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Head-to-head · Barcode Printing Software

Brother P-touch Editor vs Loftware Desktop Designer

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Brother P-touch Editor #5 in Barcode Printing Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Brother
Loftware Desktop Designer #6 in Barcode Printing Software 8.2/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Loftware

Brother P-touch Editor leads on 0 checks, Loftware Desktop Designer on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBrother P-touch Editor · 8.4/10
  • Free planonly Brother P-touch Editor
  • Most featuresBrother P-touch Editor · 1 of 3

Brother P-touch Editor scores higher on our rubric for barcode printing software: 8.4 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

Brother P-touch Editor is the better fit for free Brother label-maker users. Loftware Desktop Designer is the better fit for organizations using Loftware data sources.

  • Brother P-touch Editor fits best

    Free Brother label-maker users

  • Loftware Desktop Designer fits best

    Organizations using Loftware data sources

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Side by side

Feature Brother P-touch Editor 8.4/10 Visit ↗ Loftware Desktop Designer 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 8.2
Ranking #5 in Barcode Printing Software #6 in Barcode Printing Software
Best for Free Brother label-maker users Organizations using Loftware data sources
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan Not checked yet
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows
Integrations 3 integrations 5 integrations
Features Brother P-touch Editor 1/3 · Loftware Desktop Designer 0/3
Batch printing ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Data import Not checked yet Not checked yet
Label designer Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Not checked yet Desktop
Barcode formats Not checked yet Not checked yet
Printer types Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Creates barcodes, QR codes, sequential numbers, and variable fields
  • Supports batch printing and database-driven labels from Excel
  • Offers templates, image imports, Unicode, and print preview
  • Supports configurable 1D and 2D barcodes with variable data
  • Connects labels to databases, spreadsheets, and dynamic data sources
  • Links with Loftware Control Center for activation and printer visibility
Cons
  • Requires a compatible Brother label printer or label maker
  • Desktop-only software for Windows and macOS
  • Functionality is centered on Brother's printer ecosystem
  • Windows-only deployment excludes macOS, Linux, and browser-based use
  • Desktop installation may not fit teams seeking cloud-native authoring
  • Documentation is the listed support channel
Our verdict

Brother P-touch Editor is free desktop software for designing and printing custom labels with compatible Brother P-touch and QL printers. It fits home, office, retail, education, government, and IT labeling tasks, including asset tags,…

Read the review →

Loftware Desktop Designer is Windows desktop software for creating, editing, and printing label templates. It suits organizations managing operational labels that combine fixed layout elements with changing values. Designers can place…

Read the review →
  1. Brother P-touch EditorBarcode Printing Software 8.4Free plan
  2. Loftware Desktop DesignerBarcode Printing Software 8.2Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Brother P-touch Editor — where it wins

    • Creates barcodes, QR codes, sequential numbers, and variable fields
    • Supports batch printing and database-driven labels from Excel
    • Offers templates, image imports, Unicode, and print preview

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a compatible Brother label printer or label maker
    • Desktop-only software for Windows and macOS
    • Functionality is centered on Brother's printer ecosystem

  • Loftware Desktop Designer — where it wins

    • Supports configurable 1D and 2D barcodes with variable data
    • Connects labels to databases, spreadsheets, and dynamic data sources
    • Links with Loftware Control Center for activation and printer visibility

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only deployment excludes macOS, Linux, and browser-based use
    • Desktop installation may not fit teams seeking cloud-native authoring
    • Documentation is the listed support channel
  • Brother P-touch Editor8.4/10 · Free plan

    A capable free editor for Brother users needing barcodes, batches, and database-driven labels.

    Visit BrotherFull verdict →
  • Loftware Desktop Designer8.2/10 · Paid

    A Windows label designer for variable barcodes and Loftware-connected workflows.

    Visit LoftwareFull verdict →

More comparisons

All barcode printing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update