Explainer Video Maker

An explainer video is a short video that breaks down a complex idea, product, or service in a way that's easy to understand. They usually do this through a combination of visuals, narration, and sometimes animation. Most are around 60-90 seconds long, so they keep your focus.

For example, explainer videos are often used on product homepages, in marketing campaigns, or by educators to simplify complex topics.

To make an explainer video, follow these steps:

• Define your message: Write out the one thing you want viewers to understand by the end of your video.
• Plan your video: Select the right format, consider creating a script or outline and plan your visuals. 
• Record: Capture any footage you’ll need. This can include talking shots, voice-over, b-roll shots and some screen shares. (With Riverside, this is super easy. You’ll get separate audio and video tracks for easy editing, and everything records in up to 4K.)
• Edit: With Riverside’s video editor, this takes minutes. Cut fluff in a click with AI, clean up your audio and add some branding. You’ll also want to add captions or text for a clear video.

For the full know-how, check our explainer video guide.

Check our full review for the best explainer video software. But, the right choice depends on what you need:

• For an all-in-one workflow: Choose Riverside. Record in 4K, edit with text and AI, add captions and branding, and export everywhere, all in one platform.
• For animated videos:  Look at tools like Vyond or Animaker, which specialize in animation templates.
• For AI avatars: Consider tools like Synthesia that generate virtual presenters.
• For complex editing: Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro offer full control but come with a steep learning curve.

If you’re looking for a fast way to create professional standard videos, we’d suggest Riverside as the winner here. It’s easy to use and with its AI tools, you’ll cut down your editing time in half.

The cost of an explainer video depends on the approach you take:

If you're hiring someone, explainer videos can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000+ per minute. The range varies based on the expertise of the team you hire. You can expect:

• Freelancers to cost $500–$2,000 for a basic animated video
• Agencies at $3,000–$7,000 per minute
• Production companies at a rate of $10,000+ per minute for custom animation and voiceover.

Most of that cost comes from labor. Someone has to write a script, create graphics, record voiceovers, edit, and so on. This adds up.

For a more budget-friendly alternative, consider creating one yourself. 

With an explainer video software like Riverside, it’s easier than you think. Record yourself in up to 4K and then head to the AI-powered editor. Trim clips, cut filler words, clean and enhance audio, plus add your branding, all in a few clicks.