Envato Elements vs Envato Market: Which One is Right for You?
If you’re a designer, developer, or content creator, you’ve probably heard of Envato—one of the biggest platforms for digital assets. Whether you need website templates, graphics, stock photos, or sound effects, Envato offers millions of creative assets to help you build stunning projects.
But here’s the big question: Should you use Envato Market or Envato Elements?
Let’s break it down in detail so you can make the best decision for your needs.
What is Envato Market?
Envato Market is an online marketplace where creators from all over the world sell digital assets. It works on a pay-per-item basis—meaning you purchase each asset individually instead of paying a monthly fee.
What is Envato Elements?
Envato Elements is a subscription-based service where you pay a flat monthly fee to get unlimited access to thousands of digital assets. Instead of buying each asset separately, you pay once and download as much as you want.
Envato Elements vs Envato Market: What’s Included?
What’s Included in Envato Elements?
With an Envato Elements subscription, you get access to massive library, including:
- Unlimited downloads of stock photos, videos, graphics, and templates
- Website themes (WordPress, Shopify, HTML, and more)
- Fonts, illustrations, icons, and UI kits
- Music & sound effects for video editing
- Presentation templates (PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides)
What’s Included in Envato Market?
You can purchase from Envato Market individual digital assets, including:
- Premium WordPress themes & plugins (sold under ThemeForest and CodeCanyon)
- Graphic templates (logos, flyers, social media kits)
- Stock videos, motion graphics & After Effects templates
- Music, sound effects & video editing tools
- 3D models, illustrations & fonts
Envato Elements vs Envato Market: Pricing
How Much Does Envato Elements Cost?
Envato Elements offers a fixed pricing model, making it a great choice for those who need multiple assets.
Envato Elements Pricing:
- Annual Plan: $198/year ($16.50 per month) – Best value
- Monthly Plan: $39 per month (No commitment)
- Student Plan: $11.50 per month (30% discount)
- Team Plan: Starts at $10.75 per member (for teams of 5+)
If you download at least 3-4 assets per month, Envato Elements saves you money compared to Envato Market.
How Much Does Envato Market Cost?
Since Envato Market operates on a pay-per-item model, pricing varies by asset type.
Envato Market Pricing (Rough Estimates):
- WordPress themes: $29 – $69 per theme
- Website templates: $10 – $50 per template
- Stock videos: $5 – $49 per clip
- Logo templates: $5 – $30 per logo
- Music tracks: $5 – $39 per track
If you only need one or two assets, buying from Envato Market might be cheaper. But for multiple assets, Envato Elements offers better value.
Envato Elements vs Envato Market: Licensing & Usage Rights
Licensing is a major factor when choosing between Envato Elements vs Envato Market.
Envato Elements License
- Covers all downloaded assets under one commercial license.
- You must register each item for a specific project.
- You lose access to new downloads if you cancel your subscription, but you can keep using previously downloaded assets.
Envato Market License
- Each item has separate licensing terms (Regular or Extended License).
- You own the asset forever after purchase.
- Licensing can be more flexible but may have more restrictions for commercial use.
Elements vs Envato Market: Pros and Cons
Pros and Cons of Envato Elements
Pros:
- Unlimited downloads—no limits, use as many assets as you want
- One fixed price—no surprise costs
- Massive library of over 14 million digital assets
- One license for everything—no complex licensing rules
- Best value for frequent users
Cons:
- You don’t own the assets—if you cancel, you lose access
- No direct item support—unlike Envato Market, no extra help from creators
- Not every asset is included—some premium items are only on Envato Market
Pros and Cons of Envato Market
Pros:
- Buy only what you need—no recurring payments
- High-quality assets from top designers
- Huge selection of 9+ million digital items
- Lifetime access—you own the asset forever
Cons:
- Expensive for multiple assets—costs can add up quickly
- No refunds—once purchased, you can’t get your money back
- Limited support—only 6 months of assistance per purchase
Envato Elements vs Envato Market: Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s a quick way to decide:
Choose Envato Elements if:
- You need multiple assets regularly for design, videos, or web projects.
- You want unlimited downloads at a fixed monthly price.
- You don’t need direct creator support for every item.
Choose Envato Market if:
- You only need one or two assets for a specific project.
- You want to own the asset forever without a subscription.
- You need item-specific support and guaranteed updates.
Final thoughts Which One is the Better Deal?
If you’re a casual buyer who only needs a few high-quality assets, Envato Market is the better choice. You’ll get premium-quality items without needing a subscription.
However, if you frequently uses digital assets like me, Envato Elements is the clear winner. The unlimited downloads and fixed pricing make it the best value for anyone who needs multiple assets regularly.
