Effective SaaS Explainer Video Examples: How to Engage Your Audience

Key takeaways

• Simplicity is powerful: Effective explainer videos focus on one core message. A simple, clear message makes everything easier to understand and remember. Keeping things minimal and straightforward often communicates better than overcomplicating with flashy visuals.
• Visuals should support, not overwhelm: The visuals in a good explainer video help the viewer understand the message better, not distract from it. Clean, simple, and purposeful design makes the content clearer and more engaging.
• Pacing keeps the viewer engaged: Effective pacing is crucial. Too slow and people lose interest; too fast and they miss the point. The right pace keeps things moving but gives the viewer time to absorb the information.
• Tailor the video to your audience: An explainer video isn’t one-size-fits-all. Knowing your audience’s pain points and needs helps craft a video that speaks directly to them. A B2B audience may care more about workflow integration, while B2C audiences may connect better with emotional appeal.

What is 'explainer video'?

Explainer videos are one of the easiest ways to help people understand what you do, but they only work when they are done right. A video can look amazing, have great animation, and still fall flat if the message is unclear. To actually land, an explainer needs a solid foundation. That means a sharp script, clean design, smooth pacing, purposeful animation, and a clear CTA. When all of that comes together, the video does more than look good. It makes sense.

So, what is an explainer video? Simply put, it is a video that helps a company communicate what they do in the clearest way possible. And if you are wondering whether you have seen one before, the answer is almost definitely yes. Explainer videos are everywhere now. Companies of all sizes use them in their campaigns because they work for pretty much any audience and any industry.

And here is the thing. Every effective explainer video follows the same basic recipe. It starts with a real problem or pain point, something the audience instantly relates to. It walks viewers through a simple, structured breakdown so the idea is easy to follow. And the visuals guide attention and make complex ideas feel simple. When you get these elements right, your video leaves a lasting impression.

In this blog, we are going to break down what makes an explainer video actually effective, look at why they work so well, and show examples of explainer videos that get it right. While this blog will mainly focus on SaaS explainer videos, we’ve also got separate lists for B2B and B2C explainer videos, so you can find the right examples for your needs. Let’s jump in.

What makes an effective explainer video?

There is no single recipe for creating an effective explainer video. Every project needs something different to work well, and who the video is made for will always shape how the message is communicated. What works for a SaaS founder might not work for a lifestyle brand, and what engages a B2B audience might fall flat with consumers.

With that being said, after working on countless animation projects, we have discovered a few general principles that consistently help explainer videos perform better. Think of these as starting points that make your message clearer, your visuals stronger, and your overall video more effective.

One clear message

Every great explainer video starts by keeping things simple. Instead of trying to cover everything at once, it focuses on one main idea the viewer needs to walk away with. When the message is clear, everything else becomes easier to understand. If someone can repeat the point in one sentence, you know you nailed it.

A strong script with simple clarity

The script is the real engine of the video. A good one walks people through the problem, the solution, and the benefit in a way that feels natural and easy to follow. It should sound like you are talking to a real person, not writing a corporate memo. Even the slickest animation cannot save a confusing script, so clarity always comes first.

Visuals that support the message

Visuals are there to make things easier, not harder. They should guide attention, simplify ideas, and help the message land faster. If a visual does not add value, it usually gets in the way. The best explainer videos look clean because everything on screen has a purpose.

Sharp pacing

Pacing is one of those things people do not think about until it feels wrong. Too slow, and viewers check out. Too fast, and they miss the point. The sweet spot is a smooth flow that keeps people engaged without overwhelming them.

A strong emotional or logical hook

A good hook pulls people in right away. It might be a pain point they instantly relate to or a simple idea that makes them curious. Without that early spark, it is hard to keep viewers watching. Start strong, and the rest of the

Effective Explainer Video Examples (Focused on SaaS Products)

This list is not a ranking by any means. We simply pulled together different approaches that felt influential, effective, or interesting when it comes to creating an explainer video. Each example offers something unique, and the goal is to help you see the variety of ways an explainer can work depending on the message and the audience. A lot of the examples we’ve included are from SaaS companies, as that’s the industry we deal with most, given that many of our clients are in the SaaS space.

One thing to note is that we could not include any personal or private data from the companies involved. So if you see numbers or performance mentions, those are taken from publicly available information or existing data, not internal metrics. Okay, let’s dive in.

