- Author: Umair Malik
Date: Nov 15, 2023 - Category : Explainer Videos
The hardest part for any new startup is not having a great idea. It is pitching that idea in a way that people truly understand it. You need to communicate your vision exactly as you intend. This is where explainer videos become your most valuable communication tool.
They act as a cheat code in marketing. Still, with so many types of explainer videos, the question of which one is right for your product can feel more than tough. It is a big decision. You have to consider your brand, audience, and message.
That is why we wrote this guide to show you the most effective explainer video types available. You get an explicit breakdown of 10 different types of explainer videos with their pros and cons. This will help you choose the best style to convey your message with more clarity and impact.
An explainer video is a short piece of content that shows what a product or service does in a simple way. It takes away the heavy text and turns ideas into visuals people can follow without effort. An effective explainer video gives the who, what, and why in less than two minutes.
The first wave of these videos was whiteboard sketches. Today, the field is broader. We see different types of explainer videos: 2D animation, live action, 3D models, and hybrids. Every style works in its own way, but the goal stays the same. Keep the message simple and help the viewer decide faster.
Explainer videos are a favorite among tech startups, SaaS tools, and new consumer brands. They cut down sales effort, speed up onboarding, and make things crystal clear for investors. That is why companies often treat them as core assets rather than side content.
Explainer videos come in different formats, and each fits a specific purpose. Some work best for tight budgets, while others highlight detail or add storytelling. Here are ten popular types of explainer videos with examples to help you choose.
2D motion graphics are the most used among types of explainer videos because they keep costs low while being professional. They use flat shapes and simple motion to explain ideas clearly.
Such explainer video types are common in SaaS and B2B marketing. It makes features simple to follow and keeps the audience focused on what matters. Many product explainer animations in tech rely on this format for clarity and speed.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Affordable for startups |
Limited emotional depth compared |
|
Clear and simple visuals |
It can look plain if the design is weak |
|
Quick turnaround time |
Less realistic feel |
A character animation explainer uses animated characters to tell a story. It creates emotion and connects with the audience on a personal level. This type is best for consumer brands and culture-driven content.
Character-driven animated types of explainer videos work best for HR explainers, culture-driven videos, and any product that benefits from an emotional touch. Mailchimp and Slack use this type of product explainer animation to feel approachable.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Strong emotional connection |
Higher cost |
|
Human touch adds relatability |
Longer production time |
|
Memorable and engaging |
Needs a skilled animation team |
Whiteboard animation is one of the oldest types of explainer videos, valued for its simplicity. It shows drawings on a plain background, which makes them easy to follow.
The concept works best for teaching, training, or nonprofit causes that need clear storytelling. This format became popular through RSA Animate lectures.
While looks minimalist, it can still make data-heavy content more digestible, as shown in the top examples of whiteboard explainer videos. However, it can feel dated if not refreshed with modern design and color.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Low cost |
Can feel outdated if not styled well |
|
Great for teaching complex ideas |
Less visual appeal than modern formats |
|
Quick turnaround |
Limited creative range |
3D animation is the most visually striking among explainer video types because it can show details that live video or 2D cannot. It uses lifelike models and realistic visuals to create a premium look that feels detailed.
A 3D animation explainer style is best for startups with complex products (medical devices, cars) or industries where detail matters. It shows parts and functions in ways live action cannot.
A study reveals that 3D videos increase viewer understanding by 47% compared to 2D formats. Though it gives a polished and professional impression, this format requires higher budgets.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
High visual impact |
Expensive to produce |
|
Great for complex products |
Long production time |
|
Premium professional look |
Needs specialized software and skills |
Screencast explainer videos show how software works. They record the interface and add voiceover or minimal animation to guide users through features.
While they lack animation or live action, they get the job done for onboarding, tutorials, and product walkthroughs. Many SAAS explainer video examples in the software space help new users understand dashboards, workflows, and product functions.
Startups often choose screencasts first to cut costs, then upgrade to motion graphics or hybrid explainers as budgets grow.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Very affordable |
Plain visuals without animation support |
|
Fast to produce |
Less engaging than animated formats |
|
Great for software demos |
Limited storytelling value |
A live-action explainer uses real people and environments in front of viewers, which builds credibility and trust faster than animation. This type is best for lifestyle brands and testimonials.
Dollar Shave Club’s launch video is one of the most famous examples of this style. Production costs vary depending on location and crew, but the payoff is authenticity.
When a product depends on human connection or real-world use, live action is effective. It makes the brand look approachable and credible.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Builds trust with real faces |
Requires filming and crew |
|
Strong for brand storytelling |
Can be costly |
|
Authentic and relatable |
Limited to abstract products |
Kinetic typography explainer videos animate text and numbers with rhythm to present data or short messages without heavy visuals.
Due to the use of strong fonts and motion, this type works best for short ads, presentations, or teasers where speed and clarity are more important than storytelling.
Spotify and other brands use this style in quick ads. It has limited emotional depth compared to character or live-action styles, but is effective for memorable communication.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Fast and affordable |
Limited storytelling ability |
|
Clear message delivery |
Can feel plain if overused |
|
Great for short ads |
Not ideal for long-form content |
A stop motion explainer uses photos of objects moved frame by frame to create a unique and memorable look. While less common, this type works best for food brands and or niche creative campaigns where the goal is to stand apart rather than scale quickly.
