As a digital creative in 2024, having access to a diverse library of high-quality assets is essential. Whether you‘re a graphic designer, web developer, video editor, or any other type of content creator, you need professional tools to bring your vision to life. This is where Envato Elements comes in.
Envato Elements is a subscription-based marketplace that provides unlimited downloads of creative assets for a flat monthly fee. With millions of items across various categories, it‘s a go-to resource for creatives worldwide. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive into what Envato Elements offers, its pricing model, and most importantly – how you can get a premium account for free.
What‘s Included in an Envato Elements Subscription?
An Envato Elements subscription grants you unlimited access to a massive library of digital assets. As of 2024, the Envato Elements library includes:
- Over 12,000 fonts
- 5+ million royalty-free photos
- 800,000+ graphics templates, illustrations, and design assets
- 400,000+ royalty-free video clips and motion graphics templates
- 200,000+ royalty-free music tracks and sound effects
- 5,000+ premium WordPress themes and plugins
- 3D models, presentation templates, and more
To give you a sense of the quality and variety of assets available, some of the most popular items on Envato Elements in 2024 are:
- Helvetica Now font family
- "Ultimate 3D Kit" asset pack with 500+ 3D elements
- "Cinematic LUTs Pack" for video color grading
- "Ultimate Branding Mockup Kit" with 200+ PSD mockups
- "Corporate Video Package" with 50+ video templates
- "Gravity Web UI Kit" with 200+ responsive components
Part of what makes Envato Elements unique is its contributor-friendly revenue sharing model. When you purchase an Envato Elements subscription, you‘re not only getting access to a wealth of creative assets – you‘re also directly supporting the creators behind them.
Envato shares 50% of Elements revenue with contributors, which is split based on how many downloads each contributor‘s items get. This model incentivizes creators to upload their best work and benefits subscribers by ensuring a steady stream of fresh, high-quality assets.
Who Uses Envato Elements?
Envato Elements has a diverse user base spanning hobbyists to professional creatives. According to a 2024 survey of Envato Elements subscribers:
- 35% are graphic designers
- 30% are web designers/developers
- 15% are video creators
- 10% are marketers/brand managers
- 10% are other creative professionals (photographers, illustrators, musicians, etc.)
Geographically, the majority of Envato Elements users are based in the United States (40%), followed by the United Kingdom (10%), Canada (8%), Australia (6%), and Germany (4%). However, Envato has seen significant growth in emerging markets, particularly in Asia and South America, paralleling the expansion of mobile internet access in these regions.
Envato Elements is also popular among businesses of all sizes. Many agencies and in-house creative teams use Envato Elements to supplement their own content creation efforts. Some notable companies with Envato Elements subscriptions include Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, and Netflix.
How Much Does an Envato Elements Subscription Cost?
As of 2024, an Envato Elements subscription costs:
- $19/month when paid monthly
- $16.50/month when paid annually ($198/year)
For businesses that need multiple subscriptions, Envato Elements also offers team plans starting at $10.75 per user per month.
While this pricing is affordable for many professionals, it can still be a barrier for students, freelancers, and those in countries with lower incomes. Fortunately, there are several ways to get an Envato Elements subscription for free or at a discount.
How to Get an Envato Elements Premium Account for Free
1. Sign up for a free account with 12 monthly downloads
Anyone can create a free Envato account and get 12 free downloads per month from Envato Elements. To do this:
- Go to elements.envato.com
- Click "Sign up free" in the top right corner
- Create an account using your email or by connecting a Google/Apple/Facebook account
While 12 assets per month is limited compared to the unlimited downloads you get with a paid subscription, it‘s a great way to test out Envato Elements and get some high-quality freebies for your projects.
2. Get 30-50% off with a student discount
If you‘re a student with a valid .edu email address, you can get a significant discount on an Envato Elements subscription. As of 2024, the student discount is 30% off, bringing the price down to $13.30/month or $139.30/year.
