How much does an explainer video cost in 2026? Price ranges by provider
By Kai · Updated Oct 19, 2026 · 2 min read
For a 60-second animated 2D explainer, one 2026 guide puts freelancers at about $1,500 to $6,000, and AI-tool providers charge about $497 to $1,500. Studios charge $2,500 to $7,500 for custom 2D. Each extra 30 seconds adds about 25% to 40%.
| Provider type | Typical price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| AI-tool built explainer | $497 to $1,997 per video; about $497 to $1,500 for 60 seconds | VideoExplainers |
| Freelancer, 60 to 90 second animated 2D explainer | $1,500 to $6,000 | Jobbers |
| Freelancers, all video types | $500 to $5,000 per video | VideoExplainers |
| Freelancer, short social animation (5 to 30 s) | $150 to $600 | Jobbers |
| Freelancer, kinetic typography (15 to 60 s) | $800 to $2,500 | Jobbers |
| Studio, custom 2D 60 seconds | $2,500 to $7,500 | VideoExplainers |
The guides define their categories differently and are not a price list for any one seller, so the ranges overlap. Use them as a map, not a quote.
What drives the price
- Length: each extra 30 seconds raises the cost by about 25% to 40%, according to one guide.
- Style: 3D and detailed character animation cost far more than motion graphics with your screenshots.
- Script and storyboard: a written and approved storyboard prevents expensive rework.
- Revisions: unlimited changes after approval turn a fixed price into an open meter.
- Sizes: every extra aspect ratio is extra work unless the scenes can be re-rendered.
How my prices compare
My fixed prices are $179 for a 15-second clip, $399 for 30 seconds and $799 for 60 seconds, as listed on the video page. They are below the freelancer ranges above because scenes are built from a code engine instead of frame by frame, and the storyboard is drafted with AI and approved before anything is rendered.
Sources
Questions people ask
What is a fair price for a 60-second explainer?
One 2026 guide puts freelance animated 2D explainers at about $1,500 to $6,000, and AI-tool providers at about $497 to $1,500. Studios start higher.
Does an AI video cost less?
Often, because the script and storyboard are drafted faster. Quality depends on the brief, so ask for a free preview first.
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