Explainer Video Production Company: How to Choose, Collaborate, and Succeed

From initial research to final delivery, this complete guide covers everything you need to know about working with an explainer video production company to create content that drives real business results.

Rachel Chen

Video Production Strategist • 12+ years

Updated May 26, 2026

An explainer video production company is more than just a vendor that creates animated videos. The right partner becomes an extension of your team, bringing strategic insight, creative expertise, and production capability that transforms how your audience understands and connects with your business. Whether you are launching a new product, explaining a complex service, or simply trying to make your brand more accessible, a professional explainer video production company can help you achieve results that far exceed what you could create on your own.

The explainer video production industry has matured into a sophisticated ecosystem of specialist studios, full-service agencies, and freelance collectives. Each type of company offers different advantages, and understanding the landscape helps you choose the right partner for your specific needs. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the explainer video production industry, what to look for in a production partner, how the creative process works, and how to ensure a successful outcome for your project.

Whether you are creating your first explainer video or looking to improve your experience with a new production partner, this guide will give you the knowledge and confidence to navigate the process effectively. The insights are grounded in real experience working with explainer video production companies across multiple industries and project types, and the advice is practical, actionable, and focused on helping you achieve your business objectives.

The right explainer video production company brings three essential things to your project: strategic understanding of your audience and objectives, creative talent to translate your message into compelling visual storytelling, and production expertise to deliver a polished, professional final product. Finding a company that excels in all three areas is the key to a successful explainer video project.

Image: A professional explainer video production studio with animators working at their workstations, storyboard frames pinned to a wall, and a large monitor displaying a colourful animated explainer scene in progress

What Is an Explainer Video Production Company?

An explainer video production company is a specialised creative agency or studio that focuses on producing short animated videos designed to explain a product, service, or concept in a clear and engaging way. Unlike general video production companies that may produce a wide range of content types from commercials to documentaries, explainer video specialists have honed their process, skills, and creative approach specifically for the explainer format.

The core service offering of an explainer video production company typically includes strategic consulting, scriptwriting, storyboarding, character and visual design, animation, voiceover production, and sound design. Many companies also offer distribution support, analytics, and content repurposing services. The best companies act as strategic partners who help you define your message and audience before any creative work begins, ensuring the final video is built on a solid strategic foundation.

Explainer video production companies differ from general animation studios in several important ways. They have specialised expertise in the explainer format, including the problem-solution narrative structure, the optimal length and pacing for audience retention, and the visual techniques that work best for explaining complex ideas. They have efficient workflows and templates that reduce production time and cost. And they understand the business context in which explainer videos are used, from website conversion optimization to sales enablement and investor pitching.

The best explainer video production companies also invest heavily in their creative process. They have developed systematic approaches to strategy development, scriptwriting, and visual design that consistently produce high-quality results. They employ talented writers, designers, and animators who specialise in the explainer format. And they have project management systems that keep complex projects on track and within budget. This combination of specialisation, process, and talent is what distinguishes a professional explainer video production company from a generalist video producer.

🎨 Strategic Consulting

Defining your message, audience, and objectives before any creative work begins. Strategy is the foundation of every successful explainer video.

✍ Scriptwriting & Storyboarding

Writing concise, compelling scripts and creating visual storyboards that map every scene. The blueprint for the entire production.

🎬 Animation & Design

Character design, visual style development, 2D or 3D animation, motion graphics, and visual effects that bring the story to life.

🎤 Voiceover & Sound Design

Professional voiceover recording, music composition or licensing, sound effects, and audio mixing that complete the production.

Services Offered by Explainer Video Production Companies

Explainer video production companies offer a range of services that extend well beyond animation. Understanding the full scope of services available helps you evaluate whether a potential partner can meet all your needs or whether you will need to supplement their capabilities with additional resources.

📝 Strategy & Creative Brief

Most full-service explainer video companies begin with a strategy phase that includes audience research, competitive analysis, message development, and creative brief creation. This phase ensures the video is built on a solid strategic foundation.

🎨 Scriptwriting

Professional scriptwriting is one of the most valuable services an explainer video production company offers. Skilled scriptwriters know how to structure an explainer narrative, write conversationally, and distil complex ideas into clear, compelling language.

