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Head-to-head · Label Design Software

Union Label vs ZebraDesigner

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Union Label #6 in Label Design Software 8.7/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Union Label
ZebraDesigner #7 in Label Design Software 8.6/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit ZebraDesigner

Union Label leads on 0 checks, ZebraDesigner on 1, and 5 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 planonly ZebraDesigner
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresUnion Label · 5 of 5

Union Label scores higher on our rubric for label design software: 8.7 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

ZebraDesigner offers free plan; Union Label doesn't.

Union Label is the better fit for shipping and GS1 labels with printer choice. ZebraDesigner is the better fit for free RFID and ZPL label design on Windows.

  • Union Label fits best

    Shipping and GS1 labels with printer choice

  • ZebraDesigner fits best

    Free RFID and ZPL label design on Windows

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Union Label 8.7/10 Visit ↗ ZebraDesigner 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.6
Ranking #6 in Label Design Software #7 in Label Design Software
Best for Shipping and GS1 labels with printer choice Free RFID and ZPL label design on Windows
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $199/user/yr —
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 14 days 30 days
Free trial length 14 days 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Desktop Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows Windows
Integrations 4 integrations 9 integrations
Features Union Label 5/5 · ZebraDesigner 1/5
Barcode support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Shipping labels ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Compliance labels ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Variable data printing ✓ ✓
Print automation ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported printers GoDEX, Zebra, Bixolon, TSC, Honeywell, CST, POSCenter, BSmart, Printronix, URSA, iDPRT, Dascom, Argox, Xprinter and ELGIN Not checked yet
Deployment model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Free Essentials 3 plan covers variable and batch printing
  • Professional 3 adds RFID encoding, databases, and VB scripting
  • Creates ZPL templates for integrations with third-party applications
Cons
  • 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
  • Windows-only deployment limits platform flexibility
  • Advanced database and RFID features require Professional 3
  • Designed primarily for Zebra printer workflows
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 →

ZebraDesigner is Windows-based software for designing and printing barcode labels, tags, and receipts with Zebra printers. It suits teams that need fixed or variable data, batch printing, barcode creation, and templates for operational…

Read the review →
  1. Union LabelLabel Design Software 8.714-day trial
  2. ZebraDesignerLabel Design Software 8.6Free plan · 30-day trial

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

  • ZebraDesigner — where it wins

    • Free Essentials 3 plan covers variable and batch printing
    • Professional 3 adds RFID encoding, databases, and VB scripting
    • Creates ZPL templates for integrations with third-party applications

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only deployment limits platform flexibility
    • Advanced database and RFID features require Professional 3
    • Designed primarily for Zebra printer workflows

More comparisons

All label design software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update