Microsoft Universal Print vs Print Manager Plus
Microsoft Universal Print
microsoft.comPrint Manager Plus
printmanager.comSide by side
| Figure | Microsoft Universal Print | Print Manager Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $7.50/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 9 | 18 |
| Spec score · Print Management Software | 8.0 (#9) | 9.0 (#1) |
| API | Universal Print supports the IPP infrastructure protocol and provides Microsoft Graph API capabilities. | Premium exposes APIs for querying and configuring users, groups, organizational units, printers and cost profiles, including balances, restrictions, actions and page costs. |
| Security | The service supports Microsoft Entra ID users and security groups, HTTPS communications, X.509-backed printer device objects, and modern authentication for Zero Trust deployments. | Printing security can hold, pause, delete, or require confirmation for jobs from unrecognized users, and can require user verification before release. |
| Support | Microsoft's FAQ directs customers to Universal Print documentation and says customers can contact support if access remains unavailable after licensing and a 24-hour wait. | The Enterprise Edition includes phone support for one year from purchase, and the maker says its resellers provide sales and support around the world. |
| What it does | Universal Print is a cloud printing service that replaces print servers with Microsoft cloud printing and lets users access printers over the internet. | Print Manager Plus tracks, audits, quotas and restricts organizational printing in Windows Active Directory or Workgroup environments. |
Plans
Microsoft Universal Print
- Universal Print volume add-on — 500 jobs$25 a month
- Universal Print Additional Capacity — 10,000 jobs$300 a month
- Universal Print volume add-on — 500 jobs, EDU$7.50 a month
- Universal Print Additional Capacity — 10,000 jobs, EDU$90 a month
- Universal Print volume add-on (500 jobs), EDU discount$7.50 a month
- Universal Print volume add-on (500 jobs)$25 a month
- Universal Print Additional Capacity (10k), EDU discount$90 a month
- Universal Print Additional Capacity (10k)$300 a month
- Universal Print (standalone)Priced on request
Print Manager Plus
- BasicFree
- PremiumFree
- StandardFree
- Print Manager Plus Enterprise Edition (Small Business Edition)$495, paid once
- Enterprise Edition (201–300 printers)$695, paid once
- Print Manager Plus Enterprise Edition (201–300 Full License Price)$695, paid once
- Enterprise Edition (101–200 printers)$795, paid once
- Print Manager Plus Enterprise Edition (101–200 Full License Price)$795, paid once
- Enterprise Edition (51–100 printers)$895, paid once
- Print Manager Plus Enterprise Edition (51–100 Full License Price)$895, paid once
In their own words
Microsoft Universal Print
Microsoft Universal Print is a cloud printing service for organizations committed to the Microsoft 365 cloud. It replaces print servers with cloud-managed printer access, allowing users to print over the internet. Printing is built into supported Windows versions, without extra endpoint software or printer drivers. On macOS, printing from native applications requires the Universal Print app; in OneDrive and Excel on the web, users can choose a printer without setup or installation.
Administrators can manage printers in Azure Portal, automate tasks with PowerShell, and deploy printers with Intune. The service supports IPP and Microsoft Graph API capabilities. Its security features include Microsoft Entra ID users and groups, HTTPS, X.509-backed printer device objects, and modern authentication for Zero Trust deployments. QR code secure release can hold jobs until users retrieve them. Printers without native protocol support need a connector on a Windows computer. Each document counts as one job, regardless of pages or copies, and eligible licenses contribute to a shared monthly tenant pool. Listed capacity add-ons start at $25 a month for 500 jobs; no free plan is offered.
Print Manager Plus
Print Manager Plus audits, tracks, restricts, and secures printing infrastructure. Version 9.0 comes in Basic, Standard, and Premium editions, licensed per printer audited. Its audit records can include pages, color, copies, paper size, duplex status, document title, date and time, printer, and location. Administrators can set quotas and budgets, restrict printing, and create rules for users and printers. Security controls can hold, pause, or delete jobs from unrecognized users, require confirmation, and verify users before release. Authentication can use Workgroup, Active Directory, LDAP, or custom Print Manager Plus users. Premium adds client and project billing, a payment portal, printing cloud, and informational and configuration APIs. The portal integrates with PayPal Payments Pro, PayPal Payflow Pro, and the Authorize.Net payment API. A 30-day evaluation is available for all three editions. The Small Business Edition is $495, paid once, billed per Windows Server, with maintenance, updates, and phone support for one year; it is limited to 35 users and five printers per print server. Listed platforms include Windows Server and Workstation, web portal, iOS, Android, Chromebook, Surface, and Slate tablets.