Envato Elements Review: How Good Is It In 2024?

You can purchase stunning design elements, music, various templates, stock photos & videos using Envato Elements service and use them for your business.

But is Envato Elements worth paying for, and how do they compare to alternatives like Creative Market or Envato Market?

In this Envato Elements review, I’ll explore the platform’s content library, licensing policy, pros and cons, customer feedback, and some of its notable competitors to help you decide if it’s the right tool for your business needs.

Envato Elements: Overview

Envato Elements is a smart choice for entrepreneurs who want digital assets without a hefty cost. With a subscription, you can download unlimited files from the large content library and license them for your project.

Over the years, Envato Elements has proven to be a reliable and accessible resource for creators from all over the world.

Here are some Envato Elements’ highlights:

• Over 14 million assets from different categories
• Unlimited downloads for as low as $16.5 per month
• 128k+ Instagram followers, 260k+ Facebook followers, and almost 200k Youtube subscribers
• Over 500,000 subscribers
• Yearly subscriptions available with a 57% discount
• Single license with simple terms

Pros

• Unlimited downloads
• Single license
• Cost-effective
• 14+ million asset library
• Each digital asset is reviewed

Cons

• Limited exclusivity of some items
• Registering items needed for reuse
• Can’t use downloaded items for new projects after canceling subscription

Start Using Envato Elements >>

Envato Elements Library: What Content You Can Get?

An active subscription grants you unlimited access to the entire, yet large, collection of Envato Elements digital assets. For example, their library contains more than 8.5 million photos and 4.6 million stock videos.

Other than that, there are music & sound effects, numerous web and graphics templates, fonts, add-ons, and other items that can enhance your creative content.

And, for example, Graphics is just one of the large categories, containing lots of sub-categories, where you can filter only software elements such as objects, backgrounds, icons, patterns, and others. You can also choose to see assets just for specific applications such as Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Figma, Procreate, or Sketch.

These can save you a significant amount of time and effort when creating professional-looking visuals for your business or personal projects.

Also, Envato Elements shares 12 freebies each month.

> Explained: How Does Envato Elements Work?

Licensing

Envato Elements operates under a straightforward licensing model, with all files in the library having the same rules for use. Once users subscribe to the service, they gain unlimited access to the entire library of assets for personal and commercial use.

However, some common restrictions may apply to the commercial license. One of them is that you can’t use downloaded items for your new projects after the end of subscription. Also, you can’t distribute or share the original assets with others, even if you’ve modified them. Each user needs to have their own license to use the assets.

With Envato Elements license you also can’t incorporate assets into on-demand products (e.g., T-shirts, mugs). You have to make changes to the item since it cannot be the key element on merchandise products.

If you have any doubts or questions about the license, it’s best to seek clarification from Envato Elements support or review official license terms before using the assets in your commercial work.

Who is Envato Elements For?

Envato Elements caters to a broad spectrum of individuals and businesses looking to elevate their creative projects without breaking the bank.

• Graphic Designers: Access to thousands of templates, fonts, and graphics allows designers to streamline their workflow and create captivating designs.
• Content Creators: Photographers, videographers, and musicians can discover a vast collection of high-quality media to enhance their projects.
• Web Developers: Envato Elements offers an extensive selection of website themes, plugins, and code snippets to bolster web development endeavors.
• Small Businesses, Entrepreneurs & Freelancers: Cost-effective resources empower startups and small businesses to achieve professional aesthetics without substantial investment.

How Much Does Envato Elements Cost?

Envato Elements costs $16.5/mo when paid annually and $33/mo when paid monthly. The fact that you get unlimited downloads makes this service very affordable.

Monthly subscription:	$33 per month
Yearly subscription:	$16.50 per month
Yearly subscription discount:	50%

If you opt for the Teams plan, the more member on your team, the bigger discount you will get. You can save up to 34% if you are sharing Envato Elements with other members.

There is also special pricing for students, offering them a 30% discount.

And if you need more, there is an Enterprise plan for large teams, organizations, and agencies, where you can send an inquiry and get a custom offer.

I will compare Envato Elements’ pricing to other competitors in the section about alternatives and competitors.

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Benefits of using Envato Elements

Very Affordable

One of the most significant advantages of Envato Elements is its affordability. The subscription cost is relatively low compared to if you were to purchase individual assets separately. This allows users to access a vast range of creative resources without breaking the bank, making it an attractive option for individuals and businesses on a budget.

This is due to a single subscription that grants you access to everything. There is also just one license for all items.

Large Content Library

From graphics, templates, and web themes to audio tracks, videos, and photos, the platform covers a wide spectrum of design and media resources. This wealth of options provides you with ample choices to find the perfect assets for your specific needs.

It is worth mentioning that not all items are focused on professionals. For example, mobile phone photographers or Instagramers can easily find mobile Lightroom presets that can be used on their photos.

Review Process

What I personally like about Envato Elements, is that each digital asset you can download undergoes a thorough review process.

This ensures that the assets meet certain quality standards before they are made available to users.

Fresh Content Regularly

Envato Elements consistently expands its library with fresh content, keeping up with trends and demands. This regular influx of fresh assets ensures that users have access to the latest trends, styles, and designs.

So if you are a subscriber, you can constantly discover new materials to keep your projects current and engaging.

