Video and UGC
How Much Does a Product Video Cost? Agency, Freelancer or AI
How much does a product video cost? Agency, freelancer and AI compared, what drives the price and when a real shoot is worth it. With a cost example.
Written by Genly's AI team, reviewed by Marlon Bonink
· 4 min read
You know video beats photos. On your product page, in your ads, on Instagram. But getting a product video made feels like a big project: collecting quotes, planning a shoot day, waiting weeks for the edit. And then you have one video, while for ads you really want to test ten variations. What does a product video cost, and can AI do it too?
Short answer: A professionally produced product video typically costs $1,200 to $7,000 from a video agency and $600 to $2,500 from a freelancer, depending on shoot time, actors, editing and rights. With AI you can create an ad video for a few dollars each. A real shoot wins on trust and craft; AI wins on volume and speed. The smartest route combines both.
How much does a product video cost?
The ranges below are typical. Agencies quote anything from a few hundred dollars for a simple clip to tens of thousands for a brand film.
| Option | Price per video (typical) | Turnaround | Variations | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video agency | $1,200 to $7,000 | 3 to 6 weeks | Extra versions at extra cost | Brand film, campaign video |
| Freelance videographer | $600 to $2,500 | 2 to 4 weeks | Limited | Product video, simple shoot |
| UGC creator | $100 to $450 | 1 to 3 weeks | 1 to 3 hooks | Social videos and ads |
| AI video (for example Genly) | A few dollars | Minutes | As many as you like | Ads and testing |
What drives the price?
- Pre-production. Concept, script and storyboard often take a day or two before anyone films.
- Shoot day. A camera operator with gear charges per half day or day, plus studio, lighting or location rental.
- Actors. An actor or model charges a day rate plus a fee for use in paid ads (a buyout), often per period.
- Editing and animation. Color grading, captions, text animation and multiple formats (9:16, 4:5, 16:9) add hours.
- Rights. Music licensed for advertising and the use of footage in paid campaigns are not always included.
- Revisions. One or two rounds are usually included. After that you pay by the hour.
When is a real shoot better?
AI can do a lot, but not everything. Choose a real shoot when:
- Trust is central. Show your own team, workshop or store. People buy from people.
- Your product is complex. A machine someone operates, a fabric you need to feel, food someone tastes.
- It is a brand film. A video that lives on your homepage for years can be an investment.
- Your location is the story. Hotels, restaurants and holiday parks sell with real footage.
The AI alternative: from product photo to video ad
For advertising, one perfect video matters less than many good variations. Ads wear out on Meta and TikTok within weeks, and you only find the winning angle by testing. That is where AI shines:
- Paste your product page link.
- The AI picks up your product images, brand style and key benefits.
- You get video ads: an AI presenter explaining your product, a product video with motion and voice-over, and static variations.
In Genly you do this through product to ad. For a step-by-step workflow, read how to make AI video ads.
Cost example: one hero video or 20 variations
| Approach | What you get | Cost (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Agency: one product video plus 4 extra versions | 5 videos | $3,000 to $6,000 |
| Freelancer: one video, edit versions yourself | 1 to 3 videos | $900 to $1,800 |
| AI: 20 videos of 30 seconds | 20 on-brand videos | One Starter plan (200 credits) |
| Mix: one real video plus 15 AI variations | 16 videos | $1,200 to $2,500 |
A standard 30 second AI video costs 10 credits in Genly, so the Starter plan's 200 credits cover 20 videos. For many online stores the mix makes the most sense: one real video for the product page, and AI variations to test in ads which message sells best.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a product video made?
With an agency, three to six weeks on average from briefing to final cut. With a freelancer, two to four weeks. An AI video is ready within minutes.
Who owns the video?
With an agency or freelancer, agree in writing that you may use the video, on which channels and for how long. Pay special attention to actors and music, which often carry separate rights. AI videos you create yourself can be used commercially under the tool's terms.
Can I use an AI video in advertising?
Yes. Stay honest: never let an AI person pretend to be a real customer, and disclose that realistic AI people were made with AI. Meta and TikTok have their own labels for this.
What does an AI product video cost in Genly?
A standard 30 second video costs 10 credits. Our pricing page shows how many credits each plan includes.
Editor
Marlon Bonink
Co-founder of Genly
This article was written by Genly's AI team and reviewed by Marlon before it went live. How we work with AI: AI transparency.
