Whiteboard animation is one of the most effective and budget-friendly video formats out there — which is exactly why so many teams ask what it costs before they commit. This guide breaks down what actually drives the price, what you can expect to pay per minute, and real cost data from our own client projects.
Simply put, it's a style of animation that depicts graphics being physically drawn by a hand on a plain white space, similar to a whiteboard being used. It's pretty straightforward.
But what's really interesting about it is how effective and budget-friendly it is when compared to other video formats. And that's what we're going to get into.
The cost of an animated whiteboard video depends on several key factors
These factors are by no means an exact formula, but they give you a good idea of what to expect and help you make informed decisions that align with your budget and project goals.
The cost of an animated whiteboard video can vary widely. Here's a general breakdown of what you might expect to pay
Freelance whiteboard animators on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr often quote $15–$50 per finished minute for basic work — attractive on price, but revisions, script support, and turnaround time are rarely included, and quality varies widely from project to project.
A whiteboard explainer video — built specifically to walk a viewer through a product, service, or idea — typically costs the same as any other whiteboard animation of the same length, since the pricing drivers (script complexity, illustration detail, voiceover, revisions) don't change just because the goal is explanatory. Where explainer-specific costs can rise is scriptwriting: distilling a complex product into a 60–90 second narrative often takes more writing rounds than a straightforward narrative video, which is why studios sometimes price script development separately for explainer work.
Across recent B2W whiteboard projects, real client costs have averaged roughly $20 per production hour — see the case studies below for the full breakdown. This is real, named-client data most cost guides can't show.
Maybe you want a more specific answer to how much your whiteboard video could cost. While we can't speak for every company, here are real examples we made for clients of various sizes and requirements:
FibroGen is a leading biopharmaceutical company. They needed a video to explain Roxadustat — their Nobel-prize-winning science and a new approach to treating anemia of chronic kidney disease. It's a complex medical topic, so we used bright, friendly colors and lively visuals to stay engaging without overwhelming a novice viewer, with a script crafted around the viewer's pain points.
Christian Church Homes is a non-profit building and managing affordable senior housing. They needed a budget-friendly video explaining who they are, their history, and their values. We opted for a whiteboard video with relatable, timeless graphics that cross socio-cultural boundaries — whiteboard's universal appeal makes it especially useful for non-profits.
Epicor Software is a global business software company. Their landing page videos weren't driving enough conversions, so we suggested a storytelling-style testimonial video using whiteboard animation — relatable, interesting, and effective at building an emotional connection with the audience.
Santen Pharmaceutical is a Japanese company specializing in ophthalmology. They wanted a short, entertaining video about eye irritability and how their products help. We suggested an animated whiteboard video — short, crisp, and colorful — that simplified a complex topic while building trust with viewers.
Shrija is a content writer at Broadcast2World, where she breaks down the nuances of animation, video production, and B2B storytelling through her engaging content. With a background in English and Mass Communication, she seamlessly blends strategic thinking with audience- focused storytelling.
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