Short answer: most professionally produced business videos cost between $3,000 and $25,000. The type of video and the scope of the work move the price far more than the length does. Here are typical 2026 market ranges, gathered from published industry pricing data, and what drives them.
Typical price ranges by type of video
| Type of video | Typical 2026 range | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Animated explainer, 60 to 90 seconds | $3,000 to $25,000 | Illustration style, number of scenes, custom characters |
| Brand film or corporate video | $5,000 to $20,000 for most; $20,000 and up for multi day, multi location films | Shoot days, locations, crew size, number of interviews |
| Event recap | Commonly $2,500 to $10,000 for a single day | Hours of coverage, number of shooters, turnaround |
| Social video | Priced by volume | Number of finished cuts and formats from each shoot |
| Drone and aerial | $150 to $400 per hour, including basic editing | Airspace approvals, number of flights, editing |
Why video quotes vary so much
The same request can get quotes thousands of dollars apart because you are comparing different kinds of teams. For a custom 60 second explainer, Yum Yum Videos found freelancers around $1,000 to $5,000, small production companies around $3,000 to $8,000, and full service studios around $8,000 to $25,000. Across 61 agency quotes they collected, the median was $9,680.
Corporate video shows the same pattern. Vidico describes a basic tier of $1,500 to $5,000 (a one or two person crew, one day, one location, standard editing), a mid range of $5,000 to $20,000 (a full crew, scripting and storyboarding, multiple cameras, color grading, motion graphics and a few rounds of revisions), and premium productions from $20,000 to $100,000 or more.
A lower quote is not always a better deal. Ask what is included: concept and script, number of shoot days, crew size, music licensing, voiceover, motion graphics, revision rounds, captions and extra cuts for social.
What drives the cost
- Scope, not length. A 60 second film with custom animation and three locations can cost more than a three minute interview film shot in one room.
- Shoot days and locations. Every extra day or location adds crew time, gear and travel.
- Crew and talent. More cameras, a larger crew, actors or a professional voice add cost.
- Animation style. Simple motion graphics cost less than custom illustrated characters, and 3D costs more still.
- Late changes. Changing the script after animation or editing has started is the most expensive kind of revision.
- Rush timelines. Compressed schedules commonly add 25 to 50 percent, according to Vidico.
- Extras. Aerial footage, original music, translations and additional cutdowns all add to the total.
Is per minute pricing useful?
Some studios quote by the finished minute. Vidico puts standard work at about $1,000 to $5,000 per finished minute, rising to $10,000 or more for premium productions. It is a rough yardstick at best, because a minute of custom animation and a minute of interview footage take very different amounts of work.
How to get more from your budget
- Decide the one job the video must do. A clear goal keeps scope tight. Our free Story Starter walks you through it.
- Plan one shoot for many videos. The same day of filming can produce a brand film, a recruiting cut, social clips and website stills.
- Bring decision makers in early. Most budget overruns come from new opinions arriving late.
- Send one set of feedback. Gather your team's notes into one document from one person for each review round.
- Plan aerials with the shoot. Adding drone footage to a day we are already filming costs less than a separate visit.
How we price projects at Video Shop
After a first conversation, we write the concept for your video and send one clear email with the plan and a cost estimate, so you know what you are getting before anything starts. Every budget has good options, and we will tell you honestly what yours can do. Tell us about your project or start with the free Story Starter.