BarTender vs Loftware NiceLabel
BarTender
bartendersoftware.com
Loftware NiceLabel
loftware.comSide by side
| Figure | BarTender | Loftware NiceLabel |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $16.58/mo | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 4 | 0 |
| Spec score · Packaging Design Software | 8.5 (#2) | 7.9 (#10) |
| Spec score · Label Design Software | 8.5 (#4) | 7.6 (#24) |
| Spec score · Barcode Labeling Software | 8.5 (#6) | 7.7 (#21) |
| Automation | Automation edition supports REST APIs, File Drop, no-code builders, and more than 70 trigger actions. | Loftware Automation can trigger repetitive label printing without human interaction, and its optional installation is available as a free trial during Desktop Designer setup. |
| Compliance | The maker states that BarTender supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails and electronic signatures. | Loftware states that Loftware Cloud Designer is among its products externally audited for SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. |
| Integrations | The maker lists pre-built connectors for SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, and Workday, plus REST APIs and custom integrations for more than 20 enterprise platforms. | Loftware describes integrations with SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, and ERP, WMS, MES, and PLM systems. |
| Label design | It supports more than 100 linear and 2D barcode symbologies and standards, RFID encoding, and a library of more than 400 pre-built label templates. | Its cloud design tools let teams create labels from templates, connect to data, and print through a web browser. |
| Printing | The on-premises product supports printing from local workstations, browsers, and mobile devices, with more than 11,000 printer drivers. | Cloud Designer supports remote printing to printers connected to a computer with Desktop Designer installed. |
| Purpose | BarTender creates, manages, and prints labels, barcodes, RFID tags, and other product identifiers. | Loftware Cloud Designer helps small to midsize or growing companies securely design and print labels. |
| Security | The on-premises product offers role-based security and permissions, document encryption, license server redundancy, and printer failover options. | Loftware says its Loftware Cloud products, including Cloud Essentials, Cloud Designer, Cloud Business, Cloud Compliance, and Cloud Enterprise, have been externally audited for SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. |
| Support | Standard Maintenance and Support includes live phone and chat support and product updates; Premium support offers 24/7/365 coverage and a guaranteed one-hour response for critical production-impacting issues. | Loftware offers self-paced Loftware Academy learning and step-by-step training for Loftware Cloud users. |
| Trial | The maker offers a 30-day trial of BarTender Enterprise Edition with access for up to three printers. | The setup guide says users can start a 30-day trial and evaluate PowerForms, Pro, or Express. |
Plans
BarTender
- Starter$199 a year
- Professional$299 a year
- Automation$575 a year
- EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
BarTender
BarTender creates, manages, and prints labels, barcodes, RFID tags, and other product identifiers. Its design tools support more than 100 linear and 2D barcode symbologies and standards, RFID encoding, and a library of more than 400 label templates. The on-premises product can print from local workstations, browsers, and mobile devices, with more than 11,000 printer drivers. The Automation edition adds REST APIs, File Drop, no-code builders, and more than 70 trigger actions. Listed connectors include SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, and Workday, alongside REST APIs and custom integrations for more than 20 enterprise platforms. On-premises security features include role-based permissions, document encryption, license server redundancy, and printer failover options. BarTender can operate without an internet connection and supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails and electronic signatures. The on-premises operating-system requirements are 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 and Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, or 2025. Starter costs $199 a year; a 30-day Enterprise Edition trial supports up to three printers.
Loftware NiceLabel
Loftware NiceLabel, identified with Loftware Cloud, helps companies design and print labels while coordinating labeling and product data across suppliers, sites, and processes. Cloud Designer is aimed at small to midsize or growing companies and combines a browser-based Web Designer with a locally installed Desktop Designer connected to Control Center. Labels can contain text, lines, shapes, and barcodes, with content linked to fixed or dynamic data sources. Remote printing is supported for printers connected to a computer running Desktop Designer. Licenses cover one to ten printer seats, counting each physical or virtual printer as one seat. Centralized storage, version control, approvals, role-based access, and audit trails support document governance. Cloud Business, Cloud Enterprise, and Cloud Compliance include Print, Trigger, and Document APIs; third-party API use requires a Developer Portal subscription key. Loftware Automation can initiate repetitive printing without human interaction. Pricing is on request, and a 30-day trial is available. Loftware says Web Designer does not include the full Desktop Designer feature set.