< back to all articles

Top 6 SaaS Product Videos That Don’t Feel Like a User Manual

Wojtek Jeżowski

June 30, 2025

Table of Content

SaaS is a crowded party, and if your product video doesn’t make an impression in the first ten seconds, most viewers are already eyeing the exit.

You see, the best SaaS product videos don’t just show the dashboard; they connect with the target audience. They make your potential customers feel seen. They grab the viewer's attention from the first second and turn “that’s interesting” into “OMG I need this.”

Whether you're launching your own SaaS company or trying to give your existing product a second life, the right video can do more than explain – it can convert, differentiate, and actually be watchable.

SaaS explainer video production: What to learn from the best?

At Black Rabbit, we’ve helped B2B marketing teams at Trend Micro, ASUS, Accenture, Forescout, etc., translate complex concepts into clarity. We know what works. We’ve also seen what flops.

In this article, I’ll spotlight what I consider the best SaaS explainer video examples, break down what makes them truly impactful for business decision-makers, and offer a few clues about what creating something this good might cost.

These insights come straight from real-world SaaS explainer video production, not theory.

SaaS demo video examples that break the rules (and win)

This collection of six different approaches shows what’s possible in SaaS demo videos — from polished interface walkthroughs to wild, hybrid storytelling. Whether you're a startup or enterprise-level SaaS company, these examples can inspire your own production.

Island

Kicking things off on a slightly unexpected note, and if you’re a B2B SaaS marketer, this one might not feel instantly familiar. For starters, it’s not animated.

No bouncing icons or motion graphics are narrating the pain points. Instead, this video leans into live-action, with real actors and a conversational script that feels more like a short film than a product demo.

But that’s exactly why it works.

Island’s product video isn’t just a product video; it’s a rare hybrid that blends explainer, product, and brand storytelling into one cohesive narrative. It opens with a deceptively simple question, “What is a browser?”.

From there, it seamlessly introduces the product features, outlines the pain points, and shows how it all actually works. All while staying grounded in scenarios that real users actually face.

It’s smart. It’s clear. And it proves that when done right, creativity in B2B SaaS isn’t a risk; it’s the thing that makes you memorable. And for sure, this can double as a very enjoyable and memorable SaaS video ad.

Estimated cost: at least 100k USD

Slack

This is a prime example of a pure Saas product video, and a masterclass in making one that’s genuinely watchable. Slack’s “Digital HQ” video wastes no time. It opens with a tongue-in-cheek moment, “We ask ourselves that every day,” that immediately drops the corporate pretense and invites the viewer into something more human, more real.

From there, it does exactly what a great product video should: it shows the product, in context, solving actual problems. Channels, deadlines, focus time, integrations, all of it is covered, but with warmth, clarity, and pacing that doesn’t overwhelm.

The tone stays light and empathetic. It’s entirely focused on functionality, yet it manages to hint at brand values, flexibility, transparency, and inclusion, without spelling them out.

In just over a minute, Slack shows us exactly what it's, how it fits into our workday, and why it’s better than the inbox-chaos alternative.

Waaaay back, Slack made the mother of all explainers. Check it out and some of the best saas explainer videos in our article: The Best Explainer Videos for B2B Tech Ever

Estimated cost: at least 20k USD

Salesforce

This one’s another hybrid video, but with a very different flavor (pun fully intended).

From the start, this Salesforce AICRM video abandons the traditional enterprise tone in favor of a visual storytelling approach. Within seconds, we’re into a clear, relatable business challenge: sales are slumping, and the solution arrives fast: AICRM, a next-gen CRM that uses AI to unify data and boost team performance.

What makes this hybrid work is its narrative structure. It’s not just a demo. It’s a little movie, with characters, a plot, and even a product launch twist (hello, Power Poofs). Along the way, the viewer sees exactly how AICRM supports each team.

It functions beautifully as a Saas product video, with clear use cases, UI moments, and a sense of real functionality. However, it also hits the beats of a Saas explainer video, showing how traditional CRMs fall short and how this AI-powered evolution closes the gaps.

And then there's the brand layer: Salesforce’s tone of voice, quirky charm, and pro-user message shine through in every beat.

Estimated cost: at least 55k USD

Zendesk

This  is a perfect example of a straightforward SaaS product video, but it’s executed with such polish and visual clarity that it never feels dry. There’s no actor-led storyline or quirky metaphor here. It’s voiceover + interface… yet it still works remarkably well.

Why? Because it’s built around clarity, flow, and just the right touch of visual finesse.

The video opens with a plain statement: Zendesk is customer service software. However, in the next breath, it reveals value: ready-to-go, fully customizable, scalable, and integrated. It’s a no-nonsense intro that immediately reassures both small teams and enterprise buyers: this will work for you.

What follows is a simple, well-paced walkthrough of features. Still, instead of just reading them out, the narrator walks us through scenarios (“Let’s say your customers mostly send emails…”), making everything feel relevant and concrete.

This video doesn’t try to be funny or emotional. It’s not an explainer. It’s not trying to be viral. It’s functional content done beautifully, and that, in the SaaS world, is sometimes all you need to build trust and drive action.

Estimated cost: at least 30k USD

Monday

This saas animation video opens with a universal question: “What does your ideal way of working look like?”, immediately inviting the viewer to imagine a better version of their day. That hook sets the tone: this isn’t just a software pitch, it’s a vision for flexibility, adaptability, and scale.

