Envato Elements Review 2024: Why It's Worth More Than You Think
In this Envato Elements review we will find out what kind of digital goods can be found in the library, look into licensing terms, and learn how the platform really works. We will also talk about its pros and cons, determine who would benefit from using the service, and discuss whether there are better alternatives to Envato Elements.
Envato Elements Overview: Pros And Cons In Short
Pros:
1. One, single-use commercial license.
2. A wide range of digital assets to choose from.
3. Unlimited download subscription.
4. Low price.
Cons:
1. Even though the price is competitive, it may still be expensive for some creators.
2. Each item needs to be re-licensed every time you use it.
3. Videos are downloaded in .mov format and it takes a while to convert them.
Verdict: Is Envato Elements Worth The Subscription In 2024?
Yes, it is worth it. Envato Elements offers over a million digital assets at a very low price starting from $16,50 per month. If you are looking to make your creative mark on the world, or just want to take your projects to a whole new level, signing up for Envato Elements membership may be a good idea.
5 Reasons it is worth it for me:
1. Purchase once and no need to worry for the whole year
2. No need to worry about licensing
3. No need to worry about looking elsewhere, everything I need is in one place
4. Saves me a lot of time
5. My digital presence looks good and I can focus creating more content.
Envato Elements Review
Envato Elements is a good service that offers exceptional value for money. For $33/m or $199/y, you get unlimited access to millions of high-quality digital assets, including images, videos, music, graphics, templates, WordPress themes, etc. All Envato Elements assets are covered by a simple commercial license.
What Is Envato Elements?
Envato Elements is an online library that boasts over a million digital assets including video footage, audio clips, images, and graphic design templates. For a monthly fee of $16,50, members gain access to the whole library and can download an unlimited number of assets.
As of 2024, I mostly use Motion Array and Artlist for my project, as they offer better quality and bigger variety of assets.
Envato Market vs. Envato Elements
They are, however, two very different platforms. Envato Market is a marketplace where you can buy and sell creative assets, while Envato Elements is a subscription service that gives you unlimited access to creative assets. So which one is better? Envato Market is great if you need a specific and very high-quality asset for your project. You can browse through the marketplace and find exactly what you need. The quality is superb, but it can be expensive if you need to purchase several assets. Envato Elements is perfect if you need a lot of assets for your projects. It can save you a lot of money in the long run, especially if you are a freelance designer or developer who often works on multiple projects. So if you just need a couple of assets, then yes, Envato Market is a good choice, otherwise, I would suggest you look into Envato Elements.
Is Envato Elements Safe? Can It Be Trusted?
Yes, I truly believe so. It's a pledge backed by robust technology, protocols, and years of industry trust. Envato utilizes SSL certificates, multi-factor authentication, and other tech marvels to ensure that your data remains as untouchable. The company has implemented advanced encryption protocols to safeguard your financial data.
I advice users to get familiar with Licensing agreement and the indemnification clause. In plain language, it means that if you misuse Envato's products, you're on the hook for any legal mess. It's like having a "you break it, you buy it" policy, but with more zeros at the end.
Learn About Envato Elements Safety
Why You Should Choose Envato Elements?
Whether you are a visual content creator, a web developer, or a freelancer, there are many reasons why you should consider becoming an Envato Elements member.
Envato Elements library has a wide range of high-quality assets with new files being constantly added. What makes it stand out among other digital stock services is that there are no download limits, you can get as many files as you need.
If you plan on using Envato Elements for any of your business projects, you have nothing to worry about - the subscription comes with a commercial license.
Envato Elements members also gain free access to Tuts+, a learning platform that offers thousands of courses, e-books, and how-to tutorials on various subjects, such as Web Design, Music & Audio, Business, Photo & Video, and more.
Library: What Is Included In Envato Elements?
Envato Elements library contains the following [but not limited to] types of digital assets:
· Stock video (6,146,538 +)
Looking to spice up your content with high-quality videos? Envato Elements offers thousands of HD and 4K stock videos, logo stings, motion graphics, broadcast packages, and much more.
· Video templates (113,217 +)
Want to make a video intro that will get you noticed? Look no further, these templates have got you covered.
