SmallBizGenius Analysis

Envato is a marketplace for digital assets, but recent Trustpilot reviews reveal a concerning trend of customer dissatisfaction. Users report issues with product quality, customer support, and unexpected changes to subscription plans, leading to a low overall rating.

Category Breakdown

Scores based on analysis of 260 recent reviews

Product Quality

3.0/10

Many reviewers report issues with the quality of digital assets purchased on Envato. Common complaints include broken themes, outdated code, missing files, and non-functional plugins, leading to wasted time and frustration. For example, one reviewer stated, "Most of the downloadable (purchased) files are faulty, with missing files and more errors than useful material, wasting days of experimentation."

42 reviews mention this

Customer Support

3.5/10

A significant number of reviewers express dissatisfaction with Envato's customer support. They describe it as slow, unresponsive, and unwilling to provide refunds, even for demonstrably faulty products. Some reviewers also mention being directed to AI chatbots instead of human support representatives. One reviewer said, "Their customer support is terrible. Keep refusing to give refund even though the theme I purchased is faulty."

38 reviews mention this

Refund Policy

2.5/10

Many reviewers complain about Envato's refund policy, stating that it is difficult to obtain a refund even when purchasing faulty or misrepresented products. Some reviewers claim that Envato does not honor its own refund policies, while others report being denied refunds after downloading assets, regardless of whether they were used. As one reviewer put it, "I will have to rate this company ZERO stars...once you download an asset, they will not refund or look at it."

25 reviews mention this

Subscription Billing

3.0/10

Several reviewers report issues with Envato's subscription billing practices. These include unexpected charges, difficulty canceling subscriptions, and being billed for subscriptions that were previously canceled. Some reviewers also claim that Envato advertises misleading pricing, such as displaying a monthly price that is only available with annual billing. One reviewer stated, "I canceled my subscription two years ago and did not receive a refund...they still billed me again this year."

18 reviews mention this

AI Services

4.0/10

Several reviewers express disappointment with Envato's AI services, particularly the limitations imposed on AI generations after subscribing. They feel misled by promotional offers and criticize the reduction in value after committing to a subscription. One reviewer described it as an "AI rug pull," noting the drastic reduction in unlimited AI generations. Another reviewer said, "Limiting users to just 10 generations feels out of touch with how these tools are actually used."

15 reviews mention this

Outdated Assets

4.0/10

Some reviewers note that many of the assets on Envato feel outdated. They report difficulty finding modern assets and feel that much of the stock content is old. One reviewer stated, "It’s challenging to find any modern assets. Many of the stock content feels outdated, as if you’re going back one or two decades."

10 reviews mention this

Positive Customer Service Experiences

4.5/10

A small number of reviewers report positive experiences with Envato's customer support, particularly regarding billing issues and accidental subscription purchases. These reviewers praise the support team for their promptness, professionalism, and willingness to provide refunds. For example, one reviewer said, "Accidentally bought a annual subscription instead of monthly. Sent an e-mail and they immediately gave me a refund. Great customer service!"

8 reviews mention this

Pros & Cons

What Customers Love

Wide range of assets available Mentioned 12x
"A place where i got all i need for my creative mind. Professional qualities images, templates, animations, videos, etc."
Fast resolution of password issues Mentioned 1x
"The main reason for the 5-star review is the outstanding service. I had a password issue, logged a ticket on a Friday night, and had the issue resolved in less than 12 hours; nothing short of amazing..."
Professional and patient handling of mistaken subscription purchases Mentioned 2x
"I mistankenly payed an annual subscription when I wanted to pay a mothly one. I asked for a refund and I got a fast responce. The situation was handled with pacience and professionality."
Intuitive AI image generation Mentioned 1x
"Envato's ImageGen has helped me streamline my creative work in editing videos for YouTube and creating unique thumbnails for my clients. It's intuitive and very easy to use."
Honest and professional post-sale service with quick and respectful support Mentioned 1x
"Envato Market has proven to be a platform of honesty and professionalism. Excellent post-sale service, with a support team that handles requests quickly and respectfully."

Common Complaints

Faulty downloadable files with missing content and errors Mentioned 7x
"Most of the downloadable (purchased) files are faulty, with missing files and more errors than useful material, wasting days of experimentation."
Themes and templates are often outdated or no longer exist Mentioned 6x
"The templates are mostly out of date, Some don't even exist anymore. not worth the money at all."
Poor customer support with delayed responses and refusal to issue refunds Mentioned 15x
"Their customer support is terrible. Keep refusing to give refund even though the theme I purchased is faulty. They do not follow their own refund policies."
Misleading advertising and pricing practices Mentioned 8x
"Envato displays a prominently featured $8.99/month price with no clear indication that this is only available with annual billing."
Sudden removal of purchased products without notice or support Mentioned 4x
"Products can be removed suddenly without notice so one off licenses seem like a scam if they are not supported."

Common Questions About Envato

Answers derived from customer review patterns

Is Envato legit and trustworthy?

Based on the analyzed reviews, there are significant concerns about Envato's legitimacy and trustworthiness. Many users report purchasing faulty products, encountering unhelpful customer support, and experiencing difficulties obtaining refunds. Several reviewers explicitly label Envato as a "scam" due to these issues. While some users have had positive experiences, the overwhelming trend indicates a lack of reliability and transparency, making it crucial to exercise caution when considering Envato.

Based on 45 reviews

Does Envato have good customer service?

The majority of recent reviews suggest that Envato's customer service is subpar. Many users describe the support team as slow to respond, unhelpful in resolving issues, and unwilling to provide refunds, even for defective products. Some reviewers also mention being directed to AI chatbots instead of human representatives, further hindering their ability to get assistance. While a few reviewers report positive experiences, the overall sentiment points to a significant deficiency in Envato's customer service capabilities.

Based on 38 reviews

Is Envato worth it for small business?

Whether Envato is worth it for a small business depends on the specific needs and risk tolerance of the business owner. While Envato offers a vast library of digital assets at potentially attractive prices, the numerous reports of faulty products, poor customer support, and misleading subscription practices raise serious concerns. Small businesses with limited resources may find the time and effort required to troubleshoot these issues outweigh the potential benefits. It is crucial to carefully vet sellers and assets before making a purchase and to be prepared for potential difficulties in obtaining support or refunds.

Based on 30 reviews

What is Envato's refund policy like?

According to many reviewers, Envato's refund policy is difficult to navigate and often results in denied requests, even for faulty or misrepresented products. Several users claim that Envato does not honor its own refund policies, while others report being denied refunds after downloading assets, regardless of whether they were used. The common sentiment is that obtaining a refund from Envato is a challenging and frustrating process, requiring significant persistence and often ending in disappointment.

Based on 25 reviews

Why are users complaining about Envato's AI services?

Users are primarily complaining about limitations imposed on Envato's AI services after subscribing, particularly regarding the number of AI generations allowed per month. Many feel misled by promotional offers that initially suggested unlimited or more generous usage, only to have those benefits drastically reduced after committing to a subscription. This perceived bait-and-switch tactic has led to widespread dissatisfaction and a sense of diminished value for the subscription price.

Based on 15 reviews