What Is an Explainer Video and How Much Does It Cost for SaaS Companies?

What Is an Explainer Video?

An explainer video is a short animated or live-action video, typically 60 to 180 seconds, that explains how a product or service works in a clear, engaging way. For SaaS companies, explainer videos are particularly effective because they can visualize complex software functionality, workflows and benefits that are difficult to communicate with screenshots or text alone.

Why SaaS Companies Need Explainer Videos

SaaS products are often invisible. An explainer video solves this by showing what the software does, who it is for and what problem it solves in under two minutes. Companies like Hotjar, SuperAnnotate and Connectel use explainer videos on their websites, in sales decks and in LinkedIn campaigns to educate prospects and accelerate the buying process.

How Much Does a SaaS Explainer Video Cost?

A professional animated explainer video for a SaaS company typically costs between 1,500€ and 5,000€ in Spain and Europe:

• Basic (1,500€–2,500€): 30–60 seconds, 2D animation, professional voice over, script included. Production: 4–5 weeks.
• Standard (2,500€–4,000€): 60–90 seconds, custom characters and UI screens, motion graphics, LinkedIn + web formats. Production: 5–6 weeks.
• Premium (4,000€–5,000€): 90–180 seconds, advanced production, multiple languages. Production: 6–8 weeks.

What Is Included in the Production Process?

At Storisell, our process includes: a workshop to analyze your value proposition and buyer personas; scriptwriting with unlimited feedback (max 200 words); professional studio voice over; a premium storyboard with 2 feedback rounds; animation with music and sound effects; and 2 revision rounds at final delivery.

Production Timeline

From briefing to final delivery, most SaaS explainer video projects take 4 to 6 weeks. Summer productions may take slightly longer.

Get a Quote

Contact us at santiago@storisell.com or visit storisell.com. We have produced explainer videos for Hotjar, SuperAnnotate, Connectel, TripAdvisor and Amadeus.

When does an explainer video make sense for a SaaS company?

Not every SaaS product needs an explainer video. The format works best when the product solves a problem difficult to explain in text alone, when the target audience needs to understand the concept before trying a free trial, or when the sales cycle involves presenting to stakeholders who will not use the product themselves. Explainer videos are particularly effective for products in emerging categories — where the problem itself needs to be named before the solution can be sold.

How to brief an explainer video production for SaaS

A good brief answers six questions: Who is the primary viewer? What problem do they have? What does your product do to solve it? What is the single most important thing they should understand? What action should they take? Where will the video be published? Companies that cannot answer all six will spend more time in pre-production revisions.

Frequently asked questions about explainer videos for SaaS

What is the ideal length for a SaaS explainer video?

60 to 90 seconds for homepage and outreach use cases. Up to two minutes for more complex products where the viewer is already engaged, such as a product page or a demo confirmation email.

Should the explainer video show the actual product interface?

For technical buyers, showing the interface builds credibility. For non-technical decision-makers, abstract animation that communicates the outcome is usually more effective. Many productions combine both.

How many languages should we produce the explainer video in?

Produce in all languages where you have active sales or marketing efforts. A native-language explainer consistently outperforms a translated one. Plan for multilingual production from the start rather than subtitling a single version.

What makes a SaaS explainer video fail?

Starting with the product instead of the problem, trying to explain too many features in a single video, using technical jargon only existing users understand, and not including a clear call to action. The second most common reason: producing a video without a distribution plan.