A clear, no-fluff breakdown of video pricing — from a 30-second social cut to a full brand film — and what actually moves the number.
If you've ever asked three studios for a quote and gotten three wildly different numbers, you're not imagining things. Video pricing looks opaque because the deliverable hides the work. Here's how we think about it — and how to read any quote you get.
The single biggest cost driver isn't length, it's complexity. A 30-second piece with bespoke illustration and character animation can cost more than a two-minute talking-head edit. When you compare quotes, compare scope: how much is designed from scratch, how many revision rounds, how many formats.
As a rough map for 2026: a single short-form vertical edit runs a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars; a 60-second explainer with custom motion typically lands $3k–$12k; a strategy-led brand film starts around $15k. Subscriptions change the math entirely — you trade per-project pricing for a flat monthly rate and a steady queue.
The cheapest video is rarely the most valuable one. The question isn't 'what does a video cost' — it's 'what does this video need to do, and what's the smallest investment that does it well.'