Animation is becoming widely popular with each passing day. Animation is crucial for any business milestone, whether it is a new product launch, a new brand story, or a new service. Its importance cannot be stressed enough in marketing and media strategy. Regardless of the situation, one question comes first in most scenarios:
How much does animation actually cost?
For every business, the approach is different, so replying to the question that we outlined in the piece is purely subjective. Additionally, I’m confident that the answer to this one will vary from person to person, as it does rely on some key individual factors.
Based on the content to be created, its complexity, the workforce to be utilized, firmness in the deadline, and a range of unique elements, the animation will vary in price.
How Much Does 2D Animation Cost Per Minute?
In 2025, the estimated cost for 2D animation services still lies between $2,000 and $25,000 per minute.
- For a simple bisection, a two-dimensional motion animation video with static imagery of characters would run you between $2,000 and $4,000.
- An elaborately designed marketing video with a narrated voice, complex visuals. Marketing smooth transitions would run you between eight to fifteen thousand dollars.
- Anything in between fifteen thousand and twenty-five thousand with no ceiling is for TV promos or historically referred to as artistic production. This also goes for music videos and entails cinematic detail.
There’s no dispute that the cost of a 2D animated piece varies from artist to artist. Similarly, when it comes to 3d video animation services, pricing can fluctuate depending on multiple factors.
The quote for 3d video animation services may differ based on the provider’s reputation, the complexity of the project, and the number of revisions required. High-quality 3d animation services often involve detailed pre-production planning, which can influence the final cost.
In this case, it is of utmost value to set a well-defined baseline in creative freedom in order to avoid unnecessary problems down the road.
Frame-by-Frame 2D Animation Cost
As with any other service, frame-by-frame animation increases the workload and cost.
Each frame is drawn manually. There are endless drawings that make up a video. Even in a brief video, it will be thousands, and going through a longer video will be in the range of tens of thousands; thus, it is of utmost value to provide rigid baseline guidelines to avoid issues later on.
Here’s a breakdown:
- Freelance/indie animator: $5,000–$8,000 per minute
- Mid-tier studio: $10,000–$20,000
- Premium or hand-drawn sequences: $25,000–$35,000+
Lastly, moving on to the last section, if you want to provide a personal touch, the animation will be sector-specific and will permit some degree of individuality, for the price, and you will get spectacular results.
Pricing Based on Studio Size and Reputation
The 2D animation cost structure changes significantly based on who’s producing it.
Freelancers
Solo animators are usually the most budget-friendly. Rates vary depending on their portfolio and experience.
- Beginners: $1,000–$3,000/min
- Mid-level: $3,000–$6,000/min
- Top-tier freelancers: $7,000+/min
They’re great for aiding new businesses and center on smaller projects, though there is usually an added burden of project management, iterative changes, and creative oversight on the client.
Small Studios
Animation studios with a 5-10 person crew strike the right balance for cost and quality. The industry standard for most complex motion animation currently lies between five and fifteen thousand dollars, entailing a minute of video.
Simplifying the customer experience, they stick with a singular studio and provide voice, script, and animation, in turn making the process seamless.
Large Studios
With large studios such as Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, or Netflix, their budgets are much larger, and they will spend a minimum of $50,000 per minute, and easily cross $500,000 for theatrical productions.
For hiring directly, as opposed to studio outsourcing, here is a 2025 forecast:
Cost Differences by Animation Usage
The purpose of your animation also shapes the budget.
- Internal Training Videos: Often more straightforward, these can be produced at lower costs. Around $2,000–$6,000 per minute, depending on content.
- Marketing and Explainer Videos: Fall between $5,000 and $15,000. They include a voiceover, branded visuals, and a story.
- Broadcast Commercials: For this, the high-end polish, detailed visuals, and licensing required, as well as quick turnaround, incur a fee of $15,000–$30,000 per minute, or more.
- Music Videos or Artistic Films: Priced based on artistic direction, detail, and custom sound. Often $10,000–$25,000+.
Yes, knowing the purpose of your video helps the studio suggest the best animation technique to use. That way, you do not spend money on polish you do not need, or under-invest where quality is critical.
What Impacts Animation Pricing the Most?
Every project is different. But across the board, these seven factors influence the cost per minute of animation:
1. Complexity
This one’s non-negotiable. More details mean more hours.
A basic explainer with static backgrounds is a different ballgame from an action-heavy sequence with lighting effects, particles, and scene changes.
2. Art Style
Flat vector? Easier. Watercolor textures or realism? More work.
Stylized, clean-line illustrations cost less. If you’re going for a painterly or cinematic style, be prepared to pay more due to rendering time and artistic effort.
3. Animator or Studio Experience
A fresh grad and a veteran won’t charge the same. High-end studios come with higher rates, but also reliability and polish. Freelancers in emerging markets may offer more affordable rates for similar output if you’re flexible on timelines.
4. Location
A studio in New York will quote more than one in Manila. This doesn’t mean quality is tied to geography—but cost often is.
