FreeLabels Desktop vs ZebraDesigner

FreeLabels Desktop is a free offline application for designing and printing barcode and QR labels from a computer. It targets shops, warehouses and small manufacturers that print labels in bulk. Product data can be imported from.xlsx files, including names, SKUs, prices, barcodes, QR or EPC data, expiry, GST rate, HSN code and brand. The app renders EAN-13, Code128 and EPC/GID-96 barcodes, and creates QR codes for URLs, text or EPC data. Page presets cover A4, A5, 50×30 mm thermal rolls, Avery layouts and custom sizes or grids. Users can add a logo, choose a solid or image background and save reusable template files. Output includes paginated PDFs plus ZPL or TSPL files for Zebra and similar thermal printers. The app runs locally; the maker says product lists, images and templates never leave the machine. The free plan costs nothing, forever, with no account, license fee or watermark. Installers need roughly 150–200 MB; Windows requires 10/11 64-bit, macOS 12 or later, and Linux has a 64-bit.deb.

ZebraDesigner provides Windows software for designing labels, tags, and receipts, from basic text layouts to designs using RFID or fixed and variable data. Essentials includes text, barcode, and graphic objects, keyboard, date, time, and counter data sources, plus a GS1-128 barcode wizard. Professional adds connections to Excel, Access, text files, and other databases through ODBC, and supports printing and encoding RFID labels. Developer tools create ZPL templates for integration with other applications; listed options include Enterprise Connector for Oracle apps, PrintConnect, Print Station, and Zebra's XML-enabled printing solution. ZebraDesigner 3 can open legacy label formats from ZebraDesigner 2, and its interface is available in 20 languages. Supported systems are Windows 10 and 11 desktop editions and Windows Server 2019, 2022, and 2025. Remote Desktop Services and virtual machines are not supported, except Hyper-V technologies. Essentials and Developer editions cost nothing. Professional costs $345, paid once as an activation license key, limited to one computer.