What is Envato
Overview
Envato is a platform that provides creative assets, templates, themes and tools through both a subscription service (Envato Elements) and individual marketplace purchases (ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, etc.).
It serves designers, developers and content creators with downloadable digital goods and related licensing for commercial use.
What it offers
Envato Elements offers unlimited downloads for a subscription, while the Market sells individual items with author support and separate licenses.
Different purchase and support rules apply depending on whether you use Elements (web subscription) or buy a Market item.
How to cancel Envato
Cancel via Web (Envato Elements)
- Sign in to your Envato Elements account.
- Go to Account → Manage Subscription.
- Select "Cancel My Subscription" and follow the prompts to confirm.
- After cancellation you retain access until the end of the current billing period; Envato does not provide pro‑rata refunds.
- Official guidance: Envato Elements cancellation.
Cancel via App Store or Google Play
- If you subscribed through Apple App Store or Google Play, cancel directly through Apple’s or Google’s subscription management screens.
- Envato Help Center does not provide explicit step-by-step instructions for platform subscriptions; follow Apple/Google standard procedures.
- Check your App Store / Google Play receipts to confirm the subscription source before contacting Envato support.
What happens when you cancel
Access and downloads
When you cancel an Envato Elements subscription, you keep access until the end of your current billing period.
After the subscription expires you cannot access new downloads or licenses, but products already licensed while subscribed remain usable in end products.
Billing, renewal and data
Cancellation stops future renewals but does not automatically trigger refunds for the unused portion of the billing cycle.
Your account data, download history and license records remain associated with your account for future verification of previously created end products.
Will I get a refund?
Envato Elements (web) refund rules
Envato Elements generally does not offer refunds except where required by law or at Envato’s discretion.
Commonly declined reasons include change of mind, dissatisfaction, mistaken subscription, or inability to use items. See official guidance: Envato Elements refund policy.
Market purchases and time limits
For ThemeForest and CodeCanyon purchases, refunds depend on item support status and timing: as of Oct 2, 2023, supported products may be refundable within 180 days, unsupported items within 30 days.
Authors and Envato review requests; approved refunds remove licenses and ratings. See details: Market refunds.
Envato plans and pricing
Pricing overview
Envato Elements lists prices in USD; local ZAR estimates below include an estimated 15% VAT and exchange conversion.
These are approximate monthly equivalents for South Africa and may vary with exchange rates and taxes.
| Plan | Price (approx.) | Period | Features |
| Individual (Annual, billed USD) | Approx. R370.00/month (from USD 16.50 + VAT) | Annual (billed upfront) | Unlimited downloads; 10 AI generations/month |
| Individual (Monthly, billed USD) | Approx. R870.00/month (from USD 39 + VAT) | Monthly | Unlimited downloads; 10 AI generations/month |
Notes on pricing
Envato does not display prices directly in ZAR; the table uses an estimated exchange rate (~ZAR19.5 per USD) plus 15% VAT.
Check your account invoice or billing statement for the exact charged amount and currency.
Your consumer rights in South Africa
Statutory protections
South African consumer law protects buyers against defective, misrepresented or non‑functional goods and services, which can include digital goods.
If a digital product is defective or not as described, you may be entitled to remedies under local consumer protection rules.
How to escalate locally
- Document the issue with dates, screenshots and order IDs before contacting Envato Support.
- If Envato does not resolve the dispute, consider lodging a complaint with South African consumer protection bodies or disputing the charge with your payment provider.
- Practical guidance: Postclic guide (general cancellation template and escalation tips).
Customer experiences
Positive feedback
Some users report satisfactory support outcomes, such as refunds for unused billing cycles when verified by Envato.
There are also reports of professional and helpful responses from support agents in certain cases.
Negative feedback
Common complaints include difficulty obtaining refunds, faulty or outdated items, and slow or opaque dispute handling.
Users also report account issues, unexpected charges after cancellation, and concerns about review moderation. See user reviews: Trustpilot.
Documentation checklist
Before contacting Envato
- Order number or invoice ID for the subscription or purchase.
- Account email and subscription start/renewal dates.
- Screenshots of billing, the item in question, errors and receipts.
If you need to escalate
- Support ticket IDs and transcripts of correspondence with Envato.
- Payment provider statements showing charges and dates.
- Evidence of attempts to use or fix the product (logs, developer replies).
Common mistakes
Mistakes when cancelling
Assuming cancellation via the website removes platform (App Store/Google Play) subscriptions can lead to continued charges.
Always verify the subscription source in your receipt before cancelling to avoid missed steps.
Mistakes with refunds and support
Not collecting clear evidence (dates, screenshots, item versions) reduces the chance of a successful refund or support outcome.
Expecting automatic pro‑rata refunds after cancelling a paid period is a frequent misunderstanding; Envato typically does not provide these.
Comparative recap
Quick comparison
The table below summarises cancellation and refund differences between Elements (web subscription) and Market purchases.
| Item | Cancel method | Refund likelihood | Access after cancel |
| Envato Elements (web) | Account → Manage Subscription → Cancel | Generally no refunds; exceptions by law or Envato discretion | Access until end of billing period; no new downloads after expiry |
| Market purchases (ThemeForest / CodeCanyon) | Request refund via author/Envato support | Refunds assessed case-by-case; supported items may have longer windows | Licensed use remains for items purchased and licensed before refund |
After cancelling
Immediate steps
- Keep confirmation of cancellation and any email receipts for your records.
- Verify the next billing date and your account access status to ensure cancellation took effect.
Useful links
Address
Postal address
Envato, PO Box 16122, Collins Street West, Victoria 8007, Australia.
Notes
If sending cancellation notices by post, include your account details, order ID and contact email. Keep proof of postage and a copy of the letter.