The market for meeting notetakers is becoming increasingly competitive. Recently, the dictation platform Wispr released its own note-taking and scheduling application, while Calendly introduced a comparable tool. Other dedicated notetakers such as Granola, Read AI, and Fireflies have secured substantial funding in this growing industry.
In response to this heightened competition, Circleback, a startup backed by Y Combinator, has unveiled a free subscription tier. This move allows users to experience the service with the capability to transcribe an unlimited number of meetings, albeit with access to their transcript history limited to the last 30 days. Granola had previously introduced a similar offering.
The newly launched free plan includes features such as meeting recording, availability on mobile and Apple Watch apps, AI-assisted transcript querying, and integration with tools like Linear and Slack. Users desiring a broader range of integrations, unlimited access to meeting history, and full API and MCP functionalities can opt for subscription plans beginning at $14 per month, billed annually. Before this change, Circleback’s offerings started at $20.83 per month, with no free tier available.
Established in 2023 by founders Ali Haghani and Kevin Jacyna, Circleback raised $2.5 million in 2024 and claims to have maintained profitability since. Currently, the firm reports a run-rate revenue exceeding $1 million for each of its eight employees, equating to an annual run-rate of approximately $8 million.
Haghani noted that the absence of a free trial option previously contributed to a significant drop in user retention, prompting the introduction of this new free plan.
“By removing barriers and allowing more users to explore our product, we anticipate increased visibility for Circleback. We excel in enhancing our service and converting these users into paying customers,” he explained.
Interestingly, Circleback refrains from advertising on platforms like Google or Meta, viewing this free offering as a strategic marketing expense.
Despite the interest from potential investors, the company is not actively pursuing additional funding at this time, citing confidence in its growth trajectory.
“We are effectively competing against larger firms in terms of both workforce and funding. There appears to be a greater willingness to win in this environment,” Haghani remarked, adding that the company would consider fundraising if a financial bottleneck arises.
Editor’s Take
The introduction of a free tier by Circleback could significantly change user engagement in the competitive meeting notetaking landscape. By reducing entry barriers, the company not only enhances its visibility but also positions itself to attract a broader customer base. This strategy might compel other players in the sector to reconsider their pricing models or service offerings, potentially fostering innovation and improving overall user experience.
Source: techcrunch.com
