If you’ve ever priced out an explainer video, you know the quotes can be all over the place. One studio might quote £2,000 while another pitches £20,000 for what seems like the same project. No wonder B2B marketing managers and founders are often left scratching their heads. Why does an animated explainer video cost so little from one provider and so much from another? Is the pricier option just padding their margins, or do they offer something more? This article will demystify the confusion. We’ll unpack the key factors that influence animated video pricing and share how to get the best value for your budget. (Spoiler: it’s not always about choosing the cheapest bidder.) By the end, you’ll understand exactly what you’re paying for, and how a clear, fixed pricing approach from your video partner can bring much-needed transparency.
Before we dive into the details, let’s set the stage: explainer video pricing truly runs the gamut. According to industry research, some brands have paid as little as £600 and others up to £250,000 for an explainer video. That huge range reflects differences in length, style, quality, and scope, which we’ll explore below. The good news is that most business videos fall somewhere in the middle, often in the low thousands of pounds for a high-quality production. So what actually drives those costs? Let’s take a look behind the scenes.
Key Factors That Influence Explainer Video Cost
Every explainer video is a custom project, and a few core factors determine how much work (and thus cost) goes into it. Whether you’re getting quotes from a video production UK studio or an overseas freelancer, these key variables tend to drive the price:
Video Length:
This one’s straightforward, a 30-second video will generally cost less than a 2-minute video. Animation is time-intensive work, so more runtime = more labour. Many studios price per minute of finished video. For example, a simple 60–90 second explainer might be a standard package, and a 2-minute video could be roughly double the price. Keep in mind there are some economies of scale (you’re reusing the same concept and characters), but in general, longer videos require more animation frames, more voiceover script, and more editing time, which all increase the video production cost.
Animation Style & Complexity:
How the video looks and is animated is perhaps the biggest cost driver. There’s a big difference between moving some text and icons around versus creating a fully animated character world. 2D motion graphics (flat two-dimensional animation) is typically the most cost-effective style for explainer videos. In contrast, 3D animation (which involves advanced modeling, lighting, and rendering) comes at a premium due to the extra skill and time required. For instance, at Mooviemakers we charge around £1,995 per minute for a custom 2D animated video, whereas a 3D animated video of the same length might be closer to £2,995, reflecting the greater effort involved. Other styles also fit into the spectrum – whiteboard animations, where a hand “draws” illustrations on screen, were a popular low-cost option a few years ago (and typically fall in a mid-range price). However, whiteboard style has been something of a passing fad, and many companies now prefer the more modern look of 2D or the polished impact of 3D. Motion graphics and cartoon-style character animation can vary widely in complexity as well: a simple icon-based explainer will cost less than a highly detailed frame-by-frame character animation. In short, the more bespoke and detailed the visuals, the higher the price tag.
Scripting and Concept Development:
A great explainer video starts with a great script and concept. Some clients come with a script in hand, but often the production studio will handle scriptwriting, messaging, and storyboarding as part of the service. This pre-production phase requires copywriting and creative strategy expertise. If a studio is writing your video’s script from scratch, that labor is factored into the cost. Crafting a compelling story that distills your product’s value is a skill, you’re paying not just for animation but for effective communication. Studios with experienced scriptwriters and “creative direction” services may charge more, but they ensure your video has a strong narrative and clear message (critical for B2B explainer videos where complex ideas need simplifying). On the other hand, if you provide a finalized script and just need animation execution, you might save a bit. Just be careful, cutting corners on the script can lead to a beautiful video that doesn’t really hit the mark. Content creation is part of the cost, and it’s often worth it.
