Circleback, the Y Combinator-backed AI meeting notetaker, is rolling out a free subscription tier as competition in the space heats up. The move gives new users a way to try the product without paying, a shift for a company that previously offered no free option at all.
The launch comes amid a crowded market. In recent weeks, dictation app Wispr introduced its own notetaker and scheduling tool, while Calendly added a comparable feature to its lineup. Dedicated players such as Granola, Read AI, and Fireflies have collectively raised millions of dollars in funding.
What the Free Tier Includes
The new free plan lets users transcribe an unlimited number of meetings, though access to history is capped at the last 30 days. Granola introduced a similar tier a few months ago. Beyond transcription, the free option supports meeting recording, mobile and Apple Watch apps, AI-powered querying of transcripts, and integrations with Linear and Slack.
Users who want the full set of integrations, unlimited meeting history, and complete API and MCP access can subscribe to paid plans starting at EUR 12 per month, billed annually. Before this change, Circleback’s plans began at EUR 18 per month with no free entry point.
A Profitable, Lean Operation
Founded in 2023 by Ali Haghani and Kevin Jacyna, Circleback raised EUR 2 million in 2024. The company says it has been profitable since then, posting run-rate revenue of more than EUR 1 million per employee across a team of eight, which works out to roughly EUR 7 million in annual run-rate.
Haghani said the previously limited trial window led to a significant drop-off in users, prompting the decision to open access. “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 company does not spend on Google Ads or Meta Ads, and it views the free tier itself as a marketing investment.
No Rush to Raise Funds
Despite investor interest, Circleback is not immediately looking to raise capital, according to Haghani, who said the company 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. And I feel like there is now more of an appetite to win,” he said.
He added that the startup would consider fundraising the moment it identifies a problem that money could solve. For now, Circleback’s paid plans start at EUR 12 per month, billed annually.
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