500.

That price does not include your script or your animation.

Add those pieces up, plus the time managing freelancers, and the real explainer video voice over cost grows fast.

The goal is not just a voice recorded.

It is a finished video that makes your business look good and gets customers to act.

Our 30-second explainer is priced as shown in the table above.

Delivered in 7 days, with revisions and a guarantee built in.

Need something bigger? Custom videos start at $1,299 after a short call.

You get a fixed quote back in 24 hours.

Ready to get your own video made? Order your 30-second explainer and have it in 7 days, or book a free call for a custom video quote.

Ready to get your own video made? Order a 30-second explainer for $297 and have it in 7 days, or book a free call if you want a custom video from $1,299.

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