Why I switched from WeTransfer to Picflow

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Since WeTransfer has been taken over, the prices kept going up. So on Facebook groups you saw people searching for alternatives. I've been on the search myself. How could I best deliver images to clients? In this blogpost I talk about the alternative I found.

So WeTransfer has been around for quite some years and almost everyone knows how it works. So that is a disadvantage for all alternatives. Because people are used to how WeTransfer looked. You get an e-mail with a huge download button, being directed to the website and find your files.

WeTransfer Going Downhill

So WeTransfer has been 2GB with a free account for years. The past few years you slowly saw some changes. So they first started with 2GB but with a maximum of 3 WeTransfers. Then they started the files be available for 7 days to only 3 days and the maximum of 3 wetransfers. So if you were using it now and then for sending images over, you need to hurry the client to download them and you couldn't do more than 3 shoots a month. Making it less interesting for everyone needing to send more additional images. And I'm not sure what the rules for the free accounts now. But they are not as usable as they used to be and that is why I see a lot of people looking for alternatives.

What I Found as a Paid User of WeTransfer

Luckily as a paid user there didn't change a lot in the meanwhile. I still could send up to 200GB of files. Had my personalized profile. And people could send raw files directly towards me for retouching jobs. But I also received (more) ads, even as a paid user what I found quite odd. When this happened I already started looking for alternatives. I was a paid user of WeTransfer for years. But as my subscription comes to an end I'm saying goodbye to wetransfer. I used to pay €120,- per year and the price now gets up to €228,- per year.

Looking for an Alternative

As told, I saw a lot of people searching for alternatives, especially on Facebook where there is a group with a lot of photographers. There was a post on Facebook that mentioned a lot of similar systems as WeTransfer. But most of them didn't look that pretty. Or the e-mails got easily in the spam which didn't make the client experience smooth. But if you're looking for a free alternative as you don't need it regularly, there are some options out there.

Already a Picflow User

I knew that Picflow offers downloading the images as well, but how could I separate the selection part from the download part? That was something I wanted to work on. So I chatted with the Picflow team and they suggested to use (sub)folders to create a clear place for the client and in the (sub)folder I made the gallery's per type of file I send to the client for example one for JPEG, one for WEB. On WeTransfer I just did this with folders, so it was quite the same. The only difference? Clients have to select which one they want to download first. But they never ask the question again which image is which, because sometimes the file name wasn't fully visible and they didn't know they were working with the WEB file.

I've Changed Some Things in My Workflow

After retouching the images I now make a new subfolder with just the JPEG's which I export super easy from Photoshop. Then clients can give feedback and I can make sure to change the images before exporting all the different formats they need of the images. No double work anymore because I know for sure that they are happy with it.

I'm now using Picflow to send my end files for 4 months and people seemed happy with it. Sometimes they don't see the download button right away (in the upper right corner) or I didn't use my template to let them download the images and then the button isn't visible at all. But that is an easy fix I can do on my phone. I made different templates for the different stages of the process. So one for selecting the raw images, one for review and one for downloading the images. This works super easy (but I mess up sometimes, still a human after all).

I can already put the images in the folder and when the payment comes in I can turn on the download button. No unnecessary waiting for your files again.

WeTransfer vs Picflow: The Comparison

What I Wanted for My Clients

For me, file delivery is more than just sending images. It's about making the whole process smooth and clear for you:

• No stress about expiring links
• Easy to find the right file format (JPEG, WEB, Print)
• A space that feels personal and fits the same calm, premium experience you had during the shoot

Why Picflow Works Better

I was already using Picflow to share galleries for image selection. What I discovered is that it's also a perfect tool for delivering final files. With a clear folder structure, you can easily download exactly what you need: JPEGs, web files, or other requested images. No more confusion about filenames or wondering which version is which.

Here's what this means for you:

• You'll receive your images in a gallery (not a plain download link)
• You can view and give feedback before downloading
• Once everything is approved, I'll activate the download button—so you don't wait unnecessarily
• Different templates keep the process simple: one for selecting, one for reviewing, and one for downloading

What's Different from WeTransfer?

With WeTransfer, the advantage was branding and the ability for people to send me files directly. But the disadvantages—pricing, ads, and links that expired—made it less reliable.

With Picflow, the advantages for clients are much stronger:

• You're already familiar with it from selecting images
• You can see everything clearly before downloading
• No stress about links that expire

The only small downside is that you can't upload raw files back to me through the same system. (Small note, it's currently in Beta so they also work fast with user requests!)

But for delivering your images, Picflow is a much smoother experience.

I've made the switch because I believe in giving my clients the best experience possible—not just during the shoot, but throughout the entire process. If you're looking for a photographer who values a smooth, professional client experience from start to finish, I'd love to hear about your project.