Canva vs Envato Elements — Which Is Better in 2025?

Design assets, templates & speed — which service gives creators the best value in 2025?

Short verdict: Canva is a fast, design-first platform ideal for individuals and teams who want templates and an editor; Envato Elements is a huge asset library best for creators who need unlimited stock, templates and raw assets for video and product design. Choose Canva for quick templated design workflows and Envato for deep asset libraries and downloads.

At-a-glance (quick comparison)

Platform Best for Key strengths Price model
Canva Pro Social posts, brand templates, quick video and design Integrated editor, templates, teams, publishing tools Subscription (monthly/annual)
Envato Elements Unlimited stock assets, templates, video and audio resources Huge library (video, templates, music, fonts, mockups) Subscription (all-you-can-download)
Read Canva review Read Envato review

Head-to-head: when to choose which

  • Choose Canva if you want an all-in-one editor for social graphics, templates, and quick videos — especially useful for small teams and social-first creators.
  • Choose Envato Elements if you need an unlimited library of high-quality stock videos, music, templates and raw assets for video editing, motion projects, and product marketing.

Canva — Pros

  • Fast, beginner-friendly editor with templates for almost every social format
  • Built-in collaboration and brand kit for teams
  • Integrated export & scheduling features (when paired with Pro)

Envato Elements — Pros

  • Massive library: stock video, music, templates, fonts, mockups
  • Single subscription unlocks downloads for commercial use
  • High-quality raw assets ideal for editors and agencies

Canva — Cons

  • Some design assets are Canva-limited (not always downloadable as raw video clips)
  • For advanced video/audio editing you'll still need a dedicated NLE

Envato Elements — Cons

  • Assets are downloads only — no built-in design editor (you pair with Premiere/After Effects/Canva)
  • Requires searching & filtering to find the right assets quickly

Key features compared

Canva

  • Templates: thousands of social-first templates
  • Editor: drag-and-drop, simple video timeline
  • Brand kit: logos, colors, fonts for teams
  • Collaboration: comment, share, team folders

Envato Elements

  • Stock library: video, audio, graphics, fonts, mockups
  • Templates: Premiere/After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.
  • Licensing: commercial standard license via subscription
  • Volume: ideal for agencies and creators needing many downloads

How we tested both

  1. Created a 15s social promo using a template from each platform.
  2. Added brand assets (logo, colors) and exported social-ready formats.
  3. For Envato: downloaded a motion template and applied it in Premiere for tighter control.
  4. Checked output quality, time-to-publish, and asset flexibility.

Result: Canva wins on speed and convenience for social posts and small teams; Envato wins on asset quality and variety for editors and agencies who need raw downloads and premium templates.

Pricing & value — quick notes

  • Canva Pro: subscription with team billing; good value for social-first creators who publish frequently and need collaboration & scheduling.
  • Envato Elements: subscription for unlimited downloads — best ROI when you regularly need high-quality stock, templates or audio.
  • Tip: many creators use both: Canva for quick creative production + Envato for premium assets and motion templates.

Step-by-step — simple workflow (Canva + Envato combo)

  1. Design base social layouts in Canva using your brand kit.
  2. Download premium clips/elements from Envato and import into Premiere or Canva (if supported).
  3. Apply final trims, add Envato music, then export social formats.
  4. Schedule or publish directly from Canva (Pro) if you use their planner.

Top alternatives

  • Adobe Stock + Creative Cloud — deep integration with Premiere/After Effects (best for pro editors).
  • Placeit — quick mockups and easy video templates for product creators.
  • Storyblocks — alternative unlimited downloads for video and music.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I use Envato assets inside Canva?

Yes — you can download assets from Envato and upload them into Canva, then use Canva's editor to assemble designs. Check license terms for each asset and keep records.

Which is better for agencies?

Envato Elements generally offers the assets agencies need (video templates, stock footage and music) while Canva helps teams create and deliver social assets quickly. Agencies often use both together.

Do I need both subscriptions?

Not always — if you only make social graphics and short videos, Canva Pro may be enough. If you regularly create long-form video, motion design or need many stock downloads, Envato is worth the subscription.

Final verdict — which should you choose?

Short answer: Pick Canva if speed, templates and an all-in-one editor are your priority. Pick Envato Elements if you need a deep library of downloadable assets (video, audio, motion templates) and higher production flexibility.

Try Canva — Read review Try Envato Elements — Read review

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.