TL;DR
Nalden, a WeTransfer co-founder, has launched Boomerang, a file-transfer service that lets users share files without signing up. The product emphasizes simplicity, minimal data collection and offers free and paid tiers with different storage and expiry limits.
What happened
Nalden, who co-founded WeTransfer in 2009, has introduced a new file-transfer service called Boomerang. His move follows dissatisfaction with WeTransfer’s direction after its acquisition by Bending Spoons last year and several company changes since he left in 2019. Boomerang aims for a low-friction sharing experience: users can send files without creating an account, with that no-login option limited to 1GB total space, files up to 1GB and seven-day expirations. Creating a free account raises limits to 3GB total and 3GB per file and unlocks upload history, file management and cosmetic emoji customization. A paid tier at €6.99 per month expands capacity to 500GB total, 200GB per space, 5GB per-file limits, password protection, custom covers, up to 90-day expirations and unlimited collaborators. Nalden said he does not plan to monetize via advertising, wants to collect minimal user data, and intends to avoid prominent user-facing AI features; Boomerang is live on the web and a Mac app is planned.
Why it matters
- Offers an alternative for users frustrated by WeTransfer’s post-acquisition changes and controversies.
- No-login option lowers friction for quick, casual file sharing, which can save time for creatives and collaborators.
- A commitment against ad-based monetization signals a different data-collection trade-off than many free services.
- Tiered storage and expiration options provide a clear upgrade path for heavier users without forcing sign-up for casual transfers.
Key facts
- Nalden co-founded WeTransfer in 2009 with Rinke Visser and Bas Beerens.
- Nalden left WeTransfer in 2019 and criticized its direction after Bending Spoons acquired the company last year.
- WeTransfer faced a controversial plan to use user content to train AI and later revised those terms.
- WeTransfer also reduced staff by around 75% following the acquisition.
- Boomerang’s no-login transfers offer 1GB total space, up to 1GB per file, and a seven-day expiry.
- A free Boomerang account provides 3GB total storage and a 3GB per-file limit, plus upload history and file management.
- A paid tier costs €6.99 per month and includes 500GB total storage, 200GB per space, 5GB per-file limits, password protection, custom covers and up to 90-day expirations.
- Nalden says Boomerang will avoid advertising, collect minimal user data, and use AI in product development but not in user-facing features.
- Boomerang is available on the web now; a dedicated Mac app is planned.
What to watch next
- Whether former WeTransfer users and creative communities adopt Boomerang at scale — not confirmed in the source
- If Boomerang maintains its no-ad, minimal-data stance as it grows and when (or if) that attracts regulatory or market scrutiny — not confirmed in the source
- Timing and feature set of the planned Mac app release — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- File transfer service: An online tool that lets users upload and share files with others, often via links or shared folders.
- No-login: A user experience that allows people to use a service without creating an account or signing in first.
- Freemium: A business model offering a basic service for free with optional paid tiers that add features or higher usage limits.
- Private equity: Investment firms that acquire companies or stakes in them, often making operational or strategic changes after acquisition.
- AI training (data use): The process of using datasets, sometimes including user-provided content, to train machine learning models; it can raise privacy and consent concerns.
Reader FAQ
Do you need an account to use Boomerang?
No — Boomerang supports no-login transfers with limited storage and a seven-day expiry; an optional free account raises limits.
What are the paid plan details?
A paid tier at €6.99 per month offers 500GB total storage, 200GB per space, 5GB per-file uploads, password protection, custom covers and up to 90-day expirations.
Will Boomerang show ads or collect lots of user data?
Nalden says he does not plan to monetize via advertising and wants to collect the least amount of user data possible.
Is Boomerang related to the original WeTransfer team?
Nalden, a WeTransfer co-founder, launched Boomerang after leaving WeTransfer in 2019; other ties are not detailed in the source.
Nalden, who co-founded the file transfer service WeTransfer in 2009 along with Rinke Visser and Bas Beerens, is not pleased with the company’s direction after the service was acquired by…
Sources
- Why WeTransfer co-founder is building another file transfer service
- Bouncing back: WeTransfer founder plans new file sharing …
- WeTransfer modifies terms service following user backlash …
- Why Boomerang is the better WeTransfer Alternative
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