Depositphotos vs Envato Elements

Depositphotos and Envato Elements are strong stock media tools, but they follow very different pricing models. Depositphotos offers specific download tiers from an immense 321 million file library. Envato Elements provides truly unlimited downloads for a remarkably low monthly subscription fee. Your choice hinges on whether you prioritize collection size or download volume.

Depositphotos
Depositphotos

Affordable stock media with superior support.

Ciroapp review
4.3
#5 in Media Library

We found Depositphotos delivers exceptional value through its expansive, licensed content library and flexible pricing. The commitment to superior customer support is clear, with representatives often going above and beyond to assist users with account issues. Overall, Depositphotos is a highly reliable choice for consistent, high-quality visual and audio assets.

Pros

  • Access to a vast library of 321 million licensed files (photos, vectors, video, music).
  • Excellent, professional, and prompt customer service.
  • Flexible subscription models, including low-commitment Packs and discounted annual plans.
  • User-friendly interface with very effective search filters.

Cons

  • Auto-renewal policies for image packs and subscriptions are often confusing or unwanted.
  • Pricing breakdown lacks clarity regarding sole trader versus company user status.
  • Image pack downloads can sometimes have expiration limitations, such as one year.
  • AI image generation tools occasionally produce repetitive models or inaccurate results.
Pricing
$29/mo
Free trial
Money-backYes
Best for
Agencies requiring massive selection breadth (321M+ files) for niche searches, Users needing superior, prompt customer service for account management, Freelancers preferring one-time credit Packs instead of monthly subscriptions
Envato Elements
Envato Elements

Essential unlimited library for modern creators.

Ciroapp review
4.7
#3 in Media Library

We find Envato Elements offers unparalleled value for creatives requiring constant, high-quality assets across multiple media types. The truly unlimited download model combined with simplified commercial licensing removes significant operational friction. Overall, it’s an industry-leading platform that dramatically streamlines workflow for individuals and creative teams.

Pros

  • Truly unlimited downloads across 23+ million assets.
  • Highly competitive individual price point ($16.50/month).
  • All assets include a simple, lifetime commercial license.
  • Access to a comprehensive AI tool stack (VideoGen, ImageGen, MusicGen).

Cons

  • No free trial or money-back guarantee is available.
  • Strict usage limits apply to new AI features like VideoGen (30 uses/month).
  • No refunds are provided if a subscription is canceled.
  • Enterprise features requiring custom legal terms need a tailored quote.
Pricing
$16.5/mo
Free trial
Money-back
Best for
High-volume creative freelancers and content creators needing total budget certainty, Small agencies requiring unlimited downloads for consistent content creation, Businesses focused on using graphic and web templates (380k+), fonts (67k+), and themes
Quick verdict
Choose Depositphotos if you need specific licensed assets from the largest available library (321M+ files) and value prompt customer support.
Choose Envato Elements if you are a high-volume creative who needs truly unlimited downloads across all media types for only $16.50 per month.

AboutDepositphotos

Depositphotos is a comprehensive online source for royalty-free stock media. You’ll find a massive 321 million files available for your creative needs. This library includes many different content types crucial for any project. You can discover large thematic collections of stock photography, vector images, illustrations, videos, and music. Leading international companies already trust this library for their visual and audio content needs. 💡

AboutEnvato Elements

Envato Elements is a massive creative library built for professionals and hobbyists worldwide. It provides over 23 million premium assets sourced from talented global artists.

You get everything you need in one place, spanning stock video, photos, music, sound effects, and specialized graphic templates. The platform is designed to help you create your best work yet, supplemented by a full stack of cutting-edge AI tools to enhance your workflow. 💡

Highlights

Quick winners by category at a glance.
Ease of Use
Envato Elements' unlimited download model removes usage tracking complexity completely. Depositphotos' excellent search filters make finding assets very quick. Envato Elements' simple licensing also reduces legal overhead.
Feature Set
Envato Elements includes a full creative AI stack (video, image, music generation). Depositphotos limits its AI tools primarily to unlimited image generation. Envato Elements also provides specialized templates and fonts.
Value for Money
Envato Elements provides unlimited downloads for $16.50 per month flat. Depositphotos limits downloads to 30 per month even on its cheapest annual plan ($29/month). The value proposition of Envato Elements is superior.
Library Depth
Depositphotos holds a massive collection of 321 million files across all media types. Envato Elements offers 23 million curated assets, which is significantly less volume.
Licensing
Envato Elements offers a simple, lifetime commercial license for all registered projects. Depositphotos uses more complex Standard and Extended Licensing options.
Customer Support
Depositphotos reviews praise superior, prompt, and professional customer service. Envato Elements relies more heavily on community forums and documentation for user support.

