Skip to content 
If you’re a content creator or manage a design agency, you know how difficult it can be to find unique and high-quality stock photos, audio tracks, videos, and other assets for your blogs and websites. We frequently spend a lot of time searching various sources for these stock items, time that would be better spent on creating content.
Envato Elements is a platform that simplifies this process, offering a vast array of stock assets, from photos and graphics to audio tracks, videos, fonts, email templates, and even WordPress themes and plugins.
Table of Contents
What is Envato Elements?
Envato Elements is a subscription-based service offering a vast library of digital assets. Whether you need stock photos, graphics, audio tracks, videos, fonts, email templates, or even WordPress themes and plugins, Envato Elements has it all. It’s designed to be a one-stop shop for creatives, providing unlimited downloads for a single subscription fee.
Why Choose Envato Elements?
Credit: Envato Elements
Envato Elements provides a wide selection of media, all well-organized with efficient filters. Besides an affordable subscription model, Envato also offers free alternatives through MixKit and Reshot. Although better integration between these divisions would be ideal, Envato Elements remains an excellent resource worth exploring.
The platform boasts one of the most diverse collections, including images, videos, templates, music, sound effects, plugins, and themes. This makes it a great choice for various freelancers, DIY enthusiasts, and creatives, including designers, video editors, marketers, and entrepreneurs.
Envato Market vs Envato Elements
Envato Market is the largest marketplace for buying and selling digital assets, offering premium quality content. However, each item must be purchased individually.
Envato Elements, on the other hand, is a subscription-based service that includes selected content from Envato Market. Subscribers can enjoy unlimited downloads for a low monthly or yearly fee.
How Much Does Envato Elements Cost?
Credit: Envato Elements
Envato Elements is straightforward with its pricing: $199 per year or $33 per month. Compared to other stock sites, it’s highly affordable. It costs $16.50 a month if you purchase a yearly plan. While it might seem pricey compared to free resources, the value is undeniable. Envato Marketplace also offers assets starting as low as $5–$10 for personal use, with higher costs for commercial use. The advantage? Every asset on Envato Elements comes with a commercial license, significantly enhancing its value.
Subscribers gain access to millions of assets with no download limits, all under a simple commercial license. This license allows for personal and work projects, and protections apply to any design created during the subscription period. If you unsubscribe, you can no longer create new works using Envato’s content but can continue using completed projects.
Envato Elements Licensing
Envato Elements offers a straightforward licensing approach. Each downloaded asset is linked to a specific project or ‘end product,’ simplifying the process for users. This system ensures fair compensation for creators and easy compliance for users. Envato’s licensing also extends to client work, allowing for the sublicensing of assets. The platform accommodates individual users on multiple computers and offers group plans for companies, ensuring flexibility for different user scenarios.
Any item downloaded from Envato Elements is licensed under a single-use commercial license, granting the right to use the item in various projects, including commercial ones. Each time an item is downloaded for a project, a license is granted for that specific use. If you want to use the item in another project, you need to register it again.
Overall, Envato Elements’ licensing is clear and offers broad commercial rights with a few limitations, such as restrictions on reselling, merchandising, or claiming copyright/trademark on downloaded assets.
Read Blog: What Is Brand Identity?
Post-Subscription Use
Assets licensed during an active subscription can be used in completed projects even after the subscription ends. Prohibited uses include reselling, redistributing, or using assets for merchandising without significant modifications. Sub-licensing to clients is possible, but they must be informed about the license limitations. Assets must be re-registered for each new project, reinforcing the single-use nature of the license.
Direct Resale: Direct resale of assets without significant modifications is not permitted.
YouTube Use: Assets can be used in YouTube videos but not for live streaming due to broadcasting restrictions.
Logo Design: Usage in logos is allowed, but trademarking such logos is not recommended.
On-Demand Content: Usage for on-demand services or behind paywalls like Netflix or Amazon Prime is prohibited.
Physical Products: Assets can be used in physical products, provided they form part of a larger, original design.
Interface, Usability, and User Experience
On first impressions, the site resembles most other online stock media libraries. It features a large search field at the top, a drop-down menu of categories, and thumbnail links to some of the most popular sections.
Envato Elements offers a variety of assets and formats, from photos, graphics, and video clips to more specific options like presentation templates, fonts, and 3D files.
Enter a few keywords in the search field, and Envato Elements will present results almost instantly. These results are well-organized, and categorized into videos, photos, sound effects, graphics, and other relevant sections.
Hovering over a video thumbnail will play a preview after a few seconds, allowing you to ensure it fits your needs before clicking.
If you’re looking for something specific, you can narrow your search from the start by selecting a category from the ‘All Items’ menu next to the search field. This focuses the search on your chosen category, such as ‘Graphics.’
Once you’ve narrowed down your search, a sidebar on the left offers additional filters, such as the asset’s predominant color, the number of people in the shot, and file orientation. The number next to each parameter indicates how many files match that filter. Choosing one updates the values of other parameters, helping you avoid selecting options with zero results—a great feature that saves time.
Who is Envato Elements Best For?
Film & Video Editors
Unlimited downloads are a dream for filmmakers, especially with an extensive collection of After Effects, sound effects, Premiere Pro templates, and stock footage.
Graphic Designers
With over 10.3 million stock photos and top-tier Photoshop actions and add-ons, Envato Elements is a favorite among designers and creatives. For mockups, you can also try Placeit, an Envato company, for $7.47/month for unlimited downloads.
Developers & Coders
Many developers turn to Envato for WordPress themes (over 1,600), plugins (760), and template kits (2,500). Both design and code enthusiasts can appreciate the large icon and font collection (50,000) suitable for web and design.
The DIYers
For freelancers, entrepreneurs, and everyone in between, Envato Elements is an excellent choice. It offers a comprehensive toolkit for crafting logos, social media visuals, promo videos, and product packaging.
New Feature: AiGen Tool
Envato Elements now includes AiGen, an AI-driven image generator, as part of its subscription. No extra payment is required. Simply type in what you need, and AiGen generates images. It uses over seven AI models to provide different styles and ideas, offering great value without legal headaches for using these images in your projects.
Is Envato Elements Worth It?
Envato Elements strikes a balance between offering a comprehensive resource library and maintaining a fair usage policy. Understanding the limitations and requirements of their licensing model is key to making the most of the subscription. Its vast library, straightforward licensing, and user-friendly interface make it an excellent choice for various creative professionals.
What is Envato Elements?
Envato Elements is a subscription-based platform that offers unlimited access to a vast library of digital assets, including graphics, templates, stock photos, music, videos, and more. It’s designed to support content creators with a wide range of resources for various projects.
How much does an Envato Elements subscription cost?
The monthly subscription for Envato Elements starts at around $16.50 per month, offering unlimited downloads of its entire asset library. There are also annual plans available for users who prefer long-term subscriptions at a discounted rate.
What types of assets can I find on Envato Elements?
Envato Elements provides an extensive range of assets, including graphic templates, WordPress themes, fonts, stock photos, music tracks, video templates, sound effects, and much more. These resources are useful for content creators across different fields like design, marketing, and video production.
Is Envato Elements suitable for beginners?
Yes, Envato Elements is suitable for both beginners and professionals. The platform is easy to navigate, and all assets are categorized for convenient browsing. Plus, users get access to tutorials and educational content that can help them learn how to use the resources effectively.
Can I use Envato Elements assets for commercial projects?
Yes, Envato Elements provides a commercial license for all assets, allowing you to use them in personal and commercial projects. However, it’s essential to check the specific licensing terms to ensure compliance with usage guidelines, especially for reselling or distributing products.
