Best Animated Explainer Videos: Examples, Insights & Production Tips

Introduction

There’s a reason you don’t skip that 90-second product video on a homepage, even when you’re just browsing. It pulls you in, makes you feel like the brand gets it, and somehow leaves you clearer, curious, and one step closer to clicking “Book a Demo.” That’s precision storytelling with Animated Explainer Videos.

Over the past few years, animated explainer videos have become one of the most quietly powerful tools in a brand’s content arsenal. They’re short, visual, high-retention, and they do what most content can’t: make you care, faster. While videos can boost conversion rates, even conversations amongst top communities confirm that explainer videos are a great choice and can be used across emails, ads, blogs, and sales motions. 

In this guide, we’ll break down 10 of the best Animated explainer videos out there right now. What makes them work, how different styles suit different stories, and how you can create one that fits your brand without sounding like every other startup. 

Top 10 Animated Explained Videos Examples

1. Multiplier by Red Bangle

Multiplier’s explainer video is a classic top-of-funnel (TOFU) asset created by Red Bangle to educate and build awareness amongst Multiplier’s target audience. It opens with a clear articulation of a common pain point: the challenge of hiring and managing global talent compliantly. In just 90 seconds, the video outlines the problem, introduces Multiplier as the solution, and presents its core value proposition, all in a way that feels natural and effortless.

Format: 2D 

Duration: 90 seconds

Why it works: 

• The script gets to the value proposition within the first 30 seconds, keeping early viewers engaged.
• The pacing is deliberate. Fast enough to maintain attention but slow enough to absorb key points.
• Visuals are well-timed and complementary to the narration. Nothing distracts or feels overproduced.
• Language is simple and accessible, which broadens the appeal across geographies and roles

Key takeaways: 

• Get to the value early: Hook your viewer within the first 30 seconds to increase retention. 
• Keep it clean and aligned: Use visuals that support, not distract from your message.
• Simplify your script: Speak to clarity, not cleverness. Avoid jargon.
• Match pace to purpose: Maintain an even rhythm that feels watchable till the end.
• Stay brief: A well-written 90-second video can deliver more impact than a drawn-out one.

2. SLB Sales Digitization 

Red Bangle created this interactive animated explainer video for SLB, focusing on their sales digitization journey. This interactive video takes a unique approach to showcasing their sales digitization journey, standing out with its dynamic, action-driven format. Unlike traditional explainer videos, it feels more like a compelling short film, engaging viewers right from the start. 

The key to its success lies in its interactivity and engaging design, ensuring every scene drives value and context. Rather than overwhelming the audience with information, the video cleverly balances professional storytelling with an immersive experience that holds the viewer’s attention from beginning to end.

By understanding SLB’s unique needs, we delivered a video that educates without overwhelming, maintains a professional tone, and clearly communicates the value of their solution. This thoughtful approach allowed us to showcase SLB’s innovation in a way that resonated with their audience and highlighted the core of their product.

Format: 2D 

Duration: 9 Minutes

Why it works:

• Keeps viewers engaged with an interactive and immersive experience.
• Every scene contributes to the narrative without unnecessary filler.
• Simplifies complex ideas through character-driven, engaging content.

Key takeaways: 

• Start with curiosity: Lead with a question or scenario that invites the viewer to want more.
• Use storytelling formats: Characters, scenes, and transitions help simplify complex narratives.
• Align visuals with action: Use movement to reinforce your message, not distract from it.

3. Dropbox 

Dropbox’s animated explainer video is a classic example of how simplicity can win. The video starts by highlighting everyday file-sharing and collaboration challenges that viewers can instantly relate to. Within the first few seconds, it clearly introduces Dropbox as the solution. It uses stick-figure style visuals and minimal animation, but everything aligns seamlessly with the script to deliver clarity over polish. The video is around 2 minutes long and still widely referenced for its effectiveness.

Format: 2D 

Duration: 2 Minutes

Why it works: 

• By starting with common day-to-day pain points, Dropbox hooks the viewer emotionally right away.
• The product’s benefit is explained within the first 30 seconds, ideal for attention spans.
• Even though the visuals are simple, they work because they support (not overpower) the voiceover.
• Problem → Solution → Benefit → CTA, all delivered in a calm and confident flow.

