QZ Tray

Overview

QZ Tray is a connector that lets web clients print to local printers and communicate with attached hardware. It is best suited to teams building browser-based workflows that need access to nearby devices, not organizations seeking a broad print-management suite.

Its range of print formats and hardware connections is a strong fit for specialized workflows, and basic use is free. The main constraints are that silent printing requires message signing and only one instance can run on a machine.

Key features

From a browser, QZ Tray prints PDF, PNG, HTML, PCL, ESC/POS, EPL, ZPL, SBPL and FGL. That covers ordinary documents alongside formats used for labels and other device-specific output. Compatible printer brands include Zebra, SATO, Epson, Citizen, Star, Boca and Dymo.

QZ Tray also communicates with hardware over serial, HID, USB, socket and file I/O. Its JavaScript connector lets web developers invoke printing and device communication from JavaScript, making it useful when a browser-based application needs to work with equipment attached to the computer.

Free use and demonstrations come with warnings. To remove print-dialogue warnings and enable silent printing, message signing with a certificate and private key is required. QZ says the signing keys are generated in the customer's browser and it never receives a copy of the private key. This keeps key generation on the customer's side, but silent printing still requires signing to be set up.

Only one QZ Tray instance can run at a time on a machine because it uses a localhost WebSocket connection to a single port. That is a meaningful deployment limit for environments that need multiple instances on one computer.

Pricing

QZ Tray is freemium: it can be downloaded and used free, and a free trial is offered. Free use suits developers who can work with warnings; it does not provide the trusted key and support package offered by paid plans.

• Sponsored Support: free, billed annual renewal at reduced rate. Special qualifications are required. It includes a 1 year trusted key pair, critical bug fix support, 48-hour email support, software updates, and phone support by appointment. This is the support option for qualifying users who need a trusted key without a listed annual charge.
• Premium Support: $749 a year, billed annual renewal at reduced rate. It includes a 1 year trusted key pair, critical bug fix support, 48-hour developer email support, software updates, and phone support by appointment. This is the paid fit for teams that need signing credentials and developer support.
• Company Branded + Premium Support: $3,499 a year, billed annual renewal at reduced rate. It adds a custom build portal alongside a trusted key pair, critical bug fix support, 48-hour email support, software updates, and phone support by appointment. It suits organizations that need a branded build as well as support.

All three plans specify annual renewal at a reduced rate; only Sponsored Support has special qualifications. The plans do not change the single-instance-per-machine limit.

Platforms

The desktop software is available for Windows, macOS and Linux, with support for Intel and ARM or Apple Silicon systems. The supported-platform range also includes web, API, iOS and Android; mobile printing is supported. QZ Tray is deployed on-premises, which fits workflows centered on local printers and attached devices rather than a cloud-only setup.

Who it's for

QZ Tray is a good choice for developers and teams whose web applications need to print to local devices or communicate with connected hardware. It is particularly compelling when the workflow depends on several print formats or interfaces such as USB, HID or serial. Teams that need a wider print-management system or multiple QZ Tray instances on one machine should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Broad browser-printing format support, including ESC/POS, EPL and ZPL, serves workflows beyond standard documents.
• Pro: Serial, HID, USB, socket and file I/O communication extends its role beyond printing to attached hardware.
• Pro: Free use and demonstrations make it possible to use or evaluate the connector without a paid plan, with warnings.
• Pro: The maker says private signing keys are generated in the customer's browser and are not received by QZ.
• Con: Silent printing depends on certificate and private-key signing, so free use with warnings is not equivalent to an unattended print workflow.
• Con: The single-instance limit rules it out for machines that must run multiple QZ Tray instances.

Alternatives

For a broader view of the category, browse Print Management Software.

• ezeep is another freemium option with a free plan and trial across desktop, mobile, web and extension platforms. Its Personal (Free) plan supports up to 10 users, one connector, unlimited user print jobs and 50 API pages per month per organization; choose it when those user and API limits fit better than QZ Tray's local-device connector model.
• PrintNode offers a free tier with 50 prints per month and one computer, with no charge or card details, as well as paid plans. Choose it when a defined monthly print quota and computer limit match the need.
• LRS VPSX is a paid alternative for readers comparing print software across desktop, mobile, web and self-hosted platforms.
• Pharos Uniprint is an on-premises print-management option for colleges and universities; choose it when that institutional focus is the priority.
• PrinterLogic is a paid option with usage-based pricing by print-queue band; it may suit readers comparing queue-based pricing.
• Synappx Cloud Print uses a pay-as-you-go subscription with pricing by quote; it is an alternative for readers seeking that billing approach.
• YSoft SAFEQ Platform is a paid modular print-management alternative for readers comparing broader print-management products.
• MyQ X has a free plan and a paid Enterprise tier; consider it when comparing freemium print-management options.

Verdict

Choose QZ Tray when a web application needs a JavaScript route to local printing or connected hardware, especially across specialized print formats and device interfaces. Free use lowers the barrier, while paid plans pair trusted keys with support. Look elsewhere if you need multiple instances on one machine or want silent printing without managing message signing.