The 5 Best Label Printing Software I Tested and Recommend

Having led a nonprofit dedicated to sending sanitary pads to areas facing scarcity, I’ve personally navigated the challenges of managing shipments and ensuring each parcel reaches its destination with the right information.

Running such an initiative often required me to use the best label printing software, and trust me, it’s not as easy as it seems. From getting the right sizes to ensuring the labels stick properly, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into it. The process can become even more overwhelming when you’re relying on outdated or inefficient tools. The wrong software can lead to errors, wasted time, and a lot of frustration.

That's why finding the right label printing solution is crucial. By streamlining the entire process, you can reduce manual effort and have peace of mind that every label is printed precisely.

My top 5 best label printing software recommendations for 2025

With so many options available, I know how overwhelming it can be to find the right one. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the best label printing software tools for 2025 to help you choose the one that best fits your needs and makes your labeling tasks hassle-free.

These tools aren’t just for nonprofits. Businesses can use them for product shipping, schools for event supplies, and individuals for organizing personal shipments.

No matter the industry, the right label printing software can make the task easier and more efficient.

What I look for in the best label printing software

When testing the best label printing software, I focus on the following key features to ensure it meets the needs of businesses that require efficient, high-quality label creation and printing:

• Label design flexibility: I assess whether the software offers a wide range of design options, allowing users to create labels of various shapes, sizes, and layouts. The software should support custom dimensions and templates for different label formats (e.g., shipping labels, product labels, barcode labels, and packaging). It should also allow for advanced design customization, including font styles, color schemes, borders, and alignment tools to create professional-looking labels.
• Barcode and QR code generation: I check whether the software includes built-in tools to generate barcodes and QR codes. The ability to easily create different barcode types (e.g., UPC, EAN, Code 128) and customize their size, density, and alignment is essential. For businesses that require product tracking or inventory management, having robust barcode and QR code generation features ensures accurate, scannable labels. I also look at whether the software allows for easy testing of barcode quality before printing.
• Integration with databases and spreadsheets: The best label printing software should be able to integrate with databases, spreadsheets, and other software systems to streamline the label generation process. I assess whether the tool supports importing data from CSV files, Excel spreadsheets, or live databases. This feature is particularly useful for printing large batches of labels with unique data, such as product names, prices, or shipping addresses. I check if the software offers mail merge-like functionality to automate the population of labels with dynamic data.
• Support for different printing methods: I evaluate whether the software is compatible with various label printers, including desktop, industrial, and mobile printers. It should support both thermal transfer and direct thermal printing methods. Additionally, the software should allow users to adjust print settings such as print speed, resolution, and label alignment to optimize quality and efficiency based on the type of printer being used.
• Template library: I assess whether the software offers a rich library of pre-designed templates and layouts to speed up the label creation process. Templates should be available for various industries, including retail, logistics, food and beverage, and healthcare. This feature is especially valuable for users who need to create standard labels quickly without starting from scratch. I also check if users can save their custom designs as templates for future use.
• Batch printing: The software should support batch printing, which is crucial for businesses that need to print large quantities of labels at once. I assess whether the tool allows users to manage print jobs efficiently by queuing multiple label designs or printing in bulk based on dynamic data. Printing hundreds or thousands of labels with minimal intervention is essential for streamlining operations, especially in high-volume environments.
• Integration with inventory and shipping systems: I check if the label printing software integrates with popular inventory management, shipping, and e-commerce platforms (e.g., Shopify, Amazon, UPS, and FedEx). This integration allows businesses to automatically generate shipping labels and track and optimize inventory without manually entering data. It streamlines order fulfillment and ensures consistency between order data and the printed labels.

The list below contains genuine user reviews from our best label printing software category page. To qualify for inclusion in the category, a product must:

• Include templates for various kinds of labels (e.g., shipping, inventory)
• Allow non-technical users to design and print labels
• Provide features to categorize labels and modify them by batch
• Deliver WYSIWYG label designers with options to drag and drop
• Support multiple languages and different types of barcodes
• Comply with regulations or industry standards such as GS1-128

This data has been pulled from G2 in 2025. Some reviews have been edited for clarity.

1. Avery Design & Print

After testing Avery Design & Print, I found it to be a highly convenient tool for creating and printing Avery labels, stickers, and other customizable designs.

One of the biggest advantages was how effortless it was to format everything for printing on Avery stickers. I didn't have to spend time adjusting margins or worrying about alignment—everything fit perfectly right from the start. This made the entire process smooth and saved me a lot of time.

Setting up the software was just as easy. Downloading and installing Avery Design & Print took only a few minutes, and I could jump straight into my project without any unnecessary steps or complications.  There was no steep learning curve, and the intuitive workflow allowed me to start immediately.

Another feature I appreciated was the ability to store Avery templates and designs for future use. This was especially useful when I needed to make minor tweaks or reprint a design without starting from scratch. Having my previous templates readily available made redesigning quick and hassle-free.

However, a few drawbacks stood out. The user interface could use some improvements in terms of UX design. While functional, certain elements felt outdated, and navigating through the tool wasn’t as seamless as I would have liked.

