Typical prices by option
| Option | Typical cost per finished minute | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Animation studio | ~$1,000–$5,000+ | 2–6 weeks |
| Freelancer | ~$200–$1,500 | 1–3 weeks |
| DIY software | Subscription + hours of your time | Hours to days |
| AI (Sketchvo) | Under $1 on paid plans; free to start | Minutes |
Ranges are indicative and vary widely by region, style and quality.
What drives the price
- Custom illustration — the biggest cost in human-made videos.
- Script writing — often billed separately.
- Voiceover talent — per project or per minute.
- Revisions — each round adds time.
- Length — most pricing is per minute.
When paying more is worth it
A flagship brand film, a TV spot or a video that must match a detailed illustration style justifies a studio. For training, lessons, social content and everyday explainers — where volume and speed matter — AI is usually the better use of budget.
Sketchvo pricing
One credit makes one minute of finished video. Paid plans start at $19.99 a month. The free plan includes one AI-made video and five free Studio videos every day.
A sample studio quote, explained
A typical studio quote for a 90-second whiteboard explainer breaks down roughly like this:
| Line item | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Discovery and script | Calls, research, two or three script drafts |
| Storyboard | Sketches of every scene for approval |
| Illustration | Custom drawings in your style |
| Animation | Drawing-on timing, transitions |
| Voiceover | Professional voice talent, studio recording |
| Music and sound | Licensed track, sound effects |
| Revisions | Usually two rounds included |
Every line is skilled human time, which is why studio prices commonly land in the thousands.
Hidden costs to watch for
- Extra revision rounds beyond the included number.
- Rush fees for short deadlines.
- Additional languages, each re-voiced and re-timed.
- Different formats (vertical cuts) charged separately.
- Updates months later, often quoted as a new project.
Cost of DIY software, honestly
Whiteboard software subscriptions are inexpensive, but the real cost is time. Building a polished two-minute video by hand can take several hours — scripting, finding images, placing and timing each one, recording a voice. If your time is worth $40 an hour, a "cheap" video can cost $150–$300 in effort.
Cost per video on Sketchvo
| Video | Credits | Approx. cost on a paid plan |
|---|---|---|
| 30-second social clip | 1 | Under $1 |
| 90-second explainer | 2 | Under $2 |
| 5-minute lesson | 5 | Around $4 |
| 10-minute YouTube video | 10 | Around $8 |
Exact cost depends on your plan; larger plans lower the price per minute.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 60-second whiteboard video cost?
From under $1 with AI to several thousand dollars from a studio.
Why are studios expensive?
Custom illustration, animation, voice talent and revisions are all skilled labour.
Is AI whiteboard animation good enough?
For explainers, training and lessons, usually yes; for custom brand art direction, a studio still wins.
Is there a free option?
Yes, Sketchvo's free plan.
How is Sketchvo priced?
Credits: one credit is one minute of video; plans from $19.99/month.
Why is a studio so much more expensive?
Studios pay writers, illustrators, animators and voice artists for every project; AI automates most of that work.
Is a 10-minute video ten times the price?
On Sketchvo, roughly yes — one credit per minute. With studios, longer videos often cost proportionally more too.