Envato Review: Features, Pricing, and User Experience Explained
Envato is a popular online platform where people can buy and sell digital products like website themes, plugins, photos, and videos. It brings together creators and buyers from all over the world. For anyone looking to start a project or build an online presence, it can be a useful resource.
Many wonder if Envato is worth using. This review looks at the range of products, pricing, ease of use, and customer service to help readers understand what to expect.
What Is Envato?
Envato is a popular online platform where people can buy and sell digital products like website templates, stock photos, and audio tracks. It serves freelancers, businesses, designers, and developers looking for ready-made resources and creative tools.
Overview of Envato
Envato is run by Envato, a company based in Australia. It is actually a group of smaller sites that focus on different types of digital goods. The main marketplaces include ThemeForest for website themes, CodeCanyon for scripts and plugins, AudioJungle for music and sound effects, GraphicRiver for graphics, and VideoHive for video assets.
Envato connects people who create digital products with people who need them. Each site has its own community of artists, coders, and designers.
Envato uses a system of previews, ratings, and item descriptions to help buyers make smart choices. Sellers get a place to showcase their work, while buyers get a wide range of quality options.
Key Features
Envato offers a search bar and filters, making it easy to find specific digital items. Users can browse by category, price, file type, or popularity. The site is designed to be simple and fast to navigate.
An important feature is the way it handles payments and licenses. Buyers get clear licenses for each purchase, so they know how they can use the products. Sellers get paid through secure systems after each sale.
Other features include user reviews, detailed previews, and customer support. Envato also offers regular sales and bundles, giving buyers a chance to save money on collections of related items.
Types of Digital Products Available
Envato Offerings include a wide range of digital products. Some of the top categories are:
- Website Themes: Ready-to-use designs for platforms like WordPress, Shopify, and HTML.
- Code: Plugins, scripts, and app templates for different programming languages.
- Graphics: Logos, icons, templates, fonts, and vector art.
- Video: Stock footage, motion graphics, and video templates.
- Audio: Royalty-free music tracks, sound effects, and audio logos.
- Photos: Stock images covering various topics and styles.
All products are reviewed for quality before being listed, so users can expect professional results. Every item comes with clear details and preview files, allowing buyers to see what they are getting before purchase.
Envato Pricing and Plans
Envato offers a range of buying options based on how customers want to access digital assets. Pricing varies for individual items, subscriptions, and different license types.
Pricing Structure
Envato sets prices for individual products like website templates, themes, stock audio, video, and graphics. Each item’s price is set by the author or Envato, and there can be extra buyer fees.
A WordPress theme may cost between $19 and $60. Stock photos and graphics usually start at a few dollars each. More complex assets, like plugins or video effects, cost more. Prices for items are listed clearly on each product page.
Below is a sample price range for popular items:
| Item Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| WordPress Themes | $19 - $60 |
| Stock Audio | $5 - $30 |
| Video Templates | $8 - $50 |
| Graphics | $2 - $30 |
Free files are also offered monthly, but most assets require payment. Taxes and handling fees can apply, depending on a buyer’s location.
Subscription vs. One-Time Purchase
Envato offers two main ways to pay: one-time purchase or subscription. A one-time purchase means buying a single item, giving the buyer unlimited use for that item under the license chosen.
With a subscription, like Envato Elements, users pay a monthly or yearly fee. This gives unlimited downloads from a large library, but not everything from the main Envato is included.
Benefits of the subscription include access to millions of creative assets for a fixed cost, which can help if users need many items. However, individual product support from the author is not part of the subscription, while it may be included with one-time purchases. The subscription starts at around $16.50/month (billed yearly).
Licensing Options
Envato uses licenses to explain how buyers can use products. Regular License is for personal or client projects with no extra charge to end users. Extended License grants more rights, such as use in products for sale or wider distribution.
Every item clearly lists its license options and what is covered. For example:
- Regular License: Most personal, client, or commercial projects with limited distribution.
- Extended License: Includes resale, merchandise, or mass distribution.
Some digital assets, like audio, have specific licenses for different uses (e.g., broadcast vs. online video). Buyers should read the license details before purchase, as breaking license terms can lead to restrictions or lost access.