Voiceover and Audio:
Nearly every explainer video uses a voiceover narration to guide the story. Hiring a professional voiceover artist (and handling recording, directing, and audio editing) adds to the budget. Costs can vary depending on the voice talent’s experience and whether you need multiple languages or voices. Royalty-free background music and sound effects are usually a smaller expense, but custom music or extensive sound design will increase costs. Some lower-cost providers might quote a price excluding professional voiceover or audio, then add it as an extra later, so clarify what’s included. At Mooviemakers, for example, voiceover (with a choice of style/accent) and basic sound design are included in our packages, rather than line-item extras. High-quality audio is important for a polished result, so it’s a factor to consider.
Turnaround Time (Timeline):
How fast do you need the video? If you have an urgent deadline or need a campaign video “yesterday,” you may incur rush fees. A typical explainer video project might take around 4–6 weeks from kickoff to final delivery (this allows time for script drafts, storyboards, animation, and revisions). If you need to compress that into, say, 1–2 weeks, the team will likely have to work overtime or put extra resources on it, which costs more. Many studios charge an expedited delivery surcharge (20–50% above base cost is common for a rush project). On the flip side, if you have a very flexible timeline, you might not get a discount per se, but you’ll make it easier to work with normal scheduling and avoid any rush charges. Always discuss your timeline needs upfront, it’s a key part of the cost equation.
Expertise and Team Involved:
The level of expertise of the creative team will influence cost. A freelancer working solo out of their bedroom will have lower overheads and often lower rates than a larger animation studio with a full team (scriptwriters, illustrators, animators, project managers, etc.). With an agency or studio you’re paying for a tried-and-tested process and a depth of talent. Seasoned professionals might cost more, but they bring efficiency, reliability, and quality (for example, ensuring your video’s storytelling is effective and the branding is on-point). Higher-end agencies also tend to include more client support, multiple review rounds, account management, and so on. If you’re a lean B2B team, paying a bit more for a provider that guides you through a smooth process can be worth every penny. As with most things, you get what you pay for: extremely cheap explainer video services (you might have seen those “£300 video” offers) often use cookie-cutter templates or inexperienced producers. They can work in a pinch, but the result may lack the custom polish and could even hurt your brand’s image. Investing in experienced creators drives costs up, but it also tends to yield a more impactful video.
Those are the main factors, but there are a few others worth mentioning. Revisions can influence cost, many studios include a set number of revision rounds, and if you exceed those, it might incur extra fees. (We’ll touch on how Mooviemakers handles revisions in a moment.) Also, special requirements like live-action filming (for a hybrid video), subtitles in multiple languages, or interactive elements would add cost on top of a base animation. But generally, the length, style, content, audio, and timeline are your big cost drivers. Now that we know what we’re paying for, how do different studios structure their pricing?
Mooviemakers’ Fixed-Price Animation Packages (Transparency in Action)
One thing that sets Mooviemakers apart is our pricing model: we offer clear, fixed-price packages for our animated videos. In an industry where getting a straight answer on cost can be difficult, we’ve put all our prices right on our website for anyone to see. (Finally, a video production company that actually shows their prices!) You can check out our pricing page for the full details, but here’s an overview of our animation packages:
App & Platform Demo Video – £995+VAT:
This is our entry-level package, ideal for simple software demos and product walkthroughs (often for tech startups or SaaS companies showcasing their app interface). It covers up to ~90 seconds of video. We include the script writing, a professional voiceover, and straightforward 2D animation highlighting your app’s features (often using screen recordings or stylised UI mockups). It’s a budget-friendly way to get a crisp, clear demo video. Despite the lower price, it’s still fully custom to your produc, and yes, unlimited revisions are included (more on that below).
Custom Animated Explainer Video – £1,995+VAT:
This is our core package and what most clients think of as a classic explainer video. It’s perfect for turning a complex B2B offering into a clear, compelling story, whether it’s for your homepage, a sales pitch, or an internal communications piece. For £1,995 we provide an end-to-end service for a video up to 90 seconds long. That includes creative concept and scriptwriting, a professional voiceover (your choice of accent/style), style frames and storyboarding, and fully bespoke 2D animation with characters, icons, and scenes tailored to your brand. We can even incorporate some stock footage or screen recordings if needed. Music and sound design are included, and we’ll deliver the final video in HD (plus any social-media optimised formats you require). Essentially, this package covers everything you need for a polished animated explainer, start to finish, at a fixed cost. No vague quotes, no upsells, you know the price from day one.