Drawbacks of using Envato Elements

Registering Items for Reuse

One drawback of using Envato Elements is the requirement to register items again if you want to use them in multiple projects. Unlike other stock marketplaces where you can pay once for a license that covers multiple uses, Envato Elements requires users to re-register assets each time they are utilized in a new project.

This can be time-consuming and less convenient for individuals managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Limited Exclusivity

Some of the assets on Envato Elements may not be entirely exclusive to the platform, and similar resources could be available elsewhere, potentially limiting exclusivity for certain projects or brands.

Authors that provide content for Envato Elements have a choice to offer items on an exclusive and non-exclusive basis. Meaning that some of the authors additionally might be selling their assets on other platforms.

While this is not a big issue, it might be worth knowing for people who are seeking unique and exclusive resources.

Envato Elements Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

Envato Elements has a rating of 3.9 out of 5.0 on Trustpilot, and a rating of 3.7 out of 5.0 on G2, indicating that most customers are satisfied with the service.

Customers satisfied with Envato Elements mentioned high-quality, simplicity, source of creative ideas, and great value for the price.

However, some users have expressed minor concerns related to customer support, saying they didn’t help they needed.

In general, the content on Envato Elements allows users to make editing flow easier.

Alternatives & Competitors

This platform might not be your piece of cake. Maybe the only thing you learned on this Envato Elements review was the fact that you don’t wish to use it. And that’s okay! I’ve included (and compared to Envato Elements) some other options that may be interesting instead:

Creative Market

Creative Market is an online marketplace providing unique design assets from independent creators, offering individual products for one-time purchase. The products are similar to Envato Elements’, but the business model isn’t.

The main difference is that Creative Market charges for single products and provides different licenses for different usage options. This platform might be suitable for those in need of a single product or item.

Read our full comparison: Envato Elements vs Creative Market

Shutterstock

Offering all kinds of digital assets, Shutterstock is primarily known as a stock photo and video provider. It offers a massive library of high-quality images and footage that users can purchase on-demand or through subscription plans, just like on Envato Elements.

For example, a Shutterstock subscription costing $29/mo allows you to download 10 images only or 1 video per month. If we talk about one-time purchases, Shutterstock offers 5 downloads for $49 (Standard license) or $449 (Enhanced license). The latter license is almost 10 times more expensive than the Standard license on Shutterstock, making it extremely costly, but extremely high-quality, so it all boils down to what your needs are.

In short, Shutterstock caters primarily to stock photos and videos, making it ideal for media-focused projects, but it lacks the comprehensive scope of creative resources available through Envato Elements.

Storyblocks

Storyblocks specializes in stock videos and audio, making it a useful alternative for multimedia creators but may not fulfill the requirements of those seeking a broader range of creative content.

Storyblocks offers unlimited downloads for $30/mo. So if you are a video content creator and are not happy with stock video and audio assets offered by Envato Elements, you might want to give this alternative a try.

Read our full comparison: Envato Elements vs Storyblocks

Envato Elements vs Envato Market

Envato Elements and Envato Market are projects owned by the same Envato company. Both are online platforms offering digital assets, such as templates, graphics, audio, and more, for creative projects.

However, they have some key differences:

• Pricing model: Envato Elements operates on a subscription pricing model, where you pay a fixed monthly or annual fee to access an entire library of assets. Where Envato Market, on the other hand, is based on individual item purchases. You pay for each item separately, and the price varies depending on the complexity and type of asset.
• Licensing: With Envato Elements, you receive a single license that covers multiple types of usage, including personal and commercial projects. Whereas on Envato Market, each item comes with its own licensing terms, and you might need to purchase an additional (Extended) license for some uses (for example: you sell a mug with some graphic elements that you bought from Envato Market).
• Customer support: Envato Elements provides general help and FAQs, but there’s no direct support for individual items. So the advantage here goes to Envato Market, which offers customer support for specific items. The best thing about them is that you can contact and get assistance directly from the item’s author.

There are some other minor differences, but I believe these are the main ones. Your choice between the two depends on your needs, frequency of use, and the level of support required for your creative projects.

Read our in-depth comparison: Envato Elements vs Envato Market

Envato Elements Review: Summary

Envato Elements is a great digital asset subscription service with a library of more than 14 million digital assets with a single broad usage license. It’s best for those that are looking for an unlimited resource of various templates, graphics, illustrations, images, or videos at an affordable price.

With that being said, I believe it is a smart choice for individuals and entrepreneurs. And if you don’t want a long-term commitment, give it a try by getting a 1-month subscription and see if it’s a right fit for you.

Start Using Envato Elements >>

FAQ

Is Envato Elements any good?

Yes, Envato Elements is highly regarded for its vast collection of digital assets, including templates, graphics, videos, photos, and more.

Who owns Envato Elements?

Envato Elements is owned by Envato, an Australian company that operates various online marketplaces for creative assets. The founders and CEOs of the company are Collis and Cyan Ta’eeds.

Is Envato Elements free?

No, Envato Elements is not free. It operates on a subscription-based model, and users need to pay a monthly fee to access the content.

Can you cancel Envato Elements subscription?

Yes, you have the option to cancel Envato Elements subscription at any time. You can do it through your account settings or by contacting customer support.