Table of contents
How we vet every listicle
Every agency featured on Web Tonic passes our 84-point editorial review before a single listicle goes live. This is how we vet each pick:
Verified client outcomes: We require real case studies with measurable KPIs — revenue, ROAS, CPA, retention — tied to the exact category being ranked. No cherry-picked wins, no unverifiable numbers.
Independent reputation: We cross-check Clutch, Google, G2, and Trustpilot ratings, and screen for review-bombing or suspicious patterns. Only operators with a consistent, verifiable track record make the cut.
Beyond that, every listing goes through a quarterly re-audit. We check 84 criteria across 6 pillars to make sure it still holds up — here are some of the checks we run:
An animation studio turns an idea into moving pictures: script and storyboard first, then design, then 2D, 3D or motion-graphics production, then sound, delivered in the formats a campaign, a broadcast slot or a product page needs. In New York that work runs from broadcast and title design to product explainers for finance and technology brands.
We reviewed 12 external New York studios plus our own team on evidenced animation work, verified headquarters, publicly named clients and published pricing. 11 are based in New York, 10 name clients, none prints a rate.
How many of these studios are based in New York?
11 of the 12 external studios are headquartered in New York, and 1 sell into the city from another base, which we name on their entry. 10 name client work publicly, and none publishes a rate.
1. Web Tonic
About: Web Tonic treats animation as performance work, so the hook, the length and the placement of every cut are decided against a media plan by our performance creative team before a storyboard is drawn. Motion assets ship in the aspect ratios the paid social buy actually needs, in enough variants to test, and each edit is judged on hold rate and cost per acquisition inside our data intelligence reporting rather than on the reel, for brands in New York and beyond
Key Services: Growth Marketing, Paid Social, PPC, Meta Ads, SEO, Google Ads, Snapchat Ads, Amazon Ads, Reddit Ads, TikTok Ads, TikTok Shop, GEO-AEO, Webflow Design, Shopify Design, WordPress Design, UGC, Social Media Management, Pay Per Click Management, Marketing Analytics, Analytics Implementation & CDPs, Performance Branding, Performance 360° Audit, Programmatic Ads, OOH Ads, HR Marketing
Industries Served: eCommerce, SaaS, B2B, Construction Professionals, Home Services, SMEs, Health Spa & Wellness, Retail, Legal & Judicial Services, Food & Beverages, Pets, Fitness, Family & Children, Finance & Insurance, Travel, Non-Profits & Organizations, Furniture & Decoration
Notable Clients: WorldRemit, Jack & Jones, Ardene, L’Oréal, Sendwave, Nestlé, Airbnb. Serve Fortune 500 companies and smaller fast-paced startups.
Locations: HQ in San Francisco with notable offices in New York, Chicago, Miami, Toronto, Montreal, Dubai, Singapore, Sydney and more. Offices on five continents.
Pricing: Starting at USD $3,000 per month. Flexible and scalable plans at any time according to your enterprise needs. Book a call to learn more.
Great For: Mid-market to enterprise-level businesses requiring ongoing, on-tap growth and performance marketing services.
Website: Web Tonic
2. Garbanzo
About: Garbanzo is a senior-led motion design and 3D animation studio born in New York City. They specialize in creating high-impact commercial work including product launch films, technical explainer videos, motion graphics, and VFX-driven spots.
Key Services: 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Motion Design, Visual Effects (VFX), Branding, UI Animation
Industries Served: Tech, Software/SaaS, Hardware and Electronics, CPG, Automotive and Mobility
Notable Clients: Google, Credo, RethinkEd, Seneca
Locations: New York, New York, USA
Pricing: Quote-based
Great For: Brands that need animated video and motion design
Website: Garbanzo
3. FEVR Motion Graphics Company
About: FEVR is a design-driven animation studio and production partner specializing in custom 2D/3D animation, mixed media, and high-end explainer videos. Operating out of New York and Los Angeles, they handle projects from initial creative direction and script to animation and sound delivery.
Key Services: 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Motion Graphics, Mixed Media, Illustration, Art Direction, Explainer Videos
Industries Served: Tech, Finance, Healthcare, Sports, Luxury, Entertainment, NGOs
Notable Clients: Netflix, Dior, Coinbase, PepsiCo, Sunbit, Aperol
Locations: New York, New York
Pricing: Quote-based
Great For: Brands that need animated video and motion design
Website: FEVR Motion Graphics Company
4. Infinity Animations
About: Infinity Animations specializes in creating animated explainer videos, product demonstrations, and dynamic promotional marketing content. Their expertise spans 2D and 3D animation, CGI-VFX, motion graphics, and whiteboard animation services.
Key Services: 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Whiteboard Animation, Motion Graphics, Hybrid Animation, CGI-VFX
Industries Served: Consumer brands
Notable Clients:
Locations: New York
Pricing: Quote-based
Great For: Brands that need animated video and motion design
Website: Infinity Animations
5. WIDEVIEW Motion Graphics & Animation
About: WIDEVIEW is a specialized motion graphics and animation studio headquartered in New York City. The agency provides end-to-end video production, custom 2D/3D animation, and strategic visual design tailored for B2B communications and enterprise clients.