Advanced Animated Video – £2,995+VAT:
This package is geared towards enterprises or campaigns that want to pull out all the stops creatively. It covers projects up to ~90 seconds as well, but with an extra level of complexity and production value. In addition to everything in the Custom package, the Advanced tier can include 3D graphics or even live-action footage blended in, as well as premium touches like frame-by-frame character animation and more advanced effects. For example, if you want an animated character in your video with truly fluid, hand-drawn movement (the kind of animation usually seen in high-end commercials), that falls under this tier. Multiple voiceover roles or languages can be accommodated here too. Essentially, it’s a more bespoke, high-end production for when you need your video to really stand out and you have a bit more budget to invest in wow-factor visuals. Even at this level, our price is fixed at £2,995 for the project – significantly lower than what a traditional agency might charge for a similar scope. We can offer that because of our efficient production process and lean team structure, without compromising on quality.
A few important notes about our pricing: These package prices cover most typical needs for the stated video length. If you needed a much longer video, the cost would scale in a straightforward way (for instance, two minutes of 2D animation would be roughly double the £1,995 package, since it’s essentially two videos worth of work). We pride ourselves on no hidden costs. Things like the script, voiceover, music, etc., are all included in those package prices, so you won’t find yourself hit with surprise “extras” later. In fact, we hear from clients that our quotes are refreshingly concrete compared to some competitors. As our website says, “No vague quotes. No pricing ladders. No bolt-ons or upsells.” It’s all transparent. We even start every project with a free script if you contact us with an idea, meaning we’ll help you brainstorm and write a draft script at no obligation, to ensure we’re aligned on the concept before any payment.
And about revisions: we offer unlimited revisions at each stage of the process. That means you can request changes to the script, the storyboard, and the animation drafts until you’re happy, without worrying about hitting a cap or incurring extra fees. (The only caveat is that once a stage is approved and we move forward, we don’t go backwards and overhaul it without discussing possible cost implications. For example, if the animation is almost finished and then you decide to change a script section significantly, that might need additional budget. But normal tweaking and fine-tuning is truly unlimited.) We built these policies to make the production experience as smooth and risk-free for you as possible. You know exactly what you’ll pay, and it won’t increase mid-project. If you’re comparing providers, this clarity can be a big relief. Now, let’s contrast our approach with how explainer video pricing is traditionally handled elsewhere.
Fixed Packages vs. Traditional Video Production Pricing Models
In the wider video production industry, pricing models can vary widely. Many studios still operate on a custom quote basis: you contact them with your project details, maybe hop on a call, and then they come back with a quote tailored to that project. There’s nothing wrong with that approach per se, every project is unique, after all, but it can make it hard for you as the client to predict or compare costs. One agency might estimate that your 2-minute SaaS explainer needs £5k of work, while another (with higher overhead, or aiming for a more premium animation style) might quote £15k for the same basic brief. Without industry knowledge, you’re left wondering, “Why is this one three times more expensive? What am I missing?” Often, the quotes are not broken down in a way that’s easy to understand or compare.
With quote-based pricing, it’s also important to clarify what’s included. Does that price include the scriptwriting? Voiceover recording? How many rounds of feedback? We’ve heard plenty of horror stories of companies signing up for what looked like a low quote, only to find the agency charging extra later for “add-ons” that should have been standard. (For instance, “Oh, you want us to hire a voice actor for you? Sure, that’s an additional £300.” or “Additional revision rounds? That’ll be £100 each.”) According to a HubSpot report, some agencies will lure clients with a low initial price then tack on fees for things like voiceover or every extra amendment. We consciously designed Mooviemakers’ packages to avoid this nickel-and-diming; the price we give includes the typical essentials and unlimited tweaks, so you’re not trapped by change fees.
