Meeting Notetaker Circleback Launches Free Tier to Boost User Engagement

The competition in the meeting note-taking tool sector is intense. Recently, Wispr, recognized for its dictation software, has incorporated note-taking and scheduling functionalities, while Calendly has introduced similar features. Established competitors like Granola, Read AI, and Fireflies have also made significant advancements, securing considerable investments.

To address this escalating competition, Circleback, which is supported by Y Combinator, has unveiled a free subscription tier that enables users to explore its services. This new offering allows unlimited meeting transcriptions, although transcripts from only the past 30 days are accessible, resembling a tier that Granola launched a few months ago.

The free plan empowers users to record meetings, access mobile and Apple Watch applications, leverage AI for transcript searches, and connect with services like Linear and Slack. For users requiring advanced integrations, unlimited meeting history, and comprehensive API and MCP access, subscription plans start at $14 per month (when billed annually). Previously, Circleback did not have a free tier, with its lowest pricing beginning at $20.83 per month.

Founded in 2023 by Ali Haghani and Kevin Jacyna, Circleback secured $2.5 million in funding in 2024. The company has reported profitability, boasting a run-rate revenue surpassing $1 million per employee, backed by a small team of eight, resulting in a total run-rate of approximately $8 million.

Haghani remarked that a stringent trial period dramatically decreased user engagement, which led to the development of the free plan.

“By removing obstacles and encouraging greater user interaction with the product, Circleback can broaden its user base. We excel at enhancing our product and converting users into paying customers,” he stated.

The company claims it does not engage in Google Ads or Meta Ads; instead, this free tier will act as its main marketing approach.

Haghani also noted that the company is not seeking additional funding at the moment, despite some interest, as it sees no barriers to its continued growth.

“We are successfully competing and attracting customers away from much larger companies in both workforce and capital. I believe there’s an increasing urgency to succeed now,” he stressed.

He also indicated that the startup would consider fundraising if it determines that additional capital could assist in overcoming any current challenges.