Envato provides a rotating selection of free design assets each month, including WordPress themes, Elementor templates, and other creative resources. These freebies are available to anyone without requiring a paid Envato Elements subscription, though they are offered under specific licensing terms and time limits. The free items are typically available for a limited time and are licensed for use in a single project under a regular license. Users can download these assets directly from the Envato Market or through the Envato Market WordPress plugin, which also facilitates updates for premium themes and plugins purchased through ThemeForest or CodeCanyon. While Envato Elements offers a subscription service with access to a broader library, including royalty-free images, the monthly freebies are accessible at no cost.
Understanding Envato's Free Offerings
Envato Market and Envato Elements are distinct platforms under the same parent company, each offering different types of digital assets. Envato Market, which includes ThemeForest and CodeCanyon, is a marketplace for premium WordPress themes and plugins. Each month, ThemeForest releases a selection of free WordPress themes suitable for various website niches. These themes are available for a limited time and can be downloaded without a subscription. According to one source, "every month ThemeForest offers a small selection of free WordPress themes. These themes are suitable for all kinds of websites and niches so it’s definitely worth it to check out what’s available."
Envato Elements, on the other hand, is a subscription-based service that provides unlimited access to a vast library of creative assets, including templates, images, and fonts. However, Envato Elements also offers a limited number of free items each month to non-subscribers. These freebies can include WordPress themes, mockups, video templates, and Adobe templates. As noted in the source material, "Every month, Envato Elements announces a bunch of free items available for anyone. These free items include one or two WordPress themes, free mockups, video templates, Adobe templates, and more."
It is important to note that these free items are not part of the official WordPress theme directory but are distributed through Envato's marketplace. Users should be aware that while the free themes are available at no cost, they are subject to licensing restrictions. The source material explicitly states, "Make sure these items are free for only a limited time and under their regular license. You can use them for only one project."
Free WordPress Themes Available on Envato Market
ThemeForest's monthly free WordPress themes are designed to help users launch websites quickly without incurring initial costs. These themes cover a wide range of purposes, from blogs and magazines to portfolios and e-commerce sites. For example, in September 2024, Envato offered the "Kiante" theme, a multi-purpose Elementor WordPress theme designed for magazines and blogs. It features five home demo page layouts, is compatible with the latest WordPress version, and includes 20+ custom Elementor blocks. Another free theme from the same month was "Lasa," a creative minimal portfolio WooCommerce theme.
These themes are typically premium-quality, responsive, and mobile-friendly. They often come with demo content that can be imported using a one-click import plugin, making setup straightforward. Users can preview the themes live before downloading to ensure they meet their needs. If a user wishes to use a theme beyond the initial free period or for multiple projects, they can purchase an extended license through ThemeForest.
The availability of free themes is updated monthly, so users are encouraged to check the Envato Market regularly. As one source mentions, "If you're looking for more of the best free WordPress themes, outside of the official theme directory, don’t forget to check out what Envato Market has to offer."
Accessing Free Elementor Templates via Envato Elements
Elementor users can benefit from free template kits and blocks available through the Envato Elements plugin. The Envato Elements plugin for WordPress allows users to browse and import free Elementor templates directly into their websites. This is particularly useful for users who want to build professional-looking pages without designing from scratch.
The plugin is part of Envato's effort to support the growing popularity of page builders like Elementor. According to the source, "Envato Elements is the design assets subscription service of Envato. With their latest WordPress plugin, Envato is offering free Elementor templates and Template Kits along with other design assets for WordPress users." While the plugin itself is free, accessing the full library of assets requires a subscription. However, a selection of free Elementor templates is available to all users.
It is worth noting that some advanced features, such as royalty-free image imports, may require a paid subscription or the Pro version of Elementor. The source material clarifies, "While you can get royalty-free images with this plugin, it’s important to say the images themselves are not free. You will need to pay for a subscription. Other features also require the Pro version of Elementor."
Envato Market WordPress Plugin for Updates
For users who purchase premium themes or plugins from ThemeForest or CodeCanyon, the Envato Market WordPress plugin is a tool that simplifies update management. This plugin allows customers to receive automatic updates for their purchased items directly from the WordPress dashboard. It ensures a consistent and reliable experience across different products.
The plugin is encouraged by authors to be implemented in their items so that customers can easily manage updates. As stated in the source, "This plugin helps customers receive updates to their premium Themes & Plugins purchased through Envato Market (ThemeForest & CodeCanyon). Authors are encouraged to implement this plugin in their items so that customers have a reliable and consistent experience across products."
While this plugin is primarily for premium purchases, it highlights Envato's commitment to supporting users who utilize their marketplace for WordPress development.
Royalty-Free Images and Subscription Considerations
Envato Elements is also a source for royalty-free images, though these are not entirely free. The platform offers a subscription model that provides unlimited downloads of images, templates, and other assets. However, as part of their monthly freebies, Envato may include a selection of free images or other assets.
The Envato Elements plugin for WordPress integrates with the subscription service, allowing users to import images directly into their media library. This can save time compared to searching multiple websites for royalty-free images. However, users must have an active subscription to access the full library. The source material notes, "To access the entire package, including the ability to import royalty-free images, you will need an Envato Elements subscription."
For users who only need occasional images, the free monthly items might include some royalty-free options, but this varies each month. It is advisable to check the current free offerings on the Envato Elements website.
How to Download Free Items from Envato
Downloading free items from Envato is a straightforward process. Users can visit the Envato Market or Envato Elements website and navigate to the freebies section. For ThemeForest free themes, users can browse the "Free Files" section or look for promotional banners. Each free item is available for a limited time, so prompt downloading is recommended.
For Envato Elements freebies, users may need to create a free account to download items. The source material suggests, "If you have an Envato Elements account, keep in touch with the emails from Envato. They will send you a couple of emails regarding these free items." This indicates that Envato notifies registered users about new free offerings via email.
Once downloaded, the files can be installed on a WordPress site through the standard theme or plugin upload process. For Elementor templates, the Envato Elements plugin can be used to import templates directly.
Licensing and Usage Restrictions
It is critical to understand the licensing terms for free items from Envato. While the free themes and assets are available at no cost, they are typically licensed for use in a single project under a regular license. This means you cannot use the same free theme for multiple client projects or resell the theme.
The source material explicitly warns, "Make sure these items are are free for only a limited time and under their regular license. You can use them for only one project." If a user needs to use a theme for more than one project or requires additional features, they should consider purchasing a premium license.
For Envato Elements subscribers, the licensing terms are more flexible, allowing unlimited use across multiple projects as long as the subscription is active. However, free items downloaded without a subscription are subject to the single-project restriction.
Conclusion
Envato provides valuable free resources for WordPress users, including monthly free WordPress themes from ThemeForest and free Elementor templates via Envato Elements. These assets are available without a subscription but are subject to limited-time availability and single-project licensing. Users can enhance their websites with professional designs by regularly checking for new freebies and using the Envato Market plugin for updates. While Envato Elements offers a subscription service for unlimited access, the monthly freebies are a cost-effective way to access high-quality design assets. For those seeking royalty-free images, the subscription model is necessary, but free alternatives may be available in the monthly free items. Always review the licensing terms before using any free asset to ensure compliance.