Explainer Video vs. Brand Film: What’s the Difference & When to Use Each
What do YOU need? 🎥🆚🎬
Not all videos are created equal—and that’s a good thing. Different goals call for different tools. Two of the most powerful formats in your video marketing toolkit are explainer videos and brand films. While they might look similar on the surface, they serve very completely different purposes. Here’s how to tell them apart, and when to use each one:
What Is an Explainer Video?
An explainer video is a short, focused piece of content that breaks down a product, service, or process. It usually answers one key question: "How does this work?"
Features:
Length: Typically 30–90 seconds
Style: Animated or live-action, often with voiceover
Goal: Clarify, simplify, educate
Best for:
Startups launching a new product
SaaS platforms with complex features
Businesses with a lot of "what does that mean?" moments (you know who you are)
What Is a Brand Film?
A brand film is all about storytelling. It gives viewers a sense of your identity, values, and personality. Think of it as your company’s vibe on video.
Features:
Length: Anywhere from 1 to 3 minutes (sometimes longer)
Style: Cinematic, emotional, story-driven
Goal: Inspire, connect, build trust
Best for:
New brand launches or rebrands
Recruiting top talent
Driving emotional engagement with audiences
Can You Use Both?
Absolutely! In fact, they work beautifully together:
Use a brand film to hook your audience and introduce your company’s story.
Then follow up with explainer videos to dive into the nuts and bolts of what you do.
This one-two punch builds emotional connection and practical understanding—which is the secret to high-performing video strategy.
Conclusion
Think of brand films as your company’s handshake and explainer videos as your elevator pitch. Both are essential, but they play very different roles.
In fact, don’t even consider not doing both. We’re in the era of continuous content. Everyone is making things all the time, and the only way to cut through the noise is with well-thought-out, specific content that highlights why YOU — authentically — are THE choice for people.
And do you know who is THE choice for people when it comes to video production? Itchy Palm Pictures — the only video production company you’ll ever need.
