Did giving users a free plan actually help you convert more paid customers?

We’ve been thinking about whether a free plan makes sense especially when the product already has some value without the paid features. It feels like removing the payment barrier could bring more people in but it might also attract a lot of users who never have any intention of paying. The tricky part seems to be finding the right limit. If the free version is too useful there’s no reason to upgrade but if it’s too restricted people may leave before they understand the product. For those who started with a free plan what actually worked for you usage limits feature restrictions or something else?