Feature Comparison

Compare key features side by side
Download Model
Depositphotos:Limited downloads per month or Packs
Envato Elements:Truly unlimited downloads
Envato Elements
Total Library Size
Depositphotos:321 million files
Envato Elements:23+ million assets and templates
Depositphotos
Individual Subscription Price (Monthly)
Depositphotos:Starts at $29 (annual commitment)
Envato Elements:Starts at $16.50
Depositphotos
Unused Download Rollover
Depositphotos:Yes (Subscription plans only)
Envato Elements:Not applicable (Unlimited downloads)
Envato Elements
AI Image Generation Tool
Depositphotos:Unlimited usage included
Envato Elements:Full AI stack (VideoGen, ImageGen, MusicGen)
Depositphotos
Video/Music AI Generation
Depositphotos:No (Image only)
Envato Elements:Yes (Part of full AI stack)
Envato Elements
Specialized Templates (Web/Graphics)
Depositphotos:Yes (Vectors available)
Envato Elements:Massive dedicated template libraries (380k+ Graphic)
Tie
Licensing Structure
Depositphotos:Lifelong usage rights (Standard/Extended)
Envato Elements:Simple, lifetime commercial license
Tie
Refund/Money Back Guarantee
Depositphotos:Yes (Stated, details vague)
Envato Elements:No refunds offered
Depositphotos
Dedicated Team Plans (2-5 members)
Depositphotos:Yes (Custom quote required)
Envato Elements:Yes (Starts at $37.25/month for 2 seats)
Tie
SSO for Enterprise
Depositphotos:Not detailed
Envato Elements:Available on Ultimate Enterprise Plan
Envato Elements
One-time Purchase Option
Depositphotos:Yes (Image Packs available)
Envato Elements:No
Depositphotos
Includes Stock Music/Audio
Depositphotos:Yes
Envato Elements:Yes (1.2M+ tracks/SFX)
Envato Elements
Student Discount
Depositphotos:No
Envato Elements:Yes (30% off)
Envato Elements
Feature Comparison Summary
5
Depositphotos
3
Ties
6
Envato Elements

Features Overview

We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.

Download Model

Envato Elements offers truly unlimited downloads; Depositphotos limits monthly volume.

Envato Elements

Depositphotos uses a credit or limited subscription model for image downloads. Even on the Annual Monthly plan, you receive only 30 downloads. Unused downloads on Depositphotos subscription plans automatically roll over to the next month. Envato Elements offers truly unlimited downloads across all 23 million assets for a flat monthly fee. You never have to count or budget credits with Envato Elements. The unlimited approach completely removes friction for high-volume content creators and agencies. This difference is the core decision point between Depositphotos and Envato Elements. Envato Elements is the clear choice if you need maximum volume immediately.

Library Size & Scope

Depositphotos has 321 million files; Envato Elements focuses on curated quality.

Depositphotos

Depositphotos boasts a massive collection exceeding 321 million licensed files. This massive scale increases the odds of finding extremely niche assets. Depositphotos includes photos, vectors, videos, and music in its expansive library. Envato Elements focuses on premium, high-quality assets totaling 23 million items. Envato Elements also includes specialized items like 380,000 graphic templates and 67,000 fonts. While Depositphotos offers more raw files, Envato Elements includes essential creative templates. If sheer depth is your priority, Depositphotos wins this category easily.

Pricing Structure

Envato Elements is cheaper with unlimited use; Depositphotos bases price on fixed limits.

Envato Elements

The best Individual plan for Envato Elements starts at $16.50 per month for unlimited access. Depositphotos requires an annual commitment to reach their best monthly price of $29 per month. Depositphotos also offers flexible Packs for infrequent use, starting at $29.97 for three downloads. Envato Elements Team plans start low at $37.25 for two members, offering huge scalable savings. Envato Elements provides far better value if you need more than 30 assets monthly. Depositphotos is costlier but offers purchasing flexibility lacking in Envato Elements.

Generative AI Tools

Depositphotos offers unlimited AI image use; Envato Elements has a complete AI media stack.

Envato Elements

Depositphotos provides unlimited use of its core AI image generation tools with every subscription. This is excellent if your primary AI focus is generating stock imagery. Envato Elements offers a full creative AI stack, including VideoGen, MusicGen, and ImageGen. VideoGen usage is limited to 30 generations per month on basic Envato Elements plans. Envato Elements offers a broader range of AI creativity but has stricter usage limits applied to advanced features. Depositphotos is simpler but only covers images.

Licensing

Envato Elements uses a simple lifetime license; Depositphotos uses more traditional types.

