If you are evaluating an animated explainer video, you are likely trying to solve a clarity problem.
Complex ideas. Technical products. Long sales cycles. A landing page that is not converting the way it should.
In B2B marketing, an animated explainer video can clarify positioning, accelerate buyer understanding, and improve conversion performance across your website and sales funnel.
But not all explainer videos perform the same.
This guide will help you evaluate:
- What an animated explainer video must accomplish in a B2B context
- Realistic production costs and what drives pricing
- Which animation styles fit different business models
- How long production takes and how to plan it
- What to look for in an explainer video production company
If you are considering video as a growth investment, this guide will help you make the right decision.
What Is an Animated Explainer Video?
An animated explainer video is a short, structured video designed to clearly explain a product, service, or complex process to a defined target audience.
Typical Length: 60 to 120 seconds
Primary Goal: Clarity that drives action
The best explainer videos simplify complex ideas without oversimplifying value.
What Should an Animated Explainer Video Include?
A high-performing animated explainer video typically includes:
- A clearly defined problem your target audience recognizes
- A structured explanation of the solution
- Key differentiators that reinforce positioning
- Visual storytelling that simplifies complex concepts
- A clear call to action aligned with a business objective
Unlike live action video, animation allows you to visualize abstract systems, digital products, data flows, or multi-step processes that would be difficult to film. This makes it particularly effective for SaaS, AI, cybersecurity, fintech, and healthcare technology companies.
According to Wyzowl’s Video Marketing Statistics report, 93% of marketers say video has helped increase user understanding of their product or service. In B2B marketing, improved understanding directly influences conversion behavior and sales velocity.
When properly aligned with marketing strategy, an animated explainer can improve landing page conversion rates, support product demos, and strengthen paid distribution performance.
Where Animated Explainers Fit in the Funnel
An animated video can serve multiple funnel stages depending on structure and distribution.
- At the awareness stage, it introduces a complex product in a digestible format.
- At the consideration stage, it clarifies differentiation and reinforces positioning.
- At the conversion stage, it supports landing page performance and sales conversations.
When strategically deployed, the same core asset can also strengthen onboarding, customer education, and internal alignment.
Without funnel alignment, even a well-produced video becomes expensive creative instead of a performance asset.
Levitate Insight: Most explainer videos fail because teams choose animation style before clarifying audience, positioning, and business objective.
How Much Do Animated Explainer Videos Cost in 2026?
When evaluating an animated explainer video, cost is often the first filter because investment must align with expected return.
Professional animated explainer production typically falls into the following ranges:
Animation StyleTypical Investment RangeCommon Use Case2D Animation$8,000 – $20,000SaaS, digital products, tech servicesMotion Graphics$10,000 – $25,000Data-driven platforms, dashboards, product demos3D Animation$20,000 – $50,000+Physical products, engineering systems, medical devicesMixed Media$15,000 – $40,000Brand-driven explainers requiring human presence
These ranges reflect strategic production that includes scripting, storyboarding, custom design, animation, voiceover, sound design, and post-production.
According to Statista, global digital video advertising spend continues to grow year over year, surpassing hundreds of billions annually as brands invest more heavily in digital video formats.
Ultra-low-cost options exist. They typically rely on templates, limited discovery, and restricted revisions. For B2B companies explaining complex products, those tradeoffs can reduce effectiveness and long-term ROI.
Budget Reality: If an agency cannot clearly explain what is included in scripting, discovery, and revisions, you are not comparing equivalent scopes. If you’re comparing scope and investment across formats, see our full breakdown of video production pricing.
What Drives the Cost?
Several factors influence investment level.
1. Strategy and Script Development
A well made explainer begins with positioning clarity. Discovery sessions, audience alignment, and structured messaging directly affect performance.
2. Custom Visual Design
Illustration tailored to brand guidelines requires time. Template-based visuals reduce cost but also reduce differentiation.
3. Animation Complexity
Scene count, motion detail, and 3D modeling increase production hours.
4. Voiceover and Sound Design
Professional narration, music licensing, and audio refinement affect perceived quality and credibility.
5. Asset Repurposing
Creating short cutdowns for paid campaigns, social distribution, or multiple landing pages increases scope but expands long-term value.
Evaluating Cost Through ROI
An animated explainer video should not be evaluated purely as a creative expense. It is a revenue asset.
If your landing page converts at 2% and an optimized explainer increases it to 3%, that lift represents a 50% improvement in conversion efficiency. For B2B companies with high customer lifetime value, even small gains can justify the investment quickly.
According to Wistia’s State of Video research, instructional and product-focused videos consistently outperform average engagement benchmarks when they deliver clarity quickly.
At Levitate Media, pricing conversations begin with measurable objectives. We map video strategy to funnel stage, distribution plan, and performance goals before defining scope. Strategy informs investment. Investment supports growth.
Once budget and ROI expectations are clear, the next strategic decision is format selection.
Animation Styles — Which Is Right for Your Brand?
Choosing the right animation style is not a creative preference decision. It is a strategic alignment decision.
