It’s true that right now our user base is growing extremely fast, which puts a strain on the transcoding machines. We can’t just “turn on” more machines, we have to buy more licenses for the transcoding software. We’re working to address that and developing a new system that will allow us to scale more efficiently. We’re running this as a fiscally responsible business, so we’re not going to just shell out thousands of dollars on more transcoding licenses if we have no way to pay for it. That’s why we’re developing a system that relies more on open-source software.

However, if the argument here is about professional-level services, what professional wouldn’t pay $59.95 to be able to skip to the head of the transcoding queue? That’s what Vimeo Plus offers. Professionals spend tens of thousands of dollars on equipment, and paying $5/month for Vimeo services seems reasonable.