10 Types of Explainer Videos: Which Format Is Right for Your Brand?

Introduction

“Can we do something animated?”

“Not too cartoony though. Maybe with icons?”

“Or wait, should we just use real people?”

“What even is a motion graphic?”

If you’ve ever sat in a marketing meeting, chances are you’ve heard some version of this conversation. Everyone agrees they need an explainer video, but the moment someone asks what kind, the room goes quiet.

And it makes sense. Most people assume that making a good explainer video is just about having a great script or sharp visuals. 

And while both matter, what really makes the difference is the format you choose. That’s where a lot of businesses get stuck. They know they need a video but aren’t sure if it should be animated, filmed with real people, built using screencasts, or created with AI avatars. The result? A message that doesn’t land the way it should.

At Red Bangle, we’ve scripted, designed, and produced explainer videos across every one of these formats for global SaaS, fintech, education, and manufacturing brands. Our creative process runs on a proprietary cloud-based platform that ensures every video is delivered on brief, on time, and on brand.

This is why we are here to guide you through 10 different types of explainer videos, show you real examples, and break down which format works best for different goals so that you know exactly how to choose the right video style for your next campaign.

Top 10 Types of Explainer Videos (With Examples)

There are many types of explainer videos, each designed to simplify a message and engage a target audience. 

Common formats include 2D animation, 3D animation, whiteboard, screencast, live-action, and motion graphics. These styles help brands explain products, onboard users, or promote services. Each type suits different goals, budgets, and platforms, from short-form social media clips to high-converting landing page videos. 

Choosing the right format depends on your message, audience, and production needs. Explainer videos remain one of the most effective tools for storytelling, education, and conversion in modern marketing.

In this section, I’ll walk you through 10 popular explainer video types, each with a real-world example and tips on when to use them.

1. 2D Animation Videos

2D animation is one of the most flexible and widely used explainer formats. It uses flat visuals such as characters, icons, and environments to tell stories in a light, approachable style. Whether you’re introducing a product or unpacking a workflow, this format simplifies complex ideas without overwhelming the viewer.

Take The Red Bangle Explainer, a playful 2D animation that introduces Red Bangle’s global video production platform. The video uses quirky characters, quick transitions, and a lighthearted tone to highlight common video production challenges, then shows how Red Bangle solves them through its end-to-end platform. 

It’s sharp, story-driven, and showcases how 2D animation can turn even operational details into something fun and memorable.

Why this format works:

• Simplifies abstract ideas using visual metaphors
• Keeps viewers engaged with smooth pacing and narration
• Adaptable for multiple use cases and audiences
• Easy to localize and repurpose across formats
• Cost-effective for frequent content needs

When to use it:

• For top-of-funnel brand explainers or service walkthroughs
• When you want to balance storytelling with clarity
• For educational or awareness-focused campaigns
• When your product isn’t physically demonstrable
• For quick turnarounds across multiple channels

At Red Bangle, 2D animation is one of our core strengths. From character-driven storytelling to modular iconography, our teams build explainers that balance clarity with creative depth. We’ve produced 2D videos for SaaS tools, retail tech, and B2B platforms, each designed to simplify complex messages without losing personality. Our cloud-based workflows also make it easy to localize and repurpose these videos across regions and formats.

Also read → The animated explainers checklist you need for your brand to stand out 

2. Whiteboard Explainer Videos

Whiteboard explainers mimic the feel of a classroom. Sketches unfold as the narrator walks you through a process or idea. The visuals are intentionally minimal, which makes them perfect for content where clarity is more important than aesthetics.

In the Adobe In-Store Campaign explainer by Red Bangle, the video outlines how smart POS systems and personalized campaigns work together. What stands out is the simple black-and-white drawing style, synced perfectly with the narration. There are no distractions, just clear visuals that reinforce every idea being explained.