Additionally, the free templates were somewhat restrictive, particularly regarding font sizes and design flexibility. I found myself limited in terms of creative freedom, which was frustrating when I wanted to experiment with different styles.

Lastly, switching between features sometimes felt sluggish, which interrupted my workflow. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but the occasional slow response did make the experience feel less fluid.

What I dislike about Avery Design & Print:

• The user interface felt somewhat outdated and could benefit from a more modern UX design. While functional, navigating through the tool wasn’t as seamless as I had hoped, making some tasks feel clunky.
• The free templates were restrictive, particularly in font sizes and design flexibility. I found it frustrating when I wanted to experiment with different styles but was limited by the tool’s built-in constraints.

What G2 users dislike about Avery Design & Print:

"Compared to professional design software, Avery Design & Print might offer fewer advanced editing tools. This could be a drawback for users needing specific design elements."

- Avery Design & Print Review, Med A.

2. Label LIVE

I was impressed by Label LIVE's powerful batch printing, which allowed me to effortlessly automate order printouts and label generation. The process was incredibly efficient—by simply dumping a correctly formatted CSV or XML file into a monitored folder, Label LIVE took care of the rest. This saved me a tremendous amount of time and streamlined my workflow significantly.

Another aspect I appreciated was the What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) designer interface, which provided a seamless printing experience across different printers. I even tested it on an 80mm printer, and the results were surprisingly crisp and well-aligned.

Another strong point was the software’s deep integration with programming logic, as I could dynamically show or hide elements based on conditions. Additionally, the ability to integrate directly with spreadsheets using variables made it easy to automate and customize label generation without manual intervention.

However, there were a few downsides. The error messages could be more user-friendly and descriptive, as I often found myself troubleshooting issues through trial and error. A more detailed explanation of the problems would have saved me considerable time.

Additionally, the print preview feature didn’t work as expected—even when my label printer was listed and selected as the default. The software still reported that no printer was found. This was frustrating, as I had to go through extra steps just to verify how the label would look before printing.

Lastly, fine-tuning label sizes for specific printers required more effort than I anticipated, which made the initial setup a bit tedious.

What I dislike about Label LIVE:

• The error messages were not descriptive enough, forcing me to troubleshoot issues through trial and error. A clearer explanation of problems would have saved me considerable time and frustration.
• The print preview feature didn’t always recognize my selected default printer. Despite being listed, the software reported that no printer was found, requiring extra steps to verify label formatting before printing.

What G2 users dislike about Label LIVE:

"Label creation could be faster. When printing more than 100 different labels, the process can take up to 10 minutes, which can be time-consuming."

- Label LIVE Review, Tommy Y.

3. BarTender

After testing BarTender, I found it to be a robust and versatile barcode label printing software. It is widely used for creating and printing barcodes, RFID tags, and more

One of its biggest strengths is the availability of pre-built templates, which significantly sped up the design process. Instead of starting from scratch, I could choose from various templates and customize them to fit my needs. This was especially helpful when working under tight deadlines, as I could quickly tweak existing designs rather than building everything from the ground up.

Additionally, BarTender’s ability to pull variable data from external databases or Excel added a powerful automation layer. This feature allowed me to create dynamic labels without manually inputting information, which is a huge advantage for businesses handling large-scale labeling.

However, despite these advantages, deployment and user access control were difficult to understand. The software lacks clear documentation on limiting user permissions, making it challenging to manage access for different team members. I had to experiment quite a bit before figuring out the best way to control user settings, which was frustrating.

Another major downside is the steep learning curve. While BarTender offers impressive functionality, getting comfortable with all of its features took considerable time. YouTube tutorials are available, but they are very general and don’t go into enough depth to address more specific issues. A more structured and detailed help system would have made the learning process much smoother.

What I dislike about BarTender:

• The lack of clear documentation for managing user permissions made deployment and access control confusing. I had to experiment extensively before finding an effective way to control user settings, which was time-consuming.
• BarTender has a steep learning curve despite its powerful features. The available YouTube tutorials were too general and didn’t provide the depth needed for more specific issues, making the learning process harder than it should be.

What G2 users dislike about BarTender:

"It is challenging to understand the deployment process, product limitations, and how to set user restrictions, making it difficult for end users to navigate."

- BarTender Review, Larry M.

4. MarkMagic

I found MarkMagic to be highly customizable. The ability to export and import different formats made it extremely versatile, allowing me to work with various file types seamlessly. This flexibility was particularly useful when dealing with multiple labeling requirements across different platforms.

Another major plus was the fact that MarkMagic runs entirely in the browser, eliminating the need for software installation. This made it incredibly convenient to access from any device without worrying about system compatibility or updates. Additionally, the graphical user interface (GUI) was easy to learn, making the onboarding process smooth and intuitive.

I also appreciated how effortlessly MarkMagic integrated with existing systems, allowing for quick implementation without requiring major adjustments. Its cloud-based nature was another huge benefit for me, as it ensured accessibility from anywhere while reducing the need for local storage or maintenance.