🎬 Style Frames & Visual Design

Before full animation begins, most companies create style frames that establish the visual direction. This includes character designs, colour palettes, background art, and typography choices that define the look and feel of the video.

🎤 Voiceover & Audio

Professional voiceover talent selection, direction, and recording. Original music composition or licensed music selection. Sound effects design and professional audio mixing for a polished final product.

🌐 Localisation & Translation

Many explainer video companies offer localisation services to adapt your video for international audiences. This includes script translation, voiceover recording in multiple languages, and cultural adaptation of visual elements.

🔁 Repurposing & Distribution

Some companies also offer content repurposing services, creating social media cuts, animated GIFs, and static graphics from your video. Others provide distribution support including channel setup, SEO optimisation, and analytics tracking.

Types of Explainer Video Production Companies

The explainer video production industry includes several different types of companies, each with distinct strengths, pricing models, and client profiles. Understanding the differences helps you identify which type of company is the best fit for your project.

Full-Service Explainer Video Agencies

Full-service agencies offer end-to-end explainer video production, from strategy and scriptwriting through animation and sound design. They typically have in-house teams of writers, designers, animators, and project managers who collaborate on every project. These companies are the best choice for businesses that want a single partner to handle everything and value strategic depth and creative consistency. Full-service agencies typically charge premium prices but deliver higher quality and a more cohesive creative vision. They are ideal for important projects where quality and strategic alignment are critical priorities. Companies like Epipheo, Switch Video, and Demo Duck operate as full-service explainer video agencies.

Specialist Animation Studios

Specialist animation studios focus primarily on the animation and design aspects of explainer video production. They may not offer in-house scriptwriting or strategy services, but they excel at creating beautiful, polished animation. These studios are an excellent choice when you already have a script and creative direction developed and need a high-quality animation partner to bring your vision to life. They are also well-suited for complex animation projects that require advanced technical skills, such as 3D animation, character animation, or visual effects. Specialist studios typically charge competitive rates for animation services and can be more flexible than larger agencies for certain types of projects.

Freelance Collectives and Networks

Freelance collectives bring together independent animators, writers, and designers who collaborate on projects as needed. These networks offer flexibility and often lower prices than established agencies, as they have lower overhead costs. The best freelance collectives are organised by experienced producers who assemble the right team for each project. They can be an excellent choice for businesses with limited budgets or projects that require a specific creative style that matches a particular freelancer's strengths. However, quality and reliability can vary more than with established agencies, so careful vetting is essential. Freelance collectives work best for clients who have some experience with video production and can provide clear direction.

DIY Platforms and Template Services

DIY platforms like mysimpleshow and Biteable offer template-based explainer video creation tools that allow businesses to produce their own videos without professional assistance. These platforms are the most affordable option and can produce acceptable results for internal communications, simple training content, or early-stage startups with minimal budgets. However, the quality is limited by the available templates and assets, and the videos lack the strategic depth and custom creative vision that a professional production company provides. DIY platforms are best suited for high-volume, low-stakes content where speed and cost matter more than creative excellence.

Image: A comparison diagram showing four types of explainer video production companies — full-service agencies, specialist studios, freelance collectives, and DIY platforms — with representative characteristics for each type

How to Choose an Explainer Video Production Company

Selecting the right explainer video production company is the most important decision you will make in your video project. The right partner brings strategic insight, creative talent, and production expertise that elevates your project. The wrong partner wastes your budget and delivers content that falls short of your objectives. Here is a systematic approach to making the right choice.

Define your requirements clearly before you start evaluating companies. What is the primary objective of your explainer video? Who is your target audience? What is your budget range? What is your timeline? What animation style do you prefer? Do you need a full-service partner that handles everything, or do you have some capabilities in-house? The more specific you can be about your needs, the more effectively you can evaluate which companies are the right fit. Create a written brief that captures your requirements and share it with potential partners as part of the proposal process.

Research potential partners thoroughly. Start with online platforms like Clutch, Google Reviews, and industry directories to identify companies with strong reputations. Review each company's portfolio, paying attention to the strategic quality of their work, not just the visual quality. Look for companies that have produced explainer videos for businesses similar to yours, in your industry or for similar use cases. Read client reviews carefully, focusing on feedback about communication, project management, and whether the final product achieved the client's objectives.

