Animated explainer video cost: what you pay and how to order one from text

How much does an animated explainer video cost?

In the Animation Studio the price depends on the length of the film and goes up per second: from €8.99 for a 10-second animation to €47.99 for 90 seconds. The voice-over costs €2.99 extra and is on by default; switch it off and the film has music and captions instead. Prices include 21% Dutch VAT.

For comparison: a custom animation from an agency is usually priced after a call, a script and storyboards, and depends on style, length and the number of revision rounds. The Animation Studio is for businesses that need a short, clear animation quickly, for a price known up front.

Explainer, motion design or 2D animation: what is the difference?

Offers use several names for similar things. Usually they mean:

• Explainer video - briefly explains how a service or product works, usually with a voice-over.
• Motion design (motion graphics) - moving graphics: text, icons, charts and shapes instead of characters.
• 2D animation - flat illustrations and characters, often in a drawn style.
• 3D animation - spatial models, the most expensive and slowest to produce.
• Animated ad - any of the above used as an advert on social media.

In the Animation Studio you choose the type of animation (for example diagram style) and the motion style: calm, energetic, elegant or playful. 3D animation and custom-drawn characters are not made in this format - get in touch for projects like that.

What can a business use an animation for?

• Explaining your service in three steps: problem, solution, contact.
• An ad in Reels, TikTok and Stories when you have no photos or footage.
• Instructions for customers: how to order, how to prepare for an appointment, how the warranty works.
• A video for your homepage or for a proposal sent by e-mail.
• Figures and results that are hard to show in a regular film.
• A short video for recruitment or onboarding new staff.

How to write a good brief

The animation is made from your description, so the more specific you are, the better the film. A few sentences are enough:

• What you offer and to whom - "we clean offices in Rotterdam for small businesses".
• Which problem you solve - "nobody wants to stay after work to clean up".
• Two or three steps the viewer should see.
• What the viewer should do at the end - call, visit the website, send a WhatsApp.
• Details for the end card: name, phone number, website.

Example: "Animation about how our office cleaning works: you book on the website, we come after hours, in the morning the office is clean. Phone number and website at the end." You can add your logo, brand colours and typeface.

Voice-over, music and captions

The voice-over reads the animation text in one of 7 languages (English, Dutch, Polish, German, French, Spanish, Italian); you pick the voice from the catalogue or leave the choice to us. Background music and sound effects are included and can be switched off. Captions help, because many people watch social media without sound.

You order the animation vertical in 9:16 for Reels and TikTok, or horizontal in 16:9 for your website and YouTube.

Animation or a film shot with a camera?

Animation works best when you explain something invisible: a process, a digital service, an insurance offer or numbers. A camera film is stronger when people, places and emotion matter - for example when introducing your team, a restaurant or a project. Have your own footage? Then we can edit it into a reel in Reels Studio.

• Order an animation in the Animation Studio →
• What reel editing costs →
• Business video with a crew →