Setting animation budget: here's how to make every dollar effective

Here's how to determine your animation budget in 5 steps

1. Define your goal and KPIs - awareness, explanation, conversion or training.
2. Choose the format - 2D animation, 3D animation, explainer animation, corporate animation or technical animation. Have animation made: options and budget choices.
3. Determine the length - often 30, 45 or 60 seconds for core messages.
4. Inventory assets - corporate identity, icons, CAD models, existing footage or VO talent.
5. Schedule lead time - normal schedule or expedited delivery with priority.

Key price factors and what they do to your budget

The factors below combine to determine the cost of an animation. Use them to make choices that fit your goal and budget.

Length (seconds)

• Impact on cost: Longer is more design and animation time
• Driving variables: Focus script, aim for 45-60 sec, additional info to landing page

Style and technique

• Impact on cost: 3D animation: impact on budget - usually pricier than 2D
• Steering variables: 2D animation and budget for speed and price; 3D for product or technical details

Detail and complexity

• Effect on cost: More characters, scenes and transitions increase hours
• Control variables: Limit scenes, reuse assets and movements

Concept and script

• Impact on costs: Creation and copywriting add up
• Control variables: Provide raw input or have full creation provided

Voice-over

• Impact on costs: Speaker's rate + recording costs
• Steering variables: Choose appropriate voice and language, consider AI VO for internal video

Music and sound design

• Effect on cost: Stock is advantageous, custom audio more expensive
• Steering variables: Stock track with light edit is often sufficient

Language versions and subtitles

• Impact on costs: Additional versions increase editing and VO costs
• Steering variables: Plan multilingualism in advance, work with subtitles whenever possible

Lead time

• Impact on costs: Rush costs additional effort and planning
• Steering variables: Realistic planning with set feedback times

Rights and use

• Impact on costs: Hours for licenses and deliverables.
• Steering variables: Define channels, region and duration in advance

Review rounds

• Impact on costs: More rounds means more hours
• Steering variables: Work with clear feedback by phase

Assets and illustrations

• Impact on cost: Custom styles cost more than stock
• Steering variables: Reuse corporate identity and icons for consistency and price

Aftercare and formats

• Impact on costs: Additional exports and cut versions count
• Control variables: Define social cutdowns at the start

Type of providers and impact on price, speed and security

The choice of provider affects not only price, but also lead time, creation power and security of supply.

Freelancer

• Pluses: Competitively priced, flexible
• Considerations: Limited capacity, dependent on 1 person

Small studio

• Plus points: Good value for money, short lines of communication
• Concerns: Capacity limited at peak load

Larger studio

• Strengths: Complete skillset, strong project assurance
• Concerns: Higher entry-level budget

Advertising agency/reseller

• Plus Points: Strategic guidance, campaign linkage
• Issues: Storage at production cost

Foreign

• Plus points: Lower hourly rate
• Issues to consider: Time zone, language and quality assurance

Indicative price ranges for 2D and 3D

At Animation Agency , most projects are between €2,000 and €9,000, depending on style, length and requirements. The bandwidths below will help you quickly estimate where you end up.

2D animation

• 30 seconds: €2,000 - €3,500
• 60 seconds: €3,500 - €6,000

3D animation

• 30 seconds: €4,000 - €7,000
• 60 seconds: €6,000 - €9,000

Note that additional languages, custom sound design, highly detailed scenes or a tight deadline can increase the budget. Smart planning and reuse of assets reduce the price.

Using budget smartly: 7 practical saving tips

• Focus on 1 core message - anything that distracts costs time and budget.
• Provide actionable input - raw text, sketches, icons and sample videos save draft hours.
• Reuse style and elements - build a library that you redeploy later.
• Choose 2D whenever possible - 3D is perfect for product details, but not always necessary.
• Schedule feedback - bundle comments by stage, work with 2-3 clear rounds.
• Provide multilingualism in advance - that way you avoid duplicate montages and re-renders.
• Create social cutdowns with it - more economical than separate edits afterwards.

Planning and collaboration with Animation Agency

We combine strategic insight with an efficient, visual workflow. Method and cost breakdown shows how phases and choices (script, style, length, revisions) drive your budget. Digital collaboration tools provide you with a central review environment with clear milestones: briefing, script, storyboard, style frames, animatic and final. You provide compact feedback for each phase; we guarantee quality and speed. This is how we keep the project manageable, within budget and with short lines of communication. Our 100 percent satisfaction guarantee means that we are not finished until you are.

We work for high-tech, healthcare, finance and retail. Check out our portfolio/cases for budget orientation. Think of explanation animations, corporate animations and technical animations in which we make complex information clear and visual. Wondering what this means for your organization? Request our price list or schedule a no-obligation call.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to have an animation made?

Most business animations fall between €2,000 and €9,000. 2D animation is usually more economical than 3D. Length, complexity, voice-over, music and language versions are the biggest price drivers. A sharp 45-60 second script and reuse of assets will keep your budget efficient.

How expensive is an animator?

Instead of separate hourly rates, we usually work with a fixed project price, including concept, design, animation and project management. For experienced animators, effectively count on €65-€120 per hour in the market, but your total investment depends mainly on scope and planning.

How much does a logo animation cost?

A simple logo reveal in 2D often starts around €500-€1,500. For custom 3D versions with sound design and multiple formats, you'll more quickly reach €1,500-€3,000. If you supply source files and corporate identity, this speeds up production and keeps the price more competitive.

How do I create my own animation?

Online tools allow you to create simple animations, fine for internal updates. For brand consistency, technically complex visuals or conversion-oriented explainer animations, professional production pays off. Tip: Start with a storyboard, keep it short and test the voiceover for pace and clarity.

Want to find out quickly what your animation will cost and how best to determine your animation budget? Request an animation price list. Prefer to make an immediate switch? Schedule a no-obligation call.