· Music (179,418 +)
Does your video need catchy background music? It is easy to find a perfect audio clip among a wide variety of high-quality royalty-free music tracks from all genres in the Envato Elements library.
· Sound Effects For Video (679,368 +)
Do you want to become the next best Foley Artist? Envato Elements can help make this dream come true.
· Graphic Templates (195,575 +)
In need of advertising templates for your next resume design? Stand out by using one of these templates.
· Motion Graphics (527,637+)
Increase your brand awareness with a large collection of graphics from Envato Elements.
· Presentation Templates (131,866 +)
Presentations don’t have to be boring! These templates will help you deliver a great confident presentation with minimum stress.
· Photos (10,415,778 + and 5M+ of stock images from Twenty20)
Sometimes all you need to create an engaging blog post is a beautiful photo to go along with it. Make your webpage visually appealing by incorporating professional photographs found within the Envato Elements library.
· WordPress Themes & Plugins (7,336 +)
Create a professional website easily using one of Theme Forest's premium themes and plugins.
And much more!
· Fonts (51,158 +)
Are The Downloads Really Unlimited?
Yes! As long as you have an active Envato Elements subscription, you can download an unlimited amount of items from their library.
Unlimited downloads explained:
So even though the downloads are really unlimited, you cannot share your account with other people, use any bots to download content, and should respect the fair use policy, which clearly states that you can't have a stockpile of assets, and you can only license items for ongoing projects. So basically, while the downloads are unlimited, the licensing of assets is limited to your personal workload at the current moment.
How Does Envato Elements Licensing Work?
As a creator, you probably don’t want to worry about licensing. Unlike other similar services, Envato Elements offers simple, straightforward licensing. Once you become a member, you are given full access to the library and can download as many files as you want. Every asset found in the library has the same “simple commercial license”. Under this license, you obtain the broad commercial rights to that particular asset, or “item”.
Licensing Items Step By Step
You have to license every asset that you are planning to use in your projects. The process is straightforward and takes just a few clicks. Before you download an asset, you have an option to license it right away or download it without the license in case you are not sure if you will use it. To start licensing your assets, you will need to log in to your account and navigate to the "License" tab. There, you'll see a list of all your assets. Clicking on an asset will take you to its "License" page. You need to re-license items for every project, and that's the part that many people don't like because in order for you to continue using items in new projects you need to keep your subscription active. However, everything that you download and license while your subscription is active, is yours to keep forever. You just can't reuse the items in future projects if you cancel your subscription. As for me, when I download items I license them right away as it helps save time. In the past, I didn't use all of the assets I downloaded. But as it turns out Envato Elements pays creators for every downloaded and licensed item, and there is a rule against "inappropriate downloading" meaning that admins might look into your account manually if they see any suspicious activity.
Commercial rights use and restrictions reviewed:
All the assets in the Envato Elements library are royalty-free. This means that you can use them in your personal and commercial projects. I use Envato Elements for all of my projects, and for my clients as well. Another common question is whether you can use Envato Elements on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. And the answer is yes. The only restriction is that you are not allowed to use music for streaming on YouTube, Facebook, and other live streaming platforms, or for broadcast and television. You can also sell products you create using Envato Elements, such as t-shirts if you add value to the item by customizing it or incorporating it into a larger design. So basically, you can sell your work as long as the original files you downloaded are not the end product, nor can they be extracted from the end product. The same rules apply to physical products you create and digital ones that you sell on platforms like Fiverr or to your clients.
However, there are several important things that you should be aware of (and that the company doesn’t mention outright):
1. Items need to be registered on a per-use basis.
If you intend on using an asset more than once, then you will need to re-register that asset again to use it the second time. Each time you download an item, an asset is only licensed for single, specified use. To legally use an item more than once, you need to double-register it. (This can be found in your "Downloads" page).
2. You cannot re-sell or re-distribute assets.
For instance, if you download stock video footage from Envato Elements and re-upload it to Shutterstock then you will be violating the license terms.
3. Envato Elements prohibits members from using the assets as a basis for merchandising.
An example of this would be downloading a graphic from the library and then directly printing it on to a T-shirt for sale.
