12 Essential Types of Video Every SaaS Founder Needs

As a SaaS founder, you are constantly fighting for clarity. How do you explain a complex product, build trust, and convert users without a massive sales team or an agency-level budget? The answer is not just more content, but the right kind of video at the right time. For a startup, video is one of the most efficient ways to communicate value and demonstrate functionality.

This guide breaks down the essential types of video that directly impact SaaS metrics. We will move beyond marketing fluff and focus on practical, actionable formats that actually grow your business. You will learn which videos to create for each stage of the customer journey, from grabbing initial attention to guiding new users through onboarding.

The goal is to give you a strategic video playbook. We will cover product demos, tutorials, testimonials, competitive comparisons, and short-form social content, all with a focus on execution.

Why this type of video matters

For a SaaS business, clarity is currency. Video is the fastest way to turn a complex feature set into a simple, understandable value proposition. A clear explainer video on a landing page can reduce bounce rates and increase trial signups. A well-executed product demo can shorten the sales cycle by answering critical questions before a prospect even speaks to a sales rep.

Each video type serves a specific business purpose:

• Explainers build initial understanding.
• Demos provide tangible proof of value.
• Tutorials increase product adoption and reduce support tickets.
• Testimonials build trust and provide social proof.

Ultimately, a strategic video library helps you communicate your product’s value consistently and at scale, freeing up your team to focus on building and selling.

Common approaches to video production

When you decide to create a video, you typically have three paths. Each has its place, and the right choice depends on your stage, budget, and priorities.

• Agencies: A full-service video agency handles everything from strategy and scripting to animation and final production. They deliver premium, custom work and are a strong option for well-funded companies needing a flagship brand video or a large-scale campaign.
• Freelancers: Hiring specialists for scriptwriting, motion graphics, or editing gives you more control and can be more cost-effective than an agency. This approach works well when you have a clear vision and the time to manage the project.
• DIY / template tools: Do-it-yourself tools and template platforms allow you to create videos in-house. They offer speed and low cost, but can require significant time from your team and may result in a less polished or generic-looking final product.

The cost and time reality check

High-quality video production involves real costs. A custom animated explainer from a reputable agency can range from $10,000 to $30,000 or more, with timelines of 6 to 12 weeks. Hiring skilled freelancers can reduce this, but a project can still run into the thousands and require weeks of coordination.

The biggest hidden cost, however, is opportunity cost for a founder. Time spent managing video projects, providing feedback, and coordinating logistics is time not spent talking to customers, refining the product, or closing deals. This is where the model needs to be re-evaluated for early-stage and growth-stage companies where speed and focus are paramount.

How Forgeclips solves this

Forgeclips was designed to address this exact challenge. We provide a streamlined, productized service that delivers studio-quality videos based on proven SaaS frameworks. It is not about replacing agencies, but offering a practical alternative for teams who need professional results without the high costs and long timelines.

We focus on speed, consistency, and cost efficiency. By using an AI-assisted workflow and battle-tested templates, we help you produce the essential types of video your business needs in about 48 hours. This allows you to allocate more of your budget and time to distribution, instead of getting stuck in production bottlenecks.

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Types of video that grow SaaS, mapped to the funnel

1. Explainer videos

An explainer video is a concise, high-impact video designed to clarify what your SaaS product does, who it is for, and the core problem it solves. Typically 60 to 90 seconds long, it follows a problem-solution-benefit structure that works especially well at the top of the funnel.

Best uses

• Homepage hero section
• Landing pages for paid campaigns
• Launch announcements
• Investor decks and pitches

Best practices

• Start with the problem: hook with a pain point the viewer recognizes.
• Keep language simple: clarity beats jargon.
• Focus on outcomes: explain what changes for the user.
• End with one CTA: trial, demo request, or signup.

You can learn more about creating SaaS explainer and promo videos that are built for conversion.

2. Product demo videos

A product demo video shows your software in action and proves how the workflow solves a real problem. Unlike explainers that focus on “why,” demos focus on “how,” which makes them ideal for prospects actively evaluating tools.

Best uses

• Feature pages
• Sales enablement and outbound
• Post-signup sequences
• Comparison pages

Best practices

• Use realistic data: real scenarios make the value feel real.
• Show the primary workflow first: lead with the most common use case.
• Narrate with purpose: explain why each step matters.
• Guide attention: highlights, zooms, and on-screen labels reduce confusion.

Explore more SaaS product demo videos designed to reduce buying friction.

3. Tutorial and how-to videos

Tutorials are task-based videos that help users complete specific actions in your product. They improve product adoption, reduce churn, and cut down support tickets by making users feel capable.

Best uses

• Help centers and knowledge bases
• Onboarding checklists
• Support macros and ticket replies
• YouTube “how-to” search traffic

Best practices

• Start with real support questions: build from your ticket backlog.
• Keep them short: 2 to 5 minutes is a strong target.
• Use simple language: assume the viewer is new.
• Add timestamps: help users jump to the exact step.

Build your library with SaaS tutorial videos that scale customer success.

4. Testimonial and case study videos

Testimonials and case studies build trust through real customers and real outcomes. A short testimonial works as social proof. A case study goes deeper with a before-after story and measurable results.

Best uses

• Pricing page and checkout
• Sales decks and outbound sequences
• Retargeting ads
• Enterprise deals and procurement trust-building

Best practices

• Pick customers with clear impact: transformation beats compliments.
• Ask open questions: get story, not scripted praise.
• Pull in metrics: time saved, revenue impact, cycle reduction.
• Use B-roll: show their environment and real usage.