Why this format works:

• Focuses the viewer’s attention solely on the message
• Mimics real-time drawing, which aids memory and retention
• Ideal for step-by-step walkthroughs and use-case demos
• Low production overhead without compromising effectiveness
• Adds a personal, teaching-style tone to technical topics

When to use it:

• When simplifying processes, frameworks, or product logic
• For B2B onboarding, explainer emails, or internal training
• When your audience prefers straight talk over polish
• For budget-friendly projects with tight timelines
• For lower-funnel explainer assets with high clarity needs

If your message relies on process clarity or step-by-step logic, it’s better to simplify the visuals instead of using complex or layered motion. Clean, linear visuals reduce friction and improve comprehension.

3. Motion Graphics Explainers

Motion graphics use animated icons, shapes, charts, and transitions to explain abstract ideas or system-level concepts. They are slick, structured, and ideal for brands that want to look polished without getting overly playful.

The Infosys Extended Storefront explainer by Red Bangle is a strong example. The visuals rely on seamless motion transitions, floating UI elements, and iconography to walk through an omnichannel retail solution. There are no characters, just clean, professional design that matches the tone of the product.

This level of polish comes from aligning closely with brand guidelines and workflows. At Red Bangle, we rely on detailed visualizations and client-approved storyboards to ensure every frame reflects the brand’s identity and tone with precision.

Why this format works:

• Visual hierarchy helps break down layered information
• Keeps a formal, professional tone without being boring
• Aligns well with product interfaces, dashboards, and workflows
• Smooth transitions guide attention without cognitive overload
• Adapts well to both long-form and short-form content

When to use it:

• For B2B or enterprise audiences expecting clarity and polish
• When explaining systems, tools, or data-driven services
• When your brand tone is more serious or design-led
• For animated product tours or user journey visualizations
• When character-based storytelling isn’t required

4. 3D Animation Explainers

3D animation explainer videos bring a level of depth and realism that flat designs can’t match. They use textured models, lighting, shadows, and camera angles to create lifelike visuals that make abstract or technical products feel tangible and real.

In the IBM Generative AI explainer, 3D elements are used to visualize finance workflows and AI systems. You’ll see smooth zoom-ins on digital environments, floating data objects, and realistic simulations. It’s not just eye-catching; it conveys scale, intelligence, and precision.

Why this format works:

• Adds visual depth for physical products or engineered systems
• Makes intangible technologies feel real and high-impact
• Enhances storytelling through cinematic lighting and motion
• Great for creating premium, future-facing brand perception
• Supports detailed feature highlights with immersive visuals

When to use it:

• For architecture, engineering, or industrial products
• When you want to showcase product design or form factor
• For high-value solutions that benefit from premium positioning
• When realism, depth, or virtual environments are key
• To demonstrate innovation or advanced technology in motion

5. Live-Action Explainer Videos

Live-action explainers use real people, real settings, and real interactions to build emotional connection. They feel authentic and are often used when trust, relatability, or brand personality needs to shine through.

In the Vymo for Salesforce explainer by Red Bangle, real salespeople act out the day-to-day challenges of managing client interactions. The tone is conversational, the scenes feel natural, and the visuals let you relate to the product in a real-world context. This format is especially effective when showcasing how people use your product, not just what it does.

Why this format works:

• Builds credibility through human faces and body language
• Creates stronger emotional engagement and storytelling depth
• Useful for testimonials, product demonstrations, and culture pieces
• Allows real-time interaction with physical environments
• Great for establishing social proof or real-life use cases

When to use it:

• When authenticity, emotion, or trust is your primary goal
• For case studies, interviews, or customer success stories
• To demonstrate a product’s human impact
• When your product involves real-world settings or services
• To align with audiences that value transparency

Our live-action workflow at Red Bangle covers everything from scripting and casting to on-site direction and post-production. Whether you need to shoot with your internal team or work with professional talent, we ensure your story feels authentic and emotionally engaging.

6. Screencast Explainers

Screencast videos focus on one thing: showing your product in action. They combine screen recordings with voiceovers, annotations, or light animation to walk users through features or workflows in real time.

