What Is a Tutorial Video?
Vorec Team · 2026-06-01 · About 4 min read
A tutorial video is a step-by-step video that teaches a viewer how to complete a task. For software, a tutorial video usually shows the screen while narration explains each action, decision, and result. The goal is practical instruction: after watching, the viewer should be able to repeat the workflow.
What makes a video a tutorial?
A tutorial is instructional. It is not only a feature announcement or marketing demo. It shows a task, explains the steps, and gives the viewer enough context to do the same task independently.
Software tutorial videos often include screen recording, voice narration, cursor movement, zooms, captions, and sometimes written steps below the video.
Tutorial video vs demo video vs walkthrough
A demo video usually sells or introduces a product. A walkthrough gives a guided tour. A tutorial video teaches a concrete task. These formats can overlap, but the user intent is different.
Vorec focuses on tutorial videos because it starts from the actual workflow. The AI explains what happens on screen and can generate a written article from the same recording.
Common tutorial video examples
Common examples include onboarding videos, help center walkthroughs, SOP training, product documentation videos, customer support answers, internal software training, and multilingual tutorial libraries.
The best tutorial videos are short enough to replay and specific enough to answer one question.
Quick comparison
| Video type | Primary goal | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tutorial video | Teach a task | How to process a refund |
| Demo video | Show value | Product overview for prospects |
| Walkthrough | Orient the viewer | Tour of a dashboard |
| Training video | Build skills | New hire software onboarding |
When teams should use this concept
- Use tutorial videos for workflows people repeat.
- Keep each video focused on one task.
- Use narration when the UI needs explanation.
- Add a written article so users can search and scan.
How to structure a tutorial video
- State the outcome first. The opening line says what the viewer will be able to do.
- Show the prerequisites. Name the account, permission or data the viewer needs before starting.
- Walk the task in order. One action per step, with a short pause after each result.
- Show the finished state. End on the screen that proves the task worked.
- Point to the next step. Link a related tutorial or the written article.
Common mistakes
- Covering several tasks in one video. Split them; each video should answer one question.
- Skipping the result. Viewers need to see what success looks like.
- Narrating at the speed you click. New viewers need slower pacing than the person who made the recording.
- Publishing without a text version. Text is searchable and accessible, and helps readers who skip video.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tutorial video?
A step-by-step video that teaches a viewer to complete one task, usually showing the screen with narration or captions.
How long should a tutorial video be?
As long as the task needs. Keep it to one task; split long processes into a series of short videos.
What is the difference between a tutorial and a how-to video?
The terms overlap. A tutorial usually teaches a skill or workflow step by step; a how-to answers a specific "how do I" question. For software, they are often the same format.
Do tutorial videos need narration?
Not always. Captions or on-screen text can work, but narration helps when the interface needs explanation. You can add it by speaking, or with an AI narration tool; see what is AI narration.
Related Vorec guides
- How to make a tutorial video in 2026
- How to make software tutorials with no mic
- Best tutorial video creators
Pricing
Vorec includes a free trial with no credit card required (current allowances on the pricing page). Paid plans are Starter at $9, Pro at $24, and Business at $59. Teams usually start by uploading one existing screen recording, reviewing the generated narration and article, then scaling the same workflow across help center, training, and documentation content.
Related reading: What Is Screen Recording to Documentation?, What Is AI Narration? and What Is Video Documentation?.
Related reading: Stripe Dashboard Tutorials for Finance Teams.
More on this topic: How to Create Shopify Tutorial Videos for Staff.
Related reading: Tutorial Video Script: Template, Example and How to Write One.
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