The watermark on Recraft's free tier is a standard commercial practice, but its implementation is what matters. From a vendor evaluation standpoint, it's a clear differentiator meant to push users to a paid plan. The question isn't whether it's fair—they have every right to do it—but whether its execution is strategically sound.
In my view, the watermark is currently too prominent. It's not just a subtle branding mark; it's a large, central element that significantly degrades the utility of the output. This is a miscalculation. For a tool like this, the free tier serves as a primary lead generation channel. If the output is unusable for even basic internal mockups or presentations, you're not showcasing the product's real value. You're showcasing a limitation.
A more effective approach would be a smaller, corner-positioned mark. This allows potential customers to experience the core quality of the generated assets while still maintaining the incentive to upgrade. The current method feels punitive and may drive users to seek competitors with less restrictive free offerings, ultimately hurting Recraft's own conversion funnel. Their pricing strategy should encourage adoption, not stifle it at the first touchpoint.
Trust but verify — especially the fine print.