Envato Elements

Every asset downloaded through Envato Elements comes with a simple, lifetime commercial license. This means you do not worry about expiring rights for registered projects. Depositphotos provides lifelong usage rights, but users often must choose between Standard and Extended Licenses. The simplified licensing in Envato Elements removes potential legal confusion, particularly for commercial projects. Licensing with Depositphotos requires more attention to the specific usage rights required. Envato Elements simplifies the entire licensing process for creatives.

Customer Service

Depositphotos offers prompt, praised support; Envato Elements focuses on community documentation.

Depositphotos

Review summaries for Depositphotos highlight excellent, professional, and prompt customer service. Representatives often assist users with account disputes and clarifying complex renewals. Depositphotos actively maintains a high standard of personal customer support. Envato Elements does not include direct technical support for specific items or templates. Envato Elements encourages users to seek answers in the community forums or included documentation. If having a reliable, responsive support team is a priority, Depositphotos is the superior platform.

Commitment & Refunds

Depositphotos offers money-back options; Envato Elements has easy cancellation but no refunds.

Depositphotos

Depositphotos confirms a Money Back Guarantee is available for purchases, though specific details are scarce. Depositphotos also allows cancellation anytime on the Month-to-Month plan for maximum flexibility. Envato Elements allows for easy cancellation at any time with no fees applied. Envato Elements explicitly states they provide no refunds for canceled subscriptions or unused time. This gives Depositphotos a potential edge in financial safety if projects unexpectedly fail or stop quickly.

Team & Enterprise Features

Envato Elements has clear scaling paths; Depositphotos requires contacting sales for teams.

Envato Elements

Envato Elements offers defined Team plans starting at $37.25 monthly for two members. These plans offer savings up to 34% and easy member scaling up to five seats. Depositphotos lists specific plans for Companies but requires contacting sales for custom solutions and quotes. Larger organizations using Envato Elements can access features like SSO and tailored indemnification via the Enterprise Ultimate Plan. Envato Elements provides a more structured and immediately transparent scaling path for small-to-mid-sized creative teams.

Our Verdict

Objective guidance based on features, pricing, and user fit.

Choosing between Depositphotos and Envato Elements boils down to a core philosophical argument: depth versus volume. Both are powerful stock media options, but their pricing models vary widely. It’s essential to analyze your specific asset needs per month. Depositphotos' clear superpower is its immense archive of 321 million licensed files. If you are searching for a hyper-specific, niche image, Depositphotos likely has it available. Depositphotos also provides excellent, personalized customer service for account issues, which reviewers consistently praise. Envato Elements delivers superior value and efficiency for high-volume creators. For only $16.50 per month, Envato Elements guarantees truly unlimited downloads across all 23 million assets. You also get the full creative AI suite from Envato Elements, enabling video, image, and music generation. The key deciding factor is your monthly usage limit. If you consistently download more than 30 assets, the unlimited access of Envato Elements is necessary. If you need maximum selection and the reassurance of robust customer support, Depositphotos is the better fit. Choose Envato Elements if you are a busy freelancer maximizing budget efficiency with high-volume needs. Pick Depositphotos if collection size (321M) and flexible credit packs are more important than unlimited volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which service offers better overall value: Envato Elements or Depositphotos?

Envato Elements offers superior value due to its unlimited download model for just $16.50 monthly. Depositphotos requires a $29 monthly payment (annual commitment) but limits you to 30 downloads. If your primary goal is maximizing downloads per dollar, choose Envato Elements.

Does Depositphotos offer unlimited downloads like Envato Elements?

No, Depositphotos does not offer unlimited downloads on its standard subscriptions. Its plans limit you to a set number of assets per month (like 25 or 30). Envato Elements is unique in offering truly unlimited downloads across its entire 23 million asset library.

Which software has the largest content library: Envato Elements or Depositphotos?

Depositphotos has the largest library, boasting over 321 million files including photos, video, and music. Envato Elements offers a smaller, highly curated collection of 23 million assets. Choose Depositphotos for maximum selection breadth.

Does Envato Elements include dedicated AI tools beyond image generation?

Yes, Envato Elements includes a full AI stack, featuring VideoGen and MusicGen tools. Depositphotos currently provides unlimited access to its AI image generation tools only. Envato Elements offers broader creative AI capabilities for modern media production.

Is the licensing simpler with Depositphotos or Envato Elements?

Licensing is simpler with Envato Elements due to its 'simple, lifetime commercial license' for all registered downloads. Depositphotos uses a more traditional structure, requiring users to navigate Standard or Extended Licenses when purchasing Packs.

Can I get a refund if I cancel my subscription with Envato Elements?

No, Envato Elements explicitly states that refunds are not provided upon cancellation. You retain access until the next billing date. Depositphotos does offer a stated Money Back Guarantee, providing more financial flexibility.

Ready to Choose?

Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.