Brother P-touch Editor vs EtikStudio

Brother P-touch Editor 6 is free software for designing and printing custom labels. It supports styled text, images and barcodes, including QR code labels, and tables can contain text, numbers, symbols or barcode data. Designs can draw on more than 700 clip-art items, frames, patterns and shape tools. For text, users can choose installed TrueType or OpenType fonts or fonts included with the software. Search helps find templates and previously created labels. Label content can be drawn from Excel and other databases, including for mailing lists and asset-management labeling. Brother lists JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG and TIF/TIFF image support. Barcode and specialty labels may be printed individually or in batches. Printing requires connecting a compatible P-touch or Brother QL printer to a PC through USB or Bluetooth. Brother describes the software as compatible with Windows and Macintosh and says it works with select P-touch and QL models. The Windows version is listed as 6.0. For macOS 10.15 or higher, Brother directs users to download the app from the App Store.

EtikStudio is a variable-data label design and printing platform with a web editor connected to more than 10,000 printers. The editor provides layers, alignment, grids, advanced objects, preview, and print simulation. For changing label content, it supports variables, counters, dates and times, serialization, conditions, calculations, and expressions. Barcode support includes 1D and 2D symbologies and GS1 validation. Data connections include SQL databases, CSV and Excel files, REST APIs, Webhooks, ERP, WMS, MES, SCM, and custom systems. The product lists nine native printer languages, including ZPL, EPL2, DPL, and ESC/POS. Compliance templates cover GS1, FDA, UDI, and allergens, with change notices and version history for updates. Access controls include users, roles, per-resource permissions, action auditing, and logs. EtikStudio says product data remains in its existing location and is only read and printed. Plans are described for SMBs, growing firms, print-automation plants, and large multi-plant factories. Pricing is on request; a free trial is available.