Request proposals from at least three companies. A professional proposal should demonstrate an understanding of your business, a clear creative approach, a realistic timeline, and transparent pricing. Evaluate proposals on the quality of strategic thinking, not just the price. Pay attention to how well the company seems to understand your challenges and opportunities. The best proposals will include specific ideas and insights that show genuine engagement with your project, not generic responses.

Evaluation Criteria: Portfolio quality and relevance • Industry experience • Strategic and scriptwriting capability • Creative process and methodology • Client reviews and references • Pricing transparency and value • Team chemistry and communication • Project management approach • Timeline reliability • Post-delivery support

The Explainer Video Production Process

Understanding the explainer video production process helps you plan effectively, communicate clearly with your production partner, and avoid costly surprises. While specific processes vary between companies, most follow a similar phased structure.

1

Discovery and Strategy

The discovery phase is where the production company learns about your business, your audience, your objectives, and your competitive landscape. This typically includes stakeholder interviews, audience research, competitive analysis, and a strategic briefing that defines the creative direction. The output is a creative brief that aligns both parties on the project's goals, tone, target audience, key messages, and success metrics. This phase typically takes one to two weeks and is the most important determinant of the project's ultimate success.

2

Scriptwriting and Storyboarding

With the creative brief as a guide, the scriptwriter develops the voiceover script that will drive the explainer. The script is the foundation of everything that follows, and getting it right is essential. A great explainer script is concise, conversational, and focused on the audience's problem and your solution. Once the script is approved, the storyboard artist creates a visual frame-by-frame preview of the video, showing exactly what will be seen at each moment. This phase typically takes one to three weeks.

3

Style Frames and Design

Before full animation begins, the design team creates style frames that establish the visual look and feel. This includes character designs, colour palettes, background styles, and typography choices. Style frames ensure that you and the production team share a common vision for the visual direction. Changes at this stage are significantly less expensive than changes during animation, so invest time in getting the design right. This phase typically takes one to two weeks.

4

Voiceover Recording

The voiceover is recorded by a professional voice actor selected to match the tone and audience of your video. The right voice can transform an explainer, adding personality, credibility, and emotional resonance. Most production companies work with a roster of professional voice actors and can provide samples to help you select the right voice. The approved voiceover becomes the timing foundation for the animation.

5

Animation and Sound Design

The animation phase is where the video truly comes to life. Animators take the approved storyboard, style frames, and voiceover and create the full animated video. Depending on complexity, this phase takes two to six weeks. Once animation is complete, sound designers add music, sound effects, and audio mixing that enhance the emotional impact and professional quality. The final delivery includes the completed video in your required formats along with any additional assets.

Image: A five-phase workflow diagram for explainer video production showing discovery and strategy, scriptwriting and storyboarding, style frames and design, voiceover recording, and animation and sound design as interconnected stages

Explainer Video Production Pricing

Explainer video production pricing varies significantly depending on the type of company, the complexity of the project, the style of animation, and the level of strategic and creative input required. Understanding the pricing landscape helps you budget effectively and evaluate whether a proposal represents good value for your specific needs.

DIY Platform

$0–$2K

Template-based tools. Limited customisation. Basic quality. Suitable for internal use, simple training, or when budget is extremely limited.

Freelance

$2K–$8K

Independent animators and writers. Variable quality. Good for simple projects with clear briefs. Requires more client oversight and project management.

Specialist Studio

$5K–$20K

Professional animation studios. Good quality animation. Limited strategy and scriptwriting. Best when you have a clear brief and script ready.

Full-Service Agency

$10K–$50K+

End-to-end service from strategy through delivery. Highest quality. Best strategic outcomes. Ideal for important projects where results matter most.

When evaluating pricing, consider what is included in the quoted amount. Some companies quote a flat project fee that covers everything including revisions. Others quote a base price with additional costs for revisions, multiple rounds of changes, or additional deliverables. Always ask for a detailed breakdown of what is included and what would cost extra. The cheapest quote is rarely the best value, and the most expensive is not always the best quality. Focus on finding a company that offers the best combination of quality, service, and price for your specific needs.

