In today’s digital age, where visual content dominates every corner of the internet, finding high-quality creative assets is essential for designers, marketers, content creators, and entrepreneurs. Envato Elements has become one of the most popular subscription-based platforms offering millions of digital assets under one roof.
But the real question many professionals ask is — is Envato Elements worth it?
If you’re considering investing in a creative subscription plan, this detailed Envato Elements review will help you decide whether it’s the right tool for you. We’ll explore its features, pricing, advantages, limitations, and whether it fits your creative workflow.
What is Envato Elements?
Envato Elements is an all-in-one digital asset subscription service by Envato, the company behind popular marketplaces like ThemeForest, VideoHive, and AudioJungle.
Unlike traditional marketplaces where you pay per item, Envato Elements offers unlimited downloads for a flat monthly or yearly fee. This means you can access millions of creative assets, including:
- Stock photos and videos
- Graphic templates
- Presentation templates
- Fonts and icons
- WordPress themes and plugins
- Sound effects and music tracks
- 3D elements and motion graphics
It’s designed for individuals, agencies, marketers, and businesses that frequently use digital design assets.
Who Should Use Envato Elements?
Envato Elements is best suited for:
- Graphic Designers: Access thousands of design templates, mockups, and fonts for print or digital projects.
- Video Creators: Download stock footage, motion graphics, and music tracks for YouTube or professional videos.
- Marketing Professionals: Create social media campaigns, landing pages, and presentations using customizable templates.
- Web Developers: Get UI kits, website templates, and WordPress themes to speed up client projects.
- Freelancers and Agencies: Scale creative output without spending extra on individual assets.
If you regularly create content for clients or social media, Envato Elements can save you both time and money.
How Envato Elements Works
The subscription model is simple. Once you subscribe, you can download as many assets as you want. Each download comes with a commercial license, which means you can use the assets for personal or business projects.
When you download an asset, it gets automatically registered under your account. You can even keep using assets you downloaded during your active subscription, even if you cancel later, as long as they were registered while your subscription was active.
It’s easy to search using filters by category, file type, style, or use case. You can preview templates and even save items to collections for later use.
The Library: What You Get Inside Envato Elements
Envato Elements currently provides access to over 17 million assets across different categories. Let’s explore what you get:
1. Graphic Templates
Find ready-to-use templates for posters, flyers, infographics, social media, and branding kits. Each template is fully editable in Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva.
2. Stock Photos
Access millions of high-resolution stock photos covering various topics, including business, travel, lifestyle, and technology.
3. Videos and Motion Graphics
Get access to stock footage, cinematic clips, transitions, and visual effects suitable for YouTube or professional ads.
4. Presentation Templates
Create visually appealing PowerPoint or Google Slides presentations using modern and creative templates.
5. Music and Sound Effects
Choose from royalty-free background music, intros, and SFX for podcasts, games, and video editing.
6. Fonts
Envato offers thousands of unique fonts for branding, web design, or content creation.
7. Web Templates and Themes
You can find HTML templates, WordPress themes, UI kits, and page builders that are ready to customize.
8. Add-ons and Plugins
If you work with After Effects, Premiere Pro, or Photoshop, there are hundreds of plugins and presets to simplify your workflow.
9. 3D Assets
Envato also provides 3D models and motion design elements that are perfect for high-end visual projects.
This diverse library makes Envato Elements an all-in-one creative powerhouse.
Pricing and Subscription
Envato Elements offers two main subscription options:
- Monthly Plan: Around ₹1,600 per month
- Annual Plan: Around ₹12,000 per year
The annual plan provides better value and is popular among freelancers and agencies.
Both plans offer the same benefits — unlimited downloads, commercial license, and access to all categories.
Students and educators can get a discounted plan, making Envato Elements accessible even for beginners.
7 Pros of Envato Elements
Let’s look at the top benefits that make Envato Elements stand out.
1. Unlimited Downloads
Unlike traditional platforms where each download costs extra, Envato Elements gives you unlimited access. This is perfect for creators who experiment with multiple versions of projects.
2. Huge Asset Library
With over 17 million items, Envato Elements offers one of the largest digital libraries online. You can find everything from fonts to video effects without needing multiple subscriptions.
3. Affordable Pricing
When compared to buying assets individually from other platforms, Envato’s pricing is incredibly budget-friendly. Even one or two high-quality assets can justify the subscription cost.
4. Easy Licensing
Every download includes a simple commercial license. Once registered, you can keep using it even if your subscription expires. This transparency makes it ideal for client-based work.
5. High-Quality Assets
Each file is curated and reviewed by professionals to ensure design quality, originality, and usability. This saves time compared to hunting for free assets online.
6. Regular Updates
New content is added every week. Whether it’s a trending design style or a fresh set of stock videos, Envato’s library is always evolving.
7. Integration with Tools Like Canva
Envato Elements integrates with Canva, allowing you to import assets directly. This is especially helpful for social media creators and marketers.
3 Cons of Envato Elements
Even with all these positives, there are a few areas where Envato Elements could improve.
1. No Individual Purchases
Unlike ThemeForest or other Envato marketplaces, you cannot buy a single item without a subscription. This might be inconvenient for occasional users.
2. Limited Unique Licenses
Although the license covers most commercial uses, it’s non-transferable. You need to register each download for every new project separately.
3. Not All Items Are Exclusive
Some assets might appear on other marketplaces. If you’re looking for 100% exclusive designs, you might occasionally find duplicates.
Is Envato Elements Worth It?
