# Circleback vs Fireflies.ai

> Circleback: AI meeting notes, action items and automations that work with or without a bot
> Fireflies.ai: AI notetaker that records, transcribes and summarizes your meetings across every major call platform

- Circleback profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/circleback
- Fireflies.ai profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/fireflies
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/circleback-vs-fireflies
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

Circleback is listed under AI Assistants and Fireflies.ai under Audio & Speech AI. Both have a free plan or trial. Only Circleback is available on Windows, macOS and CLI. Only Fireflies.ai is available on Chrome Extension.

### Choose Circleback if

- You want a tool built for Teams that want automatic meeting notes and CRM or task-tracker updates via bot-free recording.
- Bot-free desktop recording avoids a visible notetaker in client calls.
- Free plan includes API, MCP and CLI access and mobile apps.

### Choose Fireflies.ai if

- You want a tool built for Teams that want automatic meeting records and CRM-ready notes across many call platforms.
- Permanent free tier with unlimited transcription and 100+ language support.
- Works across Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and other platforms, plus file uploads.

## Pricing

| | Circleback | Fireflies.ai |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | Circleback | Fireflies.ai |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AI Meeting Notes | Yes | Not listed |
| Action Items | Yes | Not listed |
| Bot-Free Recording | Yes | Not listed |
| Automations | Yes | Not listed |
| Ask Circleback | Yes | Not listed |
| Custom AI Insights | Yes | Not listed |
| Transcription | Yes | Not listed |
| Calendar Auto-Join | Yes | Not listed |
| Developer Access | Yes | Not listed |
| AI Notetaker Bot | Not listed | Yes |
| AI Summaries and Action Items | Not listed | Yes |
| AskFred Assistant | Not listed | Yes |
| Multilingual Transcription | Not listed | Yes |
| Conversation Intelligence | Not listed | Yes |
| Search and Soundbites | Not listed | Yes |
| AI Skills and Apps | Not listed | Yes |
| Integrations and MCP Server | Not listed | Yes |
| Chrome Extension and Uploads | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Circleback | Fireflies.ai |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | No |
| macOS | Yes | No |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| CLI | Yes | No |
| Chrome Extension | No | Yes |

## Circleback strengths

- Bot-free desktop recording avoids a visible notetaker in client calls.
- Free plan includes API, MCP and CLI access and mobile apps.
- Broad integration list covering Slack, Notion, Linear, HubSpot, Salesforce and Zapier.
- Unlimited free viewers on Business, so non-participants do not need a seat.
- Releases page shows frequent updates, with entries in October 2026.

## Circleback limitations

- Free plan keeps only 30 days of meeting and recording history and 2 teams.
- Most integrations, including Notion, HubSpot and Salesforce, require Pro at $18 per user per month.
- SSO, SCIM and HIPAA compliance are limited to the Enterprise plan.
- The desktop app covers macOS and Windows only; no Linux app was found.

## Fireflies.ai strengths

- Permanent free tier with unlimited transcription and 100+ language support.
- Works across Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and other platforms, plus file uploads.
- Broad integrations covering CRM, ATS, dialers, Slack and an MCP server.
- Conversation analytics and team insights on the Business plan.
- Web, iOS, Android and Chrome extension coverage plus a desktop app with a public API.

## Fireflies.ai limitations

- Free plan limits AI summaries and caps storage at 400 minutes per team.
- Per-seat pricing rises quickly for teams: Business is $29 per seat on monthly billing.
- AI credit pools are small (20 to 50 per plan), and some features consume credits.
- HIPAA compliance, SSO and audit logs require the sales-led Enterprise plan.

## FAQ

**Is Circleback better than Fireflies.ai?**

It depends on your workflow. Circleback is built for Teams that want automatic meeting notes and CRM or task-tracker updates via bot-free recording. Fireflies.ai is built for Teams that want automatic meeting records and CRM-ready notes across many call platforms.

**What are the key feature differences between Circleback and Fireflies.ai?**

Circleback: AI meeting notes, action items and automations that work with or without a bot. Fireflies.ai: AI notetaker that records, transcribes and summarizes your meetings across every major call platform.

**Does Circleback or Fireflies.ai have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. Circleback is freemium and Fireflies.ai is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, Circleback or Fireflies.ai?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.