BarTender label software
Key facts
BarTender is the label software from Seagull Scientific. It is available as a cloud service without local installation and as Windows software for workstations or servers. In the cloud, the manufacturer offers three editions: Essentials for design and central document management, Automation which adds a REST API, File Drop and direct cloud printing without a printer driver, and Enterprise which also adds printing directly from the ERP system.
On-premises, the range extends from Starter for simple barcode labels to Enterprise with permission management, complete audit trails and unlimited logging. On-premises editions are licensed per printer or per workstation (Starter and Professional only). According to the manufacturer, the cloud editions are printer-based subscriptions with annual agreements over 1, 3 or 5 years. In our shop the cloud subscriptions are also listed in a volume-based variant, which depends on the number of labels per month.
- Companies that want to design and print labels in the browser without their own server installation
- Teams at several sites that store templates centrally and share them
- Connecting your own applications via REST API or File Drop (Cloud Automation)
- Printer fleets with models from different manufacturers, including RFID encoding
- Existing NiceLabel environments with form applications and approval processes: Loftware NiceLabel
- Your own applications that should generate barcodes directly, without separate label software: TEC-IT barcode software
- Central label management with printing directly from the ERP and support from OPAL: OPAL Labelmanagement™
Detailed specifications
| BarTender Cloud Essentials | BarTender Cloud Automation | BarTender on-premises (Starter to Enterprise) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Cloud, no local installation (according to the manufacturer) | same as left | Installed on Windows; content can be synchronised with the cloud |
| Licensing model (manufacturer) | Subscription, printer-based; annual agreements over 1, 3 or 5 years | same as left | Printer-based or workstation licence (workstation for Starter and Professional only) |
| Licence variants in the shop | Printer-based (base licence for 1 printer, upgrade for more printers) or volume-based | Volume-based (base licence up to 10,000 labels per month, upgrade to 25,000) or printer-based | not listed in the shop |
| Contract terms in the shop | Minimum term 12 months, notice period 3 months, annual billing | same as left | not specified |
| Users | unlimited | same as left | Starter: 1; Professional: 1 (workstation) or unlimited (printer-based); Automation and Enterprise: unlimited |
| Cloud storage | 2 GB | 5 GB | not applicable |
| Design | BarTender Cloud Designer in the browser, template library | same as left | BarTender Designer as a Windows application |
| Data and integration | Data connections to cloud databases and local files | Also REST API, File Drop, dedicated spaces for users and teams | Automation: REST APIs, File Drop, no-code builders, print forms; Enterprise adds permissions and audit trail |
| Printer support | Drivers for over 12,000 printers (according to the manufacturer) | same as left | same as left |
| Printing without a printer driver | not specified | Direct cloud printing (according to the manufacturer) | not specified |
| Printing directly from the ERP | Not included, only in Cloud Enterprise (according to the manufacturer) | same as left | not specified |
| Operating system | Browser-based, browser requirements not specified | same as left | Windows 10 and 11; Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025 (64-bit each) |
| System requirements | not specified | same as left | Min. 8 GB RAM, 20 GB disk space, .NET Framework 4.8 or later |
| Database | not applicable | not applicable | Microsoft SQL Server 2012 or later (Express or full version) for System Database, Librarian, History Explorer and Reprint Console |
| Barcodes | not specified | not specified | Over 400 preformatted barcode components based on over 100 symbologies (according to the manufacturer) |
| Support | Standard support Mon to Fri, 08:00 to 17:00, response time 9 hours (shop) | same as left | Standard maintenance and support for at least 1 year with new licences (according to the manufacturer) |
Source: manufacturer data sheets and product pages, as of October 2026. Subject to change; individual variants may differ. Prices and delivery times are available in the shop.