Explainer Video Animation Styles and Techniques

The animation style you choose for your explainer video significantly impacts how your message is perceived, how your audience engages with the content, and how much the project costs. Different styles convey different tones, suit different types of information, and appeal to different audiences. Understanding the range of available styles helps you make an informed decision that aligns with your brand, your message, and your budget.

2D Vector Animation

Two-dimensional vector animation is the most popular style for explainer videos. It uses flat, scalable illustrations that are created and animated using vector graphics software like Adobe After Effects or Toon Boom Harmony. 2D animation offers excellent versatility, allowing for a wide range of visual styles from minimal and modern to detailed and illustrative. It works well for almost any industry or use case, from B2B software demonstrations to consumer product introductions. Production time is moderate, typically two to six weeks for a standard explainer, and costs are in the mid-range of available options. The style is approachable, professional, and proven to communicate complex ideas effectively.

3D Animation and Product Visualisation

Three-dimensional animation creates depth, texture, and realistic or stylised three-dimensional environments. This style is particularly effective for products that benefit from visual demonstration, such as medical devices, engineering equipment, architectural projects, or complex software interfaces. 3D animation commands a premium in the market due to longer production timelines, specialised software requirements, and the advanced skills required of the animators. Production typically takes four to twelve weeks, and costs are at the higher end of the market. However, the impact can be substantial, particularly for products or concepts where visual demonstration of physical characteristics or spatial relationships is essential.

Whiteboard Animation

Whiteboard animation simulates the experience of watching a hand drawing illustrations and text on a whiteboard in real time. This style is highly effective for educational content, complex explanations, and storytelling that benefits from a sense of discovery. Whiteboard animation creates a unique engagement dynamic where the audience experiences the information being revealed as it is drawn. It is generally more affordable and faster to produce than full 2D or 3D animation, with production timelines of two to four weeks. However, it may feel less polished or professional for certain brands or use cases. It works best for internal training, educational content, and situations where budget or timeline constraints make other styles impractical.

Motion Graphics and Kinetic Typography

Motion graphics focuses on animating graphic elements, shapes, text, and data visualisations rather than characters or scenes. Kinetic typography, a subset of motion graphics, uses animated text as the primary visual element. These styles are particularly effective for data-heavy explanations, product feature walkthroughs, and content where the emphasis is on information rather than narrative. Motion graphics can be produced relatively quickly, typically two to four weeks, and costs are in the lower to mid-range. The style projects a clean, modern, professional image that works well for technology companies, financial services, and business-to-business communications.

Image: A grid of four panels showing different explainer video animation styles including 2D vector animation, 3D product visualisation, whiteboard animation, and motion graphics with kinetic typography

How to Collaborate Effectively with Your Production Partner

The quality of your collaboration with your explainer video production company directly affects the quality of the final product. A positive, productive working relationship brings out the best in both teams and leads to a better outcome. Here is how to set your collaboration up for success.

Start by establishing clear communication channels and expectations. Designate a single point of contact on your team who will be responsible for collecting feedback, making decisions, and communicating with the production company. This person should have the authority to approve creative decisions and the availability to respond promptly during key phases of the project. Having multiple stakeholders providing inconsistent feedback is one of the most common causes of project delays and budget overruns.

Provide feedback that is specific, constructive, and timely. Instead of saying I do not like the character design, explain what is not working and what you would like to see instead. The character design feels too formal for our brand. Could we explore a more approachable style with softer colours and friendlier expressions? Specific feedback gives the creative team clear direction and reduces the number of revision cycles needed.

Trust your production partner's expertise while staying true to your brand knowledge. The best results come from a partnership where both sides bring their strengths. You know your brand, your audience, and your business objectives better than anyone. Your production partner knows how to structure an explainer narrative, what visual techniques work best, and how to create content that engages and converts. Respect each other's expertise and work together to find solutions that serve both creative excellence and strategic objectives.

✓ Designate a single decision-maker

One person collects feedback, makes decisions, and communicates with the production team. Reduces confusion and speeds up the process.

✓ Give specific, actionable feedback

Explain what is not working and what you want instead. Vague feedback leads to more revision cycles and frustration on both sides.

