Meeting Notetaker Circleback Launches Free Tier to Boost User Engagement

The competition in the market for tools that assist with meeting note-taking is intense. Recently, Wispr, recognized for its dictation software, has rolled out new features for note-taking and scheduling, prompting Calendly to unveil similar capabilities. Long-standing rivals such as Granola, Read AI, and Fireflies have also made significant strides, securing substantial investments.

In light of the increasing competition, Circleback, a startup financed by Y Combinator, has launched a free subscription plan that allows users to explore its services. This plan provides unlimited meeting transcriptions, though access is restricted to the past 30 days, mirroring a tier introduced by Granola a few months ago.

The free plan enables users to record meetings, utilize mobile and Apple Watch applications, harness AI-powered transcript searches, and integrate with platforms like Linear and Slack. For users requiring advanced integrations, unlimited meeting history, and full API and MCP access, subscription plans start at $14 per month when billed annually. Previously, Circleback’s lowest-priced plan was $20.83 per month without a free option.

Founded in 2023 by Ali Haghani and Kevin Jacyna, Circleback secured $2.5 million in funding in 2024. The company has achieved profitability, boasting a run-rate revenue of over $1 million per employee, supported by a small team of eight, which leads to a total run-rate of approximately $8 million.

Haghani remarked that a limited trial period led to a decrease in user engagement, which prompted the introduction of the free plan.

“By removing barriers and promoting increased user interaction with the product, Circleback can grow its user base. We excel at improving our product and converting users into paying customers,” he stated.

The company asserts that it does not rely on Google Ads or Meta Ads; rather, the free tier will act as its chief marketing strategy.

Haghani also shared that the startup is not actively seeking additional funding despite some interest, as it believes there are no hindrances to its continued growth.

“We are effectively competing and attracting customers away from much larger firms in terms of workforce and capital. I feel a heightened urgency for success at this juncture,” he emphasized.

He further indicated that the startup would contemplate fundraising if it decides that additional capital could help mitigate existing challenges.