Introduction
Right now, thousands of business owners are flushing marketing dollars down the drain on animated explainer videos that look pretty but convert like garbage. Why? Because they never bothered to understand which animated explainer video styles actually work for their specific situation.
This isn’t about artistic preferences or what your nephew who “knows design” thinks looks cool. This is about what gets prospects to take out their credit cards and buy from you. Period.
At Gisteo, we’ve been creating diverse styles of animated explainer videos since 2011…so we know a thing or two about this topic. Let’s take a closer look in this quick guide to help you choose the best style for your next production.
The Hard Truth About Animated Explainer Video Styles Comparison
Let me be blunt: Most companies approach the animated explainer video styles comparison backward. They start with whatever style their competitor is using or whatever their creative team finds “inspiring” that week.
Wrong approach.
The smart money — the people who are banking serious profits — start with the end goal and work backward. They select animated explainer video styles based on their specific audience, selling proposition, and conversion goals.
So let’s cut through the fluff and examine the actual ROI potential of the main animated explainer video styles comparison options on the table:
2D Motion Graphics: The Reliable Workhorse
In any honest animated explainer video styles comparison, 2D motion graphics consistently deliver the best bang for your buck. Why? Because they strike the perfect balance between production cost and audience comprehension.
These videos use flat vector graphics, simple character animations, and clean transitions to explain concepts without unnecessary distractions. When your prospect understands your offer clearly and quickly, they’re more likely to buy. Simple as that.
Who should use it: SaaS companies, financial services, healthcare — basically anyone whose product or service requires clear explanation of abstract concepts.
Conversion strength: High. The clarity translates to better comprehension, which means more sales.
Here’s a recent Gisteo motion graphics production for StaffBot Flex, a staffing platform:
3D Animation: The Premium Route
On the higher end of any animated explainer video styles comparison sits 3D animation. It’s more expensive, takes longer to produce, but delivers a perceived value that can justify premium pricing.
The dimensional depth and realism create a more immersive experience that can be particularly effective for physical products or complex systems that benefit from showing spatial relationships.
Who should use it: Manufacturing companies, medical device makers, automotive businesses, and luxury brands where premium perception matters.
Conversion strength: Medium to high, but only when the higher production cost is justified by higher product margins.
Here’s a 3D production with did for WAX to explain their unique NFTs:
Whiteboard Animation: The Teaching Tool
In our animated explainer video styles comparison, whiteboard animation deserves special mention. It mimics the experience of someone illustrating concepts on a whiteboard in real-time.
The psychology behind this style is powerful — studies show that watching the drawing process unfold makes information up to 15% more memorable compared to other animated explainer video styles.
Who should use it: Educational products, complex services, consultation businesses.
Conversion strength: Very high for information-dense offerings that require audience comprehension before purchase.
Check out a recent Gisteo whiteboard production here for an educational organization:
Character Animation: The Relationship Builder
When conducting an animated explainer video styles comparison for businesses that need to build trust and likability quickly, character animation often comes out on top.
By creating relatable scenarios with characters that represent your ideal customer, you can build emotional connections that other animated explainer video styles simply can’t match.
Who should use it: B2C companies, brands with a personality-driven approach, products that solve emotional pain points.
Conversion strength: High for purchases driven by emotional rather than logical decision-making.
Here’s fun, character-driven video we produced for a pest-control company:
Kinetic Typography: The High-Impact Message Amplifier
Here’s where most animated explainer video styles comparison discussions miss a critical opportunity: kinetic typography (also called motion typography) focuses on making text itself the star of the show.
This isn’t just words sliding across the screen. We’re talking about text that transforms, reacts, and creates visual metaphors that reinforce your message. When your text literally “explodes” as you talk about breakthrough results or “flows” as you describe seamless processes, the psychological impact is undeniable.
This style strips away everything but the essential message, making it perfect for businesses with a straightforward value proposition that can be communicated through powerful statements and dynamic visual emphasis.
Who should use it: Tech companies with disruptive innovations, consulting firms that need to demonstrate transformation, startups with simple concepts, established brands launching new products, any business where the message itself is the primary selling point.
Conversion strength: Very high for audiences that respond to bold, confident messaging and can handle fast-paced information delivery. Medium to high when paired with powerful copywriting and clear calls to action.
