Starts atFreemium; Pro US$144/yr per person
- Free plan
- Free trialfree trial of Pro or Business
- No watermark on free exports
Head-to-head
Envato Elements vs Canva: design tool or asset library?
At a glance
Starts atFrom $16.50/mo yearly ($39 monthly)
- No free option listed
- Commercial use on paid plans
They do different jobs. Canva is a design tool where you make thumbnails, graphics and simple videos, with a free plan. Envato Elements is a library of 29+ million assets (music, templates, stock, fonts) you download and use in other apps, from $16.50/month billed yearly. If you need to make the thumbnail, use Canva. If you need assets to edit with, use Envato.
Quick verdict
- Choose Canva to design thumbnails, covers and template Reels in your browser or phone.
- Choose Envato Elements if you edit in Premiere, After Effects or DaVinci and want unlimited music, templates and stock.
- Use both: download assets from Envato, finish thumbnails in Canva.
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | Canva | Envato Elements |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Design and simple video editor | Asset library (music, templates, stock, fonts) |
| Free plan | Yes: 1080p video export up to 30 min, 5 GB storage | No (our tool data) |
| Entry paid plan | Pro: US$144/year for one person (about $12/month) | Core: $16.50/month yearly, or $39 monthly |
| Higher plans | Business: US$250/year per person | Plus: $39/month yearly or $59 monthly |
| Downloads | Not applicable | Unlimited, 29+ million assets |
| License | Premium elements need Pro or purchase | Register each item per project; uses stay covered after you cancel |
| Best for | Thumbnails and templates | Editors who need lots of assets |
Which one for Shorts, TikTok and Reels?
For a creator who edits on a phone, Canva covers thumbnails, story covers and template Reels in one place, often on the free plan. Envato is worth $16.50 a month if you cut videos in a desktop editor and use its music and motion templates every week. Envato's license covers each item you register for a project, so register before you publish.
How to choose
- Need to design thumbnails? Start with Canva Free.
- Edit in a desktop app and want music plus templates? Envato Core.
- Using Envato music? Register each track for each video, as its license requires.
Common questions
Is Envato Elements better than Canva?
They do different jobs. Canva is where you design. Envato is where you download assets.
Is Envato Elements cheaper than Canva Pro?
Envato Core is $16.50/month billed yearly. Canva Pro is US$144/year (about $12/month), so Canva Pro costs less. Envato Core yearly is $198 a year, $54 more than Canva Pro.
Can I use Envato templates in Canva?
Envato offers many template types. Check each item's file format before you download.
Related: Canva review, Envato Elements review, Artlist vs Envato Elements, Canva vs Adobe Express, thumbnail tools.
Sources: canva.com/pricing, Canva video download help, elements.envato.com/pricing, Envato license terms. Canva prices are US prices from canva.com/pricing (checked 16 Oct 2026). Envato's pricing page could not be fetched today, so its prices are from our 15 October 2026 check. Checked on 16 October 2026. Based on published plans and terms, not a hands-on test.