Circleback Launches Free Tier to Compete in Meeting Note-Taker Market
By Editor • August 31, 2026 • 1 min read
The competitive landscape of meeting note-takers is heating up, prompting Circleback, a Y Combinator-backed startup, to introduce a free subscription tier. This strategic move comes on the heels of new entrants like Wispr and established players such as Calendly enhancing their offerings.
With the free plan, users can transcribe an unlimited number of meetings, although historical access is limited to the last 30 days. Additional features include mobile and Apple Watch apps, AI capabilities for transcript queries, and integration with services like Linear and Slack. Circleback’s paid plans begin at $14 per month, offering full integration and unlimited meeting history.
Founded in 2023 by Ali Haghani and Kevin Jacyna, Circleback has enjoyed profitability and a robust revenue run-rate of over $1 million per employee. Haghani explained that the lack of a free option previously led to a significant drop-off in user engagement, motivating the introduction of this new tier as a means to broaden their user base.
Despite interest from potential investors, the co-founders are not currently seeking additional funding, believing their growth trajectory is solid. Haghani emphasized their competitive edge, stating, "We are consistently competing and winning customers against much bigger companies." This free tier will serve as a marketing tool rather than a direct ad spend, aiming to attract more users effectively.
Source: techcrunch.com
