Freepik vs Envato Elements: Which is Best for Graphic Designers?
In the ever-evolving world of graphic design, access to top-tier creative assets plays a vital role in producing standout visual content. Among the leading platforms catering to this need are Freepik and Envato Elements. Both provide vast libraries filled with illustrations, templates, vectors, and more, yet they each have unique strengths and cater to distinct user preferences. This blog post dives deep into the comparison between Freepik and Envato Elements, helping you determine which platform better suits your workflow, design style, and professional needs as a graphic designer.
1. Overview of Freepik
Freepik is a well-known platform offering millions of free and premium graphic resources. These include:
- Vector graphics
- Illustrations
- Icons
- PSD files
- Presentation templates
- Mockups
Freepik is particularly popular among beginners and freelancers who focus on print and digital design. It’s a go-to source for quick, editable templates and visuals that can be used in social media posts, brochures, posters, and other creative work.
Pros of Freepik:
- Massive collection of free and premium assets
- Affordable subscription plans
- Easy-to-use interface
- Daily download limits are generous
- No attribution required for premium users
Cons of Freepik:
- Design quality can vary
- Not suitable for all types of multimedia or website projects
- License restrictions on standalone usage
2. Overview of Envato Elements
Envato Elements is a premium subscription-based service that offers unlimited downloads of high-quality creative assets, including:
- Graphic templates
- Stock photos
- Fonts
- Video templates
- Audio files
- WordPress themes
- Presentation templates
Envato Elements is ideal for professional designers, agencies, and creatives who work across multiple disciplines such as video editing, UI/UX design, and web development.
Pros of Envato Elements:
- All-in-one creative asset platform
- High-end professional design quality
- Unlimited downloads
- Includes fonts, plugins, and stock footage
- Broad commercial license coverage
Cons of Envato Elements:
- Higher cost compared to Freepik
- Interface can feel overwhelming due to the vast library
- Requires more time to find the right asset
3. Design Asset Quality
When it comes to the quality of design assets, both platforms have their strengths:
- Freepik focuses more on vector art, illustrations, and flat design. The quality is good, but sometimes there can be repetition or similarity in styles across assets.
- Envato Elements excels in professional-grade assets. From premium presentation slides to highly polished web templates and animations, the design quality is typically superior and more refined.
If you’re working on corporate or client-level projects that require a polished, modern look, Envato Elements has an edge. But if you need quick and versatile vector illustrations, Freepik is more convenient.
4. Search and User Experience
- Freepik has a clean, fast interface and is easy to navigate. Searching for icons, mockups, or PSD files is straightforward, with filters for file type, license, and more.
- Envato Elements, due to its huge asset library, can sometimes be harder to navigate. However, their curated collections and search filters help streamline the process over time.
Overall, Freepik offers a better user experience for graphic designers who want simplicity, while Envato is more suitable for those comfortable with complex, multi-category searches.
5. Licensing and Commercial Use
Licensing is a critical factor when choosing a design resource platform.
- Freepik Premium users can use the assets commercially without attribution, but cannot resell or redistribute the assets in their original form. For merchandise, the asset must not be the main design element.
- Envato Elements offers a very flexible and clear commercial license. You can use any asset in client work, marketing, social media, YouTube, and more. However, you need to register each use/project within your account.
Envato’s licensing is generally more favorable for professionals managing multiple types of projects.
6. Pricing Comparison
- Freepik Premium:
- Monthly: Around $15
- Annual: Around $90 (varies by location and offers)
- Envato Elements:
- Monthly: $33
- Annual: $198
Freepik is clearly more affordable, making it a better option for freelance designers or students. Envato’s price is justified by its broader asset categories and unlimited downloads.
7. Use Case Scenarios
| Scenario | Recommended Platform |
|---|---|
| Need quick vectors or icons | Freepik |
| Working on a client website | Envato Elements |
| Creating social media graphics | Freepik |
| Need stock video and audio | Envato Elements |
| Creating product mockups | Both (Envato has more premium options) |
| Designing presentations | Both (Envato offers better variety) |
8. Final Verdict
Both Freepik and Envato Elements are powerful platforms, but they serve slightly different audiences:
- Choose Freepik if you are a freelance graphic designer focused on print and digital design, want a budget-friendly solution, and mostly need illustrations, vectors, and templates.
- Choose Envato Elements if you work in a multidisciplinary creative field, handle high-end client projects, or need assets beyond just graphics—like videos, plugins, fonts, and website templates.
Ultimately, the best platform depends on your design goals, budget, and the variety of content you need. Many professional designers even subscribe to both platforms to cover all their creative needs.
Do you use Freepik, Envato, or both? Share your experience in the comments below!