PACKZ vs ZebraDesigner
PACKZ
hybridsoftware.comZebraDesigner
zebra.comSide by side
| Figure | PACKZ | ZebraDesigner |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 5 |
| Spec score · Packaging Design Software | 8.1 (#5) | 8.5 (#3) |
| Company headquarters | Hybrid Software says it is headquartered in Cambridge, UK. | Zebra lists its headquarters in Lincolnshire, Illinois, USA. |
| Hardware requirements | The downloads page specifies a quad-core Intel Core i7 or higher and at least 16 GB RAM for macOS and Windows, and says Apple M-series processors are supported from PACKZ 6.0.6 onward. | Zebra lists an Intel-compatible x86 processor, at least 2 GB RAM, 1 GB free disk space and a 1366×768-or-higher display. |
| Headquarters | Ghent, Belgium | Lincolnshire, Illinois, USA |
| Purpose | PACKZ is an all-in-one native PDF editor for prepress work on labels and packaging. | ZebraDesigner offers editions for designing labels, tags and receipts, from basic text labels to designs with RFID or fixed and variable data. |
| Variable data | PACKZ supports variable text, numbers, barcodes, images, and color, and its VDP functionality is included at no charge for PACKZ users. | Essentials accepts keyboard, date, time and counter data sources. |
| Virtualization limit | VMware is supported only for client-server licensing, and the license server must run on physical hardware or the maker's LICOS service. | Remote Desktop Services and virtual machines are not supported, except Hyper-V technologies. |
Plans
ZebraDesigner
- ZebraDesigner Essentials 3Free
- ZebraDesigner Essentials 3Free
- ZebraDesigner for Developers 3Free
- ZebraDesigner Professional 3 for Windows$345, paid once
- ZebraDesigner Professional 3 for Windows$345, paid once
In their own words
PACKZ
PACKZ is a PDF editor for preparing label and packaging artwork for print prepress. It edits PDF content while retaining layer, group and page structure rather than converting the file to an internal format. Pactions records interactive editing steps as reusable action lists. The application combines one-up editing with step-and-repeat layouts, including tabular, grid, nested and Packzimizer options. Variable data can include text, numbers, barcodes, images and color. Color tools include DeviceLink profiles, PANTONE Digital Color support, links to GMG OpenColor and matchmycolor Colibri, as well as trapping, preflight and quality-control views. Artwork warping and real-time 3D inspection support applications such as shrink sleeves and metal cans. PACKZ Max includes a Harlequin RIP for screening and output. PACKZ connects with CLOUDFLOW and MyCLOUDFLOW workflows and with Arden Software and EngView Systems CAD libraries. It runs on macOS and 64-bit Windows, but Windows Server is not supported. PACKZ pricing is available by contacting Hybrid Software or booking a demo. PACKZVIEW is a separate free app for previewing and inspecting production PDFs.
ZebraDesigner
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.