Variants and accessories
| Shop item | Licensing model | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BarTender Essentials Cloud Subscription (Printer based) | Subscription, printer-based | Base licence for 1 printer; account provisioning (BTC-PROV) is required for the first contract |
| BarTender Essentials Cloud Subscription Lizenz-Upgrade (Printer based) | Subscription, printer-based | Increases the number of printers; requires the base licence, term follows the base contract |
| BarTender Essentials Cloud Subscription Lizenz-Upgrade (Label-Volume based) | Subscription, volume-based | Upgrade to a higher label volume |
| BarTender Automation Cloud Subscription (Label-Volume based) | Subscription, volume-based | Base licence up to 10,000 labels per month |
| BarTender Automation Cloud Subscription Lizenz-Upgrade (Label-Volume based) | Subscription, volume-based | From 10,000 to 25,000 labels per month; other tiers on request |
| BarTender Automation Cloud Subscription Lizenz-Upgrade (Printer based) | Subscription, printer-based | Upgrade for additional printers |
Add-ons
- BarTender Cloud account provisioning (BTC-PROV) for the first contract
- Premium maintenance and support with round-the-clock coverage (add-on according to the manufacturer)
- Customer Success package for Essentials customers with more than two printers (add-on according to the manufacturer)
- Suitable printers: label printers
- Set-up and connection to your systems: integration
BarTender or Loftware NiceLabel?
| BarTender | Loftware NiceLabel | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Seagull Scientific | Loftware |
| Deployment | Cloud or on-premises on Windows | Loftware Cloud or on-premises on Windows |
| Licences in the shop | Cloud subscriptions, printer-based or volume-based | On-premises licences by number of printers (3, 5 or 10) and bundles |
| Entry level | Cloud Essentials or Starter on-premises | Designer Pro |
| Form applications | Print forms from the Automation edition | PowerForms Suite with Application Builder |
| Central management | Enterprise: permissions, audit trail, logging | ControlCenter: template storage, versioning, approval, print log |
| Interfaces | REST API and File Drop (Automation) | Automation Enterprise: file, serial, HTTP, TCP/IP, web service |
Both programs cover the design, printing and central management of labels. The deciding factors are usually existing templates, the preferred licensing model and the type of integration. BarTender is a good fit if you want to start in the cloud without your own server or license on-premises per printer. Loftware NiceLabel is the obvious choice if you already use NiceLabel templates or need form applications with approval processes for templates. Go to Loftware NiceLabel
What OPAL adds
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between printer-based and volume-based licensing?
A printer-based licence depends on the number of connected label printers, regardless of how many labels you print. A volume-based licence is tied to a number of labels per month, in the shop for example up to 10,000 labels for Automation Cloud. If your requirements grow, you extend the licence with an upgrade.
Do I need my own server for BarTender Cloud?
No. According to the manufacturer, the cloud editions run without local installation. For the first contract, account provisioning is required as a separate item in the shop. On-premises editions, by contrast, are installed on Windows 10, 11 or Windows Server 2016 or later.
Can I connect BarTender to my ERP system?
According to the manufacturer, Cloud Automation offers a REST API and File Drop through which applications submit print jobs. The manufacturer lists printing directly from the ERP system for Cloud Enterprise. We will work out with you which integration suits your system, see integration.
Which printers does BarTender support?
According to the manufacturer, drivers are available for over 12,000 printers. Cloud Automation also allows direct cloud printing without a printer driver. We are happy to check with you before you order whether your model is included.
How long does a cloud subscription run?
In the shop the minimum term is 12 months, the notice period is 3 months and billing is annual. The manufacturer offers annual agreements over 1, 3 or 5 years, but no monthly subscriptions. Upgrades take on the term of the base contract.
Can I move from Essentials to Automation later?
Yes. According to the manufacturer, editions and plans can be upgraded at any time at additional cost. Contact us if you need a REST API, File Drop or printing without a printer driver.
Data sheets and manufacturer information
The manufacturer provides data sheets, user guides and configuration guides on the product page. We are also happy to send you the documents directly.
