ESL-Easy vs DESIGN-R-LABELS

ESL-Easy8.6Visit DESIGN-R-LABELS8.4Visit

Higher score ESL-Easy #5 in Rack Labels Solutions 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit ESL-Easy

vs

DESIGN-R-LABELS #7 in Rack Labels Solutions 8.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 3 features Contact sales

• ESL-Easy fits best

  Small retailers seeking flexible ESL software

• DESIGN-R-LABELS fits best

  Mature stores focused on printed rack labels

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Side by side

Feature	ESL-Easy 8.6/10 Visit ↗	DESIGN-R-LABELS 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.6	8.4
Ranking	#5 in Rack Labels Solutions	#7 in Rack Labels Solutions
Best for	Small retailers seeking flexible ESL software	Mature stores focused on printed rack labels
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	Pricing on request
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted, Mobile	Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows, Android, iOS	Windows
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ESL-Easy 3/3 · DESIGN-R-LABELS 2/3
Electronic shelf labels	✓ (best)	—
Barcode support	✓	✓
Multi-store management	✓	✓
Specs
Label formats	Electronic label models and sizes vary; supports customizable templates for labels.	Barcode labels; shelf-edge labels; shelf talkers; POP signs; large-format signs; posters; banners; thermal roll labels
Product data import	Integration	Integration
Print output	Not checked yet	Printer
Our review
Pros	Automatically updates linked labels when product prices change Manages labels across multiple store locations Supports custom templates, codes, and mixed label manufacturers	Imports data from more than 40 POS and back-office systems Supports barcode labels, shelf signage, POP signs and large-format output Unit pricing, validation rules and multi-level controls reduce label errors
Cons	Requires electronic labels and access points as separate hardware Installation runs on customer hardware rather than as a hosted service Label models and sizes vary, so template needs depend on the labels	Windows-only, self-hosted deployment limits cloud and cross-platform options No electronic shelf-label capability for stores seeking digital displays Pricing requires contacting sales instead of a self-serve plan
Our verdict	ESL-Easy connects a retailer’s till or inventory system to electronic shelf labels, sending price changes to linked labels. It is aimed at retailers that want software for label updates and management without ongoing software license fees,… Read the review →	Retail Technologies' DESIGN-R-LABELS is built for retailers that create and print barcode labels, shelf-edge labels, shelf talkers, point-of-purchase signs and large-format signage. Its editions cover independent retailers, single stores,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• ESL-Easy — where it wins

  • Automatically updates linked labels when product prices change
  • Manages labels across multiple store locations
  • Supports custom templates, codes, and mixed label manufacturers

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires electronic labels and access points as separate hardware
  • Installation runs on customer hardware rather than as a hosted service
  • Label models and sizes vary, so template needs depend on the labels

• DESIGN-R-LABELS — where it wins

  • Imports data from more than 40 POS and back-office systems
  • Supports barcode labels, shelf signage, POP signs and large-format output
  • Unit pricing, validation rules and multi-level controls reduce label errors

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only, self-hosted deployment limits cloud and cross-platform options
  • No electronic shelf-label capability for stores seeking digital displays
  • Pricing requires contacting sales instead of a self-serve plan

• ESL-Easy8.6/10 · Free plan

  Free ESL software links inventory data to labels and manages updates across stores.

  Visit ESL-EasyFull verdict →
• DESIGN-R-LABELS8.4/10 · Pricing on request

  A Windows-based label and signage system for retailers managing many printed formats.

  Contact salesFull verdict →