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How to Create a SaaS Explainer Video: 2026 Guide
Everything you need to know about creating SaaS explainer videos in 2026, from choosing the right style to picking the best tools and measuring ROI.
Table of Contents
Why SaaS Explainer Videos Are No Longer Optional
If you sell software, you already know the challenge: your product does a lot, but explaining it in a way that clicks with prospects is hard. Text-heavy landing pages and feature lists don't cut it anymore. That's where a SaaS explainer video creator comes in.
Here's why this matters right now. According to DemandSage's 2026 video marketing report, 89% of businesses now use video as a marketing tool, and 93% of those report a positive ROI. For SaaS companies specifically, the stakes are even higher: 96% of consumers have watched an explainer video to learn about a product or service, and 82% say a video has convinced them to buy.
The Explainer Video Market Is Exploding
Before we dive into the how-to, it's worth understanding just how fast this space is growing. The AI video generator market alone hit $789 million in 2025 and is projected to reach $3.4 billion by 2033, according to Grand View Research. That's a 20.3% compound annual growth rate.
_Source: Grand View Research, Fortune Business Insights_
The trajectory is steep for a reason. AI video generation volume grew 840% between January 2024 and January 2026, according to recent industry data. Monthly active users across AI video platforms surpassed 124 million in early 2026. And 78% of marketing teams now use AI-generated video in at least one campaign per quarter.
Types of SaaS Explainer Videos (And When to Use Each)
Not all saas explainer videos are the same. The style you choose should match your product complexity, audience, and where the video will live. Here's a breakdown of the most common types.
Animated Explainer Videos
These use 2D animation, motion graphics, or character animation to tell your product story visually. They're the most popular style for SaaS because they simplify abstract concepts without needing real footage. Product explainer videos in this style are also easy to update when features change - no reshoots required.
Best for: Complex products, abstract workflows, top-of-funnel awareness.
Screen Recording and Product Demo Videos
These capture your actual product UI in action. A raw screen recording becomes a polished walkthrough with smart cuts, zoom effects, callouts, and step labels. ngram's screen recording editor turns rough captures into professional demos automatically.
Best for: Product-led growth, mid-funnel consideration, onboarding.
Whiteboard Videos
Hand-drawn illustrations that build on screen as a narrator explains your product. They have a casual, educational feel that works well for explaining complex processes.
Best for: Educational content, thought leadership, explaining multi-step workflows.
AI-Generated Videos
The newest category. AI-powered tools generate visuals, avatars, voiceovers, and motion graphics from text prompts or existing content. These have gotten dramatically better in 2025-2026.
Best for: Scaling video production, teams without video expertise, rapid iteration.
Mixed Media
Combines multiple styles - screen recording with animated overlays, live footage with motion graphics, or AI-generated clips with branded elements. This approach creates the most polished, unique results.
Best for: Brand videos, high-stakes launches, differentiated positioning.
How to Create a SaaS Explainer Video (Step by Step)
Here's the process that works, whether you're using an agency, a freelancer, or an AI-powered saas explainer video creator.
Step 1: Define Your Goal and Audience
Before writing a single word, answer three questions:
- Who is this for? A first-time visitor? A trial user? A decision-maker evaluating your product?
- What should they do after watching? Sign up? Book a demo? Understand a feature?
- Where will this live? Homepage? Landing page? LinkedIn? Email?
Step 2: Write the Script
The script is 80% of the work. A polished video with a weak script is still a weak video.
The most effective structure for SaaS explainer videos follows this arc:
- Hook (0-5 seconds): Name the pain your audience feels
- Problem (5-20 seconds): Make them feel understood
- Solution (20-45 seconds): Introduce your product as the answer
- How it works (45-70 seconds): Show 2-3 key features in action
- Proof (70-80 seconds): Social proof, metrics, or results
- CTA (80-90 seconds): Clear next step
Step 3: Build the Storyboard
Map each section of the script to visual scenes. This is where you decide what viewers see for each line of narration. A good storyboard prevents expensive rework later.
Step 4: Choose Your Style and Produce
Based on the video type that fits your goals, produce the visuals. This is where the approach diverges based on your method:
- DIY with templates: Pick a template, swap in your content, export
- With a freelancer/agency: Send the storyboard, review drafts, iterate
- With an AI-powered tool: Feed in your script and assets, review the generated output, refine
Step 5: Edit, Polish, and Brand
This is where good videos become great ones. The polish layer includes:
- Captions (85% of Facebook video is watched on mute, according to Digiday)
- Music and sound design that match the mood
- Brand consistency with your colors, fonts, and logo. A brand kit ensures every video looks like it comes from your company
Step 6: Distribute and Measure
Your explainer video should go everywhere it can work:
- Homepage hero section
- Product and feature landing pages
- Email sequences
- LinkedIn and social media
- Sales outreach
- Help center and onboarding flows
Best SaaS Explainer Video Creator Tools in 2026
Here are the tools worth considering, organized by what they do best.
ngram - Best All-in-One SaaS Explainer Video Creator
ngram is built for the exact problem SaaS teams face: you need video for everything but you don't have a video team.
Synthesia - Best for Avatar-Led Training Videos
Synthesia specializes in AI avatar-based videos. It is particularly strong for internal training, onboarding, and knowledge base content.
HeyGen - Best for Personalized Sales Videos
HeyGen focuses on AI-generated spokesperson videos. Its strength is personalization at scale.
Descript - Best for Editing Existing Video
Descript treats video like a text document. It's excellent for cleaning up screen recordings.
Canva - Best for Quick Social Clips
Canva's video editor is approachable and template-rich, great for quick social media clips.
Vyond - Best for Character Animation
Vyond specializes in animated character videos with a drag-and-drop interface.
What Makes a SaaS Explainer Video Actually Convert
Creating a video is one thing. Creating one that moves the needle is another. Here's what separates high-performing saas explainer videos from forgettable ones.
Hook in the First 5-8 Seconds
SaaS buyers decide quickly whether a video is worth their time. Lead with the frustration your audience already feels.
Keep It Between 60-90 Seconds
The sweet spot for SaaS explainers is 60-90 seconds. Long enough to tell a complete story, short enough to hold attention.
Problem First, Product Second
The best SaaS explainer videos start with the problem, not the product.
Make the CTA Unmistakable
Every video needs a clear, single next step.
Stay On Brand
Consistency builds trust.
Start Creating
The SaaS explainer video space has changed fundamentally in the last two years. What used to require a $15,000 agency engagement and a 6-week timeline can now happen in an afternoon with the right tool.