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"So… how much does animation actually cost?"
As an animation studio ourselveswith over a decade and a half of experience under our belt, this is probably the most common (and loaded) question we hear going into 2025 and beyond.
And… we get it. Whether you’re a marketer trying to pitch an explainer video to your boss, or a startup founder looking to add some visual flair to your product launch — you want to know what you’re getting into, financially speaking.
But asking “how much does animation cost?” is a bit like asking, “how much does a house cost?” The answer: it really depends.
So let’s break it down in plain English — no vague ranges, no studio jargon. Just the real factors that drive animation pricing, with examples and industry benchmarks that make sense, to help you estimate the cost before dipping your toes in.
Let’s just rip off the Band-Aid first with this quick cost calculator of sorts:
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Animation Type
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Average Cost per Minute
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Basic 2D Animation
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$1,000 – $3,000
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High-Quality 2D
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$3,000 – $7,000+
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Educational 2D
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$2,000 – $5,000
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Motion Graphics
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$2,500 – $6,000
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3D Animation
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$7,000 – $20,000+
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High-End 3D (Studio)
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$20,000 – $50,000+
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Now these are ballpark figures, of course — and they vary wildly depending on where the studio is based, what style you're after, how long the video is, and how complex the content gets.
But now that we’ve set some expectations on the price ranges you can expect, let’s unpack where those numbers come from.
Animation is a business, yes. But it's important to understand that it’s also an artform– and that’s not just the marketing talking.
Behind every minute of animated video, is a team of creative pros: scriptwriters, illustrators, animators, voice actors, sound designers, project managers… the list goes on. This is true whether you’re working with an animation company or a single freelance animator.
And it’s almost always bespoke work that’s custom-made for your requirements as a client. Think less “getting a burger from a fast food drive-thru” and more “personal expert chef crafting up something from scratch just for your target audience’s specific tastes.”
Here’s a quick breakdown of where your money goes:
It’s not just about clicking buttons and operating software — animation takes time, coordination, and skill.
A one-minute 2D animated explainer video can take 4–8 weeks from kickoff to final file. A 3D product demo? That can easily stretch to 2–3 months or more.
Let’s start with the most common type: 2D animation. It’s the bread and butter of explainer videos, social media content, and educational series. And it’s where pricing gets interesting.
This is usually what you get with freelancers, marketplaces, or budget studios in low-cost regions.
Think simple characters, limited movement, and off-the-shelf music or VO.
You’d usually get basic animation in infographic, motion graphics, whiteboard, and more simple 2D animation styles at this level.
Infographics animation can come in many shapes and sizes. Here's our detailed compilation of the best animated infographics videos to give you some idea:
Same goes with Whiteboard Animation too!
And we also have a compilation for that which you can check here:
They’re more affordable while still looking pretty good for most basic use cases.
Pros:
Cons:
Great for: MVPs, internal videos, or testing ideas on a shoestring budget.
Here you’re working with experienced studios that offer custom design, smooth animation, professional voiceovers, and project management.
You’re not just paying for animation — you’re buying a team that can help you tell your story strategically.
At this level you’ll see the complexity of the animation and level of detail really go up.
Here, you’re asking for high-quality 2D animation, more detailed artwork like mixed media styles, and full character/cartoon animation, which involve a lot more work and look amazing.
Check out some of the best 2D animation video examples in our compilation here:
Great for: Brand videos, explainer videos, educational content, campaigns.
Animation for eLearning or educational content sits somewhere in the middle. Why? Because it’s often text-heavy, requires subject matter accuracy, and needs to engage without overwhelming.
Studios like F.Learning Studio estimate costs between $2,000 and $5,000 per minute, depending on style and topic complexity.
Here’s what drives up the price:
But compared to live-action training videos, animation has a huge ROI — it’s evergreen, editable, and scalable across platforms.
Motion graphics fall under the 2D umbrella but lean more toward typography, iconography, and abstract design. Think infographic videos, app demo videos, or UI breakdowns.
Prices range from $2,500 to $6,000 per minute, depending on animation complexity and branding requirements.
Check out how motion graphics turn animated videos into visual masterpieces in this detailed compilation video here:
The less you rely on characters, and the more on dynamic visuals and transitions to create your video, the more likely you’re in motion graphics territory.
Now let’s talk 3D.
3D animation is a whole different beast. The moment you add a third axis, things get exponentially more complicated — and expensive.
By the way, if you’re unclear on the difference between 2D and 3D, don’t fret! We wrote a quick blog explaining the difference to even the most novice outsiders to animation here.
According to RocketBrush and other sources:
Why the spike?
Because you’re not just drawing anymore — you’re modeling, texturing, rigging, lighting, animating, rendering, and post-producing. It’s like building a small video game or Hollywood film for every project.
Also, rendering 3D scenes takes serious computing power and time. We’re talking hours of processing for just a few seconds of video. It’s like going from a Fiat to a Ferrari, to use an analogy.
Great for: Product animations, AR/VR demos, architecture walk-throughs, high-end advertising.
$5K+ for a 1-minute video can sound steep if you’re new to the game. But consider this:
Think of it as video content infrastructure, not just a one-time expense.
If you're planning your own animation project, here’s how to best ballpark it. Length and complexity are the two biggest factors, but it’s not as simple as that:
Animation is one of those things where you usually get what you pay for. Go too cheap, and you might end up with:
But invest smartly, and a single well-crafted video can serve you for years across channels and campaigns.
So… how much does animation cost?
Maybe the better question is: what’s it worth to your brand?
If you're thinking about creating an animated video but aren’t sure where to start — or how to fit it into your budget — let’s talk! We’ve helped hundreds of brands find that sweet spot between creativity and cost.
Check out our pricing, or book a no obligation brainstorm session. We’re happy to walk you through the options — whether it’s 2D, 3D, or somewhere in between, no high-pressure sales tactics or gimmicks.
Why? Because your story deserves to be told, and told right!
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