Zint Barcode Generator vs ZPLab
Zint Barcode Generator
zint.org.uk
ZPLab
zplab.orgSide by side
| Figure | Zint Barcode Generator | ZPLab |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · Barcode Generators | 8.2 (#4) | 7.0 (#12) |
| Spec score · Barcode Labeling Software | 8.2 (#11) | 7.0 (#33) |
| Integrations | gLabels includes support for the Zint libraries. | Previews can use Labelary, and printing can use network IP, Zebra Browser Print, the desktop print spooler, or USB, depending on platform. |
| Intended users | The project describes its intended users as developers, businesses creating labels or internal tools, researchers, technical users, and people who prefer open-source tools. | The product is for designing and printing labels on ZPL-compatible printers, and its getting-started guide says it can be used without ZPL knowledge. |
| Privacy | The website may collect technical server-log information for site administration, security, troubleshooting, traffic analysis, and user-experience improvements. | The repository README says the app sends no data to the developer. |
| Purpose | Zint is an open-source barcode generation project for desktop users, command-line workflows, and software developers. | ZPLab is an open-source visual label designer and ZPL editor for ZPL-compatible printers, available in a browser or as a desktop app. |
| Support | The project points users to SourceForge and GitHub for releases, source code, issues, discussions, and community support. | The maker invites bug reports, questions, and pull requests through GitHub. |
Plans
In their own words
Zint Barcode Generator
Zint Barcode Generator is a free, open-source project that creates barcode images through a desktop GUI, command-line tool, or library API. It supports more than 50 symbologies across linear, stacked, postal, and matrix formats, including QR Code, Code 128, EAN, UPC, Data Matrix, and PDF417. Users can set image size, colour, error correction, and orientation. The library renders BMP, EMF, EPS, GIF, PCX, PNG, TIF, and SVG images. Developers can use its C API from C and C++ programs; the manual also describes Qt and Tcl interfaces. Installation is documented for Windows, macOS, Linux, and BSD, and the Tcl backend can also be built on Android. Windows downloads include Barcode Studio and a command-line executable, both requiring the Visual C runtime DLL. The macOS instructions cover the command-line tool and library through Homebrew, while GUI build directions are separate. Linux users can compile Zint, and Barcode Studio requires Qt. The gLabels desktop label-design software supports the Zint libraries. Zint has no paid plans stated.