So you’ve decided you want an explainer for your business but also want to know the bottom line for producing a highly engaging video that actually delivers results.
We get it, it can be a timely task to contact every production studio for pricing and timeline. Not to mention, that a quick online search reveals dozens of studios that seem to do pretty good work.
So, how do you narrow it down to the one that’s going to offer an excellent video, for a good price?
A friend of ours, we’ll call him Joe, recently joined a startup. The start-up was looking for an explainer video, and so naturally, Joe reached out to several different explainer video production companies (including us) to get quotes. The responses he got from different companies were very interesting, and even better, he decided to share them with us.
We can’t keep this good of a secret to ourselves, so here are the basics you need to know to compare your options.
The Startup’s Explainer Video Requirements:
Length: 90 seconds
Timeline: 4 weeks
Other information: Their script was already completed.
Example style: Something similar to 5Crowd’s explainer video.
Joe sent these exact same requirements to each of the explainer video companies. Let’s have a look at their quotes:
Wyzowl
Cost of Production: $5,344
Wyzowl (Wise Owl) quoted for the required 90-second video. The final estimate came around to $5,344.
Payment Structure: 30% upfront. 50% of the remaining amount to be paid upon approval of the storyboard. Completion time is around 5 – 6 weeks on average.
BreadnBeyond
Cost of Production: $2,500
BreadnBeyond offers four different packages, each with its own sets of features. However, their prices of the packages are not listed on the website.
Demo Duck
Cost of Production: $15,000 – $20,000
If you search online for “explainer videos,” you’re sure to come across Demo Duck! Maybe it’s because of the brand’s popularity that they are able to command a higher starting rate.
The studio was willing to work on the project if the budget was between $15,000 to $20,000. The timeframe of production for the video is 2 – 3 months.
Switch Video
Cost of Production: $15,000
Switch Video is one of the more popular video production agencies and their quote reflects their reputation. The completion time for a 90-second video is 8 weeks.
The process includes scripting, storyboard, animation, music and voiceover.
Explainify
Cost of Production: $5,000 – $15,000
A quick look at Explainify’s portfolio reveals that they are likely one of the high-end production agencies.
The quote Joe received from Explainify was $5,000 to $15,000 for a 90-second video.
Epipheo
Cost of Production: $9,000
Epipheo is another high-end explainer video animation company. They were happy to commit to a one-month deadline.
Yum Yum Videos
Cost of Production: $6,500
Yum Yum Videos has a great portfolio and is respected in the explainer video biz. So, naturally, Joe approached them for a quote for his video.
Their quoted price was $6500 for a 90-second video. Yum Yum videos required 6-7 weeks for completion.
Studio Pigeons
Cost of Production: $6,000 – $75,000
Depending on your 90-second video project the rates will vary.
Yans Media
Cost of Production: $4,500 – $5,250
Kasra Design
Cost of Production: $3,800
For a 2D animated video, the company charges $3,200 for up to 60-seconds and then $600 for every additional 30 seconds. That brings the estimate for a 90-second video to $3,800.
Verstiuk
Cost of Production: $2,700 – $4,650
The costs will vary based on the style of video. All services are included but you’ll have to provide the script.
From everything we found out, the following things became evident:
- Every explainer video agency had its own criteria for pricing.
- Most of the agencies require 5-10 weeks to do a 90-second video.
- Having a script helps reduce the quote in some cases.
HOW MUCH DID IT REALLY COST TO MAKE THE 5CROWD VIDEO?
Our friend, Joe, knew the budget on 5Crowds video— We were able to create their video for $5,000 and did it in 4 weeks. In the end, our friend convinced his bosses to work with us on their explainer video!
Read more: How Is the Pricing of Animated Videos Calculated?
Every studio has its own style, quality, and price point. If you’re the boss, then the choice is yours. Hopefully, Joe’s research offers a snapshot of the market. If we’re the kind of studio you’re looking for, then let’s talk.
If you are not much of reader, we recommend going through this infographic:
Read more: How to Pick an Explainer Video Agency