Another common model is hourly or day rates – where a freelancer or studio might say, “Our animator is £X per hour” or “£500 per day, and the project will take Y days.” This is more common with freelance videographers or when companies hire contractors. While it’s a valid way to account for effort, it puts all the risk on you as the client: if the project takes longer than expected, your cost keeps rising. It also incentivises inefficiency (the longer it takes, the more they earn, not ideal!). As a client, you’d have to closely manage scope and hope the estimate of hours was accurate. In creative work, unexpected revisions or delays happen, so hourly budgets often overshoot. Quote-based pricing can suffer from the same issue, if the project scope isn’t crystal clear, agencies might issue change orders or revised quotes midway when new needs surface.
In contrast, our fixed-price packages give peace of mind. We scope out the project in the beginning (and we’re pretty good at it, given our experience), and as long as the requirements don’t drastically change, you pay the flat fee. We carry the risk of production overruns, not you. This approach forces us to be efficient and deliver on time, which clients appreciate. It also fosters trust, you’re hiring us as a partner to solve your problem, not a taxi cab running up the meter.
It’s worth noting that not every project fits neatly into a preset package, even for us. Occasionally a client might have a very specific request (say a 5-minute mixed live-action and animation piece, or a series of micro-animations for a whole marketing campaign) that we’ll customize a quote for. But even then, we aim to give a single all-in price rather than a big range or open-ended hourly estimate. The transparency is a core part of our philosophy.
When you compare this with some traditional agencies, the difference is stark. We’ve heard clients say how refreshing it is not to get a vague quote that feels like it was “plucked out of thin air,” or to worry that asking for one more change will blow the budget. In the traditional model, prices can also keep changing if the project timeline slips or if different people weigh in with new feedback. By contrast, we lock in the scope together and commit to that price. For B2B decision-makers who need to allocate marketing budget or get internal approval, having a fixed cost upfront is extremely helpful. It lets you plan and avoids unpleasant surprises for you (and for your boss or finance team!).
Of course, there are scenarios where custom quotes make sense, for example, if you truly have no idea what kind of video you need and are approaching an agency for concept ideation, they might bill consulting time. But if you do have a fairly clear goal (e.g. “We need a 90-second animated explainer for our new fintech platform”), then seeking out a provider with clear package pricing can save a lot of hassle. It also indicates that the provider has done similar projects enough to productise their offering. In a young industry like animation, that kind of reliability and predictability can be a big plus.
When Paying More Makes Sense – Quality, Storytelling & ROI
We’ve talked a lot about saving money and avoiding unnecessary costs. But let’s flip the coin: when is it worth investing more into an explainer video? The short answer: when quality matters (which, if the video is going to represent your brand, it absolutely does). A higher price, if it comes from a studio with true expertise, can yield a video that drives significantly better results. Remember, the goal of an explainer video isn’t just to exist, it’s to explain, engage, and ultimately persuade your audience (to request a demo, to sign up, to get in touch, etc.). A mediocre video might do an OK job, but a top-notch video can boost your conversion rates and sales in a way that makes the extra upfront cost look trivial in hindsight.
There’s plenty of evidence that video content yields great ROI for marketers. In fact, 90% of marketers say video marketing gives them a good return on investment. This is especially true when the video content is high quality. Viewers today have very high standards, they’ve seen slick commercials and catchy product videos, and a sloppy animated video will stick out like a sore thumb. If your explainer looks cheap or generic, it can reflect poorly on your product. On the other hand, a polished, well-crafted video builds trust and keeps viewers engaged. According to one study, adding an explainer video to a landing page can increase conversions by up to 80%. That’s a huge lift! But it’s unlikely to hold true with a cut-rate video that viewers click away from. Quality storytelling, attractive visuals, and clear messaging are what make an explainer video effective, and achieving those requires talent and time.
