WeTransfer, a popular file transfer service, has introduced significant changes to its free plan, limiting users to 10 transfers per month. The new restriction is already in effect, as stated on the company's support page. This move marks a significant shift in WeTransfer's strategy, particularly following its acquisition by Italy-based Bending Spoons in July.

In addition to the transfer limit, WeTransfer is also adding some benefits to its free plan. The overall file transfer limit has been increased from 2GB to 3GB, and users will now have access to unlimited portals (collaborative folders to work with clients) and reviews. Furthermore, password protection will be available for all transfers, and the 5% fee on paid transfers has been removed.

The company is also overhauling its pricing structure, introducing a new WeTransfer Starter plan that costs $6.99 per month. This plan offers the same benefits as the free plan, but with an increased size limit of 300GB. The previous Pro and Premium plans, which cost $15 per month and $25 per month in the U.S., respectively, have been replaced by a single $25 per month Ultimate plan that bundles all benefits.

These changes come on the heels of WeTransfer's acquisition by Bending Spoons, which had raised concerns about potential layoffs and pricing changes. In September, Bending Spoons announced that it would be cutting 75% of WeTransfer's staff, and now, the pricing tiers have been revised. This move mirrors the playbook used by Bending Spoons after acquiring Evernote in 2022, where it first slashed employee count and later restricted the note-taking app's free plan.

The implications of these changes are significant, particularly for users who rely on WeTransfer's free plan for their file transfer needs. While the added benefits and increased file transfer limit may be welcome, the transfer limit may prove restrictive for some users. It remains to be seen how this change will affect WeTransfer's user base and its position in the file transfer market.

In related news, WeTransfer also changed the way expiry dates on files work based on the plan that you are subscribed to, a move that was announced in August. This change, combined with the new pricing tiers and transfer limit, marks a significant shift in WeTransfer's strategy and may have far-reaching implications for the file transfer industry as a whole.

As the file transfer landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how WeTransfer's changes are received by its users and how the company adapts to the shifting market dynamics. One thing is certain, however – WeTransfer's new pricing tiers and transfer limit will have a significant impact on the way users approach file transfer and collaboration.