Circleback adds a free tier to its AI meeting notetaker as competition heats up

Circleback, a Y Combinator-backed AI meeting notetaker, has introduced a free subscription tier, a strategic move to attract more users as the meeting note-taking market becomes increasingly crowded. The new plan allows unlimited meeting transcriptions with a 30-day history, replacing the previous 14-day trial that the company said caused a significant user drop-off.

Why Circleback is offering a free tier now

The meeting note-taker market has seen a surge of activity recently. Dictation app Wispr launched its own note-taker and scheduling app, while Calendly added a similar tool to its platform. Dedicated competitors like Granola, Read AI, and Fireflies have raised millions in funding. In this competitive landscape, Circleback’s free tier is designed to lower the barrier for potential customers to experience the product’s value.

Circleback’s new free plan includes meeting recording, mobile and Apple Watch apps, AI-powered transcript queries, and integrations with Linear and Slack. For users who need all integrations, unlimited meeting history, and full API and MCP access, subscription plans start at $14 per month when paid annually. This is a notable price drop from the previous starting price of $20.83 per month, which had no free tier.

Growth strategy and market positioning

Founded in 2023 by Ali Haghani and Kevin Jacyna, Circleback raised $2.5 million in 2024. The company claims to have been profitable since then, with a run-rate revenue of over $1 million per employee, translating to roughly $8 million annually for its eight-person team. Haghani noted that the free tier will act as a marketing expense, as the company does not spend on Google or Meta ads.

Haghani emphasized that the company is not immediately seeking funding despite investor interest, as it sees no bottlenecks in its growth. “We are consistently competing and winning customers against much bigger companies, both in terms of number of people and funding raised,” he said. The startup remains open to fundraising if money becomes necessary to solve a specific problem.

What this means for the meeting notetaker market

The introduction of a free tier by Circleback reflects a broader trend in the AI meeting assistant space, where companies are increasingly using freemium models to build user bases and demonstrate value. Granola added a similar tier months ago, indicating that this strategy is becoming a standard approach to compete with larger, well-funded rivals. For users, this means more options to test and compare tools without upfront costs, potentially leading to more informed purchasing decisions.

Conclusion

Circleback’s move to a freemium model is a calculated response to intensifying competition and a way to accelerate user adoption. By offering a no-cost entry point, the company aims to convert more users into paying customers, leveraging its profitability and lean team to sustain growth. As the market continues to evolve, this strategy could help Circleback carve out a stronger position against both established players and new entrants.

FAQs

Q1: What does Circleback’s free tier include?
The free tier offers unlimited meeting transcriptions, but users can only access their history for the last 30 days. It also includes meeting recording, mobile and Apple Watch apps, AI transcript queries, and integrations with Linear and Slack.

Q2: How much does Circleback’s paid plan cost?
Subscription plans start at $14 per month when paid annually, which includes all integrations, unlimited meeting history, and full API and MCP access. This is lower than the previous starting price of $20.83 per month.

Q3: Why did Circleback introduce a free tier?
The company saw a significant drop-off in users after the limited trial period. By offering a free tier, Circleback aims to attract more users and demonstrate the product’s value, acting as a marketing expense in lieu of paid advertising.