The market for meeting note-taking applications has become increasingly competitive. Recently, the dictation app Wispr launched a note-taking and scheduling application, while Calendly introduced a similar feature. Other dedicated note-taking platforms like Granola, Read AI, and Fireflies have secured significant investments.
In response to this growing competition, Circleback, a company backed by Y Combinator, is launching a free subscription option aimed at giving users a trial of its services. This new plan allows users to transcribe an unlimited number of meetings, although their historical records will be accessible only for the past 30 days, similar to a tier introduced by Granola a few months prior.
The free plan enables users to record meetings, provides access to mobile apps and Apple Watch support, utilizes AI for transcript queries, and offers integration with services such as Linear and Slack. For features including full integration options, unlimited access to meeting history, and complete API and MCP access, monthly subscription plans commence at $14, with an annual payment option. Prior to this update, Circleback’s services had no free option, and pricing began 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 reports profitability since then, claiming a revenue run-rate of over $1 million per employee, supported by a team of eight, which suggests an annualized revenue of approximately $8 million.
Haghani explained the introduction of the free plan was influenced by the noticeable decrease in users during the previous trial period.
“By opening access to more users, we can increase Circleback’s visibility. We excel at enhancing the product and eventually monetizing those users,” he stated.
The company claims it does not utilize Google or Meta advertisements, viewing this free tier as a cost-effective marketing strategy.
Although there is interest in further investment, Haghani mentioned that the company is not in immediate need of additional funding as it does not encounter any growth obstacles.
“We continually compete successfully against larger firms, both in terms of workforce and investment. I sense a growing enthusiasm to thrive in this space,” he added.
He acknowledged that the company would be open to fundraising if it identifies a situation where external funding could effectively address a challenge it faces.