So, when might paying more make sense? Here are a few instances:
When your message is complex or high-stakes:
If you’re explaining a sophisticated B2B product (say, a fintech solution or a medical device) to potential customers or investors, the accuracy and clarity of the video is paramount. Investing in an experienced team that can distill and present your message correctly is worth it. The wrong video (or a confusing, low-quality one) could leave your audience more muddled than before, or turn them off entirely. In contrast, the right video can shorten your sales cycle by clearly answering common questions and exciting your prospects. Paying for extra concept development, or a more seasoned creative director to nail the narrative, can yield a video that truly moves the needle.
When production value will reflect on your brand:
Simply put, first impressions matter. A slick, well-animated video gives the impression that your company is professional and credible. Think of an explainer video as an extension of your branding. If your brand is positioned as premium or innovative, a bargain-bin video will be off-brand. Sometimes spending more allows for custom artwork, on-location filming, or top-tier voice talent that elevates the final product. These touches can set your video apart from the sea of cookie-cutter animations out there. Viewers might not consciously register “this cost more,” but they will register the feeling of quality. That can translate into better engagement and trust. Storytelling finesse is another subtle quality factor, skilled writers and animators know how to pace a story, use humour or emotion appropriately, and create a narrative arc that resonates. Those skills come with experience and tend to cost more, but they make your video memorable. And a memorable video about your product is marketing gold.
When you need a partner’s expertise:
If you’re relatively new to video production, a higher-priced agency often provides more guidance and a smoother process, which can save you time (and stress). They’ll often handle project management, help you refine your video’s objectives, and incorporate strategic insights from past projects. For a busy internal comms team or startup founder, that level of service is worth the premium. It’s the difference between buying a painting versus commissioning an artist who also advises on what will best fit your needs. At Mooviemakers, even though we keep our prices accessible, we aim to be that trusted advisor throughout the project, drawing on our experience of producing hundreds of explainer videos. Many traditional agencies charge a lot for this consultative approach, but it can result in a video that better achieves your goals (whether that’s increasing sign-ups, educating customers, or something else).
When ROI justifies it:
At the end of the day, you should view an explainer video as an investment, not just an expense. If a video helps you land one enterprise client or prevents dozens of support calls by educating users, it likely pays for itself. Spending £10k vs £5k is irrelevant if the £10k video converts twice as many customers. To gauge this, think about the value of the outcome you’re targeting. For example, a fintech company might easily spend five figures on a video if it will be used in sales pitches to win multi-million-pound deals. The polish of that video could directly influence decision-makers. Or consider a SaaS product where increasing the website conversion rate by a few percentage points could mean hundreds of thousands in new revenue, it makes sense to invest in the best video possible to achieve that. It’s similar to hiring: sometimes you pay more for top talent because the output is superior. Here, you’re “hiring” a top-notch video team to produce a piece of content that will work for you over and over. High-quality videos also have a longer shelf-life; a cheap video might need replacing sooner, whereas a great one could serve for years. Of course, not every use case demands the highest budget – if you just need a quick internal training video, a simpler production is fine. But when the stakes are high, it makes sense to allocate more budget to ensure success.
The key is to find the right level of quality for your needs. There is a point of diminishing returns, you don’t want to overpay for unnecessary frills that don’t add value to your message. But under-investing can be equally risky if the video ends up looking unprofessional. Our philosophy is to offer high quality at a fair, fixed price. We’ve calibrated our packages to hit the sweet spot where you get most of the bells and whistles of a top-tier production (expert script, custom animation, professional voiceover, unlimited revisions) but without the bloated fees of a big agency. We encourage clients to think in terms of value, not just cost. A £3,000 video that achieves your objectives is far better value than a £1,000 video that falls flat. As the old saying goes, “If you think a professional is expensive, try hiring an amateur.”
