Top 10 best animated video producers in the USA

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Picture of Stephen Conley
Stephen Conley
Stephen is Gisteo's Founder & Creative Director. After a long career in advertising, Stephen launched Gisteo in 2011 and the rest is history. He has an MBA in International Business from Thunderbird and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he did indeed inhale (in moderation).

Animation is a powerful medium that brings stories to life, simplifies complex ideas, and captivates audiences across various platforms. There are many notable animated video producers worldwide but, in this article, we’ll focus just on the United States.  Several animation studios here have distinguished themselves through exceptional creativity, technical expertise, and a commitment to quality.

Here’s a review of the top 10 animated video producers in the USA, with Gisteo leading the list.

1. Gisteo

Location: South Florida, USA

Overview: Gisteo specializes in creating concise and engaging animated explainer videos that effectively communicate complex ideas. With a focus on storytelling, Gisteo has produced over 3,000 videos, helping businesses connect with their audiences through clear and compelling narratives.

The name “Gisteo” combines “gist” and “video,” reflecting their mission to distill the essence of a message into concise and engaging video content.

Unlike many studios that focus solely on design or animation, Gisteo emphasizes a marketing-first approach. The team blends deep marketing expertise with top-notch scriptwriting and production capabilities, ensuring each video not only looks appealing but also serves strategic business objectives.

A Sample of Client Testimonials:

  • Julie Crow, Director of Marketing at Kemper Sports Management, praised Gisteo for their streamlined process and ability to capture the desired story and animation style quickly.
  • Shannon Prentice, Marketing Manager at the National Military Family Association, highlighted Gisteo’s capacity to produce beautiful, easy-to-understand videos with minimal involvement from their organization, making the process seamless

Services:

Notable Clients: Startups to global brands across various industries, including Pfizer, KPMG, Harvard, SAP and many more.

Why Choose Gisteo?

Their unique approach combines storytelling with animation, ensuring each video resonates with the target audience. Gisteo’s lean production process delivers high-quality content efficiently and affordably.

In addition, Gisteo serves a wide-range of clients and budgets, offering Express Explainers and AI-driven videos (included in Express) that leverage cutting edge tools combined with human expertise to offer videos at a lower cost, along with fully customized productions.

The company also offered a unique “all you can eat” unlimited subscription plan to help companies save more while producing a high-volume of ongoing work.

Check out the Gisteo intro video here to learn more:


2. Demo Duck

Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Overview: Demo Duck creates videos that humanize brands, making complex ideas easy to understand. They produce both animated and live-action videos tailored to the unique needs of each client.

Services:

  • Explainer Videos
  • Brand Videos
  • Commercials

Notable Clients: Netflix, GEICO, Canon

Why Choose Demo Duck?

Their collaborative approach ensures that each video aligns with the client’s vision and effectively engages the intended audience.


3. Explainify

Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA

Overview: Explainify focuses on creating concise and impactful animated explainer videos. They distill complex concepts into clear and engaging narratives, helping businesses convey their messages effectively.

Services:

  • Explainer Videos
  • Product Videos
  • Brand Videos

Notable Clients: Tyson, Dell, NBCUniversal

Why Choose Explainify?

Their expertise in simplifying complex ideas makes them an ideal partner for businesses looking to educate and inform their audiences.


4. Epipheo

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Overview: Epipheo combines “epiphany” and “video” to create content that brings clarity to complex subjects. They believe in the power of storytelling to inspire and educate viewers.

Services:

  • Explainer Videos
  • Brand Videos
  • Animated Series

Notable Clients: Google, Facebook, P&G

Why Choose Epipheo?

Their focus on creating moments of insight helps audiences connect deeply with the content, making it memorable and impactful.


5. TruScribe

Location: Fitchburg, Wisconsin USA

Overview: With 15+ years of success TruScribe delivers whiteboard animation videos that maximize engagement and simplify complex ideas. Trusted by over 1,000 B2B and B2C companies. They offer a money-back guarantee if you don’t receive at least a 200% return on your project.

Services:

  • Whiteboard Animated Explainer Videos
  • Explainer Videos
  • Scriptwriting

Notable Clients: Fidelity, Microsoft, Dell, NASA, Walmart

Why Choose TruScribe?

Their approach to whiteboard animated videos & storytelling is based on neuroscience. “Scribology” is their application of research that guides how they develop attention-grabbing and engaging videos. Click Here To Get a Free Video Project Consultation From TruScribe.


6. Grumo Media

Location: Seattle, Washington, USA

Overview: Grumo Media is known for creating fun and engaging explainer videos that capture attention. They focus on storytelling with personality, making content that is both informative and entertaining.

Services:

  • Explainer Videos
  • Product Demos
  • Startup Videos

Notable Clients: Microsoft, Walmart, Fidelity

Why Choose Grumo Media?

Like Gisteo, their ability to infuse humor and character into videos makes complex topics more relatable and easier to understand.


7. Firestarter Videos

Location: California, USA

Overview: Firestarter Videos specializes in creating affordable animated explainer videos for businesses of all sizes. They offer various animation styles to meet diverse client needs.