Key Services: Motion Graphics, 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Explainer Video Production, Creative Direction, Storyboarding, Graphic Design
Industries Served: Tech, Healthcare, Finance, SaaS, Biotech, Defense, Pharmaceutical
Notable Clients: Coinbase, Uber, Perkins&Will, Bloomberg Media, Deloitte, Twilio, Segment
Locations: New York, New York
Pricing: Quote-based
Great For: Brands that need animated video and motion design
Website: WIDEVIEW Motion Graphics & Animation
6. Pixeldust Studios
About: Pixeldust Studios is a production and animation studio offering full-service video content, motion graphics, and interactive media design. They maintain a presence in locations including New York City and Washington D.C., supporting multidisciplinary content development. Their team specializes in 2D and 3D animation, augmented reality, and virtual reality production experiences.
Key Services: Animation, Motion Graphics, Video Production, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Interactive Media Design
Industries Served: Consumer brands
Notable Clients:
Locations: Bethesda, Maryland
Pricing: Quote-based
Great For: Brands that need animated video and motion design
Website: Pixeldust Studios
7. The SGNY Group
About: The SGNY Group is a full-service production company with a studio in Manhattan, New York, specializing in live-action video, animation, and motion graphics. They provide 2D and 3D animation services including infographic explainer videos, whiteboard animation, cartooning, and 3D MOA medical animation.
Key Services: Animation, Motion Graphics, Live Action Video Production, Graphic Design, Video Distribution
Industries Served: Healthcare, Consumer Products, Finance, Technology, Fashion/Beauty, Non-Profit
Notable Clients: Deloitte, IBM, L'Oréal, Pfizer, Novartis
Locations: New York
Pricing: Quote-based
Great For: Brands that need animated video and motion design
Website: The SGNY Group
8. Big Star Motion Design
About: BigStar Motion Design (BGSTR) is an award-winning New York-based creative studio specializing in a multidisciplinary blend of design, animation, live-action, and visual effects. The studio works with leading entertainment and media brands to deliver brand campaigns, title sequences, broadcast packages, and digital content.
Key Services: Motion Graphics, Animation, Design, Live-Action Production, Visual Effects, Branding
Industries Served: Entertainment, Advertising, Broadcast, Film & Television, Music Video
Notable Clients: HBO, Disney, TNT Sports, AMC
Locations: New York
Pricing: Quote-based
Great For: Brands that need animated video and motion design
Website: Big Star Motion Design
9. DD.NYC®
About: DD.NYC® is a New York-based creative and design agency specializing in motion graphics, 2D and 3D animation, and video storytelling. They transform static visual identities and complex ideas into engaging digital campaigns and multimedia content.
Key Services: Motion Graphics, 2D and 3D Animation, Video Production, Branding, Web Design, UI/UX Design, Packaging Design, Graphic Design
Industries Served: Real Estate, Healthcare, Finance & Tech, Industrial, Manufacturing, Media, Beauty, Sports
Notable Clients: Match Group, HR&A Advisors, IvyWise, Nicholas Air, Moonsworth
Locations: New York
Pricing: Quote-based
Great For: Brands that need animated video and motion design
Website: DD.NYC®
10. Mighty Oak
About: Mighty Oak is an Emmy and Clio award-winning creative studio based in New York City specializing in stop motion, 2D, and mixed media animation. They have produced content for major networks like Netflix and HBO, alongside commercial campaigns for global brands like Coca-Cola and Airbnb.
Key Services: Stop Motion Animation, 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Mixed Media Animation, Motion Graphics, GFX & Title Treatments, Branded Content Production, Episodic & Film Content
Industries Served: Entertainment, Media & Publishing, Technology, Nonprofit, Advertising & Marketing
Notable Clients: Netflix, HBO, Amazon, Adult Swim, The New York Times, Condé Nast, Coca-Cola, Etsy, Airbnb, TED Talks
Locations: New York
Pricing: Quote-based
Great For: Brands that need animated video and motion design
Website: Mighty Oak
11. RIOT – Creative Agency & Production Studio
About: RIOT is a creative agency and production studio based in New York City specializing in comprehensive video production, animation, motion graphics, and visual effects. They combine brand strategy, storytelling, and in-house production capabilities to deliver campaigns, films, and digital content for global brands.
Key Services: Animation, Motion Graphics, Video Production, Post-Production, Brand Strategy, Visual Identity, Web Design, Photography
Industries Served: Luxury, Fashion, Beauty & Wellness, Sports & Fitness, Business & Technology, Music & Entertainment
Notable Clients: Tiffany & Co., U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Locations: New York
Pricing: Quote-based
Great For: Brands that need animated video and motion design
Website: RIOT – Creative Agency & Production Studio
12. Dream Machine Creative
About: Dream Machine Creative is a New York-based production agency and creative studio specializing in commercial video production, motion graphics, and content creation. They act as a full-service creative partner helping brands and agencies bring concepts to life through dynamic visual media.
Key Services: Video Production, Motion Graphics, Animation, Creative Direction, Post-Production
Industries Served: Entertainment, Media, Fashion, Advertising, Music
Notable Clients: MTV, VH1, Viacom, NBC, Atlantic Records, Vogue, H&M
Locations: New York
Pricing: Quote-based
Great For: Brands that need animated video and motion design
Website: Dream Machine Creative
13. And/Or
About: And/Or is a design and production studio based in Brooklyn, New York, specializing in animation, motion graphics, branding, and screen-based content. The studio is led by a team of creative directors and works extensively with entertainment networks, streaming platforms, and major brands to build dynamic motion packages.
Key Services: Animation, Motion Graphics, Design & Branding, Campaign Development, Show Packaging, Film & TV Titles
Industries Served: Entertainment, Media, Streaming, Tech, Broadcast
Notable Clients: Plex, truTV, Vice News, San Francisco Symphony, Verizon
Locations: New York
Pricing: Quote-based
Great For: Brands that need animated video and motion design
Website: And/Or
Quick Comparison Table
| Agency | Key Specialty | Starting Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Web Tonic | Full-Service Performance Marketing | USD $3,000/mo | Mid-market to Enterprise |
| 2. Garbanzo | Animation and motion graphics production | Quote-based | Brands that need animated video and motion design |
| 3. FEVR Motion Graphics Company | Animation and motion graphics production | Quote-based | Brands that need animated video and motion design |
| 4. Infinity Animations | Animation and motion graphics production | Quote-based | Brands that need animated video and motion design |
| 5. WIDEVIEW Motion Graphics & Animation | Animation and motion graphics production | Quote-based | Brands that need animated video and motion design |
| 6. Pixeldust Studios | Animation and motion graphics production | Quote-based | Brands that need animated video and motion design |
| 7. The SGNY Group | Animation and motion graphics production | Quote-based | Brands that need animated video and motion design |
| 8. Big Star Motion Design | Animation and motion graphics production | Quote-based | Brands that need animated video and motion design |
| 9. DD.NYC® | Animation and motion graphics production | Quote-based | Brands that need animated video and motion design |
| 10. Mighty Oak | Animation and motion graphics production | Quote-based | Brands that need animated video and motion design |
| 11. RIOT – Creative Agency & Production Studio | Animation and motion graphics production | Quote-based | Brands that need animated video and motion design |
| 12. Dream Machine Creative | Animation and motion graphics production | Quote-based | Brands that need animated video and motion design |
| 13. And/Or | Animation and motion graphics production | Quote-based | Brands that need animated video and motion design |
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of work do New York animation studios take on?
The studios listed here split across explainer and product videos, brand films with motion graphics, broadcast and title design, character animation, and short-form social cuts. Some also handle live action, VFX and sound. Those are genuinely different pipelines, so a studio brilliant at character work may be the wrong choice for fifty paid-social variants, and the reverse is just as true.
Are these 12 studios all based in New York?
11 of the 12 external studios are headquartered in New York; 1 sell into the city from elsewhere, and we name their real base on their entry. Remote animation production works well because review happens on screen anyway, but check time zones, whether a producer joins live reviews, and who attends if you need on-site direction or a shoot.
How long does an animated video take?
For a short explainer, expect script and storyboard, then style frames, then animation, then sound, with review gates between each stage. Rushing the storyboard is what makes projects expensive, because changes after animation begins cost real money. Ask each studio for its stage plan and how many rounds of revision are included at each gate before you compare quotes.
What should the quote spell out?
Scope in seconds of finished animation, number of concepts, revision rounds per stage, whether voice-over, music licensing and sound design are included, delivery formats and aspect ratios, and who owns the project files and source assets afterwards. None of the 12 studios here publishes a rate publicly, so a quote that hides these lines is impossible to compare with another.
How do I tell a good reel from a good partner?
A reel shows the ceiling of a studio's work, not what your budget buys. Ask which shots in it were made in-house, what the budget and timeline were, and to see a full project in your format rather than a montage. 10 of these studios name clients publicly; ask the others for references and for one piece made at your scope.
Choosing an Animation Partner in New York
Check the address. Of the 12 external studios listed, 11 are headquartered in New York and 1 sell into the city from elsewhere, which is stated on their entries rather than hidden. Only one studio here is based outside the city, which is rare and reflects how much production work New York still holds.
Buy the discipline you lack. Character animation, motion graphics and explainer production are different crafts with different day rates and different lead times, so match the studio to the format you actually need next quarter rather than to the prettiest reel.
Ask what shipped. 10 of these studios name clients publicly and none publishes a rate, so compare finished work in your format, who owns the project files afterwards, and how revisions are billed.
Make motion accountable. Agree how each cut will be measured before production starts, then read our latest analysis, see how we build performance creative for brands in New York, or tell us what you need animated.
