Top Explainer Video Styles and How to Choose the Right One

When it comes to explainer videos, the message matters. But so does the style. The right animation style can make your message more engaging, help it stick in your viewer’s mind, and align with your brand’s tone and audience.

So how do you choose the right one?

In this guide, we’ll break down the most popular explainer video styles, the pros and cons of each, and how to decide which one works best for your project.

Why Style Matters in Explainer Videos

Style shapes how your message feels. A playful character animation might work great for a consumer-facing product but feel off-brand for a fintech startup. A clean, minimal motion graphic might make complex topics feel simple—or fall flat without the right tone.

Choosing the right style helps:

• Reinforce your brand identity

• Connect with the right audience

• Increase viewer engagement

• Make complex topics easier to follow

Popular Explainer Video Styles

1. Whiteboard Animation

This classic style mimics someone drawing on a whiteboard in real time.

Best for:

• Education and training

• Step-by-step tutorials

• Budget-conscious projects

Pros:

• Easy to follow

• Familiar format

• Budget-friendly

Cons:

• Can feel dated if not done well

• Limited visual variety

2. Motion Graphics

Crisp, clean animations that use icons, shapes, and text to explain ideas.

Best for:

• SaaS, tech, or B2B companies

• Data-driven topics

• Product overviews

Pros:

• Professional and modern

• Great for explaining abstract concepts

• Scales well across formats

Cons:

• Less emotional connection than character-based styles

3. Character Animation

Uses animated characters to tell a story, often with a narrator or dialogue.

Best for:

• Storytelling and emotion

• Consumer products and services

• Recruitment or internal culture videos

Pros:

• Builds emotional connection

• Personable and engaging

• Great for visual metaphors

Cons:

• More time-intensive and higher cost

• Needs strong script and voice acting to work well

4. Minimalist Icon-Based Animation

Simple shapes, icons, and text create a fast-paced, modern look.

Best for:

• Short videos and social ads

• Startups and small businesses

• Quick explainers with simple messages

Pros:

• Quick to produce

• Versatile and mobile-friendly

• Easy to localize

Cons:

• Can feel generic without strong design

5. Live Action + Animation Hybrid

Combines real video footage with animated overlays, text, or diagrams.

Best for:

• Product demos or testimonials

• Medical and industrial videos

• Showing real people or physical locations

Pros:

• Adds authenticity

• Great for explainer-meets-case study content

Cons:

• Requires filming or stock footage

• More complex to edit and sync

How to Choose the Right Style for Your Video

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Who is your audience?
   Professional? Casual? Visual learners? Technical decision-makers?

2. What’s your tone?
   Serious, fun, inspirational, helpful?

3. What are you explaining?
   Processes, products, emotions, or data?

4. What’s your budget and timeline?
   Some styles are faster or more affordable to produce.

5. Where will the video live?
   Homepage, social media, email, onboarding?

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But choosing the right explainer video style can make your message more effective, more enjoyable to watch, and more aligned with your brand.

Still not sure what fits best? We can help you pick the right style and bring your story to life.