Question 1

Is the app free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can download HomeBooks and start cataloging immediately. The free plan lets you store up to 50 books and try out the shelf scanner, reading tracking, and notes. If your library grows bigger than that, you can upgrade to Pro for unlimited storage.

Question 2

Does the spine scanner work on every book?

Accepted Answer

It works on about 95% of books. The scanner is designed to read spines where the title and author are visible. If you have rare books, thin spines, or books without text, the scanner might skip them—but you can instantly add those specific books using the built-in barcode scanner or manual entry.

Question 3

Can I organize books into custom categories?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. You aren't stuck with default lists. You can create custom shelves for anything—'Summer Reads,' 'Design Textbooks,' 'Cookbooks,' or 'Borrowed Out.' You can organize your library exactly how you organize your brain.

Question 4

Is my data private?

Accepted Answer

100%. I'm a solo developer, not a big tech data broker. I do not sell your personal data or reading habits to third parties. Your library belongs to you.