5. Revisions
Expect a few revision rounds. But keep in mind, each one adds to the final bill. Unlimited revisions aren’t industry standard—so clarify that upfront.
6. Length
The longer your video, the lower the cost per minute can be. Studios often offer volume discounts for longer animations.
7. Usage Rights
A commercial, public-facing ad will cost more than a private internal training video. Licensing matters.
Guide to Animation Costs
To have a complete understanding, it is useful to know all the parts and the estimated cost for your animation. This will help see where all the money is going.
Script Writing Cost
Clear scripts save time and money in production.
- Simple scriptwriting: $100–$500
- Professional scripting with voiceover direction: $700–$2,000+
Storyboard Creation Cost
This step maps out your video scene-by-scene.
- Basic storyboard: $200–$500
- Detailed, colored frames: $500–$1,200
- Full storyboard production costs for multi-minute projects: $2,000+
Design and Illustration
Character design: $300–$1,000 per character
Backgrounds: $300–$1,000 each
Visual assets (UI, props, graphics): $100–$500 per piece
Animation
- Basic motion graphics: $1,000–$3,000 per minute
- Character-driven animation: $4,000–$15,000 per minute
- Premium or frame-by-frame 2D animation cost: $15,000–$30,000 per minute
Voiceover
- Standard voiceover: $200–$800
- Union voice talent: $1,000+
- Multiple languages or accents: extra fees apply
Sound Design & Music
- Stock music: $50–$200
- Custom composition: $500–$3,000
- Full audio mixing/mastering: $300–$1,000
Project Management Costs
This covers coordination, timelines, and creative oversight.
- Smaller projects: $500–$1,000
- Mid-to-large scale: $2,000+ depending on complexity
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a 2D Animator?
Somewhere in the range of thirty to one hundred dollars per hour, a freelancer will commonly bind themselves to a project-based system. This range is dependent on the freelancer’s skill set and previous work.
- Entry-level: $45,000–$60,000/year
- Mid-level: $65,000–$90,000/year
- Senior animator or director: $100,000–$150,000+
Freelancers typically work with a project-based system. This can range between $30 and $100 per hour based on a freelancer’s portfolio, skill set, and location.
Real-World Examples of 2D Animation Cost
To help make it real, here are some example scenarios:
Startup explainer video
– 90 seconds, vector style
– Basic transitions, voiceover, sound design
– Budget: $3,000–$6,000
Educational series for YouTube
– 10 episodes, 3 mins each
– Light character animation, recurring assets
– Budget: $20,000–$40,000
TV-ready ad or trailer
– 1 minute, high frame-rate
– Frame-by-frame, lighting effects, full polish
– Budget: $25,000–$60,000
How to Calculate the Cost of Your Animation
You can estimate your budget more accurately by asking:
- What’s the video length?
- What art style fits your brand?
- Will characters, backgrounds, and VFX be needed?
- Is there a voiceover or custom music?
- How many revision rounds do you require?
- Who is producing it? Freelancer, small studio, or large agency?
These are your unique, tailored goals for how to calculate your animation’s cost.
Estimated Cost for Your Animation: Quick Breakdown
Here’s a snapshot estimate of 2D animated videos cost:
| Project Type | Low-End Estimate | High-End Estimate |
| Explainer Video | $2,000 | $8,000 |
| Animated Ad Spot | $5,000 | $20,000 |
| Music Video | $10,000 | $25,000+ |
| Training Video | $3,000 | $12,000 |
| TV Commercial (Hand-Drawn) | $20,000 | $60,000+ |
Cost Per Minute for 2D Animation by Studio Size
- Freelancers: $1,000–$5,000/min
- Small Studios: $5,000–$15,000/min
- Mid-Tier Studios: $10,000–$30,000/min
- Major Studios: $50,000–$500,000+/min
Final Words
Animation is flexible. While you do get the opportunity to be creative, the chances of unpleasant surprises occurring greatly diminish when you have a strict timeline, budget, project outline, and expectations to work with.
Prolific Studio, one of the best animation studios in Baton Rouge, assists you in staying within the budget you’re comfortable with by helping you outline a general idea to a final render’s concept. For every budget you could have, animations are always engaging and functional.
Want a custom quote or have a concept in mind?
Let’s talk. We’ll help you build it without the guesswork.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of making an animation for a commercial?
A standard commercial animation starts around $5,000, but the cost increases with a complex art direction, expensive voiceovers, and over $20,000 descriptions.
How do I calculate the cost of my animation?
Start with video length, desired style, and needed services (script, storyboard, voice, music). Factor in revision cycles and production studio type.
What is the cost to hire a 2D animator?
Freelancers charge $30–$100/hour. Full-time employees range from $45,000–$130,000/year with differing skill levels and locations.
What’s the difference between motion graphics and frame-by-frame animation in cost?
Pricing for the two categories also differs. Motion graphics are cheaper, around $1,000–$5,000/min, while frame-by-frame 2D animation costs can exceed $20,000/min due to its labor-intensive nature.
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