2D Explainer Videos Vs. 3D Explainer Videos: Which Is the Best?

The world of digital marketing is always evolving, but there’s one thing that remains true: explainer videos are the cornerstone for businesses that need to communicate their value propositions effectively. That said, there are various styles to choose from, and, among those, 3D and 2D explainer videos stand out as highly popular choices. 

Both styles have their own unique attributes and offer specific advantages that make them more suitable for different messages and audiences.

For that reason, understanding the differences between 2D and 3D explainer videos is crucial for choosing which suits your marketing needs the best.  So, in today’s blog post, I’ll guide you through the specifics of both types, highlighting their benefits and limitations to help you make that decision.

What Are 2D Explainer Videos?

2D explainers are a type of explainer video that conveys a business message by leveraging two-dimensional animations. They’re known for using flat visuals, vector graphics, cartoon-style animation, or dynamic text (or a combination of any of those!) to illustrate complex ideas in a way that’s easy to understand. 

In the marketing industry, this style is highly popular because of its simplicity and versatility, both of which make it suitable for a variety of purposes and messages that I’ll explain in a minute.

(2D explainer video example by Yum Yum Videos.)

Pros of 2D Explainer Videos

This type of video offers numerous advantages for all kinds of businesses, some of which are:

1. They’re Cost-Effective: 2D animation is usually less expensive to produce than 3D animation because it requires fewer resources and less sophisticated technology. The explainer video cost lowers considerably with this style.

2. They Have Faster Production Times: The production process for 2D videos requires fewer steps than that for similar 3D ones, which means it’s typically quicker and allows for faster turnaround times.

3. They’re Highly Versatile: 2D animation, when combined with storytelling, can be adapted to all kinds of themes and combined with different styles to achieve all kinds of results, from a professional corporate look to a quirky, cartoonish vibe.

4. They Make Messages Easier to Understand: The visual style of 2D videos is rather simple and straightforward, which allows for fewer distractions and makes it easier for viewers to quickly grasp and retain the message, even in a 30-second explainer video.

Cons of 2D Explainer Videos

This explainer video style can truly do wonders for most marketing purposes, but depending on the context, they might not be the best choice for you:

1. They Have Limited Visual Depth: 2D animations are “flat,” in the sense that they can’t replicate the depth and realism of 3D videos. In some cases, this might be less compelling for some audiences looking for highly technologically advanced animations.

2. They Might Not Be as Impactful: Related to the previous point, there are instances in which the “simpler” visuals of 2D pieces may not be as striking or impressive as their 3D counterparts.

Potential Applications for 2D Explainer Videos

Now, you might wonder in which scenarios 2D explainers shine the strongest and offer the most advantages. Well, here they are:

1. Product Demos: When you want to showcase a digital product’s features and benefits, highlighting their usability. That’s why SaaS explainer videos are all the rage now!

2. Educational Content: When you want to share valuable information related to your niche so that your audience can easily understand it. 2D animation is particularly effective for instructional videos and employee training materials.

3. Corporate Communications: When you want to share vital information with your employees to make sure your message is understood correctly. For that reason, they’re mainly used in internal communications, company overviews, and HR presentations.

4. Brand Storytelling: When you want to stand out from the competition and give your brand a distinctive edge. 2D explainer videos are great for creating engaging brand and company stories.

5. Data Visualization: When you want to transform dense (i.e., boring!) statistics and hard data into an easily digestible presentation.

6. Event Promotions: When you want to promote upcoming events, webinars, or conferences in a fun way that catches the eye of your audience.

What Are 3D Explainer Videos?

On the other hand, we have 3D explainers, which use three-dimensional graphics and visuals to create more lifelike scenes that are typically more visually impactful.  This video style is often used to showcase complex products, concepts, or scenarios with a more accurate level of detail and realism, which often leads to a more immersive viewer experience.