The format you select affects how clearly you explain complex ideas, how your brand is perceived, how much you invest, and how effectively the final video supports your marketing objectives.
Before selecting a style, consider the complexity of your product, the expectations of your target audience, and where the video will live in your funnel.
Different formats solve different communication challenges.
2D Animation
2D animation is the most common format for B2B explainer projects. It is especially effective for software platforms, AI tools, fintech services, and other digital products.
This style allows you to simplify dashboards, workflows, and abstract systems into clean, controlled visuals.
For most SaaS and service-based companies, 2D animation offers the strongest balance of clarity, scalability, and budget control.
3D Animation
3D animation is best suited for physical products, complex machinery, medical devices, and technical systems.
If your product involves internal components, spatial relationships, or engineering precision that cannot be captured effectively through live action, 3D provides depth and realism.
It requires a higher investment, but when used appropriately, it strengthens credibility and perceived sophistication.
Motion Graphics
Motion graphics emphasize typography, interface animation, and data visualization rather than character-based storytelling.
This approach works well for analytics platforms, product demos, and data-driven messaging where clarity of information is more important than narrative structure.
Motion graphics can also be layered into broader animated projects to reinforce structure and visual hierarchy.
Mixed Media
Mixed media combines animation with live action elements.
This format is effective when trust, leadership presence, or human connection must complement product explanation. For example, a founder interview supported by animated overlays can balance authority and clarity.
When done strategically, mixed media strengthens brand perception without sacrificing technical explanation.
Business GoalRecommended StyleWhyExplain SaaS workflow2D AnimationSimplifies dashboards and user journeysVisualize physical product3D AnimationShows internal components and depthCommunicate performance dataMotion GraphicsEmphasizes metrics and structureBuild trust + explain productMixed MediaCombines human presence with clarity
A well made explainer video is not defined by how engaging it looks. It is defined by how effectively it communicates your core message to the right audience and supports measurable business outcomes.
Production Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week
One of the most common misconceptions about animated explainer production is that animation begins as soon as the concept is approved.
In reality, the process is structured and sequential. For most professional projects, timelines range from six to eight weeks. More complex topics, 3D modeling, or multi-language versions may extend beyond that window.
With over 10,000 videos produced across 3,000+ clients, our structured approach reduces revision cycles and protects launch timelines.
Here is how a typical project unfolds.
Week 1 – Discovery and Alignment
The first phase focuses on clarity.
This includes defining business objectives, target audience, positioning, distribution plan, and success metrics.
This is where strategy before production happens.
Process Insight: Most production delays occur during messaging alignment, not animation. Investing time in discovery accelerates the rest of the timeline.
Week 2 – Script Development
The script is the foundation of every effective explainer.
At this stage, the goal is to simplify complex concepts, structure the narrative logically, and maintain attention from the opening seconds. In B2B environments, messaging must balance clarity with credibility. Oversimplification reduces authority. Overcomplication reduces engagement.
Week 3 – Storyboard and Visual Direction
Once the script is approved, it is translated into visual structure.
The storyboard defines scene flow, transitions, typography, and overall design direction. Brand guidelines and visual identity are integrated to ensure consistency with existing marketing assets.
Weeks 4–6 – Design and Animation
This is where full production begins.
Designers finalize illustrations. Animators build motion sequences. Voiceover recording and sound design are integrated to support pacing and clarity.
Projects involving detailed 3D animation or complex visual systems may require additional production time.
Week 7 – Review and Refinement
The initial version is delivered for consolidated client feedback.
Clear communication and defined revision rounds ensure momentum is maintained and timelines remain predictable.
Week 8 – Final Delivery and Asset Distribution
The final video is exported in optimized formats for website placement, landing pages, YouTube, paid campaigns, and sales enablement.
Under Levitate’s One Video, Many Assets framework, additional short cutdowns or format variations may be created to extend value across channels.
Why Timeline Matters Strategically
Production timelines are not just operational details. They directly affect launch coordination, campaign sequencing, and revenue timing.
Marketing leaders must align video production with broader business milestones such as product launches, paid campaigns, trade shows, funding announcements, and website redesigns.
When timing is misaligned, even a well-produced explainer can miss its impact window.
Understanding the production schedule prevents rushed decisions, protects creative quality, and supports coordinated rollout across channels.
An animated explainer is most effective when it launches as part of a structured marketing initiative, not as a standalone creative asset.
How to Write a Strong Creative Brief
Many animated explainer videos underperform for one simple reason: the creative brief lacked clarity.
Before any explainer video production begins, internal alignment is critical. A well-structured brief protects your investment, reduces revision cycles, and ensures the final video supports measurable business outcomes.
A strong creative brief should define six core elements.
1. Business Objective
What outcome should this video drive?
Is the goal to increase landing page conversion rates, support a product launch, strengthen sales enablement, or clarify complex processes for enterprise buyers?
An animated explainer must be tied to a measurable objective. Without one, performance cannot be evaluated.
2. Target Audience
Be precise about who the video is for.
