Who Makes Explainer Videos? 6 Options and Real Costs

You need an explainer video.

You do not know who makes explainer videos.

Or what one should even cost.

Ask five companies.

You will get five different prices, anywhere from $99 to $50,000.

That gap makes any single quote hard to trust.

Six kinds of providers make explainer videos. DIY software, freelancers, AI-assisted studios, boutique studios, agencies, and fixed-price services. Prices run from about $99 to $50,000 or more, and your best pick depends on budget, timeline, and how much work you want to do yourself.

Who Makes Explainer Videos?

Six kinds of people and companies do this work.

DIY software.

Freelancers.

AI-assisted studios.

Boutique animation studios.

Full-service agencies.

Fixed-price done-for-you services.

Each one gives you a different mix of price and speed.

And a different amount of work landing on your desk.

• DIY software is a tool, like Vyond or Powtoon, that lets you build the video yourself. You write the script, record or generate the voice, and edit the scenes on your own.
• Freelance animator or scriptwriter is one person who takes on part or all of the job for a flat fee or hourly rate. You act as the project manager, sending notes and chasing files.
• AI-assisted studio is a small team that uses AI tools to speed up the art and voice work, then has a human check and polish the final cut. You still deal with real people, just a smaller team.
• Boutique animation studio is a small creative team that hand-builds a fully custom video. You get more say in the art style, but more rounds of back-and-forth too.
• Full-service agency is a larger company that handles strategy, script, animation, and sometimes your whole marketing campaign. You get many services in one place, and a bigger invoice to match.
• Fixed-price done-for-you service is a package that bundles script, voiceover, and animation into one flat fee set before work starts. You know the total cost the day you sign up.

The sections below break down what each option costs.

Who writes your script.

And which one fits your business.

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.

Freelancer, Studio, or AI Tool: What Does Each One Deliver?

A DIY tool leaves the script, voice, and editing to you.

A full-service agency handles all of it.

But takes weeks to deliver.

An AI-assisted studio sits in the middle.

It uses AI to speed up the art and voice work.

Then a person checks the final video before you see it.

According to Yum Yum Videos, explainer video prices span from about $99 for DIY tools to $50,000 or more for enterprise brand films.

Creamy Animation puts AI-assisted studio pricing at roughly $1,500 to $4,000 per video.

Vidico reports a custom 60-second studio explainer usually runs $5,000 to $10,000.

Premium 3D or character work pushes past $10,000.

I could not find one published study pricing freelancers or agencies the same way.

So treat those two rows below as typical rates I see quoted, not verified market data.

None of these is automatically right for every business.

The best fit depends on your budget and your deadline.

And whether you would rather spend hours or dollars.

How Much Does Each Type of Provider Charge?

Prices run from about $99 to $50,000 or more.

It comes down to who makes it, and how custom the animation is.

DIY tools start near $99.

Freelancers usually land between $300 and $2,000.

There is no single published rate for freelancers, so get a written quote before you commit.

AI-assisted studios run $1,500 to $4,000.

Boutique or agency work climbs from $5,000 past $50,000 for enterprise brand films.

Prices climb once you add custom character art or 3D animation.

Or a senior creative team billing by the hour.

A studio charging $10,000 or more usually pays several artists, a director, and a project manager for weeks of work.

Not just one animator.

A fixed-price done-for-you service skips the hourly quote process.

You pick a package.

You know the total upfront.

At 30 Second Productions, a 30-second explainer video costs $297.

That is discounted from our regular $497 price.

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

Delivered in 7 days, with 3 revision rounds and a money-back guarantee.

The 60-second version costs $497.

Custom videos with 3D animation or extra length start at $1,299.

Planned on a free 30-minute call, with a fixed quote within 24 hours.

You can see the full breakdown on our 30-second explainer video page.

Which Provider Fits a Plumber, Dentist, or Law Firm?

I would put most plumbers and HVAC companies in a fast 2D video.

One that walks customers through a service step by step.

Speed beats a fancy style for that kind of job.

A dentist or med spa often needs something warmer.

Trust and comfort matter more to that buyer.

According to Pexo, whiteboard animation looks like someone drawing on a board while a voice explains each step.

It suits budget-friendly, step-by-step teaching.

2D motion graphics is a flatter, illustrated style that fits most businesses.

Live action uses real people and real locations.

It adds a personal touch when you want a real face on screen.

Law firms and accountants tend to need a short, professional-tone video.

Not flashy 3D characters.

A calm 2D style can explain a process, like what happens after a car accident, without looking like a toy.

• Plumbers, HVAC, roofers: 2D animation. Fast turnaround matters more than fancy style.
• Dentists, med spas, gyms: warmer 2D animation, sometimes with a real photo or logo worked in.
• Law firms, accountants, coaches: clean 2D or whiteboard, professional tone, no cartoon characters.
• Realtors, restaurants: 2D with local scenery or product shots, live action if you want a real face on screen.

What Do You Give Up When You Pick the Cheapest Provider?

The cheapest option almost always costs you time or certainty.

Instead of dollars.

A DIY tool saves money.