Brands like Chipotle used stop motion explainer video examples for their quirky, handcrafted feel. Startups use it when they want to stand apart visually. Production takes time since every movement is photographed, but the results are memorable.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Very unique and memorable |
Time is heavy to produce |
|
Artistic and creative |
Higher cost than 2D animation |
|
Works well for niche brands |
Limited scalability |
An infographic explainer animates charts and numbers. It simplifies data and makes reports/insights easy to follow and engaging.
This type is common for B2B investor communication and policy explainers, where numbers need context. While feels dry without a strong design, it is one of the best formats for turning data-heavy content into digestible stories.
As per the latest stats on an Infographic by Demand Sage, pages that use infographic-style explainers see 66% better lead quality and higher conversions compared to text-only content.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Great for data and reports |
May lack emotional connection |
|
Professional and sharp |
Can feel dry if overused |
|
Works well for B2B and finance |
Not engaging for casual audiences |
A hybrid explainer mixes live footage with animation. It blends trust and clarity in one format, best for product launches and founder stories.
Apple has used this approach in its launch videos to balance human connection with clear feature breakdowns. The style is more expensive than standalone animation, but it delivers credibility and polish at once.
It is best for startups that want to showcase founders or customers while still visualizing features with motion graphics.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Combines the best of live and animated video |
Expensive to produce |
|
Modern and engaging look |
Needs more planning |
|
Great for launches |
Higher production time |
The cost of various types of explainer videos depends on complexity and production quality. A 60-second 2D animated explainer video company may cost less than a 3D or hybrid video. Screencasts and typography are the most affordable options.
Below is a general cost for common explainer video types in the US (based on 60–90 seconds).
|
Explainer Video Types |
Average Cost |
Timeline |
Notes |
|
2D Motion Graphics |
3,000 – 8,000 |
4–6 weeks |
Affordable, versatile |
|
Character Animation |
5,000 – 12,000 |
6–8 weeks |
Engaging but complex |
|
Whiteboard |
2,000 – 5,000 |
2–4 weeks |
Low cost, looks simple |
|
3D Animation |
8,000 – 20,000+ |
8–12 weeks |
Premium, resource-heavy |
|
Screencast / UI |
1,500 – 4,000 |
1–3 weeks |
Fast and simple |
|
Live Action |
5,000 – 25,000+ |
4–6 weeks |
Depends on the shoot scale |
|
Typography |
2,000 – 6,000 |
2–3 weeks |
Good for short ads |
|
Stop Motion |
6,000 – 15,000 |
6–8 weeks |
Artistic but niche |
|
Infographic |
2,500 – 7,000 |
3–4 weeks |
Best for data-heavy use |
|
Hybrid |
8,000 – 25,000+ |
6–10 weeks |
Strong mix but costly |
Animation is the most common choice for explainers because it is flexible and cost-effective. Here are the main styles you will find in the above-mentioned types of explainer videos:
Each method has clear tradeoffs. The right style depends on budget, audience, and product needs. Some types of explainer videos are fast and affordable, while others take time and money. The best explainer video types match complexity with clarity.
Budget sets limits on what can be produced. 2D animated explainer videos are often cost-friendly, while 3D or hybrid formats need bigger investments.
Audience defines tone and style. Tech users may prefer clean motion graphics, while lifestyle buyers connect better with live-action explainer video examples.
Product Complexity guides how deep visuals need to go. 2D animation software is simple, but complex hardware often needs a product explainer animation in 3D.
Timeline decides the speed of delivery. Screencasts and typography videos are faster to produce, while 3D and hybrid explainer videos that use animation require longer schedules.
Brand personality sets the mood. A playful brand fits well with cartoon styles, while a serious or corporate brand looks sharper with clean motion graphics or live action.
Distribution channel decides reach. Social media works best with short animated clips, while websites and landing pages can host longer explainer video types with more detail.
Explainer videos are no longer a luxury for startups. They are a key tool for product storytelling and customer education. With so many types of explainer videos, there is a format for every stage of growth and every budget.
The right partner does not just produce videos but creates strategic animations that solve business problems. BuzzFlick, as an explainer video production company, helps clients determine which style best fits their product.
We are not a template factory. Our process is customized to your specific goals. Focus on pain points, we deliver product explainer animations that stand out in a crowded market and increase conversions.
A good video is concise and engaging. It clearly communicates a problem, presents your solution in a relatable way, and ends with a clear call to action. The best videos simplify complexity without overwhelming the audience.
The best length for most sales and marketing videos is 60 to 90 seconds. This length is long enough to tell a complete story. It is also short enough to hold viewers’ attention. Shorter videos, like 30 seconds, are ideal for social media ads. Longer videos of two to three minutes work well for educational content or tutorials.
An explainer video strategy defines your video’s goals, target audience, and a narrative that addresses a specific pain point. It covers script and placement, such as your homepage or a landing page. A clear strategy ensures the video connects, explains, and drives action effectively.
A good video has a clear and concise script. It has a compelling and relatable story. It includes high-quality visuals. This can be live action or animated. It has a powerful call to action. This tells the viewer exactly what to do next.
Yes, the data proves explainer videos can increase conversion rates. They can go up to 86 percent on landing pages. Over 90 percent of consumers report watching an explainer video. They say it influenced their buying decisions. Videos also improve SEO. They increase a visitor’s time on the page. Videos are 50 times more likely to drive organic search results.
Win with Social Proof: Learn how testimonial videos can convince the most skeptical of prospects, and turn them to loyal, high-paying customers.
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