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Explainer Video Cost Calculator: DIY vs Freelancer vs Agency
Get a rough price range for your explainer video in four clicks, then see how doing it yourself compares in money and hours.
AI disclosure: this page was drafted with help from AI writing tools and reviewed and edited by PickSavvy Lab.
Last updated: Nov 2026. These are rough estimates, not quotes. They're built from public price guides (listed below, checked Nov 8, 2026) plus our own rough assumptions, which we label as such. Real prices depend on style, detail, deadlines and who you hire.
What the ranges are based on
We couldn't find one official price list for explainer videos, so the calculator combines these public sources (checked Nov 8, 2026):
| Source | What it says | How we use it |
|---|---|---|
| Fiverr cost guide: 2D animation (dated Aug 3, 2026) | A 60-second explainer typically ranges from $200 to $400. Professional voiceover adds $50 to $300. Fixed-price packages typically include two to three revision rounds. | Low end of the freelancer range; voiceover add-on; 2 included rounds |
| Upwork: cost to hire animators | Animators on Upwork cost $20–$38 an hour (median rates). | High end of the freelancer range: about 40 hours at $38/hour |
| Clutch: 2D animation pricing | 2D animation companies charge on average $100–$149 an hour. | Low end of the agency range: about 15 hours at $100/hour |
| Wyzowl explainer video cost survey (data from Q4 2022) | 116 quotes for a 60-second animated explainer: lowest $600, highest $250,000, median $5,400, average $8,457 with the top and bottom 5% removed. Content after the first minute is often charged at a lower rate. | High end of the agency range (about $8,500); cheaper per second after 60 s |
Our rough assumptions
- Freelancer: $200–$1,500 for a 60-second video. Agency: $1,500–$8,500. Premium studios can charge far more; the calculator doesn't cover them.
- Length: 30 seconds costs about 60% of a 60-second video. Each minute after the first adds about 75% of the 60-second price.
- Changes: 2 rounds included. Each extra round adds 10–15% (freelancer) or 5–10% (agency).
- Voiceover: $50–$300 per 60 seconds when hired; agencies often include it ($0–$300 extra). DIY: $0 if you record it yourself or use a tool's built-in AI voice, up to $300 if you hire a voice actor.
- DIY time: 4–8 hours for your first 60-second video, 2–4 hours for each one after that, plus 0.5–1 hour per extra round of changes. Scaled by length.
- DIY software: $0 (free editors) to $47 one-time (the top price listed on the Explaindio 5 AI sales page, checked Nov 7, 2026). Paid subscription tools aren't included.
- Multi-video discounts aren't included. Many freelancers and agencies offer them, so ask.
What changes the price most
- Style. Template-based motion graphics cost less than custom illustration or character animation.
- Script. If you bring a finished script, you skip a paid step. (Free: 5 explainer script templates.)
- Changes after approval. Rewriting the script after animation starts is the most expensive kind of revision.
- Deadline. Rush delivery usually costs extra.
- Music and sound. Stock music is cheap; custom music and sound effects are extra.
FAQ
How much does a 60-second explainer video cost?
The public guides above put marketplace freelancers at roughly $200–$400 and agency quotes from about $600 to far more, with a $5,400 median in Wyzowl's survey. Our calculator uses $200–$1,500 (freelancer) and $1,500–$8,500 (agency) for 60 seconds.
Is it cheaper to make an explainer video yourself?
In cash, usually yes. A free editor or a one-time tool costs little. In time, no: plan on several hours per video, more for your first one. That's why the calculator lets you put a value on your time.
Are these numbers quotes?
No. They're rough estimates from public price guides and our own assumptions. Ask two or three providers for real quotes.
Do you store what I enter?
No. The calculator runs in your browser. Nothing is sent or saved.
Want the honest pros and cons of the tools mentioned here? Read our Explaindio 5 AI review, our guide on how to make an explainer video without experience, or compare all four tools in Best AI Video & Design Tools for Small Business (2026).
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