Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Barcode Generators

ZebraDesigner vs Loftware Desktop Designer

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score ZebraDesigner #1 in Barcode Generators 9.2/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 3 features Visit ZebraDesigner
Loftware Desktop Designer #4 in Barcode Generators 8.5/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Loftware

ZebraDesigner 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 scoreZebraDesigner · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly ZebraDesigner
  • Free trialonly ZebraDesigner
  • Most featuresZebraDesigner · 1 of 3

ZebraDesigner scores higher on our rubric for barcode generators: 9.2 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

ZebraDesigner is the better fit for teams printing labels on Zebra printers. Loftware Desktop Designer is the better fit for businesses designing data-driven desktop labels.

  • ZebraDesigner fits best

    Teams printing labels on Zebra printers

  • Loftware Desktop Designer fits best

    Businesses designing data-driven desktop labels

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 ZebraDesigner 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Loftware Desktop Designer 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.5
Ranking #1 in Barcode Generators #4 in Barcode Generators
Best for Teams printing labels on Zebra printers Businesses designing data-driven desktop labels
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — Not checked yet
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Integrations 9 integrations 5 integrations
Features ZebraDesigner 1/3 · Loftware Desktop Designer 0/3
Label design Not checked yet Not checked yet
Batch generation Not checked yet Not checked yet
Data import ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Barcode formats Not checked yet Not checked yet
Export formats Not checked yet Not checked yet
Platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Designs labels, tags, and receipts with fixed or variable data.
  • Professional adds database connectivity, RFID encoding, and VB scripting.
  • Creates ZPL templates and supports Excel, Access, text files, and ODBC.
  • Supports configurable 1D and 2D barcodes in label templates
  • Connects variable data to text, barcodes, and pictures
  • Works with databases, spreadsheets, and Loftware Control Center
Cons
  • Runs on Windows only.
  • Database connectivity, RFID, and VB scripting require Professional.
  • The product is focused on label workflows for Zebra printers.
  • Runs on Windows desktop only
  • Requires a paid license
  • Label design and printing are centered on desktop workflows
Our verdict

ZebraDesigner is Windows-based software for designing and printing barcode labels, tags, and receipts on Zebra printers. It suits teams that need variable-data label workflows, from basic designs to database-connected production.…

Read the review →

Loftware Desktop Designer is Windows desktop software for creating, editing, and printing label templates. It is intended for organizations managing operational labeling workflows, particularly businesses that need barcode labels populated…

Read the review →
  1. ZebraDesignerBarcode Generators 9.2Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. Loftware Desktop DesignerBarcode Generators 8.5Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ZebraDesigner — where it wins

    • Designs labels, tags, and receipts with fixed or variable data.
    • Professional adds database connectivity, RFID encoding, and VB scripting.
    • Creates ZPL templates and supports Excel, Access, text files, and ODBC.

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs on Windows only.
    • Database connectivity, RFID, and VB scripting require Professional.
    • The product is focused on label workflows for Zebra printers.

  • Loftware Desktop Designer — where it wins

    • Supports configurable 1D and 2D barcodes in label templates
    • Connects variable data to text, barcodes, and pictures
    • Works with databases, spreadsheets, and Loftware Control Center

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs on Windows desktop only
    • Requires a paid license
    • Label design and printing are centered on desktop workflows
  • ZebraDesigner9.2/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A Windows label-design tool with free basics and advanced database, RFID, and scripting features.

    Visit ZebraDesignerFull verdict →
  • Loftware Desktop Designer8.5/10 · Paid

    A Windows label designer for configurable barcodes and templates driven by variable data.

    Visit LoftwareFull verdict →

More comparisons

All barcode generators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update