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Head-to-head · Barcoding Software

BarTender vs Express Labels Mobile

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score BarTender #3 in Barcoding Software 7.5/10 From $199/yr · 30-day trial ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit BarTender
Express Labels Mobile #4 in Barcoding Software 7.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Brady

BarTender leads on 2 checks, Express Labels Mobile on 1, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBarTender · 7.5/10
  • Free planonly Express Labels Mobile
  • Most featuresBarTender · 2 of 3

BarTender scores higher on our rubric for barcoding software: 7.5 against 7.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

Express Labels Mobile offers free plan; BarTender doesn't. BarTender offers label design; Express Labels Mobile doesn't publish it. BarTender offers label printing; Express Labels Mobile doesn't publish it.

BarTender is the better fit for teams needing versatile label design and printing. Express Labels Mobile is the better fit for mobile users creating labels for supported Brady printers.

  • BarTender fits best

    Teams needing versatile label design and printing

  • Express Labels Mobile fits best

    Mobile users creating labels for supported Brady printers

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature BarTender 7.5/10 Visit ↗ Express Labels Mobile 7.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.5 7.4
Ranking #3 in Barcoding Software #4 in Barcoding Software
Best for Teams needing versatile label design and printing Mobile users creating labels for supported Brady printers
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile Mobile
Platforms Windows, Web, iOS, Android iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7 Email, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features BarTender 2/3 · Express Labels Mobile 0/3
Label design ✓ (best) Not published
Label printing ✓ (best) Not published
Mobile scanning Not published Not published
Specs
Barcode formats 100+ symbologies, including UPC-A/UPC-E, EAN-8/EAN-13, Code 39, Code 128, Interleaved 2-of-5, GS1 DataBar, Codabar, QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec, MaxiCode, and Han Xin Not published
Tracking focus Products Not published
Deployment Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Design labels with more than 100 barcode symbologies and templates
  • Print from workstations, browsers, and mobile devices
  • Automate workflows with REST APIs, File Drop, and no-code builders
  • Creates labels with text, graphics, symbols, photos, and barcodes.
  • Imports spreadsheet and text data for variable labels and serialized batches.
  • Connects to Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, and OneDrive files.
Cons
  • No free plan; paid editions start at $199 per year
  • Pricing and features vary across several on-premises and cloud editions
  • Some advanced integrations and centralized controls require higher editions
  • Prints only to the listed compatible Brady printer models.
  • Mobile-only deployment limits label work to iOS and Android devices.
  • Focused on identification labels rather than shipping labels.
Our verdict

BarTender is labeling software for organizations that design, manage, automate, and print barcode and RFID labels. Its WYSIWYG designer, label templates, and support for more than 100 barcode symbologies suit teams in warehouse,…

Read the review →

Express Labels Mobile is a free app from Brady Corporation for designing, viewing, and printing identification labels from iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. Its audience is people who need to create labels on site and have access to a…

Read the review →
  1. BarTenderBarcoding Software 7.5From $199/yr · 30-day trial
  2. Express Labels MobileBarcoding Software 7.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • BarTender — where it wins

    • Design labels with more than 100 barcode symbologies and templates
    • Print from workstations, browsers, and mobile devices
    • Automate workflows with REST APIs, File Drop, and no-code builders

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; paid editions start at $199 per year
    • Pricing and features vary across several on-premises and cloud editions
    • Some advanced integrations and centralized controls require higher editions

  • Express Labels Mobile — where it wins

    • Creates labels with text, graphics, symbols, photos, and barcodes.
    • Imports spreadsheet and text data for variable labels and serialized batches.
    • Connects to Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, and OneDrive files.

    Where it doesn't

    • Prints only to the listed compatible Brady printer models.
    • Mobile-only deployment limits label work to iOS and Android devices.
    • Focused on identification labels rather than shipping labels.
  • BarTender7.5/10 · From $199/yr · 30-day trial

    Flexible label design and printing, with on-premises and cloud editions.

    Visit BarTenderFull verdict →
  • Express Labels Mobile7.4/10 · Free plan

    A free mobile app for designing and printing barcode and identification labels on compatible Brady printers.

    Visit BradyFull verdict →

More comparisons

All barcoding software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update