How to Use AI to Create Explainer Videos: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2026
Wanderson Jackson
Updated July 2026
TL;DR: AI tools have cut explainer video production from $5,000+ and 4-8 weeks down to under $100 and a few hours. This guide walks through the full workflow, from script to export, using the right tool for each step.
Explainer videos remain one of the highest-converting content formats. Landing pages that include an explainer video can see conversion lifts of up to 86%, and 96% of people have watched an explainer video to learn about a product (Fortune Business Insights, via ngram). The global AI video market hit $847M in 2026 and is projected to reach $3.35B by 2034, growing at an 18.8% CAGR.
The challenge has always been cost and turnaround. A traditional animated explainer video runs $1,500 to $7,000 when produced by freelancers, and $15,000+ per minute from agencies. Production timelines stretch 4-8 weeks.
AI has collapsed both numbers. The right combination of AI tools can produce a polished 60-90 second explainer video in under a day for $15 to $90 in tool subscription costs.
The 5-Step AI Explainer Video Workflow
Every explainer video, regardless of style, follows the same pipeline:
Script - Write or generate the narration
Visual format - Decide between avatar, animation, or generated footage
Scene generation - Use AI to create the visuals
Voiceover and music - Add narration and background audio
Edit and export - Polish, brand, and export for your platform
AI touches every step now. The difference between tools is which steps they automate and which require manual work.
Choose the Right AI Tool for Your Explainer
Before diving into the workflow, pick the tool category that matches your needs:
The tool you pick determines the rest of the workflow. Avatar tools skip scene generation entirely. Text-to-video tools skip scripting. Read on for each step in detail.
Step 1: Write or Generate Your Script
Every explainer video starts with a script. The structure that converts best follows a proven pattern:
Hook (5 seconds): State the problem your viewer faces
Solution (10-15 seconds): Introduce your product or concept as the answer
How it works (30-45 seconds): Walk through 3 key steps or features
Proof (10-15 seconds): One data point or testimonial
CTA (5-10 seconds): Tell the viewer what to do next
If you are writing the script yourself: Keep it under 150 words for a 60-second video. Read it aloud and time it. Cut anything that does not directly address the viewer's problem.
If you want AI to write the script: Most avatar tools (Synthesia, HeyGen) have built-in script generators. You give them a topic or a brief, and they draft a script with timing estimates. InVideo AI takes a conversational prompt and generates the entire video, script included.
For teams that need more control, draft the script first, then paste it into the video tool. This keeps your messaging tight while still using AI for the production steps.
Step 2: Pick Your Visual Format
The visual format shapes everything that follows. Here are the four main options:
Avatar presenter: A realistic AI-generated person delivers your script on screen. Best for corporate training, onboarding, and product walkthroughs where a human face builds trust. Synthesia{rel="nofollow"} offers 240+ avatars in 160+ languages. HeyGen{rel="nofollow"} has 500+ stock avatars with custom cloning options.
Animated characters: Cartoon or motion-graphics characters act out scenes. Best for brand storytelling, startup explainers, and education. Vyond{rel="nofollow"} provides the deepest character animation editor, though it requires more manual work per scene. Animaker{rel="nofollow"} is a lower-cost alternative with simpler presets.
Stock-driven footage: AI selects and stitches stock clips matched to your script. Fastest for social-media explainers and ad content. InVideo AI{rel="nofollow"} generates a rough cut from a prompt in minutes using 25M+ stock assets.
AI-generated video clips: Custom video scenes generated from text prompts using models like Seedance 2.0, Sora 2, or Veo 3.1. Best when you need unique visuals that no stock library can provide. Platforms like Avocado AI let you generate clips from multiple video models in one workspace, then assemble them with voiceover and music.
Step 3: Generate Scenes with AI
Once you know your format, generate the visuals:
For avatar tools (Synthesia, HeyGen): Paste your script. Select an avatar and background. The tool generates the video with lip-synced speech. Synthesia renders a 2-minute video in roughly 5-10 minutes. HeyGen's Avatar IV produces micro-expressions and natural blinks with accurate lip sync.
For template animation (Vyond, Animaker): Choose a template or start from scratch. Add characters, props, and transitions scene by scene. This is the most manual approach but gives the most creative control. Expect 2-4 hours for a 60-second video, even with templates.
For text-to-video (InVideo AI, Steve.AI): Type a prompt describing the video you want. The AI selects stock footage, generates transitions, and adds a voiceover. The first draft appears in minutes. It will need cleanup, but it is the fastest path from idea to rough cut.
For AI-generated clips (Avocado AI and similar): Write scene-by-scene prompts. Generate each clip individually, then assemble them in a timeline. A 5-second clip on Seedance 2.0 Fast costs 16 credits. For a 60-second explainer with 12 clips, you would use roughly 192 credits on the cheapest video model.
Step 4: Add Voiceover and Music
Voiceover quality makes or breaks an explainer. Your options:
Built-in AI voices: Most avatar tools include AI voice generation with lip sync. Synthesia supports 160+ languages. HeyGen offers 175+ languages and dialects with voice cloning on paid plans.
Standalone AI voice tools: Services like ElevenLabs, PlayHT, or Fliki generate natural-sounding narration. Upload the audio file to your video editor. Fliki offers 2,000+ AI voices in 80+ languages starting at $21/month.
Background music: Use royalty-free music from the tool's library, or generate original tracks with AI music generators. Avocado AI includes a Music/Audio Studio that generates royalty-free background tracks from text prompts.
Best practice: Record or generate voiceover first, then cut your visuals to match the narration timing. Reversing the order (cutting visuals first, then forcing voiceover to fit) produces awkward pacing.
