Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- The plugin itself is 100% free, but requires a premium Envato Elements subscription to unlock pro templates.
- It seamlessly integrates with Elementor (Free and Pro).
- Provides access to complete "Template Kits" (full website designs) rather than just isolated pages.
- Eliminates the need to download ZIP files; everything is imported directly via API.
- Includes a built-in royalty-free stock photo importer.
- Log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.
- Navigate to Plugins > Add New on the left-hand menu.
- In the search bar, type: "Envato Elements".
- Locate the plugin authored by Envato and click Install Now.
- Once installed, click Activate.
- You will now see an "Elements" tab on your main WordPress menu sidebar.
Importing Template Kits (Full Websites)
A Template Kit is a full set of designs for a specific niche (e.g., "Yoga Studio"). Once you find a kit you like, click "Install Kit". Before importing pages, the plugin will display a banner: "Requirements need installing." Always click this to ensure your site has the correct third-party plugins (like Elementor Pro, WPForms, etc.) activated.
Importing Individual Blocks
Sometimes you don't need a full page. The plugin allows you to browse isolated blocks—like Hero sections, Pricing Tables, or FAQ accordions. Inside the Elementor editor, click the green "Envato" leaf icon, navigate to "Blocks", and insert the specific section you need.
Theme Compatibility Table
Plugin Compatibility Table
Speed and Core Web Vitals
One of the main concerns with page builder templates is DOM size and CSS bloat. Because the Envato Elements Plugin uses Elementor, your site's speed directly correlates to Elementor's performance settings. However, Envato templates are generally optimized to use lightweight SVG graphics and optimized column structures, ensuring better Google PageSpeed Insights scores compared to legacy multi-purpose themes.
Security Posture
Security is a major strong point. Traditional themes downloaded as ZIP files from sketchy forums often contain malware. Because the Envato plugin pulls data directly from Envato's secure AWS servers via API, there is virtually zero risk of malicious code injection. Furthermore, Envato frequently audits their template kits to ensure no deprecated PHP functions are used.
Beginner vs Professional Comparison
Pricing Structure
The plugin itself can be downloaded for free from the WordPress repository. It includes access to a limited selection of free templates and photos. However, to access the premium library of over 3,000+ niche Template Kits, you require an Envato Elements Subscription.
Note: Pricing may fluctuate depending on promotions, student discounts, or geographic location. We highly recommend visiting the official Envato Elements website to verify the latest and most accurate pricing plans before making a purchase.
Issue: "Error 500" or API Timeout during Import
Solution: This is caused by low server limits. Contact your web host or edit your wp-config.php file to increase the PHP Memory Limit to at least 512M and increase the Max Execution Time to 300.
Issue: Images not displaying after import
Solution: Sometimes the API fails to download large images. Go to Elementor > Tools > Regenerate CSS & Data. Then clear your WordPress cache.
To ensure your website complies with Google's Helpful Content Update and maintains excellent Core Web Vitals, follow these speed optimization tips when using Envato Elements:
- 1. Optimize Images: The stock photos imported via Envato are often high-resolution. Install an image optimization plugin like Smush or ShortPixel to automatically compress and convert them to WebP format.
- 2. Disable Unused Elementor Widgets: Envato kits may activate various Elementor modules. Go to Elementor settings and disable widgets (like Google Maps or Carousel) if they are not actively used on your pages.
- 3. Use a Lightweight Theme: As mentioned, pair the Envato plugin with Hello Elementor. This provides a bare-bones framework that prevents theme-CSS conflicts.
What is Envato Elements Plugin for WordPress?
The Envato Elements Plugin for WordPress is a free tool available in the WordPress plugin repository. It acts as a bridge, allowing users to browse, import, and customize thousands of premium Elementor Template Kits and millions of royalty-free stock photos directly inside their WordPress dashboard without downloading ZIP files.
Is Envato Elements Plugin free?
The plugin itself is 100% free to download and install. It even provides a small selection of free templates. However, to unlock the vast majority of premium Template Kits and high-quality stock photography, you must purchase a paid subscription to Envato Elements and connect your account via an API token.
How do I install Envato Elements Plugin?
Installation is standard for WordPress. Navigate to your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New, search for "Envato Elements", click "Install Now", and then "Activate". Once activated, you will see an "Elements" tab on your sidebar where you can manage your settings and import templates.
