Explainer videos have become a powerful tool in communication and marketing, offering an engaging and concise way to convey complex ideas, products, or services to potential customers.
Whether you’re a startup trying to introduce a new product or a seasoned marketer aiming to explain a complex service, this guide is for everyone looking to leverage the power of explainer videos.
These videos are designed to break down information into easily digestible chunks, making it easier for viewers to understand and remember the key messages.
Based on our extensive experience in video production and marketing, we’ve gone ahead and broken down each type of explainer video for you.
Our guide gives you a detailed look at their unique strengths and best use cases, helping you make a decision that’s right for your message and audience.
Let’s discover the perfect style for your brand as we dive into the 12 types and their ideal use cases.
Content
12 Types of Explainer Videos For Your Business
1. 2D Motion Graphics Explainer Video
Key Characteristics: 2D Motion Graphics explainer videos are characterized by manipulating images, whether stock visuals or custom-designed graphics.
2D Motion Graphic animation is well-suited for app demonstrations, tech explainer animations, financial data visualization, and corporate explainer videos.
Unlock the potential of your message with an explainer video . Our VidiFit Quiz provides expert guidance to help you choose the perfect explainer video for your business [1].
When To Use It: Meetings, Campaigns, Social Media, Landing pages, Digital Products, Apps, Online Services, Retargeting Ads
Average Cost: Roughly $5,000 – $10,000 or more
Pros:
- Easy brand integration
- Professional and clean look
- Effective for complex information
Cons:
- It may lack the personal touch
2. 3D Animated Explainer Videos
Key Characteristics: 3D animated explainer videos involve animating objects in a three-dimensional space, allowing for realistic movement and detailing.
Unlike other explainer videos, an animated explainer video involves objects and characters in a three-dimensional space, often requiring complex software and powerful computers.
3d animated explainer videos ensure that characters and environments resonate with your target audience to maximize engagement and effectiveness as marketing videos.
When To Use It: Apps, Digital Products, Online Services, Meetings, Storytelling, Social Media, Teaching, Health Trainings
Average Cost: Roughly $8,000 – $20,000
Pros:
- Animated videos have realistic, detailed animations
- Animated elements appeal to audiences seeking realism
- Animated videos are effective for products in development
Cons:
- Requires powerful hardware and software
3. Live Action Videos
Key Characteristics: Live-action explainer videos feature real people and physical products or services. A live-action explainer video provides a genuine human touch to explanations [2].
Live-action video often combines live footage with animation for added visual appeal.
It’s important to note that while live-action video is often considered expensive, factors can affect explainer video production costs.
Combining live-action explainer videos with 2D motion graphics is a common approach to make key moments more impactful, making it suitable for explainer videos.
When To Use It: Physical Products, Services, People-Oriented Products, Services, Commercials, Social Media
Average Cost: Roughly $5,000 to $20,000 or more
Pros:
- Genuine human connection
- Useful for people-oriented products
- Product context and usage
Cons:
- Live action explainer video has longer turnaround time
4. Stop Motion
Key Characteristics: Stop motion is a unique and eye-catching style created by filming one frame of a model at a time and then incrementally moving or manipulating the subject.
Stop-motion explainer videos stand out due to their artistic and visually distinctive nature. Unlike other types of explainer videos, it has artistic charm but is challenging to create, requiring particular studio space and equipment.
When To Use It: Sales Outreach, Social Media, Homepage, Commercial
Average Cost: Roughly $15,000 – $30,000
Pros:
- Visually distinctive
- Artistic and charming
- Unique and uncommon
Cons:
- Requires specialized studio and equipment
5. Infographic
Key Characteristics: Infographic explainer videos are designed to simplify the presentation of complex data, statistics, and information through visual representations, including charts, graphs, and other infographics.
They effectively convey large amounts of data more understandably and engagingly.
When To Use It: Education, Presentations, Meetings, Commercials, Sales
Average Cost: Roughly $1,000 to $5,000 or more
Pros:
- Simplifies complex data
- Enhances statistical understanding
- Effective for data-heavy topics
Cons:
- Limited for non-data topics
6. Screencast Explainer Video
Key Characteristics: Screencast explainer videos involve recording a computer screen while demonstrating a website, program, or application.
Screencast videos are a cost-effective option; anyone with a screen can create them, although professional help can enhance quality.
Unlike other types of explainer videos, visual tricks can also enhance a screencast video to highlight essential elements or create engaging content.
When To Use It: Business presentations, Apps, Digital Products, Online Services, Tutorials, Overviews
Average Cost: Roughly $5,000 – $10,000
Pros:
- Shows key features in action
- Great for digital environment
- Easy to create
Cons:
- It may lack a professional touch
7. Whiteboard Animation
Key Characteristics: A whiteboard animation explainer video is an animated video that uses hand-drawn static images or artwork on a whiteboard to illustrate a story or message.
Whiteboard animation video excels in simplifying complex ideas and concepts through imaginative storytelling.
While whiteboard videos may lack brand customization, they remain effective for explaining processes, outlining brand history, and educational content.
When considering whiteboard animation explainer videos, balancing cost and quality is essential to ensure a consistent brand experience.
When To Use It: B2B [3] Companies, Physical Products, Digital Products, Online Services, Education
Average Cost: Roughly $5,000 – $15,000
Pros:
- Whiteboard videos simplify complex ideas
- Effective for explanations
- Whiteboard explainer video is more affordable than other explainer video styles
Cons:
- Limited brand customization
- Risk of looking outdated
8. Typography Animation
Key Characteristics: Kinetic typography animation is a style where fonts are brought to life, which plays a significant role in conveying the entire story. Words and text are dynamically animated on the screen, often synchronized with a voiceover.