The Infosys Equinox Studio explainer is a good example. It captures the user interface directly and layers it with voiceover explanations and minimal 2D animations. This combination gives viewers a clear, hands-on understanding of the platform without needing flashy visuals or metaphors.

Why this format works:

• Provides direct, no-frills product demonstrations
• Perfect for onboarding, feature updates, or training content
• Builds user confidence by showing real UI and functionality
• Easy to produce and update as the product evolves
• Supports deeper walkthroughs with contextual voiceovers

When to use it:

• For SaaS, apps, or platform-based products
• When explaining new features, dashboards, or configurations
• For support content, tutorials, or knowledge bases
• When you want viewers to follow along with their own screen
• To reduce support tickets and drive self-serve adoption

One proven workflow tip, especially for screencast and UI-driven formats, is to record a rough voiceover before beginning any visual production. This anchors the pacing and helps editors align annotations, zooms, and transitions exactly to the narration, reducing rework and keeping production timelines tight.

7. Kinetic Typography Videos

Kinetic typography videos rely on animated text, timed to voiceovers, sound effects, or music, to deliver messages with energy and rhythm. They’re often bold, fast-paced, and visually minimal, using text as the main visual element rather than characters or illustrations.

A great example is OpenEnvoy’s video, a kinetic typography explainer that showcases how OpenEnvoy’s AI-powered platform automates accounts payable. With no voiceover, the animated text walks viewers through key benefits like real-time invoice matching, error reduction, and 10x ROI, delivered with clean motion and a simple score.

Why this format works:

• Delivers messaging with precision and strong visual emphasis
• Ideal for social media, where captions and text often outperform voice
• Cost-effective while still feeling bold and dynamic
• Works well with slogans, statistics, or high-impact phrases
• Keeps the focus entirely on the message, not distractions

When to use it:

• For campaigns with strong messaging or advocacy
• When visuals aren’t necessary but clarity is critical
• For mobile-first formats like Instagram Reels or LinkedIn ads
• When time, budget, or complexity are limited
• To reinforce your brand tone or value proposition through text

8. Interactive Explainer Videos

Interactive explainer videos turn traditional one-way content into a two-way learning experience. Instead of just watching passively, viewers can choose what they want to explore, making it easier to understand complex systems or workflows at their own pace.

A great example is the SLB’s Interactive Explainer by Red Bangle. As SLB prepared to launch a digital toolkit for sales, engineering, and inventory, they needed internal teams to grasp key concepts quickly. Red Bangle created an interactive explainer with three clickable modules: “Sales Journey,” “Inventory Management,” and “Product Engineering.” Each was told through engaging, persona-driven narratives.

Instead of a linear walkthrough, the video used high-quality animation, SFX, and voiceover to make the content immersive, clear, and easy to navigate.

Why this format works:

• Helps internal teams grasp complex tools or processes faster
• Increases engagement by letting users control what they learn
• Allows messaging to be personalized by role or function
• Great for concept education where clarity and modularity matter
• Encourages exploration without overwhelming viewers

When to use it:

• For internal campaigns driving tool understanding or behavior change
• To explain complex systems across different business functions
• When multiple stakeholder groups need tailored messaging
• For large-scale transformation or digitization rollouts
• When you need to balance depth with clarity and engagement

At Red Bangle, our services include designing interactive explainers that feel like guided experiences built around real user journeys and grounded in storytelling. This ensures the content connects, educates, and drives action, even for highly technical or internal initiatives.

9. AI Explainer Videos

AI explainer videos use virtual human presenters to deliver content that feels personal, polished, and scalable. These videos work well for product walkthroughs, onboarding, or multilingual content, especially when timelines or budgets are tight.

A great example is “What is Wati” explainer, where an AI-generated presenter named Alex explains how businesses can use the WhatsApp Business API through Wati’s platform. 

The video covers key features like automatic replies, campaign broadcasts, and customer engagement tools, all delivered in a clear, conversational style. It feels like a real person is guiding you through the product without the need for a full production crew.