The video then positions Monday as the answer to that individualized ideal. It’s not “one-size-fits-all, it’s “build-it-your-way.” That’s a compelling narrative in a SaaS landscape where rigidity is often the norm.

From there, the product tour begins with a clear and smooth user interface. Automations, integrations, task tracking, forms, and more, each feature is presented not as a technical specification, but as a way to remove friction and help teams do better work.

The script does a good job tying every capability to real outcomes: move faster, spend smarter, stay aligned. The use of relatable micro-scenarios (“When campaign status changes to approved… notify Alex”) keeps it grounded.

This isn’t a video that tries to go viral or get laughs. But it does succeed in making a complex, flexible platform feel accessible and aspirational. That’s no small feat.

Estimated cost: at least 25k USD

Descript

This Descript video is a brilliant example of a product video that feels more like a comedy sketch than a demo, and that’s exactly why it works. Once again, this is the kind of marketing video that nails the value proposition in the most engaging way imaginable.

Right from the first line, you can feel it's personal. It’s not speaking to enterprise buyers or early adopters. It’s talking directly to you, the person procrastinating on starting that YouTube channel, podcast, or internal training video.

What follows is pure hybrid magic. It’s a product video through and through, but every single feature is demoed within a scripted, narrative, and humorous context. You're not just watching buttons get clicked; you’re watching characters (okay, exaggerated personas) react to the real-world pain of video editing… and be delighted when Descript solves it.

This video isn’t afraid to be chaotic. It breaks the fourth wall. It includes misfires and awkward moments, yet by the end, you’ve seen the product’s core value clearly, and more importantly, you remember it.

That’s a bold, brilliant way to speak to the entire customer journey in under three minutes.

Estimated cost: at least 75k USD

Your SaaS product video marketing strategy

Now that we’ve seen six very different takes on SaaS product videos, some playful, some polished, and some proudly weird... what ties them together? It’s not just great visuals or clever scripts.

It’s clarity of purpose.

Each one knows exactly what kind of video it is (or consciously blends formats to great effect). But if you’re sitting down to create your own, that line can get blurry fast.

Especially between two of the most misunderstood formats: the product video and the explainer video.

Product Video vs. Explainer Video: Why Getting It Right Matters

Ever watched someone pull a MacBook Air out of a manila envelope and think: yep, sold?

That’s a product video done right.

But in SaaS, the line between a SaaS explainer video and a SaaS product demo video often gets blurry. One shows how it works. The other shows why it matters. So let’s clear this up.

What is a SaaS Product Video?

Purpose: Make the product tangible—show how it works, how it feels, and what makes it worth caring about.

For physical products, that might mean a cinematic unboxing or slow pan over titanium edges. For SaaS products, it’s trickier, but no less powerful. A great SaaS product video shows the interface, yes, but also the experience:

  • What tasks can I complete easily?
  • How intuitive is the UI?
  • What features actually make my life easier?

This is where we see smart visual storytelling: scenario-driven demos, subtle motion UI, engaging visuals and real-world usage in context.

Best for: Product pages, app store previews, sales presentations

What is a SaaS Explainer Video?

Purpose: Frame the product through the lens of the audience’s pain. Explain why it exists, who it helps, and what problem it solves.

Explainer videos sit one level higher than product videos. The best explainer videos don’t just say, “Here’s a button.” They make you care why the button matters in the first place.

Typically structured as: Problem → Pain → Solution → How it works → Next step

Best for: Landing pages, onboarding flows, ABM campaigns, pitch decks

So Which One Do You Need? Product video or explainer video?

Both. But not simultaneously. It all depends on your saas video marketing strategy. Let me explain.

SaaS product videos are for users who've already said, “Tell me more.”

Saas explainer videos are for folks still thinking, “WTF is this and why should I care?”

Some advice? Keep explainer and product videos separate, at least most of the time. That’s how you stay focused, sharp, and  effective.

How to Be Bold With B2B SaaS Videos (Without Crashing and Burning)

Playing it safe might feel… well, safe. But in B2B, that’s often the most expensive mistake you can make. (We break that down in detail over here.)

Some of the most memorable SaaS explainer video productions, like Island, Descript, or Salesforce, succeed because they break format rules intentionally.

Hybrid storytelling, emotional tone, and creative visuals make a SaaS company unforgettable.

When it works? It sings.

When it doesn’t? You get something bloated, messy, and destined to languish unloved on a forgotten landing page.

The takeaway? Be bold, but be intentional. Hybrid magic only happens when every element earns its place.

How much does a SaaS explainer video cost?

Most of the featured videos fall between $20k–$100k, depending on scope, script, and production level. A basic SaaS explainer video can start around $15k, while hybrid SaaS product demo videos with live action and animations can climb much higher.

For early-stage SaaS companies, focusing on clarity and message is often more important than production polish.

Let's Make a SaaS Video People Actually Watch

If you’ve scrolled this far, you’re probably serious about not making “just another SaaS video.”

Good.

Because at Black Rabbit, we don’t do bland walkthroughs or explainer clones. We help SaaS companies and ambitious saas businesses turn features into feelings and dashboards into damn good stories. Whether you need a bold SaaS explainer video, a clear-cut product demo, a conversion-driven saas promo video, or a weird little hybrid SaaS product explainer video that blends functionality with a compelling story – we’re in.

Our goal? To create video content that doesn’t just look nice, but actually moves people through your sales funnel.

Let’s make something that earns the play button.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
User