Head-to-head · Label Design Software
Union Label vs Label LIVE
Union Label leads on 0 checks, Label LIVE on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreUnion Label · 8.7/10
- Free trialboth
- Most featuresUnion Label · 5 of 5
Union Label scores higher on our rubric for label design software: 8.7 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.
Union Label is the better fit for shipping and GS1 labels with printer choice. Label LIVE is the better fit for flexible paid automation for mixed printers.
- Union Label fits best
Shipping and GS1 labels with printer choice
- Label LIVE fits best
Flexible paid automation for mixed printers
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Side by side
| Feature | Union Label 8.7/10 Visit ↗ | Label LIVE 8.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.7 | 8.5 |
| Ranking | #6 in Label Design Software | #8 in Label Design Software |
| Best for | Shipping and GS1 labels with printer choice | Flexible paid automation for mixed printers |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $199/user/yr | $19.99/device/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Free trial length | 14 days | 14 days · no card needed |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Web, Windows | Windows, macOS |
| Support | Email, Tickets, Community, Docs | Email, Phone, Docs |
| Integrations | 4 integrations | 8 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Union Label 5/5 · Label LIVE 3/5 | ||
| Barcode support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shipping labels | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Compliance labels | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Variable data printing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Print automation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Supported printers | GoDEX, Zebra, Bixolon, TSC, Honeywell, CST, POSCenter, BSmart, Printronix, URSA, iDPRT, Dascom, Argox, Xprinter and ELGIN | Thermal, inkjet, laser, desktop, AirPrint, and supported USB printers including Zebra, DYMO, Brother, Rollo, TSC, SATO, and others |
| Deployment model | Not checked yet | Desktop |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Union Label is label design and printing software for small businesses and teams that need product, warehouse, retail, logistics, or shipping labels. It supports reusable layouts with text, images, 1D and 2D barcodes, QR codes, variable… Read the review → |
Label LIVE is desktop label-design and printing software for individuals and businesses that need more than static layouts. It supports text, images, shapes, barcodes, spreadsheet and cloud data imports, and variable labels for text,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Union Label — where it wins
- Supports shipping, GS1-128, barcodes, QR codes, and variable data
- Works in browser and Windows Desktop with offline printing
- Connects with Excel, CSV, SQL databases, APIs, and many printer brands
Where it doesn't
- The Free offering is a 14-day trial rather than an unlimited free plan
- RFID encoding and offline printing require the Desktop edition
- Pro collaboration, API, and GS1 features cost $199 per user per year
Label LIVE — where it wins
- Supports variable data, calculations, batch PDFs or PNGs, and label copies
- Automates printing through URLs, command line, HTTP, and MQTT
- Works with Windows, macOS, USB thermal, AirPrint, and multiple printer types
Where it doesn't
- No free plan is available
- The starting subscription costs $19.99 per computer per month
- Advanced scripting and APIs require the Logic plan
- Union Label8.7/10 · 14-day trial
A flexible choice for shipping, GS1, barcode, and variable-data labels.
Visit Union LabelFull verdict → - Label LIVE8.5/10 · 14-day trial
A flexible desktop label tool with variable data, automation, and mixed-printer support.
Visit Label LIVEFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update