Pros of 3D Explainer Videos

3D explainers are wonderful pieces of content that bring several advantages to the table, which include:

1. They’re Highly Visually Impactful: 3D animation yields more realistic and detailed visuals that viewers greatly enjoy, so it’s perfect to effectively capture and hold their attention.

2. They Offer Enhanced Engagement: Unlike 2D explainer videos, 3D visuals have more depth and complexity, which can make the video’s content more engaging and the message more memorable.

3. They Can Provide Realistic Representation: Since 3D visuals are more detailed, they can be used to accurately depict complex products and processes. This is particularly useful for technical or physical products like pieces of machinery or medical equipment.

4. They Boast an Innovative Appeal: 3D animation is that “something shiny” that captures your eye. Since they require advanced technology and software to be produced, they can often convey a sense of innovation and modernity.

Cons of 3D Explainer Videos

Wherever there’s light, there’s also shadow, as they say. Unfortunately, 3D explainers are no exception. So, here are the key disadvantages of this video style:

1. Higher Costs: When compared to 2D explainer videos, 3D animations are generally a lot more expensive due to the advanced technology, expertise, time, and other resources the production process requires. For that reason, this style is not typically preferred for long explainers.

2. Longer Production Time: This goes hand in what with my previous point. 3D explainer videos are quite complex to create, as they require extra steps to achieve that realistic look. This, in turn, means they’re going to take a long time to produce.

3. Complexity in Message Delivery: The highly detailed visuals can sometimes overshadow your message and distract viewers from what you’re actually trying to say. Yes, the visuals are amazing, but they can make it harder for viewers to focus on your key points.

Potential Applications for 3D Explainer Videos

All that being said, there are some scenarios in which it’s best to leverage 3D explainers, such as the following:

1. Product Visualization: When you want to showcase complex or highly detailed physical products, prototypes, and machinery, and explain how every piece comes together to make them work.

2. Medical Visualizations: When you want to illustrate the potential of medical procedures or innovative technology that would be difficult to explain to a non-expert audience.

3. Gaming and Entertainment: When you want to promote a video game, animated film, or other entertainment products in a visually compelling way that wouldn’t be easily achievable with a 2D explainer video.

4. Virtual Tours: When you want to give your audience a virtual tour of a business facility, school campus, or tourist attraction.

5. Interactive Experiences: When you want to offer your audience an immersive experience and content they can interact with.

So, Which One Is Best?

If You Need a 2D Explainer Video, Yum Yum Videos Can Help!

If you’re leaning towards making a 2D explainer, then say no more! Here, at Yum Yum Videos, we can offer you top-notch services that only a professional explainer video production company can provide.

With over 12 years of experience in the industry, we’ve created hundreds of animated explainers for all kinds of clients across a wide variety of industries. Thanks to our team’s hard work and dedication, we now proudly stand as a recognized leader in the market, and we’re ready to give you a hand with your video marketing needs!

What’s more, our dedicated team of passionate and talented professionals in 2D animation, design, and video production all ensure a simple and smooth process for our clients while taking great care of every detail in each piece we make.

We prioritize thoroughly understanding your company’s goals, mission, and values and working closely with you every step of the way. This way, we can create video content that will not only exceed your expectations but also make your audience fall in love with it.  If you’re ready to get that powerful explainer fully customized to your needs and your audience’s preferences, just get in touch! We’ll be happy to see how we can help you!

Wrapping Up 

When torn between 2D explainer videos and 3D explainer videos, the only way out is to do thorough research on each style. We’ve got that part covered today. Now, you need to consider your company’s specific needs, budget, target audience, and the nature of your message.

Do you need cost-effective, versatile, and easy-to-understand animations that can be produced relatively quickly? Then, 2D is your best best. Maybe you’re looking for a higher visual impact and a more immersive experience? Then, if your budget and timeline allow it, go 3D. What are you waiting for? Go get that awesome explainer your brand (and your audience!) deserves!