Kinetic typography animation style is an extremely popular explainer in 2022, with fonts taking center stage to convey the entire story dynamically.
When To Use It: Commercials, Presentations, Storytelling
Average Cost: Roughly $5,000 – $12,000
Pros:
- Emphasizes key information
- Enhances message delivery
- Complements voiceover narration
Cons:
- Limited visual variety
9. Cutout Explainer
Key Characteristics: Cutout animation features elements such as characters and objects cut out of paper and then filmed to create movement.
This type of explainer video has low-tech style simplifies visuals, allowing every viewer to focus on the message without distraction.
When To Use It: Storytelling, Education
Average Cost: Roughly $5,000
Pros:
- Minimalist and simple
- Distraction-free visuals
- Cost-effective production
Cons:
- It may not suit all topics
10. Isometric
Key Characteristics: 2.5D animation provides a style closer to the look of 3D animation but maintains flat, two-dimensional images without an illusion of depth.
Isometric enhances visuals by adding illustrations to heighten the sense of height and width, providing some dimensionality.
When To Use It: Storytelling, Presentations, Business Meetings
Average Cost: Roughly $8,000 – $15,000
Pros:
- 3D-like appearance
- Enhances depth perception
- Ideal for visual punch
Cons:
- Limited true depth perception
11. Parallax With Images
Key Characteristics: Parallax animation explainer videos offer a unique visual effect by animating images to create depth and movement.
This style engages viewers with captivating visual effects while maintaining a moderate production cost.
When To Use It: Companies animating archival or historical images, storytelling
Average Cost: About $4,000 to $15,000
Pros:
- Adds depth and movement
- Engaging visual effects
- Animates real images
Cons:
- Limited to image animation
12. Traditional Animation
Key Characteristics: Traditional animation is a type of explainer video, also known as hand-drawn animation, is the original and classic animation style [4].
It involves creating videos of a single frame by hand, with slight adjustments in movement for each frame. This meticulous process results in a beautiful, timeless visual style.
These explainer videos convey emotions, tell classic stories, and engage viewers with handcrafted artistry.
When To Use It: Timeless Storytelling, Presentations, Education, Sales, Homepage, Social Media
Average Cost: About $3500 to $8500
Pros:
- Classic and timeless
- Captivating and expressive
- Iconic animation style
Cons:
- Labor-intensive and time-consuming
How To Structure An Explainer Video
- Introduction: Grab the viewer’s attention quickly.
- Problem Statement: Identify the issue or pain point.
- Solution: Introduce your product or service.
- Benefits: Highlight advantages.
- How It Works: Explain its functionality.
- Use Case: Showcase real-life scenarios.
- Call to Action: Encourage action.
- Closing: End with a memorable message.
Which Explainer Video Type Should You Use For Your Business?
Selecting the right explainer video style for your business depends on a specific target audience, complex message, and budget.
Consider types of explainer videos like 2D motion graphics for tech content or live-action explainer videos for physical products.
Infographic explainer videos are ideal for data-heavy topics, while screencast explainer videos suit software tutorials. Balance cost and depth with 2.5D animated video. Parallax animation brings images to life, and traditional video offers classic visuals.
To simplify your choice and get the right style for your business, use our VidiFit Quiz for a free consultation tailored to your needs. It ensures your explainer video effectively conveys your message.
FAQs
What is a custom explainer video?
A custom explainer video is a tailored and unique video designed to convey a specific message or concept.
It’s an explainer video example crafted to meet a business’s or individual’s precise needs, often incorporating brand elements, storytelling, and visuals that resonate with the target audience.
Customization ensures a good explainer video aligns perfectly with its purpose.
Is an explainer video the same as a demo video?
No, an explainer video is not the same as a demo video. While both aim to clarify an actual product or concept, compelling explainer videos provide a broader overview, focusing on the “why” and “what” of a topic.
In contrast, demo or how-to videos specifically showcase “how” a product or service works, offering a detailed tutorial or demonstration.
You can check out our portfolio on our website if you want to see explainer video examples.
How long should an explainer video be?
The ideal length for an explainer video is typically 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the video type.
The duration of explainer video types strikes a balance between conveying essential information and maintaining viewer engagement. Shorter videos may need more detail, while longer ones risk losing the audience’s attention.
Final Thoughts
Different types of explainer videos offer businesses and individuals a versatile toolbox for conveying their messages effectively.
Whether the simplicity of a 2D motion graphics explainer video or the depth of a 3D animated explainer video, each style serves a unique purpose.
The choice ultimately depends on the target audience, message, budget, and desired visual impact.
By selecting the right type and tailoring it to specific needs, explainer videos become potent tools for simplifying complex messages or ideas and engaging new customers.
Ready to bring your message to life with an explainer video? Try our VidiFit Quiz for a personalized explainer video recommendation and a free estimate tailored to your unique needs
References:
- https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/08/12/2497652/0/en/Video-Production-Company-Vidico-Launch-Rebrand-To-Offer-Their-Customers-Clarity-Precision-And-An-Even-Higher-Level-Of-Communication.html
- https://www.dictionary.com/browse/live-action
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/btob.asp
- https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/animation/604592