In summary, don’t be afraid to pay a bit more for quality, especially when the video will represent your company externally. The returns in audience engagement, lead generation, and brand perception can be well worth it. That said, paying more only makes sense if you’re confident why it costs more, which brings us to choosing the right partner.
Introducing Mooviemakers’ Unlimited Video Plan – Video Content on Tap
So far we’ve talked about one-off video projects, but what if your company needs videos regularly? Perhaps you’re rolling out new product features each month, or you have an ongoing need for social media content, tutorials, or investor update videos. Commissioning videos one by one with separate contracts and quotes each time can become slow and costly. This is exactly why Mooviemakers introduced our Unlimited Video Subscription plan, a unique offering designed for clients who require a steady stream of video content.
Our Unlimited plan is essentially a video production retainer. For a flat fee of £1,495+VAT per month, you get continuous, on-demand access to our creative team. You can submit as many video requests as you like, and we’ll work through them one by one, delivering each in rapid succession. There are no per-video charges, the monthly fee covers it all, no matter how many videos you ask for. It’s as close as it gets to having an in-house animation department, but at a tiny fraction of the cost of actually hiring one. (For context, £1,495 per month works out to under £50 a day, you probably couldn’t even hire a freelance videographer for one day at that rate, let alone a whole team.)
Here’s how the unlimited video subscription works in practice: Let’s say you need a product demo video, a couple of tutorial snippets, and an animated promo for an event this quarter. Under the subscription, you’d simply queue those projects up with us. We’ll help define each brief and then get to work. Typically, we deliver a first proof within 1–2 business days for each request (yes, we move fast!). You review and request any changes (unlimited revisions apply here as well), and we finalize the video. Then we move on to the next request in your queue. You can have multiple videos in the pipeline, and we’ll keep churning them out in order of priority. If your needs slow down, you can pause or cancel the subscription at any time, you’re not locked into a long contract. The plan is month-to-month, giving you total flexibility.
Who is this ideal for? We’ve found it’s a game-changer for large enterprises with ongoing content needs, busy marketing teams that produce a lot of campaigns, and even other agencies that need white-label video support. These clients value speed and consistency. Instead of sourcing a new quote and briefing a new freelancer for each video (and hoping the style matches), they have one dedicated partner, us, who already understands their brand and can turn around videos very quickly. It’s also incredibly cost-effective if you’re doing volume. Imagine you get, say, four videos in a month through the subscription – your effective cost per video might be just a few hundred pounds, which is unheard of for custom animation. Even in slower months where you only request one video, you’re still likely saving money compared to commissioning that single video on a one-off basis elsewhere, especially when you factor in the faster turnaround and unlimited changes.
Crucially, quality stays high. Unlimited doesn’t mean “low effort”, you get the same professional scriptwriting, animation, and polish that Mooviemakers is known for. The difference is we streamline the process to be highly efficient, and by working on multiple videos over time, we become like an extension of your team. (We’ve had subscription clients tell us it feels like we’re colleagues down the hall – that’s exactly the relationship we aim for.) We handle all types of video under this plan – from explainers and demos to social media snippets, internal training videos, or even minor editing tasks. Any video format, any duration. Need a 10-second animated GIF for LinkedIn? Done. A 3-minute product deep-dive? Covered. There are no restrictions on video type or length in the unlimited plan, apart from the practical limit of how many we can produce simultaneously (we do them sequentially to maintain quality on each).
You can read more details on the Unlimited Video subscription section of our pricing page, but the core idea is to take the hassle out of ongoing video content. Instead of treating each video as a new project with negotiations and contracts, you have a simple, predictable arrangement. Many of our B2B clients with frequent video needs find that this not only saves money, but also significantly shortens their content production cycles. Marketing opportunities can arise quickly – a competitor launches a new feature, or a trending topic appears – and with an unlimited subscription, you can respond with new video content in days, not weeks.
