Website, social media, video or client project… Every one of them needs high-quality visuals, templates and music. Buying each item individually is expensive, which is why subscription-based stock sites have become indispensable for designers and content creators. In this article we compare four of the most popular platforms.
Envato Elements: The broadest scope
Envato Elements gives access to many different types of content with a single subscription:
- Photo, vector and graphic templates
- Video templates (After Effects, Premiere Pro) and stock video
- Royalty-free music and sound effects
- WordPress themes, plugins and web templates
- Fonts, presentation templates and 3D elements
Best for: Agencies, web designers and video editors doing different kinds of work.
License note: Each item you download from Envato is registered to the project where you use it; the license applies to that project.
Freepik: Strong in vectors and visuals
Freepik is especially known for vector illustrations, PSD files and icons. Recently it has also added AI image generation tools to the platform.
- A very large vector and PSD library
- Social media templates and mockups
- AI-powered image generation tools
Best for: Graphic designers, social media managers and presentation creators. If your need is mainly for icons, Freepik's icon platform Flaticon is also available in our store.
Vecteezy: Vectors, photos and video
Vecteezy offers vector, photo and stock video content together. Its interface is clean and its search results are accurate.
Best for: Users who need vectors and stock video and want a simple interface.
Motion Array: The choice of video editors
Motion Array focuses on video production:
- Premiere Pro, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut templates
- Stock video, royalty-free music and sound effects
- Transitions, LUTs and plugins
Best for: YouTubers, video editors and people making advertising videos.
Quick comparison
| Platform | Strongest area |
|---|---|
| Envato Elements | Everything in one place; including WordPress themes/plugins |
| Freepik | Vectors, PSD, mockups, AI visuals |
| Vecteezy | Vectors, photos and stock video |
| Motion Array | Video templates, music and effects |
Things to watch out for regarding licensing
- The license terms of each platform differ; read the terms before commercial use.
- Items you download during a subscription generally remain usable in projects you saved during that period; however, to use them in new projects after the subscription ends, a new license is required.
- For work that will be trademarked, such as logos and brand identities, stock elements are usually restricted.
Short or long subscription?
For a single intensive project, a 3-month subscription may be enough. If you produce content continuously, the 12-month options significantly reduce the monthly cost. You can see the different duration options on the product pages.
Conclusion
If you want everything in one place, Envato Elements; if vectors and visuals are your focus, Freepik or Vecteezy; if you produce video, Motion Array is the right choice. All options are in the Stock Images & Audio category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a WordPress theme I downloaded from Envato Elements receive updates?
Themes and plugins downloaded from Envato Elements can be updated by downloading the current versions from the platform during your subscription. Automatic updates from within the theme and official support, however, are generally specific to separately purchased licenses.
Can I use stock music in my YouTube videos?
Music from platforms such as Envato Elements and Motion Array is licensed for use on YouTube. To avoid copyright claims, you may need to register your project or channel with the platform during download.
Does AI image generation replace stock sites?
AI is a quick option for original visuals; however, for professional templates, real photos, video and music, stock platforms still offer a much broader and more consistent resource. Some platforms, such as Freepik, offer both together.