If you’re a designer, marketer, or content creator who frequently uses creative resources, Envato Elements is absolutely worth it.
The unlimited download model alone provides massive value. For the cost of a few premium assets elsewhere, you get a complete creative toolkit with consistent updates and easy licensing.
Even if you use just 3–4 assets a month, the subscription pays for itself. The ease of use, diversity of templates, and reliability make it one of the best investments for creative professionals.
Envato Elements vs Other Creative Platforms
Here’s a quick comparison to help you understand how Envato Elements stands out from competitors like Adobe Stock or Shutterstock:
| Feature | Envato Elements | Adobe Stock | Shutterstock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Subscription (Unlimited) | Pay per item or monthly quota | Pay per item or monthly quota |
| Downloads | Unlimited | Limited | Limited |
| Asset Types | Photos, videos, fonts, templates, music, 3D | Photos, vectors, templates | Photos, videos |
| License Type | Simple commercial license | Extended license for extra cost | Separate licenses |
| Integration | Canva, WordPress, After Effects | Adobe Creative Cloud | Basic integrations |
| Value for Money | Excellent | Moderate | Moderate |
Envato clearly wins in terms of affordability and content diversity.
Why Creators Love Envato Elements
Thousands of freelancers and agencies rely on Envato Elements daily. Here are a few reasons creators prefer it:
- It saves time by offering everything in one place.
- The interface is user-friendly and responsive.
- The preview and collection features make browsing efficient.
- Assets are compatible with industry tools like Photoshop, After Effects, and Figma.
- The subscription is flexible and easy to cancel anytime.
These factors make Envato Elements not just a tool but a creative ecosystem.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Envato Elements
- Use Collections: Save similar items into folders for faster access later.
- Filter Smartly: Use search filters to find trending templates or new assets.
- Download and Test: Don’t hesitate to try different versions before finalizing your project.
- Keep Licensing Organized: Register assets for each client project for compliance.
- Stay Updated: Check “New Items” weekly for fresh designs.
These tips ensure you get full value from your subscription and work more efficiently.
Final Verdict: Is Envato Elements Worth Your Money?
If you’re serious about content creation or design, Envato Elements is one of the best investments you can make. It simplifies your workflow, saves hours of searching, and provides professional-grade assets under one affordable plan.
For freelancers and agencies, the cost-to-benefit ratio is outstanding. You no longer need to purchase separate music, fonts, or graphics from multiple websites. Instead, Envato Elements brings everything together seamlessly.
While it’s not perfect — the subscription-only model may not suit occasional users — for consistent creators, it’s a game changer.
Envato Elements isn’t just worth it; it’s a creative essential for anyone who values efficiency, quality, and affordability.
FAQs About Envato Elements
1. What is Envato Elements?
Envato Elements is a subscription-based platform offering millions of creative assets, including templates, graphics, videos, fonts, and music for unlimited download.
2. How does Envato Elements work?
You pay a monthly or yearly subscription fee to access all assets. Once subscribed, you can download unlimited items with a commercial license.
3. Is Envato Elements free?
No, Envato Elements is not free. It’s a paid subscription service, but the pricing is affordable compared to buying individual assets elsewhere.
4. Can I use Envato Elements assets commercially?
Yes, every download includes a commercial license. You can use assets for client or business projects as long as they are registered under your account.
5. Do I keep the license after canceling my subscription?
Yes, any asset downloaded and registered while your subscription was active remains licensed for your past projects even after cancellation.
6. How many assets can I download from Envato Elements?
You can download unlimited assets. There are no restrictions on the number of downloads per month or per day.
7. Is Envato Elements worth the money?
Yes. If you regularly create content, Envato Elements offers exceptional value with unlimited downloads and access to premium-quality assets.
8. What types of files are available on Envato Elements?
You’ll find templates, stock photos, videos, music, sound effects, fonts, 3D assets, website themes, and much more.
9. Can I use Envato Elements for YouTube videos?
Absolutely. Many creators use Envato’s stock footage, intros, and background music in their YouTube videos without copyright issues.
10. Does Envato Elements offer WordPress themes and plugins?
Yes. You can find thousands of WordPress themes, templates, and plugins suitable for websites, portfolios, and eCommerce stores.
11. What software do I need to edit Envato Elements assets?
Depending on the file type, you may need tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, or Canva.
12. Can I cancel my Envato Elements subscription anytime?
Yes, you can cancel your subscription anytime. Your account will remain active until the end of the billing period.
13. Is there a refund policy for Envato Elements?
Envato Elements usually does not offer refunds unless there’s a technical issue or billing error. Always review their refund policy before purchasing.
14. Are the assets on Envato Elements royalty-free?
Yes. All assets are royalty-free, meaning you don’t need to pay additional fees for using them commercially once licensed.
15. How often is the Envato Elements library updated?
New content is added every week. Envato’s library continues to grow with new designs, templates, and media files.
16. Can students use Envato Elements?
Yes. Students and educators can access discounted plans for educational and creative use.
17. Is Envato Elements better than other stock websites?
Compared to sites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock, Envato offers unlimited downloads at a much lower price with a single license model.
18. Does Envato Elements integrate with Canva?
Yes, Envato Elements integrates with Canva, allowing direct import of templates and graphics for faster content creation.
19. Can I share my Envato Elements account?
The license is for individual use only. Agencies or teams need to purchase multiple seats or separate accounts.
20. What happens if I use an asset without registering it?
You must register each asset to validate its commercial use. Unregistered downloads are not covered under the license agreement.