In summary, if you foresee a pipeline of explainer videos or any animated content, it’s worth considering a plan like this. It’s an innovative model in the video production UK scene (and globally, really) – akin to “all you can eat” video production. We created it because we noticed some clients coming back again and again, and we wanted to reward that partnership and make their lives easier. So far, the feedback has been fantastic. It’s one more way we aim to bring clarity and convenience to our clients, alongside our fixed one-off packages.
Choosing the Right Video Partner (and Getting Value for Money)
Choosing who will create your explainer video is a big decision. The right partner will not only deliver a great video but make the process enjoyable and efficient. The wrong choice can lead to wasted budget, endless revisions, or a final product that misses the mark. Here are some practical tips to ensure you get value for money and a positive experience from your video production partner:
1. Review Their Portfolio and Experience:
Always start by looking at examples of a studio’s previous work. A portfolio is the best indicator of the quality and style you can expect. Do their videos keep you engaged? Are the visuals and storytelling appealing? Also, check if they have experience with B2B explainer videos or your industry niche. B2B topics can be complex, you want a team that can grasp technical or abstract concepts and turn them into clear visuals. For instance, we proudly showcase our recent projects on our examples page so potential clients can gauge our style and capability. As you evaluate portfolios, imagine your company’s logo or product in those examples – would you be happy if that were your video? If yes, that studio could be a good fit.
2. Look for Storytelling Ability:
A great explainer video agency is not just an animation factory, they should be storytellers and communicators. Pay attention to how they structure their case study videos or any narrative-driven content. Do the videos clearly explain the company’s value proposition? Is there a logical flow and a call-to-action? Agencies that emphasize their scriptwriting and messaging process (like we do, offering a free script consultation) are often serious about storytelling. This matters for value: a beautifully animated video that doesn’t convey the right message is wasted money. Sometimes a simpler-looking video with a spot-on message can outperform a flashy but confusing one. So, ask a potential partner about how they approach scripting and concept development. They should start by understanding your goals and audience, not just by asking what style of animation you want.
3. Evaluate Transparency and Communication:
As we discussed, pricing transparency is one aspect, you’ll generally get better value with a partner who is upfront about costs and inclusions. But beyond price, consider how transparent and responsive the team is in communication. Do they set clear expectations about timelines? Are they prompt in replying to your questions during the inquiry phase? A reliable partner will happily explain their process (storyboarding, review stages, etc.) and won’t dodge questions about budget or potential extra costs. Trust your gut in early interactions: if they are acting like a trusted advisor and providing useful insights even before a contract is signed, that’s a great sign. On the flip side, if they’re hard to pin down or pushy with sales tactics, you might encounter bigger problems down the line. Good communication ensures you won’t waste time or money due to misunderstandings.
4. Consider the Process and Timeline:
A well-defined production process can save you headaches (and therefore money). Ask about how the project will run. Will there be a kickoff meeting to align on the brief? How many revisions are included at each stage? Who will be your point of contact? If a company has a polished process, you’re less likely to incur delays or costly reworks. For example, at Mooviemakers we break the project into clear stages (script → storyboard → animation) with client approval at each step. This ensures that by the time we animate, you’ve already agreed on the content and visuals, minimizing surprise changes. A disorganised process, in contrast, can lead to extra hours spent fixing issues that should have been caught earlier. So, value for money isn’t just about the pounds on the invoice, it’s also about your time and sanity. An efficient partner that hits deadlines and guides you smoothly is delivering value by freeing you to focus on other tasks.