Key takeaways: 

• Lead with a real-world problem: Don’t waste time warming up. Start where your audience already is.
• Keep it simple: A straightforward script and minimal visuals can outperform a high-budget production if they’re well aligned.
• Make value clear fast: You should be able to explain your product’s core purpose in under 30 seconds.

4. Slack

Slack’s animated explainer video is short, fast-paced, and bursting with personality. It captures the chaos of modern workplace communication and positions Slack as the fix. It starts by dramatizing the zigzag inefficiencies of emails, meetings, and scattered files, instantly hooking viewers who’ve lived that experience. The visuals are dynamic, playful, and highly synchronized with the script, turning what could have been a dry “internal tool” pitch into a vibrant story.

Format: 2D 

Duration: 138 Seconds

Why it works:

• The snappy rhythm mirrors the modern workday, keeping viewers locked in from the start.
• Every animation beat reinforces the script. Zigzag movements show chaos, smooth flows show Slack’s solution.
• It opens with a problem people know too well, making the payoff feel personal and urgent.
• The color palette, typography, and characters all feel very “Slack”, polished yet playful.

Key takeaways: 

• Match your pacing to your audience: Fast visuals work when your product speaks to high-velocity teams.
• Use Animation to reflect the message: Don’t just illustrate. Visualize the emotion or problem behind the words.
• Make it feel human: Humor, playfulness, and a touch of chaos make Slack’s video more memorable than most.
• Don’t overexplain: Slack doesn’t try to detail every feature. It focuses on the transformation, not the tech.
• Strong brand alignment: From visuals to tone, everything feels unmistakably Slack, which reinforces trust and recall.

5. Wipro by Red Bangle

Wipro’s animated explainer video created by Red Bangle opens with a hook, referencing the high-profile WannaCry cyberattack. This instantly grabs attention, especially among healthcare and cybersecurity audiences. Within 20 seconds, the video pivots into the core problem: healthcare data is increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. From there, it introduces Wipro’s Cybersecurity Framework as the solution. The script is crisp, visuals are interactive and brand-aligned. Most importantly, the video wraps up in just 84 seconds, delivering clarity without crowding the message.

Format: 2D

Duration: 84 Seconds

Why it works: 

• Starting with a real-world event creates urgency and relatability.
• Gets to the solution fast before the viewer checks out.
• Smooth and digestible, without rushing or dragging.
• The narration, tone, and visual design stay true to Wipro’s brand identity (professional, clear, and trustworthy.) 

Key takeaways: 

• Start with a relevant hook: Real-world incidents can draw viewers in and add emotional weight.
• Introduce your value fast: Don’t delay the “what we do” moment. Wipro hits it within 20 seconds.
• Use restraint in visuals: Simpler designs can feel more premium and allow space for your message.
• Close strong, not long: You can land impactfully without going past 90 seconds, if your message is focused.

6. Airwallex

Airwallex opens with a universally relatable story: a business trying to go global and facing hurdles with international payments. This instantly connects with startups, eCommerce brands, and modern finance teams. The video runs for a tight 83 seconds, blending clean visuals, upbeat music, and seamless pacing to mirror the energy of high-growth companies. It doesn’t waste a second, jumping straight into the challenge and layering the solution in rhythm with the narrative.

Format: 2D

Duration: 83 Seconds

Why it works:

• Opens with a scenario every scaling business recognizes, which builds immediate relevance.
• Compresses a complex fintech solution into a movie-like sequence that flows naturally.
• Similar to Slack, the tempo, music, and visuals are in sync, keeping it dynamic but not overwhelming.
• The animations are simple yet meaningful, each frame moves the story forward without distracting from the message.

Key takeaways: 

• Lead with shared struggle: Start your video by reflecting a real, recognizable business challenge. It builds empathy fast.
• Keep it cinematic: Use pacing, transitions, and music like a narrative film to hold viewer attention.
• Balance form and function: Visuals support the script instead of competing with it to ensure retention.
• Stay under 90 seconds: You don’t need more time if your structure, voiceover, and visual design are working in sync.

7. Duolingo

Duolingo’s animated explainer video gives viewers a peek into the daily tasks of its mascot, Duo, the 3D animated owl. The video is set in a whimsical, light-hearted narrative where Duo manages notifications and streaks, tasks central to the Duolingo app. The clever use of 3D and 2D animation enhances the storytelling, with humorous moments that make the experience both engaging and relatable.

