Circleback, a Y Combinator-backed meeting notetaker, is introducing a free subscription tier as competition in the crowded meeting transcription market intensifies. The new plan, announced this week, allows users to transcribe unlimited meetings and access their history for the past 30 days, a move aimed at lowering the barrier to entry and attracting a broader user base.
The free tier includes core features such as meeting recording, mobile and Apple Watch apps, AI-powered transcript queries, and integrations with Linear and Slack. For users who need more, paid plans start at $14 per month (billed annually) and unlock all integrations, unlimited meeting history, and full API and MCP access. Previously, Circleback had no free tier, with plans starting at $20.83 per month.
Why Circleback is opening the gates
Co-founder Ali Haghani told TechCrunch that the company saw a significant drop-off in users during its previous limited trial period, prompting the shift. “If we just open the gates and allow more people to use the product, that’s gonna bring Circleback in front of more people. Then we’re very good at making the product good and monetizing those users,” he said.
The move comes as the meeting notetaker market becomes increasingly crowded. In recent weeks, dictation app Wispr launched its own note-taker and scheduling app, and Calendly added a similar tool to its stack. Dedicated players like Granola, Read AI, and Fireflies have raised millions in funding, with Granola also adding a free tier a few months ago.
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Circleback, founded in 2023 by Haghani and Kevin Jacyna, raised $2.5 million in 2024. The company says it has been profitable since then, with run-rate revenue exceeding $1 million per employee across its eight-person team, translating to roughly $8 million in annualized revenue.
Marketing through product, not ads
Haghani noted that Circleback does not spend on Google Ads or Meta Ads, and the free tier is intended to serve as a marketing expense. The strategy appears to be working: the company says it is consistently winning customers against much larger competitors, both in terms of headcount and funding.
“We are consistently competing and winning customers against much bigger companies, both in terms of number of people and funding raised. And I feel like there is now more of an appetite to win,” he said.
Despite investor interest, Circleback is not immediately looking to raise funds, as it sees no bottlenecks in its growth trajectory. Haghani said the startup would be open to fundraising if money could solve a specific problem.
The free tier strategy mirrors a broader trend in the AI software space, where companies are using free access to build user bases and gather data to improve their models. For meeting notetakers, the challenge lies in converting free users into paying customers, especially as the market becomes saturated with similar offerings.
As the competition heats up, Circleback’s bet on accessibility and product-led growth will be tested. The company’s profitability and lean team give it a degree of flexibility that larger, venture-backed rivals may not have, but the long-term viability of the free tier will depend on its ability to convert users into subscribers.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The software and startup market is volatile and uncertain; readers should conduct their own research before making any business or investment decisions.
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