You’ve seen the prices online. Eight thousand pounds. Fifteen thousand. Even fifty thousand for a single sixty-second video. Your first thought? “There’s no way I can afford that.” But here’s what most business owners don’t realise: those prices are inflated by agency overhead, not by the actual work.
I’m Anthony, a UK-based animator who’s worked with dozens of small businesses, startups, and specialist service providers. Over the years, I’ve learned exactly what drives animation costs and how to deliver professional, custom videos without the premium price tag. In this guide, I’ll demystify explainer video pricing and show you how to get the best value for your money.
The quick answer? Animated explainer videos range from £750 to £20,000+, depending on complexity and who you hire. But most small businesses get excellent results in the £2,000–£5,000 range. If you’re ready to explore your options, I’ve created a dedicated page on my animated video service with pricing and examples.
What Actually Goes Into an Animated Video? (Why It’s Not £50)
Here’s the thing: creating a professional sixty-second animated video isn’t just “drawing a cartoon.” It’s strategy, design, storytelling, and technical execution all rolled into one.
A typical professional animated video requires 100 to 150+ hours of skilled work. Let me break that down for you:
| Production Stage | Estimated Hours | What’s Involved |
| Discovery & Scripting | 10–15 hours | Understanding your business, target audience, and core message; writing a compelling script |
| Storyboarding | 10–15 hours | Visualising each scene, planning transitions, ensuring the story flows |
| Illustration & Design | 20–30 hours | Creating custom characters, backgrounds, and visual elements |
| Animation | 30–50 hours | Bringing the illustrations to life with motion and timing |
| Voiceover & Sound Design | 10–15 hours | Recording professional voiceover, adding music and sound effects |
| Revisions & Delivery | 10–15 hours | Incorporating feedback, making adjustments, exporting for different platforms |
Each stage requires skill and experience. A professional animator isn’t just moving shapes around—they’re making creative decisions about pacing, emotion, clarity, and brand alignment. They’re solving problems. They’re ensuring your message lands.
When you see a price tag of £5,000 or £10,000, you’re not paying for a few hours of work. You’re paying for 100+ hours of expertise, software licenses, equipment, and the years of experience that allow someone to deliver quality quickly.
The 4 Tiers of Animated Video Production
Not all animated videos are created equal. There are fundamentally different approaches, each with its own cost, quality, and speed profile. Here’s how to think about your options.
Tier 1: The DIY Route (Under £500)
Tools: Biteable, Animaker, Moovly, Adobe Creative Cloud Express, Animoto
What You Get: Template-based videos where you plug in your text, brand colours, and maybe some stock footage. The software does most of the heavy lifting.
Pros: Cheap, fast, you control the timeline, good for experimenting
Cons: Generic, unprofessional, time-consuming (you’re doing the work), limited customisation, no strategy or storytelling
Best For: Tiny budgets, internal training videos, social media experiments where you don’t mind looking a bit rough around the edges
Time to Deliver: 1–2 weeks (mostly your time)
Honest Take: If your budget is genuinely under £500 and you have time to tinker, this is better than nothing. But if you’re trying to impress clients or customers, this route will hurt your brand.
Tier 2: The Freelancer Marketplace (£500–£2,000)
Platforms: Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer
What You Get: Piecemeal work from various freelancers, or one freelancer attempting to do the full project. Quality varies wildly.
Pros: Cheap, some customisation, you might find a gem
Cons: Quality is unpredictable, no accountability, project management is a nightmare, no strategy, often requires multiple rounds of revisions, communication delays, you’re managing the process
Best For: Honestly? I don’t recommend this for most businesses. The savings aren’t worth the headache.
Time to Deliver: 4–8 weeks (often longer due to communication delays)
Honest Take: I’ve seen some good work come from freelancer marketplaces, but I’ve also seen a lot of mediocre work. You’re gambling with your brand.
Tier 3: The Big Agency (£5,000–£20,000+)
Examples: Demo Duck, Yum Yum Videos, Zelios
What You Get: Full-service production with a team of specialists—copywriter, designer, animator, voiceover artist, sound designer. Professional project management. An impressive portfolio.
Pros: High quality, full strategy, professional project management, impressive results, you’re working with a proven team
Cons: Expensive, slow (6–12 weeks typical), layers of management between you and the creator, you don’t speak to the animator, premium for brand name
Best For: Enterprise companies with big budgets, complex projects, businesses that need a full team
Time to Deliver: 6–12 weeks
Honest Take: Big agencies deliver excellent work. If you have the budget and the timeline, they’re a solid choice. But you’re paying for overhead and brand reputation, not just the creative work.