Here’s a kinetic typography video Gisteo produced for an ecommerce solution:
The Multi-Style Approach: For Those Who Refuse to Choose
Here’s something most animated explainer video styles comparison articles won’t tell you: sometimes the most effective approach is mixing styles strategically.
The businesses seeing the highest conversion rates often use a primary style for most of their video, then strategically incorporate elements from other styles at key moments in the sales message.
This Gisteo “Mixed Media” production for ModernLoop leverages live-action clips with motion graphics:
How to Actually Choose From These Animated Explainer Video Styles
Now that you understand the options, here’s my no-nonsense framework for making your decision:
- Identify your primary conversion obstacle: Is it lack of trust? Confusion about your offer? Price justification? Choose the style that addresses this obstacle head-on.
- Consider your price point: Higher-ticket items can justify more premium animated explainer video styles like 3D or live-action productions with actors.
- Know your audience’s sophistication level: More sophisticated audiences need less hand-holding and respond better to data-driven approaches.
- Test, measure, and adjust: The most successful marketers treat their animated explainer video styles comparison as an ongoing experiment, not a one-time decision.
The Animated Explainer Video Styles Comparison Question Nobody Asks (But Should)
Here’s what separates the marketing amateurs from the pros who actually make money: How will you integrate your video into your overall sales process?
Even the perfect animated explainer video style will fail if it’s not strategically deployed within a comprehensive sales system.
The winners use their videos as direct response tools, not brand-building exercises. They include clear calls to action, create urgency, and drive specific next steps in the buying process.
FAQs: What Business Owners Actually Want to Know About Animated Explainer Video Styles Comparison
Q: Which animated explainer video style converts best for B2B vs. B2C?
A: Stop thinking about B2B vs. B2C. Start thinking about purchase complexity. Simple purchases (under $500, low risk) work great with character animation or motion graphics. Complex purchases (high ticket, multiple decision makers) may need whiteboard animation or detailed 3D visualization. The animated explainer video styles comparison that matters is the one between “easy to understand” and “convincing enough to justify the price.”
Q: How long should my animated explainer video be regardless of style?
A: Every animated explainer video styles comparison study shows the same thing: 60-90 seconds is the sweet spot for most businesses. But here’s the real rule: Make it as long as necessary to get the sale, and not one second longer. If you can sell your $10,000 service in 45 seconds, do it. If your $50 product needs 2 minutes of explanation, take it.
Q: Should I match my competitor’s animated explainer video style?
A: Absolutely not. When you conduct an animated explainer video styles comparison based on what your competitors are doing, you’re guaranteed to blend in with the crowd. Instead, analyze what they’re NOT doing and dominate that space. If everyone in your industry uses boring corporate 2D animation, consider dynamic character animation. If they’re all using cutesy characters, go with sophisticated motion typography.
Q: Can I change my animated explainer video style later if it’s not working?
A: Yes, but it’s expensive and time-consuming. This is why most profitable businesses conduct a thorough animated explainer video styles comparison before production begins, not after.
Q: Do I need different animated explainer video styles for different marketing channels?
A: Smart question. The answer depends on your animated explainer video styles comparison goals. A whiteboard animation might work perfectly for your sales page but bomb on social media. Character animation might engage Facebook audiences but seem unprofessional in LinkedIn ads. Plan your distribution strategy before choosing your style, not after.
Q: What’s the biggest mistake businesses make when choosing animated explainer video styles?
A: They choose based on personal preference instead of customer psychology. I’ve seen CEOs kill profitable campaigns because they personally didn’t like the animation style — even though it was driving more sales than anything else they’d tried. Your animated explainer video styles comparison should be based on data, test results, and customer feedback, not on what looks “cool” to you or your team.
The Bottom Line on Animated Explainer Video Styles
At the end of the day, your animated explainer video styles comparison should focus on one thing only: which style will most effectively convert your specific prospects into buyers?
Everything else is just creative fluff that doesn’t deserve your attention.
Remember: The best style isn’t the trendiest or the one that wins design awards. It’s the one that rings your cash register the most consistently.
Now stop overthinking your animated explainer video styles comparison and start implementing based on sales psychology instead of artistic preferences. Your bank account will thank you.
If you have a animated explainer video project to discuss, don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation now.
