The cost of producing a video can vary significantly. DIY videos might only require a software subscription and internal staff to produce them, while a professional video production company may charge more for productions. In this blog, we will explore some recent data and factors to address the question, “How much does it cost to make a training video?”
Factors that influence the cost to make a training video
Several factors influence the final price for a training video, and here are the key ones to help you plan and budget effectively.
- Type, length, and complexity: Consider whether you opt for animations, live-action, or explainer videos for your training videos. Intricate animation, special effects, and high-level editing can require more time and expertise, which can impact costs.
- Production team: Larger teams with specialized roles (e.g., director, cinematographer, editor), expertise and equipment cost more than smaller, all-in-one teams.
- Location and travel: Renting a studio, flying your crew to a location, or requiring permits can add to the budget.
- Pre-production requirements: Budget time and money to create a script, build a detailed visual plan and plan and coordinate video production.
- Talent: If you are opting for live-action videos, plan to hire on-screen talent and voice actors. Whether using animations or live-action, you may also have to plan for licensing music, soundtracks or creating custom audio.
- Post-production requirements: Depending on your training video style, budget for advanced editing techniques, sound design, and motion graphics. If you create training videos for complex or technical topics, you may need to budget for CGI, 3D modelling, and other intense visual effects.
- Distribution and accessibility needs: Formatting the video for various platforms, adding subtitles, or creating multiple versions for different channels will increase costs.
How much does it cost to produce a video?
In their Cost of Video Production in 2025: Comprehensive Pricing Guide, Synthesia summarizes how much each element may cost. We have provided some additional data points for you to compare with.
| Video production options | What it costs (Synthesia) | What it costs (Other) |
| Outsource to a video production company | Mid-level short videos: $3,000 – $10,000 Longer or premium videos: $10,000-$50,000 | 2D animation services in the USA can range from $1,000 to $5,000 per minute, while 3D animations can cost significantly (Delta animations) Small Project: $5,000 – $20,000 |
| Hire an in-house videographer | Yearly costs: ~$90,000 (Equipment: $20,000 + Videographer: $70,000) | Entry-level videographers with less than a year of experience earn around $40,169 annually, while those with over eight years of experience can earn up to $83,170. (Payscale) |
| Hire an in-house video team Assuming you have an in-house video producer to organize and deliver the project. | Rent equipment: $100-$300/day to $1,500/day for top tier Hire camera crew members: $50-$300/hr; $250-$1,500/half day; $750-$5,000/full day Hire actors: $150-$2,500/day or more Rent location: Varies widely, daily or hourly rate Stock footage & music: $80-$300/piece | Building an in-house team can be a great way to save costs. Average Costs: Videographer: $70,000 per year Video Editor: $60,000 per year Equipment: $20,000 – $30,000 (Capture Video Marketing) |
| Outsource to someone on Upwork or Fiverr Assuming you have an in-house video producer to organize and deliver the project. | Motion graphics: $250-$1,000/day 3D animated video: $250-$2,500/day | |
| Use a video maker This number assumes you have in-house staff to create videos. | Video creation software: From $20-$30/month |
Pricing per video type
But how much does it cost to build specific training video types? We reached out to the industry, and here are some ranges to consider:
| Type of Videos | Pricing Ranges |
Simple screen recording pricing Use Cases: Software Tutorials, Process Demonstrations, System Navigation | $400 – $1,200 |
Software demo + annotations pricing Use Cases: Software Feature Explanation, Product Walkthrough, Troubleshooting Guides | $500 – $1,500 |
Whiteboard animation pricing Use Cases: Onboarding, Concept Explanation, Process Overview | $700 – $1,800 |
Animated explainer video pricing Use Cases: Product Overview, Feature Highlight, Benefit Explanation | $1,000 – $2,500 |
Motion graphics + product demo pricing Use Cases: Product Launch, Feature Demonstration, Data Visualization | $1,500 – $3,000 |
2D Animated software demo pricing Use Cases: Software Tutorials, Process Demonstrations, User Interface walkthrough | $1,800 – $3,500 |
3D Software product demo pricing Use Cases: Product Showcase, Feature Deep Dive, Technical Explanation | $2,000 – $4,000 |
Live action + software integration pricing Use Cases: Product Demonstration, Testimonial, Case Study | $1,800 – $3,500 |
(Advids)
Here is another set of estimates to create training videos:
| Type of Videos | Pricing Ranges |
| Talking-head videos | (Mid-range): $300 – $1000 for a simple one-minute video with no special effects, $1000 – $5000 for more complicated videos with effects and high-quality production elements. |
| Presenter videos | Mid-range) about $300 – $2000 with a simple approach and higher for videos with complex concepts. |
| Animated videos | (Mid-range): $600 – $1500 for a minute of animation with a detailed storyboard, a carefully consulted concept, and quite a wide range of motions. |
| Live-action videos | The price range for this type (High-range): $1500 – $10,000 for a minute (it can get even higher with more difficult production requirements) |
| VR/AR video | $1500 – $30,000 for a minute (High-range). |
How LEAi helps create training videos
LEAi, developed by LearnExperts, is an AI-powered platform designed to streamline and optimize the creation of training materials, including video-based training. While LEAi does not directly create videos, its ability to streamline the content creation process reduces the overall cost of creating training videos. Here is how LEAi can help you manage the cost of creating training videos:
- Reducing scriptwriting and content development costs: LEAi can generate scripts and training outlines based on input content, such as user manuals, presentations, or product guides. Automating scriptwriting reduces the need for professional writers, saving costs and time. The AI ensures the content is concise, audience-appropriate, and aligned with learning objectives, minimizing iterations and rewriting costs.
- Accelerating video production: LEAi’s output can guide video creators by providing clear, structured content, reducing the complexity of pre-production planning. Content generated by LEAi can easily integrate into video scripts or animations, ensuring that creators spend less time brainstorming and focusing on execution.
- Supporting multi-use content: LEAi allows you to create reusable modules from training videos. These modules can be repurposed for onboarding, certifications, or refresher training. Companies can significantly lower their video production budgets by avoiding the need to create new videos for every training session.
- Eliminating excessive edits and revisions: LEAi ensures that the initial content aligns with training goals, which helps reduce the number of revisions in video production, saving costs associated with editing and post-production.
- Focusing on core training needs: LEAi can identify the most critical and relevant topics for your training videos, ensuring that you don’t invest in unnecessary or redundant content.
- Scaling without additional costs: For companies expanding their training programs, LEAi’s automation reduces the cost per video as content scales, making it more affordable than traditional video production approaches.
Are you investing in video training and want to manage costs? Contact us to learn more about how LEAi can help you!