Tier 4: The Solo Specialist (£750–£3,000) ← My Position
What You Get: Custom, bespoke animation from a single skilled animator who handles everything—scripting, design, animation, voiceover, sound design. Direct collaboration with the creator.
Pros: Agency quality without the overhead, direct collaboration with the animator, faster turnaround (2–3 weeks), specialist skill, transparent pricing, flexible scope, honest feedback
Cons: One person’s style, may have a waitlist, smaller portfolio than big agencies, you’re relying on one person
Best For: Small businesses, startups, consultants, anyone who wants quality without paying for agency overhead
Time to Deliver: 2–3 weeks
Honest Take: This is where I work. I’ve streamlined my process over years of work. I know exactly how to deliver quality quickly. You get agency-quality animation without the price tag or the management layers.
5 Key Factors That Determine Your Final Cost
Now that you understand the tiers, let’s talk about the variables that affect pricing within each tier. These five factors are what actually drive the cost of your video.
Factor 1: Animation Style & Complexity
Simple 2D character animation costs less than complex 3D animation. Whiteboard animation and motion graphics fall somewhere in the middle. The more detailed and realistic your animation, the more time it takes.
But here’s the thing: simpler doesn’t mean worse. A clean, focused 2D animation often converts better than a flashy 3D video because it’s easier to follow and remember. Choose your style based on your message, not just your budget.
Factor 2: Video Length
Thirty seconds is cheaper than sixty seconds, which is cheaper than ninety seconds. More time means more scenes, more animation, more work. It’s that simple.
My advice? Don’t assume longer is better. A focused sixty-second video often outperforms a rambling two-minute video. Quality over length.
Factor 3: Turnaround Time
Standard turnaround is usually 3–4 weeks. If you need it faster, you’ll pay a premium. Rush jobs (one to two weeks) typically cost 20–30% more. Same-week delivery? Expect to pay 50%+ extra, if it’s even possible.
Plan ahead. Standard timelines are cheaper and better for quality anyway.
Factor 4: Number of Revisions
Most packages include two to three rounds of revisions. Additional revisions cost extra. This is where scope creep happens.
Here’s my advice: have a clear brief. The more specific you are about your message and target audience, the fewer revisions you’ll need. A good animator will get it right the first time if they understand what you want.
Factor 5: The Team
A solo animator has lower overhead than a small studio, which has lower overhead than a big agency. You’re not just paying for the work—you’re paying for the people and the infrastructure.
This is why solo specialists like me can offer better value. No fancy office. No layers of management. No account managers. Just the work.
Is It Worth It? The ROI of an Explainer Video
Let’s shift the conversation from cost to value. Yes, an animated video costs money. But does it pay for itself?
The answer is almost always yes.
Studies show that explainer videos increase conversion rates by 10–30%. That means visitors who watch your video are significantly more likely to take action—whether that’s booking a call, signing up, or making a purchase.
Here’s the math: If your service is worth £1,000, and this £750 video gets you just one new client over its lifetime, it has already paid for itself. If it gets you two clients? You’ve made a 167% return on investment.
Think about it this way. On a modest bridging or development finance case, your fee can run into thousands of pounds. On an accounting engagement, your annual fee might be £1,000–£5,000. On a coaching package, your fee might be £2,000–£10,000. A video that brings in even one extra client pays for itself many times over.
Beyond the direct revenue, an explainer video also gives you these benefits:
•Increased conversion rates: Visitors are more likely to take action
•Better lead quality: Your video pre-qualifies prospects
•Reduced bounce rate: Visitors stay longer on your page
•Improved SEO: Google favours pages with video content
•Evergreen asset: Your video works 24/7 on your website, in emails, and on social media
I worked with an accountant who got three new clients in the first month of using their video. That’s £15,000 in revenue from a £750 investment. That’s the kind of ROI you should expect.
My Transparent Pricing: How I Make It Affordable
I offer three packages, each designed to deliver maximum value without the agency markup.
Quick Win Explainer – £750
Perfect as a first step. One core explainer video that tells your story and highlights your main offer.
What’s Included:
•1 × 60–90 Second Animated Explainer Video
•Scriptwriting & Storyboarding
•Professional Voiceover & Music
•On-screen text matched to your brand
•Web & Social-ready exports (website, YouTube, LinkedIn)
•Basic YouTube optimisation (title, tags, description)
Best For: First-time video buyers, single core message, testing the waters
Time to Deliver: 2–3 weeks
Authority Bundle – £1,950
Ideal if you want to cover more than one offer or build a strong content base fast. Three videos that position you as the go-to expert for your niche.