Format: Hybrid (3D & 2D) 

Duration: 75 seconds

Why it works:

• The combination of 3D and 2D animation creates an interesting visual contrast, emphasizing key actions and keeping the viewer engaged.
• The inclusion of funny moments, such as Duo getting annoyed, adds a light-hearted touch and makes the content enjoyable, which enhances viewer retention.
• The video seamlessly communicates Duo’s daily tasks in a fun and easy-to-follow manner, without overwhelming the viewer. The tasks are clearly demonstrated with animations that support the narrative.

Key takeaways: 

• Character-Driven Storytelling: Using a relatable character like Duo makes the content more engaging and humanizes the brand, which fosters a stronger emotional connection with viewers.
• Humor as a Hook: Injecting humor into the video, such as Duo getting annoyed, adds charm and keeps the content light-hearted, ensuring that it resonates with a broad audience.
• Visual Clarity and Focus: The thoughtful design of using different animation formats for key actions, such as streaks, helps highlight important features without overwhelming the viewer.

8. Ahrefs

Ahrefs’ animated explainer video is a concise 91-second walkthrough that wastes no time. It opens with a clear pain point familiar to its target audience, struggling to get organic traffic. From there, it amplifies that frustration by showing the consequences of poor SEO, and smoothly transitions into how Ahrefs can solve it. The visuals are clear and straight to the point, keeping the focus on value delivery. 

Format: 2D

Duration: 91 Seconds

Why it works: 

• The video opens with the exact challenge users face, creating instant relevance.
• The product does the talking. Clean visuals help maintain clarity, not compete for attention.
• Pain > Consequence > Solution. All covered within a tight runtime.

Key takeaways: 

• Start with the pain, not the pitch: Lead with what your user is struggling with then show how you fix it.
• Powerful visuals: You don’t need overly stylized animations. Clarity is conversion-friendly.
• Keep it practical: For tools like Ahrefs, product-led storytelling outperforms abstract metaphors.
• Pack value, not noise: Every second in the video counts. If it doesn’t inform or drive action, cut it.

9. Vymo

Vymo’s explainer video, created by Red Bangle, uses a hybrid format blending animation and live-action to demonstrate how the SaaS product boosts sales engagement for financial institutions, particularly in the banking sector. The video is engaging, relatable, and shows clear, contextually relevant benefits of the product through a seamless combination of animation and live-action scenes.

Format: Hybrid (Animated + Live action)  

Duration: 125 Seconds

Why it works:

• Engages the audience with a relatable story about real challenges and solutions.
• Combines live-action for emotional connection with interactive animation to pull the audience into the story.
• Communicates the product’s value through simple, benefit-driven points.

Key takeaways: 

• Combines emotional and visual appeal for better engagement.
• Storytelling creates relatability and makes the solution feel essential.
• Simple, Clear Messaging ensures the product’s value is understood quickly.
• Animation helps clarify complex concepts and keeps the focus on the audience’s needs.

10 . Red Bangle

Red Bangle’s 2D animated explainer video is concise, direct, and impactful, delivering the message in just 87 seconds. With clear visuals that align perfectly with the script, the video presents Red Bangle’s platform as an efficient solution for businesses looking to produce high-quality explainer video content globally. The messaging of the script is strong and is tightly woven with the visuals, ensuring that every second of the video adds value without any fluff.

Format: 2D 

Duration: 87 Seconds

Why it works: 

• The video conveys the value proposition quickly, focusing on how Red Bangle’s platform solves common production problems.
• In just 87 seconds, the video holds attention and communicates effectively without over-explaining.
• Every visual reinforces the key messages, maintaining clarity and focus.

Key takeaways: 

• Messaging: Keep the script focused and to the point for maximum impact.
• Visually appealing: Use tight visuals that align directly with your message.
• Crisp: Brevity can be powerful; ensure every second adds value.

Types of Animated Explainer Videos

Your choice of animation style influences not just aesthetics, but also the audience perception and engagement. Below are six major types of animated explainer videos, each suited for different goals, budgets, and brand tones.

1. 2D Animation Videos

2D Animation videos are the most widely used format for explainer videos. It features flat, vector-based graphics brought to life with movement and voiceover. It’s clean, flexible, and ideal for SaaS, startups, or educational explainers where clarity is more important than visual complexity.

2. 2.5D Animation Videos

2.5D Animation mimics a 3D effect using shadows, layering, and perspective, while still being created in a 2D environment. It offers more depth and movement than standard 2D but without the full cost of 3D. Brands use it when they want to look more premium without the overhead.

