In 2026 a business video can cost almost nothing with AI tools or much more with an agency, depending on who does the work and what is included.
Published 2026-09-30
In 2026, the cost of a short business video depends on who does the work, how much planning is involved, and how many versions you need. An agency is usually the most expensive route, a freelancer sits in the middle, and an AI tool that works from your own footage is the cheapest. For most small firms, the real question is not the cheapest option but the one that fits the footage you already have.
An agency is the most expensive route. You pay for a producer, a script, a shoot day, an editor and often a licence for music. Prices climb quickly when travel, actors or a studio are involved. You also wait longer, because several people touch the project before you see a first cut.
A freelancer sits in the middle. One person often films and edits, so the price is lower and the communication is simpler. The risk is availability. If your editor is busy, your video waits. You also usually get one version, and changes after delivery may cost extra.
An AI tool is the cheapest route, but only if you already have usable footage. You film on your own phone, upload the clips, and the tool cuts them into a short vertical video. You pay for access, not for hours of someone's time. The trade-off is that nobody plans the shoot for you.
Several things move the number more than the choice of supplier. The first is preparation. A clear idea of what the video should say saves hours for everyone, including you.
The second is footage. If someone has to film on location, the price includes travel and setup. If you already have clips on your phone, that cost disappears.
The third is the number of versions. Agencies charge for extra cuts because each one is more editing time. Asking for three different openings can double the work.
The fourth is language. A video with text in one language is simpler than one that needs subtitles or a second voice. Translation and dubbing add steps and cost.
The fifth is speed. A rushed deadline usually means overtime or a bigger team, and that shows up in the invoice.
An AI tool works best when the material already exists. You upload your own clips and photos, answer a couple of questions, and the assistant proposes three concepts. You pick one, and the tool produces three cut variants of that concept. You download the one you like. Nothing is added that you did not film, so the result still looks like your business.
This approach does not replace a planned shoot. If you need a new location, a presenter or a product filmed from scratch, you still need a person with a camera. The saving comes from skipping that step, not from pretending it is unnecessary.
It also does not promise views or sales. A video is one part of your marketing, and the rest depends on your offer, your audience and how often you post.
For a single short vertical video made from your own phone footage, the cost is usually the price of a tool subscription, which is far below a freelancer's day rate. For a freelancer, expect a few hundred euros for a simple edit and more if filming is included. For an agency, treat the price as a project budget rather than a per-video fee.
The honest answer is that the cheapest video is the one you can actually finish. A rough cut published this week often teaches you more than a perfect video that never leaves the planning stage.
Start in Relsko by uploading the clips you already have. Answer a couple of questions, look at the three proposed concepts, and choose one. Then download the cut variant that fits your business best.
In short: In 2026 a business video can cost nothing but your time or several thousand euros, and the difference is mostly who does the work.
Show people what you do, without hours of editing.
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