But you write the script, record the voice, and edit every scene yourself.

Often over several evenings.

A freelancer can vanish mid-project.

Or miss a deadline, or turn in a rush job if you are their lowest-paying client that month.

Quality also swings a lot from one freelancer to the next.

There is no team checking their work before it reaches you.

Watch for hidden costs too.

Stock music licenses.

Paid stock footage.

Extra fees for a second or third round of changes.

Some contracts do not mention a money-back guarantee at all.

You carry the risk if you do not like the result.

A fixed-price package removes most of that guesswork.

Script, voiceover, and animation come bundled into one fee.

Revision rounds and the timeline get spelled out before you pay anything.

How Do You Move From Choosing a Provider to a Finished Video?

Once you pick a provider, four steps take you to a finished video.

Step 1: Get the price and deliverables in writing

Ask for a written quote that lists the exact price, what's included (script, voiceover, animation, music), and what costs extra. A verbal "around $2,000" is not a quote you can hold anyone to.

Step 2: Approve the script before anyone animates anything

Read the full script out loud before animation starts, since fixing a script after animation is done costs more time and money. A 60-second script runs about 140 to 160 words, based on roughly 150 spoken words per minute of finished video.

Step 3: Confirm how many revision rounds you get

Ask exactly how many rounds of changes are included and what happens if you need one more. Our 30-second and 60-second packages both include 3 revision rounds at no extra charge.

Step 4: Lock in the delivery date and file ownership

Get a written delivery date and confirm you'll own the final video files once you pay. Without this in writing, some providers keep the source files or charge extra to hand them over.

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.

Does It Matter Who Makes the Video for Your Sales Results?

The provider matters less than your script.

A cheap video with a sharp, simple message often beats an expensive video with a vague one.

You may have read that video lifts landing page conversions by 80% to 86%.

According to Foundry CRO, that number comes from data collected before 2020.

Modern results range from a 10% drop to a 100% lift.

It depends on placement, and how relevant the video is.

Even with that wide range, video still tends to pay off.

In Wyzowl's 2026 survey, cited by Levitate Media, 82% of video marketers report a positive return on their video spend.

Explainer videos were the single most common video type made.

73% of marketers had produced one.

That is a sign explainer videos are a safe bet.

As long as the script does its job.

Which Option Should You Pick Today?

Pick the option that fits your budget and timeline today.

Not the one with the most impressive name.

Tight on both? A fixed-price done-for-you service is the fastest path to a finished video.

Enjoy tools, with a few evenings free? A DIY tool can work.

Need custom 3D characters, or a full brand film? An agency is worth the higher price and longer wait.

• Tight budget, tight deadline, no time to learn software: pick a fixed-price done-for-you service.
• Comfortable with software and have several hours to spare: try a DIY tool first.
• Need a custom look, 3D animation, or a full campaign: talk to an agency or book a planning call.

At 30 Second Productions, our fastest option is a 30-second explainer video priced at $297.

We also offer a 60-second version at $497, and custom quotes.

Lock in the current rate on our 30-second explainer video page.

Or book a free planning call for a custom quote on our video planning call page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make an explainer video myself for free?

Not entirely for free, but close. Free plans on DIY tools like Powtoon or Canva let you build a short video with watermarks and limited scenes, while a paid plan removes the watermark and unlocks more assets. You'll still need to write your own script and record or generate a voiceover.

Is it safe to hire a freelancer from Fiverr or Upwork for my video?

It can be safe if you check reviews, ask for past explainer video samples rather than any animation clip, and get a written scope before you pay. Freelancer quality varies widely, so a low price with no samples or reviews is a bigger risk than a slightly higher price with a proven track record.

Do I need a separate voiceover artist and animator, or can one provider do both?

Many providers, including fixed-price services and full studios, handle both the voiceover and the animation under one fee. DIY tools and some freelancers only cover one part of the job, so check exactly what's included before you assume voice work is bundled in.

How do I know if a video company is legit before I pay?

Ask to see full finished videos, not just short clips, and check that the price, timeline, and revision count are written down before you pay anything. A company that won't put its price or delivery date in writing is a warning sign, no matter how polished its website looks.

Can I switch providers halfway through if I'm not happy with the script?

Yes, but you may lose any money already paid for work done, so check the refund policy before you start. Some fixed-price services, including ours, include a money-back guarantee, which removes most of that risk if the finished video isn't right.

The short version

Six kinds of providers can make your video.

DIY software, a freelancer, an AI-assisted studio, a boutique studio, an agency, or a fixed-price service.

Prices run from about $99 to $50,000 or more.

The honest answer is whoever fits your budget and your deadline.

What matters most is not the provider type.

It is a clear script.

And a price you got in writing before work started.

Want the fastest option with a locked-in price? A 30-second explainer video is a solid pick.

Need something bigger? A free 30-minute call gets you a fixed quote within 24 hours.

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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• How to Create an Explainer Video: 7 Steps That Work: Struggling to explain your business simply? Learn how to create an explainer…
• Explainer Videos from $297 →: Professional animated explainer videos delivered in 7 days.