User Experience and Platform Usability
Envato offers a clean layout and simple design. The site aims to make shopping for digital products fast and straightforward. Key tools help users find what they need without wasting time.
Site Navigation
The navigation bar sits at the top of each page with clear categories. These categories include Themes, Graphics, Videos, Audio, and more. Drop-down menus let users jump to popular subcategories, making it easy to locate specific types of content.
A main menu button on mobile devices collapses the options for a cleaner look. Sticky navigation stays visible as users scroll, so key links are always easy to reach. The user dashboard shows recent purchases, downloads, and account info in a simple layout.
Breadcrumbs at the top of pages help users track their location and backtrack if needed. The site avoids clutter, allowing visitors to focus on browsing or buying. Most pages load quickly and have a clear path to checkout.
Search and Filtering Tools
Envato’s search bar is placed at the top and supports keywords and suggestions. Results appear quickly and list items with thumbnails, prices, and ratings. Users can further narrow results using checkboxes and drop-down menus for file type, price, compatibility, or even author.
Filters allow sorting by newest, best rated, or trending items. Price range sliders and feature tags help users stay within budget or find items with certain functions. Users can see side-by-side comparisons of products using favorites or wish lists.
The search engine is fast and responsive, giving accurate results for both broad and specific queries. For frequent buyers, saved searches and alert options help track new items in their favorite categories.
Popular Categories and Products
Envato Market offers digital assets for creative projects, including website templates, Shopify themes, stock audio, video files, and graphic design elements. Many buyers look for products that save time and offer quality, especially for e-commerce, media, and branding.
Themes and Templates
Themes and templates are top-selling items at Envato Market. These include website templates made for platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and HTML. Buyers can choose from thousands of designs for blogs, business sites, portfolios, and landing pages.
Popular features include responsive layouts, one-click demo installs, and regular updates. Many themes are built to be easy to customize even for beginners. Filters for price, ratings, and functionality help customers find what fits their needs quickly.
Support and documentation are also standard for most themes. This makes setup simple, even without advanced coding skills. Top authors often update their products to stay compatible with the latest web standards.
Best Shopify Themes
Best Shopify themes on Envato Market are popular with online store owners. These themes help users set up and customize e-commerce sites easily. Many of the top-rated themes feature drag-and-drop builders, mobile optimization, and built-in support for various currencies and languages.
A few standout Shopify themes are:
| Theme Name | Key Features | User Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ella | Multi-purpose, Visual Builder | 4.8/5 |
| Wokiee | Modern Design, Powerful Filters | 4.9/5 |
| Fastor | One-click Setup, SEO Optimized | 4.7/5 |
Themes often provide demo content and detailed guides to speed up the launch process. Customer support is emphasized in user reviews, as is compatibility with Shopify apps.
Audio, Video, and Graphics Assets
Envato Market has a large library of audio tracks, sound effects, logo animations, stock videos, photos, and graphic templates. Many of these assets are used for YouTube videos, ads, podcasts, and social media.
Audio Jungle, a section of Envato, offers thousands of music tracks sorted by mood, genre, and use case. VideoHive has intro templates, explainer videos, and motion graphics. GraphicRiver features business cards, flyers, icons, and presentation templates.
Most assets come with simple licensing. Filtering by file type, price, and popularity helps users find the right content fast. Creators can preview files before buying to make sure they meet project needs.
Envato Pros
Envato stands out for its large catalog of digital products and its active user community. These features make it a popular choice for designers, developers, and content creators needing ready-made resources.
Extensive Product Selection
Envato offers a wide variety of digital products. Users can find themes, templates, graphics, plug-ins, and audio tracks. The catalog includes items for many platforms like WordPress, Shopify, and Joomla.
Many products come with clear descriptions and demos, making it easy to compare options. Filters and search tools help users find exactly what they need. Pricing is up front, with both single purchases and subscriptions through Envato Elements.
The range supports professionals working on websites, presentations, or videos. Frequent updates and new items are added, which keeps the selection fresh. File quality is consistent, as Envato screens submissions before listing.