3. Whiteboard Animation Videos

Whiteboard Animation style simulates hand-drawn illustrations on a white background. It’s effective for step-by-step explanations or process-driven content. Healthcare, education, and NGOs often use whiteboard animations to simplify dense or technical information.

4. Kinetic Typography Videos

Kinetic typography focuses on moving text, often synced with music or voiceover, to deliver fast-paced, bold messages. It’s commonly used in B2B explainers, product teasers, or performance ads where text is the hero.

5. 3D Animation Videos 

3D Animation offers full dimensionality, realism, and cinematic visuals. It’s used in industries like hardware, medical devices, or architecture, where spatial accuracy and detail matter. While expensive and time-consuming, it makes a strong impression.

6. Hybrid Animation Videos

Hybrid videos combine two or more styles like mixing 2D with screencast footage or adding 3D motion elements to a 2D narrative. They allow more creative flexibility and are well-suited for tech or enterprise brands that need to balance visual storytelling with product realism. 

Choosing the right animation style isn’t just about visuals. It’s about how clearly and confidently your message lands. Whether you need to simplify, impress, or drive action, the right format can make all the difference in how your story is seen and remembered.

Why Choose Animated Explainer Videos 

Animated explainer videos are short, animated videos that simplify complex ideas using engaging and interactive visuals, narration, and motion graphics. They are commonly used by brands to explain products, services, or processes in 60 to 90 seconds. These videos help increase viewer retention, boost conversions, and enhance brand storytelling. Animated explainer videos are especially effective for SaaS, fintech, and B2B brands where abstract or technical concepts need to be explained clearly and memorably.

Animated explainer videos have become a go-to format for brands looking to simplify messaging, increase engagement, and convert viewers into customers. Here’s why they work so well.

• Simplify Complex Ideas: Animation excels at breaking down abstract or technical topics using visual metaphors and motion. Whether you’re explaining a SaaS workflow or a fintech model, animation helps make it intuitive.
• Increase Engagement and Retention: Animated videos are designed to hold attention. With fast pacing and visual movement, they keep users watching longer compared to text or static visuals.
• Convert Better: Explainer videos lead to better conversions because they help users quickly understand what you do and why it matters. They’re often used on landing pages, in email funnels, and during onboarding.
• Scalable and Reusable: Unlike live-action content, animated videos can be easily edited, localized, or updated with minimal cost. You can repurpose them for ads, website embeds, email campaigns, or sales decks.
• Support Brand Consistency: Animation lets you control every visual element from colors and characters to transitions and typography. This makes it easier to stay on-brand across different formats and platforms.

Comparison Between Animated Explainer Videos & Other Explainer Videos

Factor	Animated Explainer Videos	Other Formats (Live-Action / Hybrid Videos)
Visual Style	Fully customizable; matches brand tone and aesthetics	Realistic look; harder to control brand feel
Production Time	2–6 weeks depending on complexity	3–8 weeks with shoots and edits
Reusability	Easy to repurpose into shorts, GIFs, or multiple formats	Limited; re-edits usually require reshoots
Best Use Cases	SaaS, onboarding, product demos, complex ideas	Testimonials, founder videos, brand stories

Checklist to Create Best Animated Explainer Videos for your Brand

Whether you’re explaining a complex product or simplifying a service journey, getting the basics right makes all the difference. This checklist will help you stay focused on what actually matters during planning and production.

1. Start with one clear goal: Explain, convert, or onboard. Tie your video to a key funnel metric like conversions or drop-off rate.
2. Script with purpose: Keep it under 180 wpm (words per minute). Use a “Problem → Solution → CTA” arc. Avoid jargon. Make your CTA visible and audible.
3. Match animation style to message: 2D, motion graphics, character-based? Choose what suits your tone, complexity, and brand vibe.
4. Stick to brand identity: Use your brand’s color palette, fonts, and icons. Consistency = trust, especially in B2B.
5. Invest in voice + sound: Great audio isn’t optional. Pick a voice that fits your brand and use clean, balanced sound design.
6. Optimize for format + screens: Keep it under 90 seconds. Add captions. Make sure it works across desktop, mobile, and autoplay.

A great explainer video doesn’t happen by accident. Use this checklist as your guide to avoid common missteps, stay aligned with your goals, and ensure every second of your video adds value to your audience.