The re-sale of a graphic would have to be contingent upon “fair-use”, if for instance, you download a graphic or photograph from the library and then make substantial changes to it, then it may fall under fair-use guidelines. Fair use would enable you to re-sell this newly altered graphic because it was significantly altered from the original.
4. If you are delivering an end product to a client, then you will need to provide the client with a “Sublicense”.
A sublicense is essentially an extension of the license provided to you when you download the asset. To keep it simple, just visit your "Downloads" page and see how to get a sublicense.
5. Lastly, you cannot create a trademark or copyright claim over items used in your projects.
That basically means that you didn’t “create” any digital asset and, therefore, it is not your intellectual property. To keep it legal, and fair to Envato Elements, don’t try to copyright your final products when they were made using the assets from the library.
If I cancel the Envato Elements subscription, what will happen to my previously created content?
If for any reason, you decide to cancel your membership, you won't be able to use any digital assets from the library anymore.
However, Envato Elements offers a “Future-Proof Licensing”, meaning that even if you were to unsubscribe from their service, you would still have broad commercial rights for all of your items that were registered before you ended the subscription.
Videoblocks Review: Is It Worth The Subscription Price Or Is It A Scam?
How Much Does Envato Elements Cost?
Envato Elements is a subscription-based service that offers unlimited downloads for one flat monthly fee. The cost of the subscription is $33 per month. This is a great option for those who just need to use a service for a few projects. However, if you are a creative who is always in need of digital assets, then you might consider opting for an annual subscription that costs just $16,50 per month ($198 + tax per year). Keep in mind, that both of these options are only available for individuals.
Envato Elements offers excellent subscription plans for teams starting at just $10,75 a month per member, and organizations and agencies.
Students can save 30% and get an unlimited monthly subscription for $23, or purchase an unlimited annual plan for $11,50 a month ($138 + tax per year).
Although some users would prefer having more subscription options, I believe that Envato Elements members actually benefit from this pricing structure. By offering a single price, the company avoids having to diversify the way its library is licensed. The fact that you get unlimited downloads of all the items in the library at one low price makes your life as a creative a lot easier, and in the long run, makes the subscription worth it.
Envato Elements Free Trial
At the moment, Envato Elements offers a 7-day free trial for both monthly and annual subscriptions. If for any reason, you don't like the service, you can cancel your trial anytime before it ends to avoid any charges. You can also create a free account and download certain items offered by Envato Elements at no cost.
Update: As of March 2023, Envato Elements no longer have a free trial option. Instead, they offer 12 hand-picked files each month for free.
Envato Elements Refund Explained:
Envato Elements generally does not offer refunds. However, if you are not satisfied with your purchase, you may be able to request a refund within 14 days of the date of purchase but the chances of you getting it are slim to none unless required by applicable laws. For instance, if you just say that you couldn't find the content that you needed you obviously won't get a refund. Also, if you sign up for a free trial and decide not to continue with the subscription, just cancel your membership before the trial ends to avoid any charges.
How To Download Free Files From Envato Elements?
Each month you can download 12 files from Envato Elements that are selected by the team at no cost. To do that, you have to create a free account and download any - or all - of those files.
New AI ImageGen Tool
AI ImageGen is a text-to-image tool for Envato Elements subscribers. It generates quality images with commercial use rights as part of your subscription.
Why the Hype?
User Demand: 42% of Envato users wanted AI tools; 92% were already using AI.
Efficiency: Speeds up workflow and enhances creativity.
Pros
Multi-Image Generation: Creates eight images at once.
Diverse AI Models: Uses over seven AI engines for varied styles.
Commercial Use Rights: No extra fees or legal issues.
Cons
Beta Stage: Expect updates and some instability.
Size Limitations: Only one image size available.
Re-Generation Bugs: Some issues reported.
How to Access
Log into your Envato Elements account.
Go to labs.envato.com.
Start generating images.
Legal Insights
User Terms: Follow Envato ImageGen policies.
Commercial Use: Images must be part of an end product.
Content Ownership: Input is yours, generated images are licensed under Envato.
Is It Worth It?
For Envato Elements subscribers, yes. It adds value and streamlines tools under one subscription. Despite being in beta, its future enhancements promise increased utility.
