Cost of Animation Per Minute (2025 Update)
In the realm of video marketing, the investment in a marketing video can significantly impact its effectiveness. A recent study has shown that a fully customized, effective marketing video from a marketing video agency is likely to generate more revenue than a generic, low-quality video.
When it comes to animated video production, costs can vary widely based on factors such as animation style, complexity, and production quality. Here's a breakdown of the average price ranges for different tiers of professional animated video production companies:
Basic and Low-Tier 3D Animation
For basic or low-tier 3D animation, costs typically range between $3,000 and $5,000 per finished minute. Mid-tier 3D animation projects usually cost between $5,000 and $10,000 per minute.
2D Animation
In the world of 2D animation, pricing is more granular. Basic motion graphics start around $1,200 to $3,000 per minute. Whiteboard animations range from about $1,500 to $3,500 per minute. Mid-level custom 2D character animation averages between $3,000 to $7,000 per minute. High-end or commercial-grade 2D animation can reach $9,000 up to $25,000 or more per minute, depending on polish and effects.
Explainer Videos
Professionally produced explainer videos often cost between $3,000 and $6,000 per minute for entry-level motion graphics, with custom 2D animation starting around $5,000 per finished minute. For more complex styles like 3D or mixed-media, budgets start around $8,500 and up per minute.
Hourly Rates
Hourly rates for animation services generally fall within $100–$150 per hour for 2D animation and $100–$300 per hour for 3D animation, depending on modeling and rendering complexity.
Overall, animated video production costs can range from about $1,000 for very simple projects to $45,000 or more for highly polished, complex productions. These costs cover scripting, storyboarding, design, animation, voiceover, editing, and revisions. Longer runtimes, higher detail, and more revision rounds increase costs significantly.
In summary, low-tier companies offer basic motion graphics or simpler animations starting near $1,000–$3,000 per minute, mid-tier studios provide polished 2D character or moderate-complexity 3D animation at $3,000–$10,000 per minute, while high-end professional companies charging $10,000+ per minute create commercial-grade, cinematic-quality animation with full customization.
Top-tier animation studios dedicated to premium 2D, 3D, and motion graphics production can deliver work of similar quality to animated movie productions, with prices ranging from $25,000 to $100,000+ per minute.
Animation, especially 2D animation, is one of the most cost-effective alternatives in the video marketing game. The average cost for a custom 2D animated video ranges from $7,000 to $20,000 per minute. Finding a video company that offers the best price-quality guarantee and a quote suitable for your budget is the best way to ensure the best bang for your buck in animation production.
Remember, the animation production process involves many trained professionals and requires professional-level software, contributing to the cost of animation work. Informing yourself about animation costs is a great starting point to get the best bang for your buck.
The price range for freelance animation work can vary significantly, from little to no cost to over $3,000 per minute. 2D, motion graphics, explainer videos, and whiteboard videos are less expensive to produce compared to other styles like 3D or stop-motion animation. Production pricing for works that need to be done within a shorter timeframe than usual may be adjusted.
There are many different types of animation styles, and the style chosen will depend on the budget and the goal of the video. Video production can be broken down into three stages: pre-production, production, and post-production. The whole animated video production process can take a professional studio between seven and nine weeks of hard work.
Generic pieces built from premade templates cost less than videos designed according to specific needs. Mid-tier animation studios, which are small-size video companies composed of two or three professionals, can deliver a solid custom video but may have limited capacity to work on multiple projects at the same time.
The cost of animation work varies depending on factors such as the video's length, customization, production timeline, team's expertise, animation style, and the type of vendor. The time it takes to animate one minute of illustrations can take up to two weeks, depending on the experience and skills of the animation artist and the complexity of the piece. An experienced and talented team of professionals will charge more for their work compared to an amateur freelancer.
Professional-level animation companies offer a range of services and can customize every aspect of the video to the client's needs and wants, with prices ranging from $8,000 to $25,000 per minute.
In the realm of finances, investing in a professionally produced explainer video, particularly a custom 2D animation, could significantly impact one's lifestyle by potentially generating more revenue for the investment. Technology plays a crucial role in the animation industry, as advanced software is essential for creating high-quality animation, which in turn can enhance the effectiveness of video marketing.
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