Why this format works:

• Speeds up production with scalable virtual presenters
• Great for multilingual or repeat-use content
• Feels more engaging than text or slides
• Easy to update without reshooting
• Works well for tech, onboarding, and internal use cases

When to use it:

• For product explainers or platform overviews
• When scaling content across regions or teams
• To deliver training, onboarding, or support
• When you want a human tone without full live-action production
• For consistent branding across global video assets

With 41% of marketers adopting AI in video production in 2024, avatar-based explainers are becoming a go-to for teams looking to scale video output quickly and affordably.

10. Hybrid Explainer Videos

Hybrid explainers blend multiple formats like live action, motion graphics, 2D animation, or screencasts into one cohesive video. This approach gives you the best of both worlds: emotional storytelling and visual clarity.

Take the Vymo for SME Banking explainer by Red Bangle. It opens with live-action storytelling that sets up a relatable business problem, then uses motion graphics to visualize how Vymo’s platform solves it. The blend keeps viewers engaged while making the product benefits easy to understand.

Why this format works:

• Combines emotional resonance with informational clarity
• Allows flexibility in pacing, tone, and storytelling style
• Appeals to different viewer preferences in a single video
• Helps distinguish between problem, context, and solution visually
• Adds polish without compromising clarity

When to use it:

• For product launches or campaign centerpieces
• When explaining both emotional and technical aspects
• When different teams or use cases need to be addressed
• To create longer, chapter-style explainer content
• For hero videos on homepages, decks, or investor pitches

Why Explainer Videos Matter (Especially in 2025)

In 2025, explainer videos have become foundational to how brands communicate. With digital attention spans shrinking and video content dominating online spaces, brands need to cut through the noise quickly and memorably. 

Here’s why explainer videos are more relevant than ever:

• Video now dominates the internet: According to Cisco, video will account for over 82% of all consumer internet traffic in 2025. That’s a staggering share and a clear signal that video-first strategies are no longer optional.
  
• Explainers boost conversion rates: When prospects understand your product quickly, they’re much more likely to take the next step. In fact, 93% of professionals say video converts as well or better than other content formats, especially when it comes to driving actions and engagement.
  
• Complexity is on the rise: As products, especially in SaaS, fintech, and AI, become more complex, explainer videos help distill abstract ideas into clear, digestible narratives.
  
• Explainer video variations meet every need: Whether you’re onboarding users (AI avatars), pitching investors (3D animation), or driving signups (motion graphics), there’s a format that fits your message, audience, and business goals.
  
• New formats are more accessible than ever: Tools for AI, 3D, and hybrid production have become more affordable and faster to use. This shift has made it easier for startups and lean teams to produce high-impact videos without large budgets.

In short, explainer videos are no longer just marketing assets. They are strategic communication tools that help brands stand out, educate their audience, and inspire action in an increasingly competitive digital world.

How to Choose the Right Explainer Video Type

Choosing the right explainer video format is not just a creative decision, it’s a strategic one. Each format serves a different purpose depending on what you want the video to achieve, who it’s for, and where it will be seen. 

As Lakshmi Rebecca, Founder at Red Bangle, explains:

“Often, clients come to us asking for an explainer video without knowing what kind they need. We help them zoom out, understand their funnel stage, and then recommend whether they need a top-of-funnel teaser, a product demo, or even just a testimonial. The format should always serve the objective.”

Here’s a practical framework to help you make an informed choice based on five key factors: your objective, funnel stage, budget, audience, and brand style.

1. Define Your Video Objective

Before jumping into animation styles or production timelines, take a moment to get clear on your goal.

Ask yourself, what do I want this video to accomplish? Are you trying to build awareness, simplify a complex feature, onboard new users, or convince decision-makers?

• For education or product storytelling, formats like 2D animation and motion graphics work best.
• For building trust and social proof, testimonial or live-action videos are more effective.
• If your goal is to localize training across regions, AI avatar videos offer speed and scale.

