Short answer: a professional motion graphics explainer video costs whatever the work behind it costs, and most of that work happens before a single frame moves. At Next Horizon a complete explainer starts at $400 for up to 30 seconds, $600 for up to 60 seconds and $850 for up to 90 seconds, with the script, storyboard, animation and sound all included. The rest of this article explains where that money actually goes, so you can compare any quote you receive, ours or anyone else's, with clear eyes.
Why explainer video prices look so random
Search for explainer video pricing and you will find quotes that differ by ten times for what sounds like the same thing: "a 60 second animated video". The difference is almost never the animation software or the talent alone. It is what is included and what is quietly left for you to do.
A low quote often means you write the script yourself, you approve nothing until the animation is finished, and every change after that is billed as extra. A higher quote usually buys you a process: someone thinks about your message first, shows you the visuals before animating them, and lets you correct the direction early when corrections are cheap.
So the useful question is not "how much does a video cost?" but "what exactly am I paying for at each stage?"
The four stages you are paying for
Every serious explainer goes through the same four stages. Whether a studio names them or not, the work has to be done by someone.
1. The script
This is the stage that decides whether the video sells or just looks nice. A good explainer script follows a simple structure: the problem your customer has, what that problem costs them, your solution, how it works, and one clear call to action. Thirty seconds of voiceover is roughly 70 to 80 words, so every sentence has to earn its place.
If a quote does not mention the script, assume you are writing it.
2. The storyboard
Before anything moves, every shot is designed as a still frame with its script line written above it. You see exactly what the video will look like and approve it. This is the cheapest moment to change your mind. Changing a frame in a storyboard takes minutes; changing an animated scene can take a day.
We design our storyboards in Figma, which also means your brand colours, fonts and product UI are used exactly as they are, not redrawn by eye.
3. The animation
This is the part most people picture when they think of motion graphics, and it is where length and complexity really move the price. A 30 second video built around clean text and icon animation is a different job from a 90 second product launch with custom illustrated characters, UI walkthroughs and visual effects.
In our studio the approved frames go into After Effects with Prism, our own Figma to After Effects plugin, so the design arrives as editable layers instead of being rebuilt by hand. The animation is then built up in passes: motion first, then colour, then effects. That is one reason we can keep prices where they are without cutting the process short.
4. The sound
Sound is the stage most cheap quotes skip, and the one viewers notice most when it is missing. Voiceover, music and sound effects timed to the animation make the difference between a video that feels finished and one that feels like a draft. Our packages include an AI voiceover, licensed music and a final sound mix.
What a motion graphics explainer costs at Next Horizon
We publish our prices because hiding them wastes everyone's time. Here is what each package includes.
| Package | Length | Best for | Delivery | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Up to 30 seconds | One clear message, a feature or an announcement | 7 working days | $400 |
| Standard | Up to 60 seconds | Most product intros and SaaS explainers | 7 to 10 working days | $600 |
| Premium | Up to 90 seconds | Product launches, investor pitches, your website's main video | Rush delivery available in 3 to 4 days | $850 |
Every package includes:
- A script with a clear structure (or we start from your brief)
- A full storyboard in Figma that you approve before animation starts
- Animation in After Effects
- AI voiceover, music and a final sound mix
- A Full HD MP4 (1920 by 1080), ready to publish
- One free revision at every stage: script, storyboard, animation and audio
The Standard package adds custom animation of your product UI and icons. Premium adds custom vector illustrations when the story needs them, custom transitions and effects, full sound design, and delivery in three sizes so the same video works on your website and on social media.
What makes a quote go up (anywhere, not only with us)
- Length. Every extra second has to be written, designed, animated and mixed. Longer is not automatically better either; most product intros work best between 45 and 75 seconds.
- Custom illustration. Characters and illustrated scenes are drawn from scratch. Icon and UI animation reuses what you already have.
- Revision rounds. Unlimited revisions sound generous, but they usually mean nobody approved anything at the right moment. Revisions per stage protect you more than unlimited revisions at the end.
- Rush timelines. Compressing a two week job into four days means rearranging other work.
- Extra formats. Vertical and square cuts for Reels, Shorts and TikTok are not a simple crop. The layout has to be redesigned for the new frame.
How to get an accurate quote in one message
Studios quote faster and more accurately when they have the right information. Before you reach out, prepare:
- The one sentence goal. "Explain our invoicing app to small agency owners" is enough.
- Where the video will live. Homepage, ads, a pitch deck, or social media.
- Your brand assets. Logo, colours, fonts, and your Figma file if you have one.
- A reference or two. Videos you like, and what exactly you like about them.
- Your deadline. A real date, not "as soon as possible".
With that, we can tell you which package fits and when you will have it.
One video or a steady stream?
If you need video every month rather than once, a subscription is usually cheaper than ordering videos one by one. Our monthly plans start at $299 for content creators and small brands that need a steady social media presence, with larger plans that add regular explainer videos. You can compare them on the subscriptions page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 60 second explainer video cost?
At Next Horizon a 60 second motion graphics explainer is $600, including the script, storyboard, animation of your product UI, AI voiceover, music and a Full HD export. Quotes elsewhere vary widely, mostly depending on whether the script, storyboard and sound are included.
How long does it take to make an explainer video?
Our Basic package is delivered in 7 working days and the Standard package in 7 to 10 working days. Premium projects can be rushed to 3 to 4 days. Most of the time goes into the script and storyboard, which is where the video's message is decided.
Do I need to write the script myself?
No. Every package includes a script written around your product. If you already have a script or a detailed brief, we start from it instead.
What if I do not like the result?
You approve the script and the storyboard before animation starts, so there are no surprises at the end. Each stage also includes one free revision.
Can you animate my real app interface?
Yes. If your product is designed in Figma, we bring the screens into After Effects as editable layers, so the animation uses your exact interface rather than an approximation.
