We’ve seen animation do incredible things: from educating thousands of volunteers to supercharging summer reading sign-ups beyond record.
Animated video is a powerful tool for storytelling, marketing, and education. But when choosing the perfect style for your project, choosing between 2D and 3D animation can be challenging. How do you know which is right for your message?
Whether you’re producing an explainer video, product demo, or branded content, understanding the strengths of each style will help you make an informed decision.
We’re bringing expert insight in today’s guide: read along to discover 2D vs 3D animation, their unique benefits, and how to choose the best approach for your needs.
Our mascot, Chicken Knight, is always up to something exciting. Look out for Chicken in his rocketship to learn the answer to a frequently asked question!
What’s the Difference Between 2D and 3D Animation?
Simplicity is one of our core values. So, let’s keep it simple:
At a high level, 2D animation is a flat, two-dimensional style where characters and objects move in a single plane, while 3D animation adds depth, making objects appear more lifelike.
In this article by the Academy of Animated Art, you can read a further breakdown these two categories from an artistic perspective.
Since we’re focusing on the best impact for your important messaging, let’s discuss the benefits of 2D vs. 3D Animation:
In this project with the Western Sustainability Exchange, 2D Animation informs farmers by bringing cyclical grazing to life.
The Benefits of 2D Animation
As we approach the one-hundred year anniversary of 2D Animation – or pass it, according to some scholars! – folks will recognize it most for its versatility, especially when conveying complex ideas in a visually engaging way.
Evolving from classic hand-drawn cartoons to modern, polished vector-based animation, we see 2D Animation used all around the world, in every industry and public space.
It may not always be easy to see, but animation is there. Think of the pharmaceutical commercials you see running on television, or the bus stop advertisements that run while you wait for your ride.
Today, 2D Animation remains the most popular choice for businesses looking to create engaging and cost-effective animated videos. Let’s unpack why:
Affordable and Easy to Produce
2D animation is relatively budget-friendly compared to 3D animation or live action video production.
Although 2D Animation is highly customizable and involves crafting each frame individually, it still requires fewer resources, less complex software, and a shorter production timeline than 3D
If you’re looking to answer the question “Is 3D animation cheaper than 2D?”—the answer is no.
Ideal for Explainers and Marketing Content
Marketing content, like explainer animations and informative storytelling, play well to the strengths of 2D animation.
Because 2D animation simplifies complex ideas, it’s perfect for a wide range of goals and suitable to almost any industry. 2D Animation marries engaging narration with demonstrative visuals to illustrate points that might be difficult to convey through text alone.
Animation offers a simplification that not only makes marketing content more accessible, but also more memorable.
Since our studio specializes in custom branding and human-centered storytelling, we often recommend 2D animation for marketing and communication projects. Check out a favorite example from our studio, here:
Common question: How much does 2D Animation cost per minute?Â
Expert Answer: There are several factors that greatly influence the cost of an animation. High-quality, custom 2D animation typically starts around $6,000–$10,000 per minute, while 3D animation can double or triple that cost.
Easy to Update and Repurpose
2D elements can be easily modified for updates, additional content, or reformatting into different aspect ratios (like vertical videos for social media).
Year after year, our friends at Grady Health return for updates and new content as part of a long-term training video collaboration. Check out their video below.
We’re proud to produce videos that have trained over 8,500 staff a year, who apply what they’ve learned to offer care and support to over 737,000 patients annually!
Because 3D animation design requires complex rendering and modeling, it often means additional challenges when keeping videos evergreen.
This training animation created with Grady Health has trained over 8,500 staff a year, who apply what they’ve learned to offer care and support to over 737,000 patients annually!
The Benefits of 3D Animation
3D animation design brings a level of depth and realism that 2D animation can’t replicate.
Almost all of the 3D Animation projects we’ve worked on here at Next Day Animations have been highly realistic product demonstrations.
While more resource-intensive, 3D Animation is the best choice when lifelike detail, product accuracy, or immersive visuals are required.
Here are some of the specific benefits that afford 3D Animation its impact:
Realistic and Visually Impressive
3D animation provides depth, lighting, and shading, making it ideal for industries like technology and healthcare.
3D Animation can showcase each facet of a product or situation better than 2D Animation, as it operates beyond the X and Y axis. If you need to create marketing content that showcases a product or environment from all angles, this is the way to go.
This 3D Animation created to showcase the dynamic accessories of Toothshower goes beyond a traditional advertisement: an informative narration paired with visually rich and engaging experience leaves audiences ready to spring into action when they hear the call to purchase.
Ideal for Explainers and Marketing Content
While 2D animation excels at simplifying ideas, 3D animation is unbeatable when you need to maintain each complex detail in a clear way.
Common question: If 2D Animation is most popular across all industries, what is 3D Animation used for?
Expert Answer:Â 3D Animation is becoming increasingly popular in our cultural mainstream. For professionals, 3D Animation is most often employed by the tech and healthcare industry.
For example, in the medical field, 3D Animation is often used for: anatomical simulations, pharmaceutical demonstrations, or medical device marketing.
The above example from Tooth Shower emphasizes how useful 3D Animation can be at demonstrating product mechanics.
Specifically, professionals can leverage renderings in 3D Animation to showcase projects before they are built – consider an architectural project being pitched to a city council!
Because 3D Animation can simulate real-world physics, it can be used in place of real footage to save time and money in the planning process of decision making.
Longer Shelf-Life for High End Content
Because 3D animation requires more time and budget, it’s often used for projects with a longer lifespan—like product demos that will stay relevant for years.
While updates can be more complicated than in 2D, 3D assets can sometimes be reused or repurposed across multiple projects, saving costs in the long run.
You can find some more valuable details from this LinkedIn article on the key differences between 3D and 2D Animation.
What Should You Choose? 2D vs. 3D Animation
The right choice depends on your goals, budget, and audience. Here’s a simple way to decide:
Choose 2D Animation If…
- You need a cost-effective marketing or explainer video.
- You want a branded, stylized look with strong visual storytelling.
- Your project has a fast turnaround and may require updates.
- You’re creating social media ads, educational content, or whiteboard animation.
Choose 3D Animation If…
- You need realistic or detailed visuals for a product or concept.
- You need 3D rendering and movement (e.g., product rotation, depth).
- Your content has a long shelf life and needs high production value.
- You’re creating medical animations, industrial demos, or high-end product videos.
Common question: How can I maximize ROI on my animation?
Expert Answer:Â Our studio offers a range of valuable add-ons that heighten impact, support accessibility, and save you money. Consider translating your animation to help it reach a wider audience, or taking advantage of a social media package to increase awareness touchpoints.
Final Thoughts: 2D vs. 3D Animation for Your Business
Both 2D and 3D animation have their strengths, but for most marketing, branding, and explainer videos, 2D animation remains the best choice—offering affordability, flexibility, and high customization to match your brand.
That said, if you’re looking for cutting-edge realism, detailed product demonstrations, or immersive simulations, 3D animation design may be the better option.
At Next Day Animations, we specialize in custom animation that brings stories to life with personality, emotion, and expert craftsmanship. If you’re ready to explore the best animation style for your project, reach out to our team today!
Call (202) 747-0404 or Get a Quote Below:
