Alexis Kestler
Hey there! Have you ever noticed those graphics and links that pop up at the end of YouTube videos, prompting you to click and watch more content? Those are called end screens, and they are an incredibly valuable tool for content creators like you and me to improve viewer retention and promote our channels.
But creating customized end screens from scratch requires fancy video editing skills and a ton of time. That‘s why using pre-made end screen templates can be a total game-changer!
In this guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about end screens, from what they are to why they matter so much. I‘ll also share 13 of my favorite end screen templates you can start using today. Get ready to take your YouTube channel‘s growth and engagement to the next level!
What Are YouTube End Screens?
YouTube end screens are graphical overlays that appear in the last 5-20 seconds of your videos. They allow you to promote up to four different elements:
- Other videos on your channel
- Playlists you’ve created
- Subscribing to your channel
- External website links
End screens pop up as your video reaches the end, usually on top of the content itself or with a background color/image behind.
YouTube introduced end screens back in 2015. The goal was to improve viewer retention by giving creators a tool to manually recommend more videos instead of relying on YouTube‘s automated "Up Next" suggestions.
And based on the research, end screens definitely work!
One study by YouTube creators MorningFame found end screens improved clickthrough rates to other videos by over 30%. They also boosted viewer session times by 5-10% on average.
So by adding effective end screens, you can keep viewers engaged with your channel instead of clicking away. That results in:
- More video views
- Higher audience retention
- Increased watch time
- Faster subscriber growth
- More traffic to your website
For a relatively small time investment, end screens offer an excellent return by keeping viewers glued to your content!
Why You Should Use End Screen Templates
When I first learned about end screens, I was thrilled by the benefits but intimidated about actually creating them.
I don‘t have any fancy video editing skills. And my go-to tools are pretty much limited to screen recording software and Canva.
Spending hours laboring over end screen motion graphics in After Effects sounded like my worst nightmare.
That‘s when I discovered end screen templates. These are pre-made end screen motion graphics created by professional designers.
End screen templates allow creators like you and me to skip over the tricky parts of building end screens from scratch.
Here are some of the biggest reasons I recommend using end screen templates:
It Saves a Ton of Time
Building end screens completely from scratch in video editing software can take hours, especially if you‘re new to motion graphics.
End screen templates let you skip right to the customization process. Instead of starting from a blank canvas, you have a polished design ready to go.
The Designs Look Far More Professional
I‘ll be the first to admit my graphic design skills are limited at best. Even with plenty of time, my DIY end screens would probably look pretty lame.
When you use templates created by professional designers, the end result looks far more polished and appealing.
You Can Match Brand Colors/Fonts
One of the best parts about templates is they‘re fully customizable. I can easily tweak the colors, fonts, logos, and text to match my overall branding.
Consistency is so important for growing an audience on YouTube. End screen templates make it easy!
They Work on Mobile
Over 50% of YouTube watch time happens on mobile devices. So end screens absolutely must be optimized for vertical viewing on phones and tablets.
Top end screen templates are designed mobile-first. As a creator, that‘s a huge weight off my shoulders.
It‘s Fast and Easy for Beginners
End screen templates don‘t require any advanced video editing skills or motion graphics experience. Even total beginners like myself can customize templates quickly.
So if you‘re not a video pro, templates level the playing field. You can create professional end screens in minutes!
They Meet YouTube‘s Specs
YouTube has very strict policies around end screen sizes, layouts, borders, timing, etc. The best templates take care of all those technical requirements for you behind the scenes.
There‘s no risk of your DIY end screen getting rejected or cropped oddly during upload. Peace of mind for the win!
Now let‘s dive into some of my favorite YouTube end screen templates and where to find them…
13 Best YouTube End Screen Templates
After testing tons of options over the last few months, here are my top 13 favorite end screen templates:
1. Envato Elements
Envato Elements is my go-to for templates of all kinds. For one monthly subscription fee, you get unlimited downloads.
They have hundreds of end screen templates to choose from, including:
- Gaming end screens
- Vlog templates
- Tutorial & how-to designs
- Product review layouts
- Live stream overlays
- And more!
I love being able to test out different styles and switch things up based on different videos. Envato templates work with Premiere Pro, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, and other major editing software too.
2. Motion Array
Next up is Motion Array, which has dozens of high-quality 4K end screen templates starting at $14.
I like that they have templates tailored to specific niches, like cooking, sports, fashion, animals, etc. Easy to find the perfect fit for your channel!
Before you buy, you can preview how the end screens look and function in real videos. Super helpful for getting the right vibe.
3. Mixkit
If you‘re looking for awesome free end screen templates, Mixkit is a great option.
They have unique animated end screen designs you can use in any video project commercial or personal. I‘m obsessed with their illustrated character templates!
Mixkit‘s templates are compatible with Premiere, After Effects, Final Cut, and more. And you can use them completely free of charge.
4. Placeit
For affordable simplicity, I recommend Placeit. End screen templates start at just $2.
They have categories tailored for cooking channels, beauty YouTubers, fashion brands, fitness pros, and more.
I like being able to visually preview the end screens on mockup videos. Takes the guesswork out of deciding on the right one.
5. PremiumBeat
PremiumBeat is a free alternative. They offer 5 simple customizable end screen templates for Premiere Pro.
The designs include subscribe prompts, video grids, and split-screen layouts. It‘s not a lot to choose from, but they‘re great basic starting points.
And since they meet YouTube‘s spec requirements, there‘s minimal extra work on your end.
6. Velosofy
If you need lots of variety, Velosofy has tons of customizable end screen templates totally free.
The modern motion graphics work great in Premiere, After Effects, Final Cut, and more.
Velosofy also offers YouTube intro templates, logo reveals, transitions, and other free resources. It‘s absolutely worth bookmarking.
7. FilterGrade
For premium quality templates, I recommend checking out FilterGrade.
Their end screen templates start at around $14. Browse categories like gaming, fashion, cooking, photography, and more.
Bonus — each purchase includes super helpful video tutorials. Their customer service is top-notch too.
8. Videohive
If you specifically need end screens for After Effects, Videohive is a great search engine.
Prices range from around $7 to $50+ depending on the complexity. You can even find vintage or 3D end screen designs.
While Videohive doesn‘t have an official "YouTube end screens" category, a quick search will reveal plenty of options.
9. EditorsDepot
For easy Premiere Pro templates, check out EditorsDepot.
They have a huge collection of customizable YouTube end screens starting around $13 each.
Many of the templates come in different color schemes, making it simple to match your branding. And video tutorials walk you through editing. Huge time saver!
10. AudioJungle
In addition to music and sound effects, AudioJungle has great end screen templates starting at around $7.
I especially like their gaming, technology, and lifestyle end screen options. Very on-trend for some of the most popular YouTube genres.
Commercial licensing is included with each template purchase, along with helpful documentation.
11. YouTube Studio
Don‘t forget YouTube Studio has a built-in end screen editor you can use for free!
It only offers basic customization like adding subscribe prompts, video thumbnails, channel logos, etc.
The tool works in a pinch for simpler end screens on short turnaround videos. But creative design options are limited.
12. Animaker
If you want to design completely customized end screens, try Animaker.
The cloud-based tool makes it easy to create your own end screen motion graphics right in your browser.
With Animaker‘s free plan, you can make up to 2 videos per month. And paid plans give you unlimited creation capabilities.
13. Renderforest
Lastly, check out Renderforest. You can make a custom end screen for free right in your browser.
Start with one of their templates, then easily tweak colors, text, and upload your own logos or other media.
It might take some trial and error to get the hang of the editor. But overall Renderforest is very beginner-friendly.
6 Pro Tips for Optimizing Your End Screens
End screen templates provide an amazing creative starting point. But to maximize their impact, be sure to optimize your end cards with these pro tips:
Use Strong Call-to-Action Text
Always include a clear call-to-action like "Subscribe Here" or "Next Video." Strong CTA text is proven to boost clickthrough rates.
Link Relevant Videos
Choose end screen videos closely related to the current content. For example, if a viewer just watched a makeup tutorial, recommend your newest makeup video.
Add Eye-Catching Thumbnails
Thumbnails with people‘s faces or striking colors perform much better than just titles.
Keep Text Short
Avoid big blocks of text on end screens. Be concise and scannable.
Preview Mobile Layouts
Test that your end screens look good on phones and tablets, which account for 50%+ of YouTube watch time.
Place Strategically
Try placing end screens 3-5 seconds before the video ends. This guarantees viewers see it before getting cut off.
Level Up Your YouTube Channel with End Screens
Whew, we covered a lot of ground today! Here‘s a quick recap:
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End screens help retain viewers, increase watch time, gain subscribers, and drive traffic.
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Using templates saves tons of design time and effort compared to making end screens totally from scratch.
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You can choose from hundreds of polished end screen templates to match your brand style.
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Properly optimizing your end cards is crucial for maximizing clickthrough rates and keeping viewers engaged on your channel.
End screens are seriously one of the most valuable tools you have as a YouTube creator. I hope you‘re feeling motivated to try using templates to step up your end screen game!
Let me know if you have any other questions. I‘m always happy to chat more about optimizing your YouTube channel for growth and success.
Thanks for reading! Now go captivate some viewers.