Step 5: Edit, Export, and Publish
The final step is polish:
Trim and tighten: Cut dead air, slow transitions, and any scene that does not advance the viewer toward the CTA
Add branding: Insert your logo, brand colors, and consistent fonts
Add captions: 85% of social media videos are watched without sound (Digiday). Burn in captions or use an SRT file
Export at the right resolution: 1920x1080 for YouTube and web. 1080x1920 for Stories and Reels. 1080x1080 for feed posts
A/B test thumbnails: Generate 2-3 thumbnail options with AI and test which drives higher click-through
Most avatar tools export directly to MP4. Template animation tools require a rendering step. Text-to-video tools often include built-in editing for post-generation tweaks.
AI Explainer Video Tools Compared
Here is a side-by-side of the most popular tools by category:
Tool
Type
Starting Price
Free Tier
Best For
Synthesia{rel="nofollow"}
Avatar
$14/mo annual
Yes (3 min/mo, no downloads)
Corporate L&D, compliance training
HeyGen{rel="nofollow"}
Avatar
$24/mo annual
Yes (3 videos/mo, 1 min each)
Marketing, multilingual localization
Vyond{rel="nofollow"}
Animation
~$58/mo annual
Trial only
Character-driven animated explainers
Animaker{rel="nofollow"}
Animation
$8/mo
Yes (watermark)
Budget animated explainers
InVideo AI{rel="nofollow"}
Text-to-video
$17/mo annual
Yes (watermark)
Fast script-to-rough-cut
Steve.AI{rel="nofollow"}
Text-to-video
$15/mo
Yes (limited)
Quick short-form explainers
Knowlify{rel="nofollow"}
Document-to-video
Free to start
Yes
PDF/document-to-video conversion
Avocado AI
AI video workspace
EUR 19/mo
No
Multi-model video generation workspace
How Avocado AI fits: Avocado AI is not a dedicated explainer video tool. It lacks avatar libraries, template animation editors, and stock footage pipelines. What it offers is a workspace where you can generate video clips from multiple AI models (Seedance 2.0, Sora 2, Veo 3.1, Hailuo Pro), create storyboards, generate voiceovers, and produce background music, all in one platform. This makes it a fit for creative teams that need explainer video as one output alongside product images, ad creatives, and social content, rather than a standalone explainer production line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to create an AI explainer video?
With avatar tools like Synthesia or HeyGen, you can produce a finished 60-second video in 15-30 minutes. Text-to-video tools like InVideo AI generate a first draft in 2-5 minutes, but expect 30-60 minutes of editing to get it publish-ready. Template animation tools like Vyond take 2-4 hours even with AI assistance.
How much does an AI explainer video cost to produce?
Tool subscriptions range from $15 to $90 per month. A single explainer video effectively costs $5 to $30 in subscription value, assuming you produce multiple videos per month. Traditional freelance production runs $1,500 to $7,000 per video. AI tools deliver roughly a 97-99% cost reduction.
Can I make an explainer video for free?
Several tools offer free tiers. Synthesia provides 3 minutes per month with no downloads. HeyGen offers 3 short videos per month. InVideo AI and Animaker have free tiers with watermarks. These are useful for testing, but professional output requires a paid plan.
What is the best AI tool for explainer videos with a human presenter?
Synthesia{rel="nofollow"} and HeyGen{rel="nofollow"} are the two leaders. Synthesia has 240+ avatars and 160+ languages with strong corporate L&D features. HeyGen has 500+ avatars, 175+ languages, and better multilingual dubbing with lip sync. Both offer free tiers for testing.
What is the best AI tool for animated explainer videos?
Vyond{rel="nofollow"} offers the deepest character animation editor and SCORM export for LMS integration. Animaker{rel="nofollow"}) is the budget alternative at $8/month with 100M+ stock assets. Vyond requires more time per video but produces more polished results.
Can I use AI to turn a document into an explainer video?
Yes. Knowlify{rel="nofollow"}) converts PDFs, presentations, and URLs into narrated animated videos with AI scripting and branding. Visla{rel="nofollow"}) offers a full workflow from generation through editing and collaboration. Both have free tiers.
How do I add voiceover to an AI explainer video?
Most avatar tools generate voiceover automatically from your script. For other formats, use standalone AI voice tools like ElevenLabs, PlayHT, or Fliki (2,000+ voices in 80+ languages at $21/month). Upload the generated audio to your video editor. Always generate voiceover before finalizing scene timing.
What resolution should I export my explainer video at?
Export at 1920x1080 (16:9) for YouTube, websites, and presentations. Use 1080x1920 (9:16) for Instagram Stories, Reels, and TikTok. Use 1080x1080 (1:1) for social feed posts. Most AI tools support all three aspect ratios.
How to Pick a Tool in Under 30 Seconds
Need a talking head? Go with Synthesia (best avatar quality) or HeyGen (best multilingual dubbing)
Want animated characters? Vyond for depth, Animaker for budget
Just need a fast rough cut from a prompt? InVideo AI or Steve.AI
Have a PDF or doc to convert? Knowlify or Visla
Need custom AI-generated video clips? Avocado AI's multi-model workspace
Budget under $20/month? Animaker ($8/mo) or InVideo AI ($17/mo annual)
Need SCORM export for LMS? Vyond or HeyGen Business
Producing multi-format content (images + video + audio)? Avocado AI consolidates generation across formats in one workspace
Avocado AI offers Pricing tiers starting at EUR 19/month with access to multiple video generation models, image tools, and a music studio. See Avocado AI pricing to find the right plan for your creative workflow.
Written by Wanderson Jackson, founder of Avocado AI. Wanderson has spent over a decade building tools at the intersection of AI and creative production.