Are you speaking to technical decision-makers, procurement teams, marketing leaders, healthcare administrators, or IT managers?
Audience clarity determines tone, pacing, vocabulary, and visual complexity. Messaging for engineers differs from messaging for executive buyers.
3. Core Message
In one sentence, what must viewers understand by the end of the video?
If your internal team cannot articulate that clearly, the final video will struggle to communicate it externally.
4. Key Information and Differentiation
Identify essential features, proof points, and differentiators. Avoid trying to explain everything. The purpose of an explainer is clarity, not exhaustiveness.
5. Distribution Plan
Where will the video live?
Homepage, landing page, paid campaigns, sales presentations, or email distribution?
Placement influences length, pacing, and narrative structure. A landing page explainer differs from a paid ad variation.
6. Brand Alignment
Your explainer should reflect brand guidelines, tone of voice, and visual identity. Consistency builds trust across your broader video ecosystem.
Download our Video Production Brief Template to align your internal team before engaging an agency.
At Levitate Media, structured discovery sessions precede scripting. We validate positioning, align stakeholders, and define measurable objectives before design begins. This approach reduces revision cycles and strengthens performance outcomes.
When evaluating an explainer video company, ask how they approach the briefing process. Strategic alignment early often determines whether the final video drives measurable conversions.
Levitate Animated Explainer Examples by Industry
Below are examples of how animation has been applied strategically across different sectors.
CloudCover – Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Clarity
CloudCover operates in a highly technical cybersecurity environment where clarity directly influences buyer trust.
The challenge was not to create engaging content. It was to simplify complex infrastructure solutions so potential customers could understand value quickly.
Through structured scripting and clean visual metaphors, the explainer clarified layered security systems and abstract technical processes without oversimplifying them. The result strengthened positioning across their website and supported more effective sales conversations.
Embed CloudCover explainer video here
For cybersecurity and AI companies, clarity builds confidence.
Session AI – Explaining AI-Driven Optimization
Session AI provides advanced AI optimization tools for marketing teams.
The challenge was communicating complex machine learning processes without overwhelming viewers with technical detail.
A structured 2D animated explainer translated data-driven workflows into intuitive visuals, aligning with brand identity while simplifying sophisticated digital processes.
The final video supported product demos, landing page performance, and broader distribution campaigns.
Embed Session AI explainer video here
Qventus – Healthcare Technology and Enterprise Communication
Qventus operates within hospital systems and enterprise healthcare environments where credibility is critical.
The objective was to communicate AI-powered clinical workflow improvements in a way that resonated with decision-makers across multiple stakeholder groups.
Through a series of structured explainer videos, complex processes were translated into accessible visual narratives that supported enterprise sales enablement and internal alignment.
Embed Qventus explainer series here
What These Examples Demonstrate
Across industries, the common thread is not animation style. It is strategic alignment. Each project began with clear objectives, defined audiences, and structured messaging. The result was not just a video, but a scalable asset within a broader content ecosystem.
When evaluating animated explainer production, focus on clarity, structure, and business integration, not just visuals.
FAQs
How much does an animated explainer video cost?
Professional animated explainer video production typically ranges from $8,000 to $50,000 depending on animation style, length, visual complexity, and strategic development. Custom scripting, brand-aligned design, professional voiceover recording, and asset repurposing all influence investment. See our full video production pricing guide for a detailed breakdown.
How long should an animated explainer video be?
Most animated explainer videos perform best between 60 and 120 seconds. The ideal length depends on the complexity of the product and where the video will live. Landing page explainers tend to be concise, while product or enterprise-focused videos may require more depth without losing clarity.
Which animation style is best for SaaS companies?
For most SaaS companies, 2D animation is the most effective format. It simplifies dashboards, workflows, and digital systems while remaining cost-efficient and brand-flexible. Motion graphics can also work well for data-driven platforms, while 3D animation is typically reserved for products requiring depth or spatial visualization.
Which animation style is best for physical products?
3D animation works best for hardware, medical devices, and engineered systems because it shows internal components and spatial relationships clearly.
Which animation style is best for data-driven platforms?
Motion graphics are ideal for analytics tools and dashboards where clarity of metrics and structured information is the priority.
Which animation style is best when brand trust is critical?
Mixed media is effective when leadership presence strengthens credibility while animation supports technical explanation.
What makes a good animated explainer video?
A good animated explainer video clearly defines a problem, presents a structured solution, aligns with the target audience, reflects the brand’s voice, and supports a measurable business objective. Strong scripting and strategic alignment are more important than animation style alone.
Making the Right Investment Decision
An animated explainer video is not just creative content. It is a strategic revenue asset.
When aligned with clear objectives and a defined distribution plan, it can increase conversions, clarify positioning, and accelerate sales conversations.
The difference between average and high-performing comes down to strategy before production.
With 16+ years of experience and 10,000+ videos produced, our team builds animated explainers designed for measurable business impact.
If you’re evaluating video as a growth investment, speak with the Levitate Media team and start with strategy.
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