5. Check Testimonials or References:
What do past clients say? If an agency’s website has testimonials or if you can find reviews online, take a read. Consistent praise for things like “met our tight deadline,” “nailed our message,” or “worth every penny” is obviously a great sign. If you’re making a big investment, you could even ask the studio for a client reference to speak with, many will happily connect you with a past client if it helps give you confidence. Knowing that others had a positive experience and found the cost justified will help you gauge your likely ROI. (On our site, we include several client quotes about the value and ease of working with us, for instance, the CMO of a SaaS company noted that using Mooviemakers allowed her to get high-quality videos without hiring in-house, freeing budget for other areas. That’s the kind of feedback that indicates real value delivered.)
6. Assess Their Enthusiasm and Insight:
During initial calls or communications, notice if the team seems genuinely interested in your project or if they’re just going through a checklist. The best creative partners will often contribute ideas or point out considerations you hadn’t thought of. They might suggest the optimal video length for a specific use-case, or recommend a certain style to fit your brand. If they’re actively trying to understand your business and propose solutions, you’re more likely to get a video that succeeds. That kind of consultative approach also means you’re getting more bang for your buck, you’re not just buying an animation, you’re getting strategic input. On the other hand, if a vendor says “sure, we can do whatever you want” without probing deeper, you might end up steering the project without the benefit of their expertise (in which case, why pay for a high-end studio? You could just hire a freelancer). Collaboration is key. A partner who challenges you (in a respectful way) or brings new ideas to the table is adding value.
7. Don’t Focus Solely on Price:
It might sound odd in a post about costs, but the lowest quote isn’t always the best value. By now we’ve established that. Instead of asking “Who’s cheapest?”, ask “Who will give us the best result within our budget?” It’s about value for money. Sometimes a studio quoting £5k will include a lot of services (strategy sessions, multiple versions for A/B testing, etc.) that another studio at £4k won’t. If those extra services align with your goals, the £5k option could be the smarter choice. That said, also be wary of unnecessarily high quotes, some big agencies target enterprise clients with fat budgets and will quote £20k for a video that a leaner studio could do for £5k, with no loss in quality. That’s why the earlier points (portfolio, process, testimonials) matter: they help you discern if a higher price is justified. The beautiful thing in today’s market is that you have options. There are top-notch smaller studios (we’d like to think we’re in that category!) that offer quality equal to the big players, minus the sticker shock. So, weigh the deliverables and quality you expect against the price. The best partner is one who is transparent, capable, and within your budget comfort zone.
In short, do your homework before signing on with an explainer video producer. The right choice will feel like a collaboration where your success is their priority, rather than a transactional sale. And when you find that right partner, stick with them! They’ll learn your brand and objectives over time, and the value you get will only increase on future projects (which is exactly the idea behind our Unlimited plan and long-term client relationships).
Bringing Clarity to Explainer Video Cost: Final Thoughts & Next Steps
By now, we’ve pulled back the curtain on explainer video pricing. To recap, the cost of an explainer video comes down to the length, style, complexity, and the expertise that goes into it, and understanding those factors helps you make informed decisions and avoid overpaying or under-delivering. We’ve also shown that with the right approach (like Mooviemakers’ fixed packages or subscription model), video production doesn’t have to be a leap into the unknown. It can be transparent, efficient, and tailored to your needs.
At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to find the cheapest supplier, it’s to get a video that achieves your business goals at a fair price. Whether you’re a SaaS founder explaining a disruptive solution or a marketing manager at a finance company aiming to humanise your brand, a great explainer video is an investment in communication that can yield returns in spades. The key is to partner with people who value your success and remove the friction in the process.
Ready to bring clarity to your next explainer video? We’re here to help make it happen. As a UK-based animation studio that’s worked with 800+ companies, Mooviemakers would love to be your trusted video partner. Feel free to get in touch with us for a friendly, no-obligation chat about your ideas (we’ll even brainstorm a free script to get you started). Whether you need one great video or a continuous flow of content, we’ll ensure the process is clear, the pricing is honest, and the end result is something you’re proud to put in front of your audience. Let’s cut through the confusion and create an explainer video that truly moves your business forward. Ready when you are, just drop us a line or book a discovery call!