✓ Respond promptly at key milestones

Delays in feedback at any stage push back the entire timeline. Respect the production schedule and provide reviews within agreed timeframes.

✓ Trust creative expertise

Your partner knows video production. Trust their recommendations while providing clear brand and business guidance.

Measuring the Success of Your Explainer Video

Creating an explainer video is an investment, and like any investment, you need to measure the return. Measuring the success of your explainer video goes beyond counting views. A comprehensive measurement strategy tracks engagement, conversion, and business impact across every stage of the viewer journey. Understanding what to measure and how to interpret the data helps you optimise your video content and justify future investment in video production.

View count is the most basic metric, but it tells you very little about actual impact. A video with a million views that does not drive any conversions is far less valuable than a video with ten thousand views that generates a significant number of qualified leads. Focus on metrics that directly connect to your business objectives. If the goal is lead generation, track form submissions and demo requests. If the goal is product education, track time on page and feature adoption. If the goal is brand awareness, track share rate and new visitor acquisition.

Engagement metrics provide insight into how well your video holds audience attention. Average watch time, drop-off rates at specific moments, and replay behaviour all reveal which parts of your video are working and which need improvement. A high drop-off rate in the first ten seconds suggests the opening is not compelling enough. Replay behaviour around a specific segment indicates that part of the explanation may be confusing or particularly valuable. Share rate is a strong indicator of how compelling your audience finds the content, as people only share videos they believe will be valuable to others.

📈 Engagement Metrics

Average watch time • Drop-off rate by quarter • Replay behaviour • Click-through rate on CTAs • Share and save rate • Comment sentiment analysis

📊 Business Impact Metrics

Conversion rate attribution • Lead generation volume • Sales cycle acceleration • Feature adoption rate • Support ticket reduction • Revenue generated or influenced

Conversion tracking requires proper setup and attribution. Use UTM parameters on video links to track traffic sources. Set up conversion goals in your analytics platform that track specific actions taken after viewing the video. Implement heat mapping to understand how viewers interact with the page around the video. For advanced measurement, use A/B testing to compare pages with and without the video, measuring the impact on key conversion metrics. The data you collect will not only prove the value of your current video but inform the strategy for your next project.

Image: A dashboard showing explainer video performance metrics including watch time graph, conversion rate chart, engagement heat map, and lead attribution data across multiple marketing channels

Distribution and Repurposing Strategy

A common mistake businesses make is investing heavily in creating a high-quality explainer video but giving minimal thought to how it will be distributed and repurposed. Your video cannot drive results if nobody sees it. A comprehensive distribution strategy ensures your video reaches the right audience in the right places, and a smart repurposing plan extends the life and value of your content across multiple channels and formats.

Your website should be the primary home for your explainer video. Place it prominently on the most relevant page, typically your homepage, product page, or a dedicated landing page. The video should be above the fold with a clear call to action below or overlaid on the video player. Consider creating a dedicated landing page built around the video with supporting text, social proof, and a strong conversion path. A well-designed video landing page can increase conversion rates by eighty percent or more compared to standard pages.

Social media distribution requires adapting your video for each platform's requirements and audience expectations. Upload natively to each platform rather than sharing a YouTube link, as native uploads receive significantly higher reach and engagement. For LinkedIn and Twitter, create shorter cuts of fifteen to thirty seconds that highlight the most compelling moments. For Instagram and TikTok, consider vertical format versions. For YouTube, optimise your video title, description, and tags for search visibility. Each platform requires a tailored approach to maximise performance.

Repurposing extends the value of your explainer video far beyond the initial production. Extract key scenes as animated GIFs for email signatures and social posts. Pull compelling quotes and statistics as static graphics for LinkedIn and Instagram. Create a blog post that embeds the video and expands on the key points with written content. Use screenshots from the video in presentations, pitch decks, and sales materials. A single explainer video can generate dozens of pieces of supporting content when repurposed creatively.

