If you're a content creator, YouTuber, video editor, or digital designer, chances are you’ve heard of Envato Elements . But what exactly is it? And more importantly — is it worth your time and money?
In this detailed 2024 review, we’ll walk through every major category available on Envato Elements, including stock videos, graphic templates, fonts, music, and even its new AI photo generator . We’ll break down what’s good, what’s not so great, and help you decide if this platform deserves a spot in your creative workflow.
What Is Envato Elements?
Envato Elements is a subscription-based creative asset marketplace offering unlimited downloads across multiple categories like:
- Stock footage
- Graphic templates
- Fonts
- Music & sound effects
- Presentation templates
- Web templates
- 3D models
- AI-generated images
For a flat monthly fee, users get access to over a million creative assets , making it one of the most comprehensive platforms for creators looking to streamline their design and editing processes.
Let’s dive into each section and see how it stacks up in real-world usage.
Stock Footage – Quantity Over Quality?
One of the first things you notice when browsing Envato Elements is the sheer volume of stock footage available — over 5 million clips .
That’s a staggering number, especially compared to other platforms like Motion Array or Storyblocks. But quantity doesn’t always mean quality — or does it?
Pros:
- Massive library : From B-roll to drone shots, there's something for everyone.
- Resolution options : Many clips come in 4K, which is essential for professional work.
- Niche content : Found footage of video editors and editing software — rare on other platforms.
Cons:
- Lack of curation : Some clips feel low-effort or outdated.
- Repetitive content : Saw the same hairy knee clip twice — probably not intentional.
- Quality inconsistency : Some clips looked like they were shot in 2012.
Still, for general use, especially for YouTubers or social media creators who don’t need premium cinematic B-roll, the stock footage here is more than sufficient.
Video Templates – Not My Style, But Cool for Some
Video templates aren’t really my thing — I prefer custom animations — but I still explored what Envato Elements had to offer.
There’s a wide variety, from intro/outro sequences to dynamic lower thirds and transitions. They also include some modern features like:
- Lock-on stabilization
- Green screen replacement tools
- Color grading LUTs (SL Log profiles included!)
Highlights:
- LUTs for color correction : Very useful for post-production workflows.
- Easy-to-use templates : Even beginners can drop them into Premiere Pro or After Effects.
I was surprised by how many practical templates were available — especially for corporate presentations or YouTube thumbnails.
However, if you’re someone who prefers minimalism or wants full creative control, these might feel too flashy or restrictive.
Graphic Templates – A Mixed Bag This section threw me off a bit — I realized how little I know about graphic design! Envato Elements offers thousands of pre-made graphics, including: Neon sign designs Social media posts Website mockups Cover art Thumbnail templates (which I personally find overused) Some of these designs looked amazing and would be perfect for creators who don’t have design skills but want polished visuals. However, some felt overly generic or trend-chasing — think TikTok-style glitch effects and neon gradients. Still, for someone just starting out or needing quick assets, this section could be a goldmine.
Music & Sound Effects – The Weak Spot
This was the biggest letdown for me.
While the platform offers a large collection of royalty-free tracks, the audio quality and creativity left much to be desired .
Issues I Found:
- Watermarked previews : Even with a paid subscription, I heard watermarks while previewing music.
- Low production value : Most tracks sounded like generic background filler.
- Copyright claims required : You have to upload your video to YouTube, wait for a copyright claim, and then submit a license to clear it — way too many steps .
- No offline licensing : You can't license music outside of YouTube without jumping through hoops.
Sound effects were slightly better, but the same watermark issue persisted, making it hard to judge the actual quality.
Recommendation:
Stick to Epidemic Sound or Artlist for music and sound effects — cleaner libraries, no watermarks, and better support.
Stock Photos – More Than Enough, But Beware the Duds
Envato Elements hosts around 10 million stock photos — again, impressive in scale.
Like the stock videos, there’s a mix of high-quality images and some that look like they were taken on a flip phone in 2007.
But if you're okay with sifting through a few duds, you’ll likely find usable images for blog posts, social media, or thumbnails.
Tip:
Use filters wisely — sort by popularity or resolution to skip the worst offenders.
Graphics & Icons – Perfect for Talking Head Videos
If you create YouTube talking head videos , this section is gold.
You’ll find:
- Animated overlays
- Lower thirds
- On-screen text elements
- Icons (over 46,000 icon sets!)
Each icon set often includes 50+ icons , meaning you’re looking at hundreds of thousands of icons total.
These are great for adding polish without spending hours designing from scratch.
Fonts – A Font Nerd’s Paradise
Fonts are tricky — too many choices can lead to inconsistency. But Envato Elements makes it easy with beautifully designed thumbnails that show how each font looks in practice.
The variety is massive, ranging from clean sans-serifs to bold display fonts.
As someone who has downloaded way too many fonts, I appreciate how organized and searchable this section is.
Just be careful — it’s easy to fall into the rabbit hole of downloading every font that catches your eye.
AI Photo Generator – Fun, but Limited
Envato Elements now includes an AI image generator , which is a fun addition.
You can generate images based on prompts — like turning a random face into a T-shirt design — and download them instantly.
It’s not as powerful as MidJourney or DALL·E, but it’s a nice perk for quick visual ideas or placeholders.
Pricing – Affordable, Especially Annual
Envato Elements costs:
- $39/month (billed monthly)
- $16.50/month (billed annually)
That’s a massive discount for annual plans — nearly 60% off .
Considering the amount of content available, the price point feels very fair — especially if you frequently use templates, fonts, or stock footage.
I started with the monthly plan but am seriously considering upgrading to annual because I’m already using it regularly.
Final Verdict: Is Envato Elements Worth It?
Yes — with caveats .
Here’s a quick summary of what works and what doesn’t:
If you’re a content creator , YouTuber , or video editor who needs access to a wide range of assets quickly , Envato Elements is a solid investment .
However, if music and sound effects are your main focus , consider supplementing with services like Epidemic Sound , Artlist , or AudioJungle .
📚 Recommended Reading:
If you enjoyed this review, check out:
- Best Royalty-Free Music Sites
- Top 10 Tools Every YouTuber Should Use
- How to Create Professional Thumbnails Without Photoshop
Conclusion
Envato Elements is not perfect, but it's one of the most comprehensive creative marketplaces available today . With millions of assets , reasonable pricing , and constant updates , it’s a go-to resource for creators who need flexibility and speed.
Just remember:
- Skip the music/sound effects unless you absolutely must
- Filter carefully in stock footage/photos
- Use the annual plan if you plan to stick around
Whether you're a beginner or a pro, Envato Elements can save you hours of searching for assets online — and that alone makes it worth trying.
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