Is Envato Elements worth it?
For web designers, digital agencies, and frequent content creators, Envato Elements is highly worth it. The subscription covers not just WordPress templates, but also video templates, graphics, audio, and fonts. It pays for itself rapidly by dramatically reducing the time spent on design and asset sourcing.
Does it work with Elementor?
Yes, the plugin is specifically built to integrate flawlessly with Elementor Page Builder. Almost all the Template Kits available through the Envato plugin are constructed using Elementor widgets, making it incredibly easy to drag, drop, and customize your imported layouts.
Can beginners use it?
Absolutely. It is designed to lower the barrier to entry for website design. Beginners do not need to know PHP, HTML, or CSS. The visual nature of importing a pre-built template kit and simply replacing the placeholder text and images makes it highly beginner-friendly.
Does it slow down WordPress?
The plugin itself does not slow down WordPress because it is incredibly lightweight and acts primarily as an API bridge. However, importing massive templates with dozens of unoptimized images or heavy Elementor animations can increase page load times. Always follow image optimization best practices.
Is it secure?
Yes. Using the official Envato plugin is significantly more secure than downloading nulled themes from third-party sites. The API connection is encrypted, and Envato actively monitors their digital assets for malware or deprecated, insecure code.
Can I import templates into existing pages?
Yes. You are not restricted to creating new pages. Open any existing page with Elementor, click the Envato icon, and you can import either a full page layout or specific block sections directly into your current design without overwriting the entire site structure.
How do I connect my account?
Navigate to the Elements tab in your WordPress dashboard, click "Settings", and choose "Connect Account". You will be redirected to the Envato login page to generate and approve an API token. Once approved, your account will be linked seamlessly.
How do I update templates?
Unlike traditional WordPress themes that require global updates, Template Kits are essentially design layouts saved via Elementor. Once imported, they become part of your database. You do not "update" them in the traditional sense; you modify them using the Elementor builder.
What are the alternatives to Envato Elements Plugin?
Top alternatives include Astra Starter Templates, Kadence Starter Kits, and Crocoblock. While these alternatives offer excellent, highly-optimized designs, they often have much smaller template libraries compared to Envato's massive database of over 3,000+ niche-specific kits.
Do I need Elementor Pro to use Envato Elements?
Not always, but often. Many free Template Kits work entirely with the free version of Elementor. However, more advanced premium kits heavily rely on Elementor Pro features (like Theme Builder, forms, and custom CSS). The plugin will inform you if Elementor Pro is required before importing.
Will my site break if I cancel my Envato subscription?
No, your site will not break. Once a template or image is imported into your WordPress database, it stays there. Canceling your subscription simply revokes your API token, meaning you will lose the ability to browse and import new premium templates directly from the dashboard.
Are the photos royalty-free for commercial use?
Yes, the stock photos available through the Envato Elements WordPress plugin are royalty-free and clear for commercial use. When you import a photo while holding an active subscription, it is covered under Envato's broad commercial license for that specific project.
Can I use it with the Gutenberg Block Editor?
While the plugin is predominantly famous for its Elementor integration, Envato has been steadily adding Gutenberg block templates to their repository. You can filter your search to show only block-based kits if you prefer the native WordPress editor over Elementor.
How do I fix the "Invalid Token" error?
An "Invalid Token" error usually means your API connection timed out or your subscription lapsed. Simply navigate to Elements > Settings, click "Disconnect Account," and then reconnect it by generating a fresh token through the Envato authorization popup.
Does it support WooCommerce templates?
Absolutely. Many of the Template Kits on Envato Elements are heavily geared toward e-commerce. You can find complete store designs, including custom product page layouts, cart pages, and checkout designs, though these often require Elementor Pro to function correctly.
Can I use this plugin on client websites?
Yes, this is one of the primary use cases for the plugin. Agencies frequently use their Envato subscription to import templates onto client websites. Just ensure you register the final project under your Envato Elements dashboard to guarantee the commercial license covers the client.
Why are some templates missing global fonts?
When you import a template, global fonts and colors might not apply automatically if your Elementor settings are configured to inherit from your WordPress theme instead. Go to Elementor > Settings and ensure "Disable Default Colors" and "Disable Default Fonts" are checked.
Expert Rating
4.8 out of 5 - Highly Recommended
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