However, the user interface could be modernized to improve the overall user experience. Some elements felt outdated, and a more polished design would enhance navigation and usability.

One particular issue I encountered was with text formatting in J-Magic, which felt a bit clunky. Adjusting text styles and placements wasn’t as smooth as I would have liked, requiring more manual tweaking than expected.

Additionally, I faced challenges in properly formatting images for use on forms, which sometimes required extra effort to ensure correct alignment and resolution.

What I dislike about MarkMagic:

• The user interface could benefit from modernization. Some elements felt outdated, and a more polished design would improve navigation and overall usability.
• I encountered challenges with text formatting in J-Magic, which was not as smooth as expected. Adjusting text styles and placements required more manual effort than anticipated.

What G2 users dislike about MarkMagic:

"I've encountered challenges with MarkMagic when using two-dimensional (2D) barcodes, as they take significantly longer to generate compared to one-dimensional (1D) linear barcodes. Additionally, formatting images correctly for use on forms has been problematic."

- MarkMagic Review, Craig L.

5. Loftware Cloud

Loftware Cloud is a highly efficient and user-friendly labeling solution, ideal for environments that demand quick label creation under pressure. Its ease of use allowed me to design and print labels rapidly, even as a beginner, saving valuable time I would have spent learning a new tool. 

One of Loftware Cloud's standout benefits is its scalability, making it a strong fit for organizations of all sizes. Whether you're printing simple labels or managing high-volume, complex label production, the software adapts easily to evolving business needs. 

In terms of design, Loftware Cloud excels with various features that make label creation both creative and functional. The drag-and-drop functionality made it easy to design professional-quality labels, even without advanced graphic design experience. Pre-defined templates were incredibly helpful for streamlining the design process, while the ability to save custom designs as templates ensured consistency across multiple projects. Adding barcodes to labels was equally easy, requiring only the selection of the appropriate barcode symbology—no technical expertise was necessary.

I was also impressed with the multi-printer configuration, which allowed for seamless printing across various locations or teams. The ability to distribute the workload across multiple servers significantly enhanced the system’s performance, ensuring that label printing remained smooth and uninterrupted even during high-demand periods.

However, Loftware Cloud does have some drawbacks that I encountered during my use. One issue was the occasional bugs that disrupted my workflow, making certain tasks more frustrating. In particular, I found that error messages were not always clear, making it difficult to pinpoint the source of the issue and troubleshoot effectively.

The configuration process can also be somewhat complex. Multiple steps are involved, and for users unfamiliar with the platform, it can take longer than expected to get everything set up properly.

Additionally, while I appreciated the ability to write in JavaScript for more advanced label customization, the script editor felt limited. The small window and lack of a monospace font made it difficult to work with and less user-friendly than I would have preferred. A more intuitive scripting interface would have greatly improved the experience.

Finally, the handling of field sizes in the label design was somewhat inconsistent. During the design process, the fields appeared to take up more horizontal space than they actually did when printed. This discrepancy led to some misalignment issues, requiring trial and error to ensure that the fields were positioned correctly on the final label.

What I dislike about Loftware Cloud:

• I encountered occasional bugs that disrupted my workflow, making certain tasks more frustrating. The lack of clear error messages made troubleshooting challenging, slowing the process.
• The configuration process was more complex than I anticipated, with multiple steps involved. This made setup take longer than expected, especially for users unfamiliar with the platform.

What G2 users dislike about Loftware Cloud:

"Sometimes, labels don’t generate correctly based on the serial number. There are also several bugs, such as changes not applying immediately and only reflecting after logging out and logging back in."

- Loftware Cloud Review, Abhash K.

Best label printing software: frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. Do I need special software to print labels?

Yes, specialized label printing software is often recommended. These tools offer templates, barcode generation, and customization features tailored to label design and printing. They help ensure labels are formatted correctly and can support various printers, ensuring consistent results.

2. What is the best format for printing labels?

The best format for printing labels is typically PDF or PNG for high-quality output. These formats preserve design elements, fonts, and images in print-ready resolution, ensuring labels appear professional and clear when printed.

4. Should I print in CMYK or RGB?

When choosing between CMYK or RGBF for label printing, you should print in CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) mode, as this is the standard color model for printers. RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is ideal for digital screens but doesn’t translate accurately to print, affecting color quality.

5. Which is the best free label printing software?

Label Live is one of the best free-label printing software options. It offers a simple, user-friendly interface with essential features like barcode creation, template selection, and print preview. Explore other free label printing software.

May all your labels stick where they belong!! 

The best label printing software I tested offers various features to meet different business needs, from ease of use and customization to powerful integrations and high-volume printing capabilities.

But remember, your requirements might differ depending on the size of your business or the complexity of your labels, so it’s always a good idea to test out a few options before settling on one. 

And don’t forget, while it’s crucial to get the perfect label printed, it’s just as important to place it on the right box. Because, let’s face it, the last thing you want is for that "fragile" label to end up on a box full of rubberbands instead of glassware.

Design and customize labels like a pro with the best graphic design software.