Services:

  • Whiteboard Animation
  • 2D Animation
  • Motion Graphics

Notable Clients: MasterCard, UNICEF, Cisco

Why Choose Firestarter Videos?

Similar to Gisteo, their commitment to affordability without compromising quality makes them an excellent choice for startups and small businesses.


8. Anideos

Location: New York, USA

Overview: Anideos is a versatile animation studio specializing in 2D and 3D animations, motion graphics, and explainer videos. They are known for delivering creative and customized solutions that cater to the unique needs of each client.

Services:

  • 2D Animation
  • 3D Animation
  • Motion Graphics

Notable Clients: Stanford University, Roche, the United Nations, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Why Choose Anideos?
Anideos stands out for its innovative approach and proficient knowledge in animation, ensuring that each project is tailored to the client’s objectives and resonates with the target audience.

9. Sparkhouse

Location: Irvine, California, USA

Overview: Sparkhouse is a creative agency specializing in video production, including animated explainer videos. They focus on delivering high-quality content that aligns with their clients’ branding and marketing goals.

Services:

  • Animated Explainer Videos
  • Product Videos
  • Commercials

Notable Clients: Honda, Toshiba, Jacuzzi

Why Choose Sparkhouse?

Their emphasis on creativity and brand alignment ensures that each video not only informs but also enhances the client’s brand image.


10. Thinkmojo

Location: San Francisco, California, USA

Overview: Thinkmojo specializes in creating customer experience videos, including animated explainers that help businesses communicate complex ideas simply and effectively.

Services:

  • Explainer Videos
  • Product Demos
  • Onboarding Videos

Notable Clients: Google, Slack, Zenefits

Why Choose Thinkmojo? Their expertise in customer experience ensures that videos are not only informative but also engaging, enhancing user understanding and satisfaction.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. What services do these top animation companies offer?

Every company is different, but these studios typically provide a range of services, including:

  • 2D and 3D Animation: Crafting engaging animations to convey messages effectively.
  • Motion Graphics: Creating dynamic visuals to enhance storytelling.
  • Explainer Videos: Simplifying complex ideas into digestible content.
  • Corporate Videos: Producing professional content aligned with brand identity.
  • Product Demos: Showcasing products or services in an engaging manner.

2. This list of the top 10 best animated video producers in the USA is great but I need to know more. How do I go about choosing the right animation studio for my project?

Consider the following factors:

  • Portfolio: Review their previous work to ensure their style aligns with your vision.
  • Clientele: Look for experience with clients similar to your industry.
  • Services Offered: Ensure they provide the specific services you require.
  • Communication: Assess their responsiveness and willingness to collaborate.
  • Budget: Confirm their pricing aligns with your budget constraints.

3. What industries do these animation companies typically serve?

These companies cater to a diverse range of industries. Some of the most common are:

  • Technology and SaaS
  • Healthcare and Medical
  • Education and E-learning
  • Finance and Banking
  • Retail and E-commerce
  • Entertainment and Media

4. How long does it take to produce an animated video?

The production timeline varies based on the project’s complexity and length. Generally, it can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks from concept development to final delivery. Gisteo’s custom project normally take 4-5 weeks to complete.

5. What is the typical cost of producing an animated video?

Costs can vary widely depending on factors like video length, complexity, and studio reputation. It’s advisable to request detailed quotes from multiple studios to compare. Gisteo provides transparent pricing so there’s less guesswork.

6. Do these companies offer scriptwriting and concept development?

Yes, most top-tier animation studios provide comprehensive services, including scriptwriting, storyboarding, and concept development, to ensure the final product aligns with your vision.

7. Can these studios handle large-scale projects or series?

Many of these best animated video producers have the capacity and experience to manage large-scale projects, including series or multiple video campaigns, offering consistency and quality across all content.

8. How do these companies ensure the video aligns with our brand?

Reputable studios prioritize understanding your brand’s identity, values, and target audience. The best animated video producers conduct thorough research and maintain open communication throughout the project to ensure brand alignment.

9. What formats and resolutions do these companies deliver the final videos in?

Most studios deliver videos in various formats (e.g., MP4, MOV) and resolutions (e.g., 1080p, 4K) based on your distribution needs, whether for web, broadcast, or social media platforms.

10. Do these companies offer revisions during the production process?

Yes, most studios include a set number of revisions at different stages of production to ensure client satisfaction. It’s important to discuss revision policies upfront to understand the scope and any potential additional costs. Gisteo, for examples, offers unlimited revisions within each stage of a project.

By considering these aspects, you can make an informed decision when selecting the right animation studio for your project, ensuring it meets your objectives and resonates with your target audience.

Conclusion

The United States is home to numerous exceptional animation studios, each bringing unique strengths to the table. Leading this list is Gisteo, renowned for its storytelling chops and efficient production process, but there are a number of great options in this country.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this review of the top 10 best animated video producers in the USA. Whether you’re a startup or an established brand, these studios offer a range of services to meet your animated video production needs.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’d like to discuss video animation services or schedule a free consultation.

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