🆓 Why We Made Our Core Tracking Features 100% Free Forever
Most software companies make you pay to get started. We don't. Here's the thinking behind that decision.
When I was designing Equipment Tracker Pro, the most common advice was to put everything behind a subscription. I went a different direction. Core tracking - buildings, equipment, parts, maintenance logs, photos - is free forever. Not a 14-day trial. Not a starter plan with arbitrary limits. Free.
The value of equipment tracking software multiplies with adoption. One technician using it is moderately useful. All five technicians on your team using it is transformative - because now the service history from Monday is available to the tech who shows up Thursday. That only works if the barrier to getting started is low enough that everyone actually does it.
What the Pro Subscription Pays For
The AI features - nameplate scanning, condition assessment, invoice scanning - run on Google Gemini API. Every scan costs real money. Cloud backup and Smart Sync across all devices require infrastructure with ongoing costs. Branded PDF reports, live URL QR tags, and the full web dashboard at equipment-tracker.com are also Pro. Those Pro features are $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year per user. Text-mode and JSON-mode QR tags are free to make, and so is your company logo on any tag, because those carry their data on the sticker and nothing is hosted for them. Every new account gets 10 free AI scans to try the technology before committing.
What Always Stays Free
Buildings, equipment records, parts and inventory, maintenance logs, photo galleries, warranty tracking, replacement reminders — all free, no limits, forever. The built-in QR and barcode scanner is free: it runs entirely on your phone's camera hardware, searches your equipment database offline, and handles 13+ barcode formats including QR, Code 128, EAN-13, and Data Matrix. If we are not paying to run it, you are not paying to use it.
A Fair Deal for the Trade
The dividing line is intentional: features that cost us money to run are paid. Features that are essentially free to operate are free to use. You shouldn't have to pay a monthly fee just to type a model number into your phone and save a photo. That is a fair deal, and based on feedback from techs and property managers using the app, they agree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are core tracking features free in the app?
Core features run locally on your device's hardware, meaning they do not incur server or API costs. Our founder committed to keeping these free to ensure entire field teams can adopt the tool without financial barriers.
Which features are included in the free tier?
The free tier includes unlimited buildings, equipment records, parts catalogs, maintenance logs, photo attachments, warranty tracking, recurring PM schedules, and the offline barcode/QR scanner.
What features are exclusive to the Pro plan?
The Pro subscription includes unlimited Gemini AI nameplate/invoice/condition scanning, real-time Firebase cloud backup with Smart Sync, branded PDF reports, live URL QR tags, and the web dashboard. Text-mode and JSON-mode QR tags stay free.
Why does the Pro subscription cost money?
The Pro subscription covers ongoing API costs for Gemini AI scanning, database servers for real-time cloud sync, and the infrastructure for custom PDF reports and the web dashboard.
What barcode formats does the free scanner support?
The built-in offline scanner supports 13+ barcode formats, including QR Code, Code 128, EAN-13, and Data Matrix, running entirely on local camera hardware.
Jonathan Curtis
HVAC Technician & Founder · Equipment Tracker Pro
Jonathan Curtis is an HVAC technician and the founder of Equipment Tracker Pro. He built the app out of frustration with the lack of purpose-built tools available to working HVAC technicians.
Try Equipment Tracker Pro Free
Core equipment tracking is free forever. Pro features include AI nameplate scanning, condition assessment, invoice scanning, cloud sync, and more.