Find your exact rate
AI tools
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your rate sits above the market for this profession.
- Day
- $450
- Project
- $2,200
- Retainer
- $8,350/mo
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Community data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
How Much Should You Charge for an Explainer Video?
Freelance motion designers charge $2,000–$15,000 for a 60–90 second explainer video. Price depends on animation style, voiceover, sound design, and revision rounds.
Floor
$2,000
per project
Typical
$6,500
per project
Premium
$15,000
per project
Find your exact rate
AI tools
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your rate sits above the market for this profession.
- Day
- $450
- Project
- $2,200
- Retainer
- $8,350/mo
Was this helpful?
Community data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
What changes the price
- Video length (30 sec, 60 sec, 90 sec, 2 min+)
- Animation style (flat 2D, character, 3D, mixed media)
- Scriptwriting included or client-supplied
- Voiceover talent cost and direction
- Custom sound design vs. stock music
- Number of revision rounds
- Rush turnaround requirements
- Platform delivery specs (web, social, broadcast)
Real quote breakdowns
Startup Product Explainer (30 sec)
A SaaS startup needs a 30-second flat 2D explainer for their homepage with client-supplied script and stock music.
Breakdown
Storyboard, style frames, 30-sec flat 2D animation, stock music licensing, two revision rounds.
60-Second Brand Explainer with VO
A fintech company needs a 60-second explainer with character animation, professional voiceover, and custom sound design.
Breakdown
Script review, storyboard, 60-sec character animation, voiceover direction and recording ($800), custom sound design, three revision rounds.
2-Minute Product Demo Animation
An enterprise software company needs a 2-minute walkthrough animation with screen recordings, UI highlights, and branded motion graphics.
Breakdown
Scripting, storyboarding, 2-min mixed-media animation, UI mockup animation, VO coordination, sound design, three revision rounds, multiple format exports.
Frequently asked questions
Should I charge per second or per project for explainer videos?
Project-based pricing is standard. A per-second rate is useful for estimating internally but quoting a flat project fee is cleaner and easier for clients to approve.
Do I need to include voiceover in my explainer video quote?
You can include VO as an optional add-on or a separate line item. If you coordinate VO talent, add a 10–15% management fee on top of the talent cost. Always clarify who owns the VO recording rights.
How many revision rounds should I include?
Two to three rounds at each stage (storyboard, animatic, final) is standard. Define what constitutes a 'revision' clearly — changing a colour is minor; restructuring the narrative is a scope change.
What's the most time-intensive part of an explainer video?
Animation and revisions consume the most time. Charge accordingly for complex character animation, which can take 8–15 hours per minute of finished footage depending on complexity.