5. Animated explainer videos

Animated explainers use motion graphics to make abstract concepts concrete. They are powerful when your workflow is complex, your product is early, or you need consistent brand visuals.

 

 

Best practices

• Lock the storyboard: structure beats pretty visuals.
• Use motion to guide the eye: animation should clarify, not decorate.
• Professional audio is mandatory: clear VO and clean mix build credibility.
• Reinforce with text: assume sound-off viewing in social placements.

See examples of animated explainer videos built for SaaS.

6. Feature highlight videos

Feature highlights are short (30 to 60 seconds) tactical clips that show one capability or new update. They are excellent for driving feature adoption and re-engaging users.

Best practices

• Lead with the benefit: outcome first, feature name second.
• Keep it tight: one feature, one promise, one CTA.
• Ship fast: pair with release notes and in-app announcements.

7. Live stream videos

Live streams build community and trust through real-time interaction. For SaaS, they work best as webinars, launches, and Q&A sessions.

Best practices

• Promote early: email, in-app, and social reminders.
• Have an agenda: structure prevents rambling.
• Test tech: audio and internet stability matter.
• Engage chat: interaction is the point.

8. Onboarding videos

Onboarding videos get new users to their first win quickly. They reduce churn by improving time-to-value and making the product feel approachable.

Best practices

• Focus on the first success: do not teach everything on day one.
• Use a series: short segments beat one long video.
• Embed where users get stuck: in-app, tooltips, onboarding steps.

9. Customer success stories, documentary style

Documentary-style stories are longer, more emotional, and more cinematic. They are high effort, but can be powerful for enterprise trust, partnerships, and brand equity.

Best practices

• Choose a real journey: conflict, change, payoff.
• Show real environments: B-roll creates authenticity.
• Quantify outcomes: make the ROI undeniable.

10. Comparison and competitive positioning videos

Comparison videos help prospects decide. They work best when they stay honest, focus on jobs-to-be-done, and prove claims with visuals and data.

Best practices

• Compare outcomes, not checklists: show how users win.
• Be fair: credibility beats aggressive dunking.
• Use side-by-side proof: workflows, speed, total cost, or setup time.

11. Thought leadership and educational content

Educational videos attract high-intent audiences by teaching frameworks, trends, and best practices. They build authority and organic reach, especially on YouTube and LinkedIn.

Best practices

• Teach first: selling is secondary.
• Share a real framework: specificity builds trust.
• Publish consistently: momentum beats one-off posts.

12. Short-form social videos

Short-form vertical clips (15 to 60 seconds) are distribution assets. They win by hooking instantly, using captions, and shipping frequently.

 

 

Best practices

• Hook in the first second: statement, question, or bold visual.
• Use text overlays: assume sound-off viewing.
• Keep one idea per clip: do not cram.
• Repurpose from your “master” video: create many cuts from one shoot.

Explore social media videos and ads built to stop the scroll.

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Comparison of 12 video types

Video type	Primary metric	Best funnel stage	Typical length	Best placement	Quick tip
Explainer	Conversion	Awareness	60 to 90s	Homepage, landing pages	Problem first, CTA last
Product demo	Qualified leads	Consideration	1 to 3 min	Feature pages, sales	Show one workflow, not every feature
Tutorial	Adoption, support reduction	Activation	2 to 5 min	Help center, onboarding	Build from real tickets
Testimonial	Trust	Consideration	30 to 90s	Pricing page, retargeting	Push for one measurable result
Case study	Deal acceleration	Decision	3 to 8 min	Sales enablement, enterprise	Use before-after structure
Animated explainer	Clarity	Awareness	60 to 90s	Homepage, ads	Storyboard is the real work
Feature highlight	Feature adoption	Activation	30 to 60s	In-app, email, social	Lead with the benefit
Live stream	Engagement	Awareness	20 to 60 min	YouTube, LinkedIn, webinars	Have an agenda and a moderator
Onboarding	Activation, retention	Activation	30s to 3 min	Onboarding flows, emails	Get users to first win fast
Documentary success story	Brand equity	Decision	5 to 12 min	Enterprise, conferences	Invest in real-world footage
Comparison	Conversion	Decision	90s to 3 min	Comparison pages, sales	Compare outcomes, not menus
Thought leadership	Organic growth	Awareness	3 to 15 min	YouTube, LinkedIn	Teach a real framework
Short-form social	Reach	Awareness	15 to 60s	TikTok, Reels, Shorts	Hook instantly, captions always

A distribution-first mindset

The most successful SaaS companies do not just make videos, they build a system to produce and distribute them efficiently. This is the mindset shift: video is not a one-off creative project, it is a repeatable growth lever. When you save on production, you free up budget and time for what truly matters: distribution.

Your goal is to:

• Clarify your message: does the viewer instantly understand what you do and who it is for?
• Build trust: do you show real-world use and authentic proof?
• Drive action: does every video guide one clear next step?

When you can create a product demo this week and a feature highlight next week without derailing your roadmap, you can focus on getting those assets in front of the right people on YouTube, LinkedIn, paid campaigns, and your homepage. That is how video becomes a growth engine, not a cost center.

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Ready to turn your video ideas into high-performing assets without the traditional friction? Forgeclips was built to help SaaS founders create the types of video covered in this article with a streamlined process that delivers studio-quality results. Explore frameworks and examples at Forgeclips.