Below is a summary of popular product types:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Web Templates | WordPress, HTML, Shopify |
| Graphics | Logos, Icons, Illustrations |
| Audio | Music, Sound Effects |
| Video | Templates, Stock Footage |
| Plug-ins | WordPress, eCommerce |
Community and Support
Envato has an active community of buyers and sellers. Users can read item reviews, see ratings, and get advice in forums. Many products have detailed documentation provided by creators.
Support is available through help centers, ticket systems, and community forums. Envato provides a clear refund policy for certain products. Tutorials and articles help users navigate the marketplace and use their purchases.
Some items come with direct support from the author. This makes it simple to ask questions or report issues. Peer discussions in forums also help new users solve problems and learn best practices.
Clear communication tools, feedback systems, and resource guides add to the user experience. New buyers can make informed choices using the shared knowledge of the group.
Envato Cons
Some users find that Envato has a few drawbacks. These issues can make it difficult for customers or creators to get the best experience from the platform.
Licensing Limitations
Envato uses several types of licenses, but these licenses can be confusing. There are strict rules about how items can be used, especially when it comes to commercial projects. For example, the standard license may not cover multiple end products or mass production, which can limit the usefulness of digital files for some buyers.
Buyers must pay close attention to the license type they select. Accidentally choosing the wrong license could lead to copyright issues or force users to buy another license. This can increase costs and cause frustration.
Creators must also keep track of Envato’s licensing terms, which are updated from time to time. If they do not follow these updates, their products could be removed or restricted. Licensing limitations can be especially challenging for those who build projects for clients or work with larger teams.
Quality Control Concerns
Quality can vary across products in Envato. Since it is a large platform with many sellers, some items may not meet expectations for design, coding, or documentation. For example, some WordPress themes or plugins may not be updated regularly.
Envato reviews items, but not always with the same standards for every category. This can lead to buyers finding bugs, incomplete features, or poor customer support. If a product does not work as described, it can be hard to get refunds or fast help.
Poor reviews can help filter out bad products, but not all low-quality items are caught right away. As a result, users should always read ratings and comments and check for recent updates before buying.
Seller and Affiliate Perspectives
Envato offers two main ways to earn income: selling digital products as an author or promoting items as an affiliate. Each option comes with its own requirements, processes, and earning potential.
Becoming an Envato Author
To start selling on Envato, users must first create an account and submit their original work. Envato reviews each product for quality, copyright issues, and relevance. Authors can sell a range of digital items, including website themes, plugins, graphics, audio, and video.
Earnings are based on item sales, with Envato taking a percentage of every sale. The percentage depends on the author’s exclusivity status. Exclusive authors receive higher rates if they only sell their work on Envato. Non-exclusive authors get a lower rate but can sell elsewhere.
Authors must manage their product updates, answer customer questions, and maintain quality standards. Envato provides a dashboard showing sales data, earnings, and feedback. Payments are usually sent monthly via PayPal or other supported methods.
Affiliate Program Overview
The Envato Affiliate Program allows users to earn a commission by referring buyers. Affiliates receive a unique referral link for any item on Envato Market, ThemeForest, or related sites. When someone clicks the link and makes a first-time purchase, the affiliate earns a percentage of the sale.
Commissions are typically 30% of the first purchase by each new customer. There are no joining fees, and anyone with a website, blog, or social media following can apply. Affiliates can use banners, widgets, and link tools provided by Envato.
Earnings can be tracked through a detailed dashboard. Payments are made monthly once the affiliate reaches a minimum balance. Rules require honest promotion without misleading claims or spam.
Final Verdict
Envato offers a wide range of digital products. Users can find website themes, stock photos, videos, music, and more. This makes it a useful resource for creative projects.
Pros
- Large selection of items
- Competitive pricing
- Easy-to-use search and filter features
- Frequent updates and new content
Cons
- Quality can vary between items and sellers
- Some items may lack customer support
- Refund policy may be strict
Many users appreciate the access to affordable and varied options. The ability to buy single items or subscribe gives flexibility.
It is important to review ratings and read item descriptions carefully. Checking for support options before buying can help avoid problems.
Envato can be a good choice for designers, developers, or anyone needing digital assets. The marketplace suits both small and large projects. The selection and pricing are strong points, but users should check details before making a purchase.
