A free book tracker for your first 50 books: what is included and when to upgrade
The short answer: Dog-Ear's free plan holds up to 50 books, with your wish list counting toward that, and includes scanning, importing, your library, series, wish list, journal pages and stats, Reading Wrapped and the reading reminder. It does not include talking instead of typing or the sticker pack, and you never enter a card. The full version removes the limit and adds both for one payment of $9.
Not sure a new reading tracker is worth the effort? You should not have to pay to find out. Dog-Ear has a free plan, and it is a real one: the tools you will actually use, with a limit on how many books you can keep.
What is included, and what is not
| Feature | Free | Full |
|---|---|---|
| Books you can keep | Up to 50, wish list included | No limit |
| Scan barcodes and Rapid Scan | Yes | Yes |
| Search by title, enter an ISBN, add by hand | Yes | Yes |
| Import from Goodreads or StoryGraph | Yes | Yes |
| Library, series tracking and wish list | Yes | Yes |
| Reading journal pages and stats | Yes | Yes |
| Washi tape, notes and photos in the journal | Yes | Yes |
| Reading Wrapped and the reading reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Find me something new (book picks) | Yes | Yes |
| 100+ journal stickers | No | Yes |
| Talk instead of typing | No | Yes |
| Storage for your photos and covers | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Cost | $0, no card | $9 once, no subscription |
How the 50 books are counted
Every book in your library counts, whether you own it, have read it, or only have it on your wish list. Dog-Ear shows how many you have used, such as "12 of 50 books", so you always know where you stand. When you reach 50, adding more pauses and you are invited to upgrade. Nothing you have already added is removed or hidden.
Who the free plan is for
- Anyone trying Dog-Ear out. Scan a shelf, import your Goodreads list, and see whether it fits how you read.
- Readers with a small library. If you borrow a lot or keep a short shelf, 50 may be all you need.
- Anyone tracking a single reading year. Fifty books is roughly a book a week for a year.
- People who mostly want the wish list and the series tracker. Both are free.
When it makes sense to upgrade
- You reach 50 and want to keep going.
- You would rather dictate your notes and summaries than type them.
- You want stickers to decorate your journal pages.
- You own a big collection and want it all in one place.
Upgrading takes a minute. Tap the gold bar at the top of the app, or open More and choose Upgrade to the full version, then pay once through Stripe. Your account upgrades as soon as the payment is confirmed. You do not make a new account, and your books and journal stay exactly as they are.
How it compares with other free options
| App | What free gets you |
|---|---|
| Goodreads | Free, with ads. The biggest community and catalog, and a barcode scanner in the mobile app. |
| StoryGraph | A free core app. Plus is $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year for more. |
| Libib | Free for up to 5,000 items, with no ads. Built for cataloging a home library. |
| Dog-Ear | Free for up to 50 books, with a reading journal, series tracking and scanning. Full version $9 once. |
Prices and limits checked October 7, 2026 and can change. Sources: Goodreads app, StoryGraph Plus, Libib pricing.
Help decide what comes next
Free and full readers both shape Dog-Ear. Open More, then Ideas and reviews, to send a feature request or leave a review. I read every message.
Questions
Is Dog-Ear really free?
Yes. The free plan holds up to 50 books and includes scanning, importing, your library, series, wish list, journal pages and stats, Reading Wrapped and the reading reminder. You do not enter a card.
How many books can I add for free?
Up to 50 in total. Books you own, books you have read and books on your wish list all count toward the 50.
What is not included in the free plan?
Talking instead of typing and the 100+ journal stickers. The full version also removes the 50 book limit.
Can I upgrade later without losing my books?
Yes. Upgrading from inside the app changes your existing account to the full version as soon as payment is confirmed. Your books and journal stay exactly as they are.
Related: How to scan your whole bookshelf, How to move from Goodreads to Dog-Ear, How to track book series you own.