Most businesses don’t struggle with whether to use video – they struggle with choosing the right type of video.
Explainer videos and tutorial videos are often grouped together as “educational content”, but they solve very different problems and work at very different points in the learning journey. Choose the wrong format and you either overwhelm people too early, or explain something perfectly that nobody understands yet.
The right choice helps people grasp ideas faster, retain information more easily, and move confidently to the next step.
This guide explains how explainer videos and tutorial videos differ, when each one works best, and how to decide which format your audience actually needs.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Explainer videos and tutorial videos educate in different ways – they are not interchangeable.
- Explainer videos help people understand what something is and why it matters.
- Tutorial videos show people how to do something, step by step.
- Choosing the wrong format often leads to confusion, disengagement, or wasted effort.
- The most effective educational strategies use both formats together, in the right order.
- Professionally produced explainer videos are most effective when they’re carefully planned and produced with clarity in mind – especially when they’re being used to introduce complex products or services.
🧭 Jump to:
Explainer Videos and Tutorial Videos: Same Goal, Different Jobs
Explainer videos and tutorial videos are both designed to educate – which is why they’re often confused or used interchangeably. But while the goal is the same, the job they’re doing is not.
The key difference comes down to where the viewer is starting from.
Explainer videos are built for people who are unfamiliar with a topic and need context before they can make sense of it. Tutorial videos are built for people who already understand the context and want to learn how to do something specific.
Understanding that distinction upfront makes it much easier to choose the right format – and avoid creating content that feels either too shallow or unnecessarily complex.
What Is an Explainer Video?
An explainer video is designed to introduce a concept clearly and quickly. Its job is not to teach every detail, but to help someone understand what something is, why it matters, and how it fits into their world.
Explainer videos are typically short and tightly focused. They remove complexity rather than adding it, and they prioritise clarity over depth.
They are commonly used to:
- Introduce a product, service, or idea
- Simplify complex or unfamiliar concepts
- Communicate value propositions clearly
- Help decision-makers grasp the “why” quickly
Many explainer videos use animation because it allows abstract ideas to be visualised cleanly, but live-action formats can work just as well when the subject benefits from real-world context.
Explainer videos work best when the audience is new to a topic or needs a high-level understanding before making a decision.
What Is a Tutorial Video?
A tutorial video is built around instruction. Instead of explaining what something is, it focuses on how to do something – step by step.
Tutorials assume a level of existing context. The viewer already understands the product, system, or concept and now wants practical guidance to use it correctly.
They are commonly used for:
- Software onboarding and walkthroughs
- Product setup and usage guides
- Safety procedures and compliance training
- DIY or technical demonstrations
Tutorial videos are usually longer than explainers because they need time to show detail, repetition, and real-world application. They prioritise accuracy and completeness over brevity.
Tutorials work best when the audience already understands the “why” and is ready to act.
Explainer Videos vs Tutorial Videos: The Key Differences
The difference between these two formats is less about style and more about intent.
Explainer videos are about understanding.
Tutorial videos are about application.
An explainer video answers questions like:
- What is this?
- Why does it exist?
- Why should I care?
A tutorial video answers questions like:
- How do I use this?
- What steps do I follow?
- What should I avoid doing wrong?
If you’re also weighing up explainer videos against other formats, such as product-focused content, our comparison of explainer videos vs product videos looks at how each format supports different stages of the buyer journey.
Explainer Video vs Tutorial Video: Side-by-Side Comparison
In simple terms, explainers create clarity. Tutorials create capability.
Understanding the difference between explainer videos and tutorial videos becomes much clearer when you look at their intent side by side.
While they may use similar visuals or production techniques, the questions they answer – and the outcomes they’re designed to achieve – are very different.
| Aspect | Explainer Video | Tutorial Video |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Introduce and clarify a concept | Teach a task or process |
| Core question answered | “What is this and why does it matter?” | “How do I do this correctly?” |
| Audience mindset | New, unfamiliar, or evaluating | Informed and ready to act |
| Typical length | 60–90 seconds | 3–10 minutes (or longer) |
| Level of detail | High-level, simplified | Detailed and instructional |
| Structure | Narrative or conceptual | Step-by-step walkthrough |
| Common formats | Animation, stylised live-action | Live-action, screencast, demonstration |
| Best used when | Building understanding or alignment | Supporting usage, training, or onboarding |
| Primary outcome | Clarity and confidence | Capability and accuracy |
Seen this way, the distinction is simple.
Explainer videos reduce uncertainty and help people understand the bigger picture. Tutorial videos reduce errors and help people apply that understanding in practice.
Choosing the right format – or combining both – depends on what your audience needs next, not what feels easiest to produce.
Which Educates Better?
Neither format is “better” in isolation. The right answer depends entirely on what the audience needs at that moment.
Explainer videos educate quickly. They are ideal for introducing ideas, aligning understanding, and helping people make informed decisions without overwhelming them.
For many businesses, cost is part of that decision too – especially when choosing between explainer-led education and longer-form instructional content. We break down the key pricing factors in our guide to explainer video production costs, including what influences budget and where costs typically rise.
Tutorial videos educate deeply. They support learning through repetition, structure, and demonstration, making them essential once someone is ready to use or implement something.
In most effective strategies, the two formats work together.
A common and successful approach is:
- Use an explainer video to introduce the concept and set context
- Follow up with tutorial videos that guide users through specific tasks
This combination takes viewers from awareness to confidence – without skipping steps or creating frustration.
For most businesses, the strongest results come from using both formats together – in the right order.
How to Choose Between an Explainer Video and a Tutorial
If you’re deciding between an explainer video and a tutorial video, the answer usually becomes clear when you ask the right questions.
Ask yourself:
- Is my audience new to this, or do they already understand the basics?
- Do I need to explain why something exists, or how to use it?
- Am I supporting a decision, or helping someone complete a task?
- Would a first-time viewer feel confident after watching this?
- Is this content meant to stand alone, or support something else they’ve already seen?
If your audience needs clarity and context, an explainer video is the right starting point. If they need instruction and guidance, a tutorial video will do the heavy lifting.
If you’re answering “yes” to both sides, the solution usually isn’t choosing one over the other – it’s using both, in sequence.
Can One Video Be Both an Explainer and a Tutorial?
In some cases, a single video can combine elements of both formats – but it’s rarely the most effective approach.
Hybrid videos often try to explain too much too quickly, or spend time on detail before the viewer has enough context to care. The result is content that feels either rushed or overly long.
Separating explanation from instruction usually leads to clearer messaging, better engagement, and a smoother learning experience overall.
Creating Educational Videos That Actually Work
Regardless of format, effective educational videos share a few core principles:
- Clarity comes first – remove anything that distracts from the message
- Match the format to the audience’s knowledge level
- Use visuals with purpose, not decoration
- Focus on one objective per video, rather than cramming everything in
- Guide viewers to the next step, whether that’s another video or a real-world action
The biggest mistake businesses make is choosing a format based on preference rather than audience need. Education works best when it’s intentional.
Final Thoughts
Explainer videos and tutorial videos serve different – but complementary – roles.
Explainer videos build understanding, alignment, and confidence.
Tutorial videos build skills, accuracy, and independence.
When used together, they create a smoother learning journey and a far better experience for the audience.
If you’re planning educational video content, the real question isn’t which format is better – it’s which format your audience needs first, and how clearly that message is delivered. For businesses introducing complex ideas, services, or products, a professionally planned explainer video is often the most effective place to start.
That process works best when it’s part of a wider content strategy – something an experienced video marketing company like Media Village can help shape, from initial concept through to production and rollout across the right channels.
