Agencies are out of reach
Commonly quoted agency prices for a produced explainer run from thousands of dollars upward, and changing it later costs more.
Small businesses
Video marketing for small businesses, without the agency bill.
You know video works. What stops most small businesses is the cost: an agency explainer runs into the thousands, and premium AI video still bills by the second. Etchly makes on-brand, narrated, animated videos for about the price of a coffee.
Why video feels out of reach.
Filming takes days you don't have
Scripts, a shoot, editing, captions, music. Every video becomes a project.
Premium AI video adds up fast
Generative video bills per second and per reroll, so one polished minute can cost more than a month of Etchly.
Videos you can make this week.
What we do in 60 seconds
A homepage explainer that answers “what is this and why should I care?”
How it works
Walk customers through booking, ordering or onboarding step by step.
FAQ videos
Turn the questions your team answers every day into short videos.
Myth vs fact
Clear up the misconceptions that cost you sales.
Seasonal promos
Holiday hours, a new menu or a limited offer, posted the same day.
Local “did you know”
Neighborhood history and trivia that earns shares and follows.
On-brand on every video
Set up a brand kit once with your colors, fonts, logo, website and end card, and every video carries it. A 15-second Instagram promo and a two-minute website explainer look like they came from the same studio, because they did.
From idea to posted in an afternoon
Type what you want, like “explain our same-day phone repair in 45 seconds, friendly tone”. Etchly writes the script, picks a voice, illustrates every scene, adds music and captions, and renders an MP4 ready for your website, Google Business Profile, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube.
- 9:16 for Reels, TikTok and Shorts
- 16:9 for your website and YouTube
- Captions burned in for silent autoplay
What it costs, honestly
A brand-new 60-second video with 16 illustrations is about 25 credits: roughly $6 on Starter, $5 on Pro or $4 on Studio. Shorter videos cost less. Edits that reuse the art are re-rendered for free. Most small businesses fit on Pro at $39/month, which works out to about eight new minute-long videos.
A minute of video, priced honestly.
Seedance figures use typical third-party API rates of $0.42–$0.68 per generated second at 1080p with audio (October 2026). Generative clips run roughly 5–15 seconds, so a 60-second video is several generations stitched together. Prices change, so check the provider. The Etchly range is a 25-credit, 60-second video with 16 new illustrations on the Studio to Starter plans.
Features that matter here
Brand kits
Your palette, fonts, logo, handle, icons and end card on every video.
Learn moreAI script writer
Narration fitted to your target length, plus scene-by-scene direction, titles and post copy.
Learn moreCaptions & audio
Word-timed burned-in captions, original music and SFX, per-effect faders, −14 LUFS.
Learn moreRead next
9 small business videos you can make this week (no crew)
Nine small business video ideas you can make this week without a crew: explainers, FAQs, myth vs fact, seasonal promos and more, plus where to post each.
What Is an Explainer Video? Structure, Length and Examples
What is an explainer video? Learn the six-part structure, ideal length by use, popular styles, honest cost ranges, and a sample 60-second script outline.
What an AI video really costs in 2026 (and how to pay less)
A line-by-line AI video cost breakdown for 2026: script, voice, visuals, music, editing and rerolls, plus a 60-second cost table and practical ways to pay less.
Questions, answered.
Do I need any video experience?
No. There's no timeline to edit. Describe the video, review the script, press produce, and change anything in plain English.
Can I put my logo and website on the video?
Yes. Brand kits add your logo, colors, fonts, handle or URL and an end card automatically.
Where can I post the videos?
Anywhere that accepts MP4: your website, Google Business Profile, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, email campaigns and in-store screens.
Is it cheaper than hiring a freelancer?
For most short marketing videos, yes, by a wide margin. A freelancer is still a great choice for live-action filming or a bespoke brand film.
Make your first video free.
10 free credits on signup, enough to script and produce a short 15-second video. No card required.