7 Best Explainer Video Software in 2025 (Tried & Tested)

The best explainer video maker by category:

• Best for AI avatar explainer videos: Synthesia
• Best for 2D animated explainer videos: Vyond
• Best for 3D animated explainer videos: Create Studio
• Best for whiteboard explainer videos: VideoScribe
• Best for stop-motion explainer videos: Stop Motion Studio
• Best for kinetic typography explainer videos: Filmora
• Best for screencast explainer videos: Loom

Which explainer video software you choose will largely depend on the type of explainer video you want to create, so lets first go over the main types.

Be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on how to create an explainer video before you get started on your video.

What are the main types of explainer videos?

Live action

A live-action explainer video uses real people, settings, and props to demonstrate a product, service, or concept. This style builds trust and creates a personal connection with the audience, making it ideal for showcasing tangible products, company culture, or human-centered stories. It often involves professional filming, editing, and scripting for a polished look.

AI Avatar

An AI avatar explainer video features a digital character generated using artificial intelligence. These AI avatars deliver the message in a lifelike, customizable, and scalable way. It’s a cost-effective and efficient option for creating professional-looking videos with AI tools that removes the need for live actors or extensive production setups.

2D animated

A 2D animated explainer video uses flat, two-dimensional graphics to convey a story or explain a concept. It’s characterized by its simplicity and versatility, making it ideal for engaging audiences and breaking down complex ideas in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand way.

3D animated

A 3D animated explainer video uses three-dimensional visuals to create realistic or stylized representations of objects, characters, or environments. This style adds depth and detail, making it ideal for showcasing products, demonstrating complex processes, or creating immersive storytelling experiences. It’s especially effective for industries like technology, engineering, and architecture.

Whiteboard explainer

A whiteboard explainer video is a type of animation where illustrations and text are drawn on a whiteboard or white background, often accompanied by narration. It mimics the effect of someone teaching by drawing, making it highly engaging and effective for explaining complex concepts in a simple, visual way.

Stop-motion animated

A stop-motion animated explainer video is created by capturing a series of individual photos of physical objects or scenes, moving them slightly between each shot. When played in sequence, these images create the illusion of motion. This technique gives the video a unique, handcrafted feel, often used to convey creativity, charm, or authenticity.

Kinetic typography

A kinetic typography explainer video focuses on animated text to convey a message or tell a story. The text moves, transforms, and interacts dynamically with the screen, often synchronized with music or narration. This style is highly effective for emphasizing key points and creating an energetic, attention-grabbing presentation.

Screencast

A screencast explainer video is a recording of a computer or device screen, often paired with voiceover narration, to demonstrate how software, websites, or digital tools work. It’s an effective and straightforward way to guide viewers through processes or features step-by-step.

You can also check out our more detailed guide to the different types of explainer videos.

The best explainer video software by use case

Be‎st for AI avatar explainer videos: Synthesia

Pros:

• Ease of use: Intuitive interface, no video production expertise required.
• Speed: Ability to create polished explainer videos in under an hour.
• Real-time collaboration: Enables teams to review, edit, and provide feedback on videos simultaneously.
• Realistic AI avatars: Wide selection of realistic, customizable AI avatars. with natural lip-syncing and body language. You can also have your own avatar created.
• Broad language support: Supports over 140 languages, accents, and dialects.
• Extensive customization: Options for branding, background tweaks, text overlays, and animated graphics.
• AI script generation: Synthesia offers an AI script generator tool.
• AI screen recording: Synthesia's integrated AI screen recorder lets you easily record your screen and add it to your video.
• Wide variety of templates: You can start creating your explainer videos from scratch or use one of the 60+ customizable templates. There’s also an extensive library of cloneable video examples.

Cons:

• Limited animation options: Not suitable for detailed animations or complex motion graphics.

Pricing:

• Free: $0/month – Includes 3 minutes of video, 9 AI avatars (plus 2 stock avatars), and basic features in 140+ languages.
• Starter: $29/month – Offers 10 minutes of video, 125+ AI avatars (plus 3 personal avatars), commenting, an avatar builder, and sharing options.
• Creator: $89/month – Provides 30 minutes of video, 180+ AI avatars (plus 5 personal avatars), team collaboration, custom fonts, and a branded video page.
• Enterprise: Custom pricing – Includes unlimited video minutes, 230+ AI avatars (plus unlimited personal avatars), advanced collaboration, 1-click translation, and priority support with custom features.

My Experience with Synthesia:

Synthesia is a great tool for creating polished explainer videos with AI avatars. I was able to quickly produce an engaging explainer video by simply typing in a script.

The avatars are realistic, and the platform ensures a professional output, which is perfect for explaining complex ideas in a simple, approachable format.

While it offers less customization than some other tools, its efficiency and quality make it a top choice for explainer content.

Try the AI explainer video maker by Synthesia to get started.

Be‎st for 2D animated explainer videos: Vyond

Pros:

• Extensive library of pre-designed assets and characters.
• Easy drag-and-drop functionality.
• Robust customization options for character design and movements.

Cons:

• Relatively steep learning curve for beginners.
• Expensive pricing tiers compared to competitors.

Pricing:

• Essential: $49/month – 720p exports, Character Creator, Vyond Studio, videos with Vyond watermark
• Premium: $89/month – 1080p exports, no Vyond watermark, animated GIFs, customizable aspect ratios.
• Professional: $179/month/user – All Premium features plus Shutterstock integration, video translation, and asset organization.
• Enterprise/Agency: Custom pricing – Adds collaboration features, brand management, AI voices, and unlimited rights transfers.