🌐 Primary Distribution Channels

Website landing page • YouTube (SEO optimised) • LinkedIn native upload • Twitter/X short cut • Instagram Reel • Facebook Page • Email marketing campaigns • Sales enablement platform

🔁 Repurposing Opportunities

Animated GIFs for email • Static quote graphics • Blog post with embedded video • Presentation slides • Sales one-pager • Social media teaser clips • Trade show display loop • Internal training module

Evaluating an Explainer Video Portfolio

A company's portfolio is the most direct evidence of their capabilities, but evaluating it effectively requires looking beyond surface-level visual quality. Here is what to look for when reviewing an explainer video production company's portfolio.

First, assess the strategic quality of the work. Does each video clearly communicate a specific message? Can you understand the product or service being explained without additional context? Is there a clear narrative structure with a beginning, middle, and end? Videos that look beautiful but leave you unsure about what was being explained indicate a company that prioritises style over substance. The best portfolios demonstrate consistent strategic clarity across every project.

Second, look for variety and adaptability. A company that produces the same style of video for every client may not have the creative range to serve your specific needs. Look for evidence that they can adapt their approach for different industries, audiences, tones, and objectives. A portfolio that includes B2B software explainers, healthcare animations, consumer product videos, and internal communications demonstrates versatility and creative range.

Third, evaluate the production quality beyond the animation itself. Listen to the voiceover quality. Notice the music and sound design. Pay attention to the pacing and editing. Professional explainer videos excel in all these areas, not just the visual animation. A video with beautiful animation but mediocre voiceover or poorly mixed audio indicates a company that may not have full-spectrum production capabilities.

Portfolio Evaluation Checklist: Strategic clarity • Narrative structure • Visual quality • Voiceover and audio quality • Variety of styles and industries • Adaptability to different tones • Consistency of quality across projects • Relevance to your specific needs

Red Flags to Watch For

Being able to identify warning signs early helps you avoid problematic partnerships and ensure your project stays on track. Here are the most common red flags to watch for when evaluating explainer video production companies.

⚠ Vague or evasive pricing

Companies that will not provide transparent pricing or give wildly different quotes for similar projects should raise concerns. Professional companies provide clear, detailed pricing.

⚠ No dedicated project manager

If there is no single point of contact managing your project, communication breakdowns and missed deadlines are likely. A dedicated PM is essential for complex projects.

⚠ Portfolio lacks explainer focus

A general animation studio showing mostly music videos or commercials may not have the specific strategic and scriptwriting skills needed for effective explainer content.

⚠ Poor communication during sales

If a company is slow to respond, evasive in answering questions, or dismissive of your input during the sales process, the working relationship will likely be worse during production.

⚠ No scriptwriting samples

Scripts are the foundation of explainer videos. If a company cannot show you examples of their scriptwriting, they may not have the strategic capability needed for great results.

⚠ Unwilling to provide references

A reputable company will happily connect you with past clients. Reluctance to provide references is a significant warning sign that past clients may have had negative experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions About Explainer Video Production Companies

Your Explainer Video Production Journey

Working with an explainer video production company is an investment that can transform how your audience understands and connects with your business. The right partner brings strategic insight, creative talent, and production expertise that elevates your message and drives measurable results. The key to success lies in choosing the right partner and approaching the project with clear objectives, open communication, and a collaborative spirit.

Start by defining your objectives clearly and developing a detailed creative brief. Research potential partners thoroughly, evaluating their portfolios, client reviews, and strategic capability. Request proposals from multiple companies and evaluate them on the quality of strategic thinking, not just price. Speak directly with the team who will work on your project and trust your instincts about whether the creative chemistry feels right. A great partnership is built on mutual respect, clear communication, and shared commitment to creating something exceptional.

The explainer video production industry is full of talented companies that can help you achieve your goals. By approaching the selection process systematically and investing time in the upfront phases of strategy and planning, you set your project up for success from the start. The result will be an explainer video that not only looks beautiful but delivers real, measurable business results for your company.

Image: A creative team collaborating in a modern production studio, reviewing an animated explainer video project on a large screen, with storyboards and character designs visible in the background

Rachel Chen

Video Production Strategist • 12+ years helping businesses select and collaborate with explainer video production companies across technology, healthcare, finance, and consumer goods. Rachel has consulted on over 100 explainer video projects and is passionate about helping businesses achieve exceptional results through strategic video content.

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