1. Dropbox, first explainer video

The Dropbox explainer is often considered the blueprint for modern explainer videos, and for good reason. It kept everything incredibly simple and focused purely on clear storytelling instead of flashy design or complex animation. The visuals were minimal, almost intentionally plain, which made the message easy to follow and helped viewers understand the product right away. It proved that you do not need fancy tools or heavy production to make an effective explainer video. Sometimes the simplest approach communicates the clearest.

What made this video so influential is how well it showed the power of simplicity. With nothing more than basic illustrations and a strong script, Dropbox managed to explain a brand-new product in a way anyone could understand. That clarity and straightforwardness shaped the explainer video trend that so many companies still follow today. It is a reminder that at the end of the day, the goal is not to impress with visuals, but to communicate in a way that actually lands.

2. What is Slack

Slack’s explainer video massively outperformed their other content, pulling in over twelve times more watch time. It reached around 47K views while most of their regular videos hovered near 2K, and that difference is not accidental. The video uses a friendly, conversational tone that feels human, and it highlights pain points almost every team can relate to. From the first few seconds, viewers understand why Slack exists and how it fits into their everyday workflow.

The motion graphics are smooth and approachable, and the pacing is spot on. Nothing feels rushed or overly complex, which makes the message easy to digest. Everything in the video works together to introduce Slack in a way that feels simple, helpful, and genuinely useful. That combination of clarity, relatability, and solid execution is why this video became one of Slack’s most successful pieces of content.

3. Airtable

Airtable has been putting out some really solid explainer videos for years, but this one stands out by a mile. While most of their YouTube uploads sit under 2K views, this explainer pushed past 57K, which shows how strongly it resonated with viewers. The comments make it even clearer. People keep pointing out how easy the video is to understand and how well it breaks down what Airtable actually does. That level of clarity is exactly why the video performs so much better than the rest of their content.

The execution is a big part of the success. The UI motion is beautiful, clean, and easy to follow, and every transition feels smooth and intentional. Nothing is overwhelming or cluttered. The storytelling focuses on showing the product in a simple, relatable way, walking viewers through the features with a flow that makes sense. Airtable has always been good at this, but this particular video nails the balance between design and explanation, which is why it continues to outperform their other uploads.

4. Notion

This Notion explainer fits their branding so well. The visuals are clean and minimal, just like the product itself, and the whole thing is super easy to follow. The pacing feels smooth, and the video shows how someone would actually use Notion in real life, which makes everything click right away. You do not have to guess what the tool does because the video walks you through it in a really natural way.

What makes it even better is how the video works on more than one level. It explains the product clearly, but it also tells a bit of the Notion story at the same time. You get a sense of the mindset behind the tool, the type of people it is built for, and the creative, flexible vibe that defines the brand. It is helpful, it is inspiring, and it just feels right for who Notion is.

5. Google video

Google Workspace keeps things super clean and easy to digest. The videos use simple vector design, smooth transitions, and really clear explanations of each feature. Nothing feels cluttered or confusing, and the visuals always support the message instead of getting in the way. Even if you have never used Google Workspace before, the videos make everything feel approachable.

What makes their approach even cooler is how they break things up. Instead of squeezing everything into one long video, they create separate explainers for each feature. That means each video stays focused, simple, and never overwhelming. You learn exactly what you need, one piece at a time, which is a really smart way to teach people a big product with lots of moving parts.

6. Wishon 3D animation

This one stands out because of how clearly it breaks down the product on a technical level. The 3D visuals are super clean, with exploded views and smooth pacing that make everything easy to follow. You can literally see how each part works and why it matters, without feeling overwhelmed.

What makes it effective is how simply the video explains what sets Wishon’s product apart. It walks you through the features, the materials, and even the production approach in a way that feels approachable, even if you are not a golf expert. It is technical, but still easy to understand, which is exactly what a strong 3D explainer should do.

This is actually our only non-SaaS explainer video in this blog, but we’re including it here to show how 3D animation can be effectively incorporated into an explainer. It’s a great example of how 3D can bring clarity and visual interest to a technical product without overwhelming the viewer. we actually talked about how 3D use in explainer video more in our blog “3D Explainer Videos: Key Elements, Benefits, and Examples”

7. Spotify AI playlist

This one is really easy to follow and feels spot on with their branding. The visuals, the tone, and the overall vibe match everything the brand already puts out, so the video feels natural from the first second. It is simple, clean, and you never have to guess what they are trying to say.

What makes it even more interesting is that it is one of their highest-viewed videos, aside from the ones tied to celebrity content. That says a lot about how well it connects with their audience. When a video is this clear and on-brand, people actually stick around and watch it.

