Circleback launches free tier as meeting note-taker market heats up

Circleback, a Y Combinator-backed meeting transcription tool, is moving to a freemium model as competition in the space intensifies. The shift comes as dictation app Wispr and scheduling platform Calendly have both recently entered the meeting note-taker market, alongside well-funded specialists like Granola, Read AI, and Fireflies.

Free plan targets user acquisition#

The new free tier allows unlimited meeting transcription but limits history access to the past 30 days. Free users can also record sessions, access mobile and Apple Watch apps, query transcripts with AI, and connect to Linear and Slack. Paid plans, starting at $14 monthly (billed annually), unlock all integrations, full meeting history, and API access—a $6.83 reduction from the previous $20.83 entry point.

Addressing churn through open access#

Circleback co-founder Ali Haghani attributed the decision to high user drop-off under the previous trial model. He explained that removing friction encourages trial usage while the company's core product quality and monetization strategy handle conversion. Rather than spend on paid ads, the startup is using the free tier itself as a growth lever.

Profitability and growth confidence#

Founded in 2023, Circleback raised $2.5 million in 2024 and has been profitable since, with roughly $8 million in annualized revenue across a team of eight. Haghani said the company is deliberately staying private despite investor interest, noting strong performance against much larger competitors and no immediate capital constraints. He indicated willingness to raise funds only when growth hits a bottleneck that money can directly solve.