No matter what your niche, the ability to communicate your messages in an engaging and appealing manner is key to reaching your target audience. These days, savvy marketers — especially in the B2B space — often use explainer videos as part of their strategy. With the right explainer video software, creating quality video content is easier than you might expect.

In this article, we'll take a look at just what an explainer video is, how it can benefit your brand, as well as some of the best explainer video software options available.

What Is an Explainer Video?

Explainer videos are a type of engaging visual aid you can use to describe your company's products or services. They don’t require significant video production know-how. Instead, you can create many explainer videos almost entirely within a software program, often using pre-made templates.

These videos are usually 1-3 minutes long, focusing on how the company's product or service helps solve a particular problem. The video tells customers why your brand is the right solution, then delivers a strong call to action. Many companies also use this video format to provide branded tutorials.

The most common types of explainer videos are whiteboard videos and animated explainer videos. Whiteboard videos use a whiteboard or chalkboard background that changes as a hand "draws" new images throughout the video.

Animated explainer videos use either 2D animation or 3D animation to help tell a visual story that illustrates why customers would choose your brand. They may use animated characters to represent the customers and your company. Some videos use infographics or screenshots of your product to further drive home your point. The animation is typically accompanied by a voiceover and a music track.

These videos tend to be much less expensive (and easier to create) than a live-action video, particularly when using quality video creation tools. They are also highly engaging — in fact, 96% of web users have watched explainer videos.

How to Make a Great Whiteboard Explainer Video

A quality explainer video starts with strong pre-production. During this phase, you write your script, develop storyboards that guide what the finished video will look like, and select the explainer video software or production team you want to work with. Be mindful of your target audience and your brand persona so that the tone and style of the final video is a good match.

Once the script and storyboards are complete, your explainer video enters the production phase. This is when you use animation tools to create the actual video content for your explainer video. With an explainer video, you typically don't need professional video production, because everything is created through your computer software. No need to invest in cameras and lighting equipment!

After the initial animation work is complete, you will typically record the voiceover, add sound effects and music tracks during post production. Video editing is where a quality explainer video truly comes into its own.

When you pair quality video content with relevant messaging that focuses on the what, how, and why of your business, you'll be able to increase engagement on your landing pages, social media posts, and more.

Top 9 Explainer Video Software Options

While there are several explainer video software programs available to start-ups and small businesses, not all of them are created equal. The following video-maker tools serve as an excellent starting point for making your own high-quality content. Best of all, these user-friendly tools help you create DIY whiteboard animations without the need for advanced coding or animation expertise.

Animaker

Animaker uses a drag-and-drop interface to let anyone become an animator. This animation software offers customizable templates, scenes, and characters you can bring to life through easy-to-use tools. You can also edit scenes individually, so you can avoid the overwhelming feeling of looking at the entire video timeline while editing. 

A freemium version is available with a watermark on videos. Paid plans start at $10 per month.

Biteable

Biteable offers pre-made video templates for 2D animated explainer videos. These templates typically feature a flat background paired with text and a few animated elements for a bold, professional look. 

A free version with watermarking and lower video quality is available. Paid plans start at $19 per month.

Powtoon

Powtoon is a drag-and-drop video creator with vast customization options. This explainer video maker offers a variety of templates, such as whiteboard, cartoon, and real. Better yet, the editing tool helps you stay "on track" with your intended style while editing different scenes. You can also import Powerpoint presentations for your videos. 

A free version is available, with more robust paid plans starting at $19 per month.

Raw Shorts

Raw Shorts is a unique explainer video software powered by artificial intelligence. This is possibly the easiest way to create an explainer video. Simply upload your text, and the tool will create an animated video based on the text content. While you can edit this video (including the addition of voiceover), there are fewer personalization and customization options than other video tools. 

After a free trial, paid plans start at $39 per month.

Videoscribe

Videoscribe is specifically focused on creating whiteboard videos. Unlike other tools, Videoscribe is not a cloud-based software and is instead installed onto your desktop for offline editing. This can be either a pro or con depending on your work style. 

Videoscribe's yearly plan is $168 a year.

Vyond

​Vyond is a user-friendly animation tool focused on contemporary, business, and whiteboard-style videos. This tool features a large sound effects library as well as impressive character customization features (including skin tone and facial expressions). 

Vyond only offers yearly plans, which start at $299.

MySimpleShow

Simpleshow uses a distinct format of showing actual hands moving in a way that looks like they are pushing and clearing the animated images onto the screen for each video. Instead of offering pre-made video templates, the tool takes you through the video creation process step by step, using a storyline editor to generate relevant illustrations using AI. The clean animations create a balanced look for your video where everything is properly arranged and positioned. 

Plans start at $129 per month.

Wideo

This cloud-based tool offers scene-by-scene editing as well as the ability to completely customize templates with your own branding and assets. You can also perform screen recording, generate storyboards, and convert text to audio. 

A free plan is available, but more templates and the ability to create longer videos opens up at higher pricing tiers.

Moovly

Moovly is a versatile video editing tool that lets you work with its own rich asset library or upload your own video and audio content. You can quickly edit templates, and users can easily move elements around the video timeline. Moovly also enables easy publishing to YouTube and Vimeo. 

Paid plans start at $299 per year. iStock-based templates are also available and require an additional fee upon publication.

Start Using Explainer Video Software Today

With the right explainer video software, you'll be well on your way to crafting high-quality content that will wow your customers. From social media posts to landing page content, these marketing videos will help present your product or services in the best possible light to drive engagement and sales.

Another online tool that can give your digital marketing a boost is ServiceBell. It's also the perfect way to supplement your explainer videos. By implementing live video chat and screen takeover to your landing pages, your sales team can address client concerns in real-time. This way, you can accelerate sales and increase retention.