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Zint Barcode Generator

Zint Barcode Generator is a free, open-source project for creating barcode images through a desktop application, command-line tool or library API.

Place
#5 of 21
Score
6.7
Zint Barcode Generator's website

What Zint Barcode Generator is

Zint Barcode Generator is a free, open-source project for creating barcode images through a desktop application, command-line tool or library API. It supports over 50 barcode symbologies, including QR Code, Code 128, EAN, UPC, Data Matrix and PDF417, across linear, stacked, postal and matrix formats. Users can configure image size, colour, error correction and orientation. The library can render BMP, EMF, EPS, GIF, PCX, PNG, TIF and SVG images. Developers can use the C API in C and C++ programs; the manual also describes Qt and Tcl interfaces. The project documents installation on Windows, macOS, Linux and BSD, and says the Tcl backend can also be built on Android. Windows downloads include Barcode Studio and a command-line executable, both requiring the Visual C runtime DLL. On macOS, Homebrew instructions cover the command-line tool and library, with separate source instructions for the GUI. Linux users can compile Zint and need Qt to use Barcode Studio. The gLabels label-design software supports the Zint libraries. Fresh Windows releases may trigger a Defender SmartScreen warning because the binaries are unsigned.

Good

  • Supports more than 50 barcode symbologies.
  • Offers desktop, command-line and library use.
  • Configures image size, colour, error correction and orientation.
  • Exports barcode images in eight listed formats.
  • Free and open-source.

Watch out

  • Windows tools require the Visual C runtime DLL.
  • Unsigned Windows releases may trigger SmartScreen warnings.
  • Barcode Studio on Linux requires Qt.

Who it suits

Zint suits developers, businesses creating labels or internal tools, researchers and technical users who prefer open-source software. It offers both standalone tools and an API for integrating barcode generation into applications.

Verdict

Zint covers common barcode formats and provides both user-facing tools and developer interfaces. Check the platform-specific installation requirements, particularly the Windows runtime dependency and possible SmartScreen warning.

Plans and prices

From Zint Barcode Generator's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
ZintFreeFree and open-source barcode generation project; no paid plans stated

The facts

Each one read from Zint Barcode Generator's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Barcode formats
Zint supports linear, stacked, postal, and matrix formats, including QR Code, Code 128, EAN, UPC, Data Matrix, and PDF417.checked 8 Oct 2026
Customization
Output options include image size, colour, error correction, and orientation.checked 8 Oct 2026
Developer API
The C API supports C and C++ programs, and the manual also describes Qt and Tcl interfaces.checked 8 Oct 2026
Integration
The gLabels desktop label-design software includes support for the Zint libraries.checked 8 Oct 2026
Integrations
gLabels includes support for the Zint libraries.checked 8 Oct 2026
Intended users
The project describes its intended users as developers, businesses creating labels or internal tools, researchers, technical users, and people who prefer open-source tools.checked 8 Oct 2026
License
For versions 2.5 and later, libzint uses the BSD 3-clause license, while the GUI and CLI use GNU GPL version 3 or later.checked 8 Oct 2026
Output formats
The library can render barcode images as BMP, EMF, EPS, GIF, PCX, PNG, TIF, or SVG.checked 8 Oct 2026
Output options
Image size, colour, error correction, and orientation can be configured.checked 8 Oct 2026
Privacy
The website may collect technical server-log information for site administration, security, troubleshooting, traffic analysis, and user-experience improvements.checked 8 Oct 2026
Purpose
Zint is an open-source barcode generation project for desktop users, command-line workflows, and software developers.checked 8 Oct 2026
Related projects
The project lists OkapiBarcode as a Java port and ZintNet as a C# port.checked 8 Oct 2026
Security and trust
The manual says fresh Windows releases may trigger a Microsoft Defender SmartScreen warning because the project cannot afford Microsoft application signing.checked 8 Oct 2026
Support
The project points users to SourceForge and GitHub for releases, source code, issues, discussions, and community support.checked 8 Oct 2026
Supported formats
The library supports over 50 barcode symbologies, including QR Code, Code 128, EAN, UPC, Data Matrix, and PDF417.checked 8 Oct 2026
Ways to use it
Zint includes Barcode Studio, a command-line tool, and a library API for adding barcode generation to applications.checked 8 Oct 2026
Website accounts
The website does not require user accounts.checked 8 Oct 2026
What it does
Zint generates barcode images through a desktop GUI, command-line tool, and library API.checked 8 Oct 2026

Where it runs

Linux
The manual documents compiling Zint on Linux and describes installing Qt to use Barcode Studio.checked 8 Oct 2026
macOS
The manual documents installing the command-line tool and library on macOS with Homebrew, and points to source instructions for building the GUI.checked 8 Oct 2026
Platform availability
The manual documents installation on Linux, BSD, Windows, and macOS; its Tcl backend can also be built on Android.checked 8 Oct 2026
Windows
Windows downloads include the Barcode Studio executable and command-line executable; the manual says both require the Visual C runtime DLL.checked 8 Oct 2026
Windows download note
The manual says fresh Windows releases may trigger a Microsoft Defender SmartScreen warning because the binaries are unsigned.checked 8 Oct 2026

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