Once you’re clear on the objective, choosing the right format becomes much easier. 

That’s why at Red Bangle, we guide clients through early-stage decisions by helping them identify the right format, storytelling structure, and creative direction. Our pre-production process is designed to set your project up for success with the right brief and creative roadmap.

2. Match Format to Funnel Stage

Your audience’s journey matters just as much as your message. Matching the explainer video format to the marketing funnel stage helps guide viewers through the right next step.

Here’s a quick breakdown of which video formats work best at each funnel stage:

Funnel Stage	Objective	Best Video Formats
Top of Funnel (TOFU)	Grab attention and build awareness	2D Animation, Kinetic Typography, Motion Graphics, Short-form Social Videos
Middle of Funnel (MOFU)	Educate and address objections	Whiteboard Explainers, Screencasts, Testimonial Videos
Bottom of Funnel (BOFU)	Drive conversion and build confidence	Live-Action Explainers, AI Avatar Walkthroughs, Hybrid Videos (e.g. live + animation), Customer Success Stories

By aligning video type with funnel stage, you make the viewer experience more intuitive and persuasive.

Also, videos under 1 minute have the highest average engagement rate at 50%. Engagement steadily declines as video length increases, dropping to just 17% for videos over 60 minutes.

3. Budget & Production Complexity

Not all explainer videos require large production teams or expensive animation pipelines. The key is to match your available resources with the right level of complexity.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Tight budget or fast turnaround: Whiteboard, screencast, and kinetic typography formats are simple, effective, and budget-friendly.
• Mid-level budget: 2D animation, motion graphics, or testimonial-style videos offer a balance between visual quality and cost.
• High-end production: If you want cinematic polish or product realism, go for 3D animation, hybrid, or live-action formats.

Make your video format decision based on what fits your timeline and what kind of return you expect from it. During early concepting, using basic animated cues like arrows or placeholder objects can help map transitions and scenes without slowing down approvals or creative reviews.

With Red Bangle, you don’t need to juggle different vendors or manage timelines manually. Our global network of creators and cloud platform make it easy to scale production quickly and efficiently across regions, formats, and languages.

4. Target Audience & Distribution Channel

Think about who will watch your explainer video and where they’ll watch it. A technical audience watching on a desktop has different expectations than a casual viewer scrolling on Instagram.

• For mobile-first and social platforms, short and visual-heavy formats like kinetic typography, AI avatars, or 15-second animated videos are ideal. 
• For B2B decision-makers, detailed formats like motion graphics, whiteboard explainers, and testimonial interviews build more trust.
• For internal training or onboarding, screencasts and AI avatars help deliver repeatable, clear content at scale.

When your video aligns with your audience’s context and viewing habits, it lands more effectively.

5. Brand Personality & Visual Style

Finally, your explainer video should reflect your brand’s tone, identity, and design sensibility. Think of it as an extension of your website, pitch deck, or social presence.

• If your brand is playful or youth-oriented, animated videos or kinetic typography will feel right at home.
• For tech-forward or minimalist brands, clean motion graphics or 3D animation can elevate your visual identity.
• If your audience prefers straightforward, professional messaging, go with whiteboard explainers or screencasts.

No matter the format, consistency with your visual language builds recognition and trust.

Also read → Why partnering with a video production agency is a smarter move than opting in-house or DIY.

Conclusion: Picking the Perfect Explainer Video Format

By now, you’ve seen just how many different types of explainer videos exist, each with its own strengths, formats, and use cases. The best explainer video isn’t the most complex or visually stunning. It’s the one that clearly fits your message, aligns with your brand, and resonates with your audience.

Whether you’re simplifying a product, scaling internal training, or launching a campaign, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Choose a format that matches your goal and adds real clarity.

So, which format feels right for your next big story?

At Red Bangle, we bring creative thinking, production expertise, and strategic guidance to every explainer video project. If you’re looking for a partner to help you build videos that actually drive results, get in touch with our team.