To claim your student discount:
- Go to elements.envato.com/pricing
- Click "Get a student discount"
- Enter your .edu email and click "Get verified now"
- Once verified, the discount will be automatically applied at checkout
It‘s worth noting that Envato occasionally runs even better student discounts – up to 50% off. Be sure to check the current student offer before signing up.
Some websites collect and share login info for Envato Elements accounts with active subscriptions. These are typically sourced from users who signed up for free trials using public email addresses or from hacked/cracked accounts.
While using shared account info is a dubious tactic at best, it is an option for those who can‘t afford a subscription and are okay with the risks involved (account suspension, malware, etc.). We won‘t link to any specific sites here, but a Google search will turn up some options.
Just keep in mind that this method is unreliable and unethical – you‘re essentially stealing from both Envato and the original account owner. We strongly recommend using one of the legitimate free/discounted options instead.
4. Take advantage of free trials and promotions
Envato periodically offers free trials of Envato Elements, typically ranging from 7-14 days. These trials give you full access to the Elements library during the trial period.
To find any active free trial offers:
- Go to elements.envato.com/pricing
- Look for a "Start free trial" button or banner
If there are no free trials available, check back later or around major holidays – Envato often runs promotions during these times. You can also follow @envato on Twitter or sign up for the Envato newsletter to get notified of any deals.
Just remember to cancel before the trial period ends if you don‘t want to be charged for a full subscription. Envato will send an email reminder 3 days before your trial ends.
The Rise of Mobile-First Creatives
The increasing accessibility and speed of mobile internet has been a game-changer for creatives worldwide. With more people than ever accessing the internet primarily or exclusively through mobile devices, the demand for mobile-optimized content has skyrocketed.
Envato Elements has seen this shift firsthand. In 2022, 48% of Envato Elements traffic came from mobile devices, up from 33% in 2020. The most popular content categories among mobile users are:
- Fonts
- Graphics templates (particularly social media templates)
- Stock photos
- WordPress themes and plugins
To cater to this growing mobile user base, Envato has focused on making Envato Elements as mobile-friendly as possible. Recent developments include:
- A fully responsive website design
- An intuitive mobile app for browsing and downloading assets (available on iOS and Android)
- Accelerated download speeds via Envato‘s global content delivery network
- Mobile-first asset previews and search filters
These efforts have paid off – the average Envato Elements mobile user in 2024 downloads 30% more items per month compared to 2020.
The Future of Envato Elements and the Creative Asset Industry
As the world becomes increasingly digital and connected, the demand for creative assets will only continue to grow. By 2030, the global market for digital design assets is projected to reach $15 billion, up from $8 billion in 2024.
Envato Elements is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this market. With its extensive library, creator-friendly revenue model, and commitment to supporting the mobile-first creative economy, Envato Elements has become an indispensable tool for millions of users.
Over the next decade, we can expect to see Envato Elements continue to evolve and expand. Some potential developments include:
- Generative AI tools for creating custom assets
- Blockchain-based ownership and licensing of assets
- Virtual/augmented reality design templates and 3D models
- Expanded localization for non-English speaking markets
- Integration with popular creative software and platforms
Of course, Envato Elements will also face challenges as it grows. These may include increased competition from other creative marketplaces, downward pressure on subscription prices, and the ongoing struggle to fairly compensate contributors as the library scales.
Nonetheless, the future looks bright for Envato Elements and the creators who rely on it. As more people gain access to mobile internet and the tools to create, the demand for diverse, high-quality assets will only increase. By making these assets accessible and affordable through a simple subscription model, Envato Elements is empowering a new generation of mobile-first creatives to bring their ideas to life.
Embrace the Mobile Creative Revolution with Envato Elements
Whether you‘re a seasoned pro or just starting your creative journey, Envato Elements is an invaluable resource to have in your toolkit. With its unparalleled library, affordable pricing, and focus on mobile-first design, Envato Elements is the perfect partner for creatives in 2024 and beyond.
By taking advantage of the free and discounted subscription options outlined in this guide, you can unlock the full potential of Envato Elements and take your creative projects to the next level. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for a free account, start exploring the library, and join the millions of mobile creatives who are shaping the future of digital design with Envato Elements.
