What agencies charge for animated explainers
Animation agencies typically charge $3,000 to $25,000 per video depending on length, complexity, and revisions. A 60-second explainer from a mid-range studio starts around $5,000. Turnaround is 2-6 weeks. Most agencies require a deposit and charge extra for script writing, voiceover, and revisions beyond the first round.
- 60-second video: $3,000-$8,000
- 90-second video: $5,000-$15,000
- Premium production: $10,000-$25,000
- Turnaround: 2-6 weeks per video
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What DIY tools cost
Whiteboard animation tools like VideoScribe ($15-$60/month) and Doodly ($39-$69/month) let you build videos yourself. You save on production cost but spend 2-4 hours per video dragging assets onto a timeline. Most require buying additional asset packs separately.
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What AI video generators cost
AI tools like SquidRoll generate animated explainer videos from text with no manual editing. SquidRoll costs $19/month for 15 videos or $39/month for 40 videos. Each video takes minutes to produce. The free tier includes 3 videos per month to try before paying anything.
- Free: 3 videos per month (watermarked)
- Creator: $19/month for 15 videos
- Pro: $39/month for 40 videos
- No timeline, no editing, no design skills needed
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When each option makes sense
Agencies make sense for high-stakes, one-off videos like a homepage hero or investor pitch. DIY tools work if you have time and want full creative control. AI generators are the right choice when you need multiple videos on a regular schedule and speed matters more than pixel-level customisation.
| Agency | DIY Tools | SquidRoll | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per video | $3,000 - $8,000 | $15 - $60/mo + hours | $1.27 |
| Time to create | 2 - 6 weeks | 2 - 4 hours | Minutes |
| Editing required | None (they do it) | Full manual | None |
| Voiceover included | Extra cost | Record yourself | Included |
| Style consistency | Per project | Varies | Automatic |