When to Use Animated Explainer Videos in Your Funnel?

Funnel Stage	Goal	Best Use Cases
Top of Funnel (TOFU)	Grab attention, build awareness	Paid ads (YouTube, LinkedIn), hero landing sections, homepage banners
Middle of Funnel (MOFU)	Build understanding, show differentiation	Product pages, feature explainers, email nurture, comparisons
Bottom of Funnel (BOFU)	Reinforce trust, drive conversion	Sales decks, demo follow-ups, retargeting, ROI videos
Post-Purchase	Onboard, educate, drive adoption	Onboarding flows, help docs, product walk-throughs, customer success outreach

“Shelf life matters. When you align the video’s depth and format with where it fits in the funnel, it becomes a strategic investment.” – Lakshmi Rebecca, Founder, Red Bangle

From first click to post-purchase, animated explainer videos can guide your audience at every step like educating, engaging, and nudging them toward action. The key is knowing when to show what, and letting animation do the heavy lifting at just the right moment. 

Tips to Choose the Right Animation Video Expert for your Brand

Not all animation video partners can understand your requirements. Whether you’re hiring an agency or a freelancer, the right expert will do more than just animate. They’ll help translate your product into a story that resonates, converts, and scales.

Here’s how to choose wisely: 

1. Start with clarity on your goal

Not all animation studios are built the same. Some are great at quirky storytelling, others at high-polish product demos. Be clear about what you want the video to do:

• Explain a complex SaaS product?
• Drive conversions on a landing page?
• Tell a brand story for social?

Having a precise goal filters out the wrong-fit vendors early. At Red Bangle, we work closely with clients to understand their specific goals, ensuring the final product is not just visually appealing but aligns with the desired outcome, whether that’s increasing conversions, enhancing brand awareness, or simplifying complex concepts.

By defining your goal upfront, you can ensure you select a partner who will bring the vision to life in the most effective way possible.

2. Review portfolio for style range and narrative clarity

Look beyond aesthetics. 

• Does their work simplify complex ideas? 
• Do they show range like character-based, motion graphics, hybrid styles? 
• Can they adapt their tone (playful, corporate, serious)?

Ask to see examples relevant to your industry or buyer type.

For instance, at Red Bangle, we work with global SaaS and fintech brands to craft animated videos that adapt across styles and regions, ensuring message clarity without compromising brand identity.

3. Check their scripting and storytelling chops

The script is 70% of a good explainer. A solid partner will ask tough questions about your product and propose script structures, not just visuals. If they ask for your script upfront and only handle animation, you’re likely getting a visualizer, not a true storyteller.

According to HubSpot, 36% of video marketers believe the optimal length for a marketing video is between one and three minutes. That’s why clarity, pacing, and tight scripting are critical, especially in animated videos, where every second counts.

4. Understand timelines and revision workflows

Good videos take time, typically 4 to 6 weeks. But responsiveness matters. Clarify:

• Number of included revisions
• Ownership of source files
• Project handoff process

A well-run workflow is a good sign of long-term professionalism.

5. Evaluate cost vs. ROI

Don’t just chase the cheapest bid. Ask what’s included: strategy, scripting, voiceover, music, post-formatting for platforms?
The best animated videos come from collaboration, not just creativity. When your vendor understands both your product and your audience, the end result isn’t just pretty. It performs.

Explainer videos aren’t just visually appealing. They’re performance-driven. In fact, 60% of video marketers list engagement rate as their top KPI, followed by conversion rate (56%) and click-through rate (52%), according to HubSpot’s 2023 State of Marketing Report. That’s proof that well-crafted videos don’t just inform, they convert.

Conclusion

Animated explainer videos continue to be one of the most effective ways to simplify, engage, and convert, especially when every second of user attention counts. But effectiveness isn’t just about motion. It’s about clarity, structure, and storytelling that meets your audience where they are in the journey.

So if you’re investing in an explainer video, don’t just aim to explain. Aim to connect. That’s where animation shines. It lets you guide attention with precision, build trust through tone, and leave a lasting impression without asking too much of your audience’s time.

Done right, one short animated video can outperform personalized decks, landing pages, or demo calls. Not because it’s more entertaining but because it’s more clear.

Ready to tell your story right?

Red Bangle helps you create explainer videos (animated or live-action) that connect with your audience, simplify your message, and drive results. Book a demo today.