Downloading Items On Envato Elements How do I download from Envato Elements?
Downloading a file from the Envato Elements library is a relatively straightforward process. Once you have found a file you are interested in, go to its page and click "Download Item". Then you will be given an option of either licensing the item for Project Use or Trial Use. If you decide to license it for Project Use, then you will have to give it a name. After that, click "Download".
One thing I don't like about Envato Elements is that all the video files are quite large - around 1Gb each and can only be downloaded in .mov format. Because of that, it takes a while to convert them afterward.
Does Envato Elements Have Any Coupons To Lower The Subscription Cost?
No. There are no coupons at the moment. However, I suggest that you check out Envato Elements' latest deals and discounts once in a while (especially around Black Friday/Cyber Monday).
Envato Elements Student Discount Review:
If you're a student, you can get a subscription for $11.5 per month.
All you have to do to get this discount is verify your student email address on the subscription page. Envato Elements subscription grants unlimited access to all assets in the library.
Best Alternatives to Envato Elements in 2024
Although Envato Elements might offer the best value for the money - especially considering the wide range of assets they are offering, there are other excellent stock media companies out there. And before you become an Envato Elements member, it is important that you consider other options.
Top 10 Best Stock Video | Photos Websites | Free & Paid
Here are just a few services that offer digital assets for content creators.
Artlist Max is an excellent subscription service that offers unlimited access to high-quality digital assets - royalty-free music, SFX, footage, video templates, and more. The prices start at just $29.99 per month. The quality of files is what makes Artlist stand out among other similar services - you can even get RAW/LOG footage there.
Check out my Envato Elements vs. Artlist Max full comparison
2. Storyblocks
Storyblocks is a subscription-based stock video, audio, and photo platform, and in my opinion, one of Envato Elements' biggest competitors. Storyblocks has a library that offers over 1,5 million of high-quality digital assets. It doesn't offer as many products as Envato Elements and the monthly price is higher ($65 vs. $33 per month). However, it has a slightly better licensing - all assets are royalty-free and all the downloaded files are yours to keep even after you cancel your membership.
Read Storyblocks vs. Envato Elements: Unlimited Stock Media Sites Comparison 2024 To Learn More
3. Vecteezy
If you are a graphic designer, Vecteezy offers over a million of high-quality vector graphics for you to use in your illustrations. Vecteezy offers “worry-free licensing” that includes full personal and commercial use. Vecteezy also has a “Free Forever” model which is exactly the same as Envato Elements' "Future-Proof Licensing".
Vecteezy does not have a library as expansive as Envato Elements, but if you are purely interested in graphics then it might be a better option.
Vecteezy offers a subscription-based service called “Vecteezy Pro” which is priced at $14 a month (if billed monthly) or $9 a month (if billed annually).
4. Shutterstock
Shutterstock offers a large library of video and photo content for creators to browse and download. However, it is a lot more expensive than the other services mentioned above. For instance, 5 HD clips from Shutterstock will cost you $359! There are also no subscription plans being offered.
Videoblocks | Storyblocks Free Trial Review: Scam Or What? Updated
5. Free Sites Like Pixabay or Unsplash
These sites offer stock videos and images uploaded by photographers and videographers for free. The assets are licensed under the Unsplash and Pixabay license which is free for commercial use and does not require attribution.
Obviously, the quality of the assets found on these websites is not the best, but if you are on a tight budget, you might consider giving them a try.
Is Envato Elements Worth it?
So is there anything better than Envato Elements? Envato Elements is the best service for stock footage, images, music, and video templates. And if I want a new font, a Photoshop template, or a WordPress theme, I can also get it there, and it's a huge bonus to have everything in one place.
It saves me both time and money. I also have subscriptions to other similar services like Storyblocks, Motion Array, and Artgrid, and each of them is good for different reasons. But if I had to choose one, I would go with Envato Elements because of its price, the quality of content, and the number of assets that they add to the library daily. Plus, none of the other services offers such a wide array of assets. After you are done watching this video, click the link in the description or in the top pinned comment and check the Envato Elements library for yourself to see whether you like it. Overall, Envato Elements is an affordable source of unlimited creative assets, and I highly recommend giving it a try.