What’s Included:
•3 × 60–90 Second Animated Explainer Videos
•Everything in the Quick Win Explainer package × 3
•One video focused on your core offer
•One video focused on a key niche (e.g., development finance, portfolio mortgages)
•One video focused on a deal story or client journey
•Light content plan for where and how to use each video
Best For: Building a content base, multiple offers, positioning as an expert
Time to Deliver: 4–5 weeks
Monthly Video Content – £650/month
For businesses that want a steady flow of fresh content without hiring an in-house team. Each month, we turn a recent case study, product feature, or FAQ into a short, engaging video.
What’s Included:
•1 × New 45–75 Second Animated Video per Month
•Ongoing topic ideas based on your deals and FAQs
•Full production: script, voiceover, animation, music
•Monthly suggestions for titles, hooks, and posting schedule
•Cancel anytime
Best For: Steady content flow, recurring revenue model, businesses that want to stay top-of-mind
Time to Deliver: 2–3 weeks per video
Why My Pricing Is Lower (And Why That’s Good for You)
You might be wondering: if big agencies charge £5,000–£20,000, why do I charge £750–£1,950?
The answer is simple: I don’t have the overhead.
I don’t have a fancy office in London. I don’t have a team of account managers, project coordinators, and administrative staff. I don’t have layers of management between you and the person creating your video. You work directly with me, the animator.
That means:
•You pay for the creative work, not the overhead. Every pound you spend goes toward your video, not toward paying for infrastructure.
•You speak to the person creating your video. If you want a revision, you don’t wait for it to be scheduled in a queue—I can often turn it around in a day or two.
•I’m invested in your success. My reputation depends on delivering great work. I’m not just another account on a big agency’s roster.
•I’m based in the UK and understand the UK market. I don’t charge US or London premium rates. I price fairly for UK small businesses.
This isn’t a race to the bottom. I’m not cheap because I’m inexperienced. I’m affordable because I’ve streamlined my process and eliminated unnecessary overhead.
Ready to explore my animated video service and see pricing and examples?
How to Get the Best Value
Before you commit to any video, here are some tips to maximise your return on investment.
Have a Clear Brief: The more specific you are about your message, target audience, and goals, the fewer revisions you’ll need. A clear brief saves time and money.
Don’t Rush: Standard turnaround is cheaper and better for quality. Plan ahead. If you need it in a week, you’ll pay a premium and the quality might suffer.
Start Small: You don’t need a 120-second epic. A focused 60-second video often converts better than a longer, rambling one. Start with one video and see the results before investing in more.
Reuse Your Content: One video can be repurposed across your website, YouTube, LinkedIn, email, and social media. Get multiple uses out of a single investment.
Think Long-Term: If you’re serious about video marketing, a monthly video package spreads the cost and keeps your audience engaged. It’s more sustainable than a one-off video.
Ready to Get Your Video?
You now understand what drives animation costs and how to get the best value. You know the difference between DIY, freelancers, big agencies, and solo specialists. You know that a professional video isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment that pays for itself.
The question now is: are you ready to take the next step?
I offer a free, no-obligation discovery call where we talk about your business, your goals, and your budget. I’ll give you honest advice on what’s right for you. No sales pitch. No pressure. Just a genuine conversation about how a video could help your business.
If you’re not ready yet, that’s fine. Check out my portfolio to see examples of videos I’ve created for other businesses. Or read my guide on video marketing for accountants to see how other professionals are using video to grow their businesses.
Either way, I’m here when you’re ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to create a video?
Typically, a 60–90 second video takes 2–3 weeks from our initial call to final delivery. This assumes standard turnaround and a clear brief. If you need it faster, we can discuss rush options.
Do I need to write the script?
No, I handle all the scriptwriting for you. We’ll work together to make sure it’s perfect. I’ll ask you questions about your business, your target audience, and your core message, and then I’ll write a script that tells your story.
What if I don’t like the video?
I offer revisions at each stage of the process—script, storyboard, and final animation. I want you to be 100% happy with the final result. We’ll work together until it’s right.
Can you create shorter videos for social media?
Absolutely. YouTube 60-second explainer video shorts are a great way to reach new audiences. I can create videos optimised for different platforms and formats.
Can you help with video SEO?
Yes, I provide suggestions for titles, tags, and descriptions to help your video get found on YouTube and Google. I also include basic YouTube optimisation in all my packages.
Where can I see examples of your work?
You can see my portfolio for examples of my latest projects. I’ve worked with accountants, brokers, startups, and local service businesses.