Vyond offers a 14-day free trial.

My Experience with Vyond:

I found Vyond to be a powerhouse for creating lively 2D animations. The flexibility in character design and scene creation allowed me to craft engaging explainer videos for marketing campaigns.

The learning curve took some time to overcome, but the results were well worth the effort. It’s an excellent tool for 2D animation.

Be‎st for 3D animated explainer videos: Create Studio

Pros:

• High-quality 3D animations with a professional finish.
• Simple interface suitable for beginners and pros alike.
• A variety of ready-to-use templates and characters.
• One-time payment option available.

Cons:

• Limited advanced animation customization.
• Fewer 3D character options compared to niche tools.

Pricing:

• Standard ($27/month): Includes unlimited video exports, 50 characters, 50 templates, the Lightning Video Builder, and commercial use. Lacks AI background removal, text-to-speech, and monthly updates.
• Platinum ($37/month): Adds 100 characters, 500 templates, AI background removal, text-to-speech, and monthly updates for characters, templates, and scene packs.
• All Access ($47/month): Offers 300+ characters, 800+ templates, and additional monthly updates, making it the most comprehensive option.

My Experience with Create Studio:

Creating a 3D animated explainer video with Create Studio felt seamless. The templates made it easy to get started, and the rendering quality was excellent.

While it may not offer Pixar-level animation control, it’s perfect for creating quick, visually impressive 3D content for explainer videos.

Be‎st for whiteboard explainer videos: VideoScribe

Pros:

• Intuitive interface designed specifically for whiteboard animations.
• Vast library of hand-drawn illustrations and icons.
• Easy-to-use timeline for precise animation control.
• Affordable pricing compared to alternatives.

Cons:

• Limited design flexibility for advanced users.
• Can feel repetitive for more complex storytelling.

Pricing:

• Free (US$0): 7-day trial with 3 video downloads, 5-minute video length, access to 750k images/icons, and watermarked videos.
• Plus (US$42/month): Unlimited downloads, 15-minute video length, 5 million images/icons, no watermarks, custom fonts, and preview links.
• Pro (US$63/month): Everything in Plus, plus reseller rights and access to additional training bundles for professionals.

My Experience with VideoScribe:

VideoScribe is a fantastic tool for whiteboard animation enthusiasts and it let me quickly create an engaging explainer video. The hand-drawn effects added a charming, personal touch.

However, advanced users might find its features somewhat limited for storytelling with varied styles.

Be‎st for stop-motion explainer videos: Stop Motion Studio

5. Best for Stop-Motion Explainer Videos: Stop Motion Studio

Pros:

• Unique focus on stop-motion animation.
• Compatible with multiple platforms, including mobile devices.
• Easy integration with DSLR cameras.
• Affordable for individuals and hobbyists.

Cons:

• Requires more effort and patience compared to other tools.
• Limited pre-designed assets.

Pricing:

• $5 for mobile apps; desktop versions start at $10.

My Experience with Stop Motion Studio:

Creating a stop-motion explainer video was both fun and challenging. The app’s features, like onion-skinning and timeline editing, made the process manageable.

While it takes time and effort to achieve a polished result, the unique and captivating outcome is worth it for creative explainer video projects.

Be‎st for kinetic typography explainer videos: Filmora

Pros:

• Extensive library of pre-built text animations and effects.
• Intuitive drag-and-drop interface ideal for beginners.
• Advanced editing features like motion tracking and keyframing.
• Wide range of export options, including 4K resolution.

Cons:

• Some advanced features are locked behind a paywall.
• Occasional rendering lags with complex projects.

Pricing:

• Annual: Priced at $49.99 per year, this subscription provides continuous updates and access to all features, including AI tools and a vast library of creative assets
• Perpetual: A one-time payment of $79.99 grants lifetime access to the current version of Filmora, including all features and creative assets, without future updates
• Cross-Platform: For $59.99 per year, this plan allows use across multiple devices (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS) with access to all features and updates
• Team & Business: Tailored for organizations, these plans offer multi-user control, volume discounts, and additional business-oriented features. Pricing varies based on the number of users and specific requirements

My Experience with Filmora:

Filmora exceeded my expectations for creating kinetic typography explainer videos. Its built-in text effects made it easy to add dynamic, eye-catching animations to my video. The motion tracking feature allowed me to sync text with moving objects effortlessly.

While it’s not as specialized as dedicated text-animation tools, Filmora’s versatility and ease of use make it a great all-around choice for kinetic typography.

Be‎st for screencast explainer videos: Loom

Pros:

• Seamless screen recording and sharing.
• Lightweight and easy to use.
• Instant cloud saving with link sharing.
• Perfect for team collaborations and tutorials.

Cons:

• Limited editing tools.
• Free plan comes with a five-minute video limit.

Pricing:

• Starter (Free): Includes 25 videos, 5-minute recording limit, screen recording with cam bubble, transcriptions in 50+ languages, and basic engagement features like comments and emoji reactions.
• Business ($15/user/month): Unlimited videos and recording time, basic waveform editing, Loom branding removal, and video upload/download capabilities.
• Business + AI ($20/user/month): Adds AI-powered features like filler word and silence removal, auto-titles, summaries, and chapters

My Experience with Loom:

Loom made creating a screencast explainer video straightforward. While its editing features are minimal, its simplicity and efficiency are its greatest strengths.