8. Duolingo adventure

This one leans into a narrative-driven approach while still staying straight to the point, especially when it comes to the pain points. It walks you through real-life situations that feel familiar, so you instantly get why the product matters. The video also shows exactly how you would use the product as a regular user, which makes everything feel practical and grounded.

It is a great example of how a B2C explainer should work. The storytelling makes it relatable, the message is clear, and the viewer can easily see themselves using the product. That mix of real-life context and simple explanation is what helps B2C audiences connect much faster.

9. Secondself

This video clicks right away because it dives straight into real-life situations that people actually deal with. It shows clear examples from the start, so viewers instantly understand how the product fits into their daily routine. It also highlights what happens if you use the product and what happens if you don’t, which makes the message feel more real and relatable. Everything is explained in a way that speaks directly to the audience, almost like the video is having a conversation with them.

Since this is one of our recent projects, it is a great example of how we love to approach B2C-style storytelling. We kept it practical, easy to follow, and built around moments people genuinely experience. That mix helps the video feel friendly, helpful, and memorable.

10. Inbenta

As a B2B explainer, this one really shines. It gets straight to the point by showing exactly how the product fits into an existing workflow, which is something B2B audiences care about right away. Instead of telling a long story, it focuses on the information that actually matters and keeps everything practical and straightforward.

What makes it stand out is how quickly it jumps into the technical details without any fluff. It shows the product, explains the features clearly, and walks viewers through how it works in a real setup. For a B2B explainer, that is exactly what you want. Clarity, efficiency, and a message that respects the viewer’s time.

How to make an effective explainer video

As we’ve mentioned, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for making a great explainer video. But one thing we do know for sure is that you can’t skip the preparation, especially for a content video that you want people to watch and actually understand. So, always start by answering the most important question: “What is the goal of your explainer video?”

Once you have a clear goal in mind, everything else will fall into place. Whether it’s educating your audience, driving conversions, or explaining a complex product, knowing your purpose will help shape every aspect of the video — from the script to the visuals to the CTA.

Start with a clear objective

Every effective explainer video begins with a clear goal. Before you write a single line of script, you need to know exactly what you want the viewer to walk away with. This keeps the entire project focused and makes every decision easier.

• What is the one thing viewers must understand
• What action do you want them to take

Write a strong script

The script is the heart of your explainer. A strong one guides the viewer naturally from the problem to the solution in a way that feels simple and human. It should be easy to follow and never overloaded with unnecessary detail.

• Hook, problem, solution, how it works, benefits, CTA

Create a solid storyboard

The storyboard turns your script into something visual and helps everyone see how the story will unfold. It also prevents confusion later because the pacing, transitions, and key moments are already mapped out.

• Each scene should support the message, not distract

Choose a visual style that matches the brand

Your visual style sets the tone and helps viewers immediately recognize the brand behind the video. It does not need to be complex, it just needs to feel consistent and intentional.

• Consistency always beats complexity

End with a strong CTA

A great explainer video always leads somewhere. Your CTA should be simple, direct, and easy for the viewer to act on. Once they understand your message, tell them exactly what to do next.

• Book a demo, sign up, learn more

Choose the right distribution platforms

Making a great explainer video is only half the job. The other half is putting it in the right places so people actually see it. Different platforms serve different goals, so choosing where your video lives can make a huge difference in how well it performs.

Here are a few solid spots to consider:

• Website (Homepage or Product page): This is one of the best places to put it. Visitors understand your product faster, stay on the page longer, and are more likely to sign up.
• YouTube: Great for long-term visibility since people search on YouTube the same way they search on Google. Your explainer can keep working for you for months or even years.
• LinkedIn: Perfect for B2B audiences. Native videos tend to perform really well here, especially for SaaS, tech, and professional services.
• Investor decks or Presentations: If you are pitching, a clear explainer helps you tell your story faster and makes your value easier to understand. It adds a level of polish that people remember.

Conclusion

If we are talking about the effectiveness of an explainer video, the conversation can go on for a long time. Every project has different goals, different audiences, and different things it needs to communicate, so there is no single answer that works for everyone. It is easy to say “I want an explainer video that works,” but the truth is that its success depends heavily on how well you understand your audience and your own product.

When you know who you are speaking to and what matters to them, it becomes much easier to create a video that actually lands. Without that clarity, even the best-looking animation will struggle to make an impact. Understanding your audience is the real starting point for any explainer video that aims to be effective.

If you want help creating an explainer video that actually works, feel free to check out our explainer video service page and book a call with our team. We would be happy to walk you through the process and help you bring your message to life.

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