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Zint Barcode Generator
What it 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 across linear, stacked, postal, and matrix formats, including QR Code, Code 128, EAN, UPC, Data Matrix, and PDF417. Users can configure image size, colour, error correction, and orientation. The library can render images in BMP, EMF, EPS, GIF, PCX, PNG, TIF, or SVG formats. 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 its 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. The manual covers installing the macOS command-line tool and library with Homebrew, while GUI build instructions are separate. On Linux, compiling Zint is documented, and Barcode Studio requires Qt. The gLabels desktop label-design software supports the Zint libraries.
For and against
For
- Supports more than 50 barcode symbologies
- Offers desktop, command-line, and library use
- Configurable image size, colour, error correction, and orientation
- Free and open-source
Against
- Windows executables require the Visual C runtime DLL
- Barcode Studio on Linux requires Qt
- Fresh Windows releases may trigger a SmartScreen warning
The verdict
Zint offers multiple ways to generate barcode images, with broad format support and output customization. Check the platform-specific setup requirements if you need Barcode Studio or Windows executables.
Who it suits
It suits developers, businesses creating labels or internal tools, researchers, and technical users who want an open-source barcode generator. It offers GUI, command-line, and library options.
Plans and prices
Zint
Free and open-source barcode generation project; no paid plans stated
Read 8 Oct 2026 · zint.org.uk
On the record
- Barcode formats
- Zint supports linear, stacked, postal, and matrix formats, including QR Code, Code 128, EAN, UPC, Data Matrix, and PDF417.zint.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Output options include image size, colour, error correction, and orientation.zint.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Developer API
- The C API supports C and C++ programs, and the manual also describes Qt and Tcl interfaces.zint.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Integration
- The gLabels desktop label-design software includes support for the Zint libraries.zint.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- gLabels includes support for the Zint libraries.zint.org.uk · read 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.zint.org.uk · read 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.zint.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Linux
- The manual documents compiling Zint on Linux and describes installing Qt to use Barcode Studio.zint.org.uk · read 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.zint.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Output formats
- The library can render barcode images as BMP, EMF, EPS, GIF, PCX, PNG, TIF, or SVG.zint.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Output options
- Image size, colour, error correction, and orientation can be configured.zint.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Platform availability
- The manual documents installation on Linux, BSD, Windows, and macOS; its Tcl backend can also be built on Android.zint.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The website may collect technical server-log information for site administration, security, troubleshooting, traffic analysis, and user-experience improvements.zint.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Zint is an open-source barcode generation project for desktop users, command-line workflows, and software developers.zint.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Related projects
- The project lists OkapiBarcode as a Java port and ZintNet as a C# port.zint.org.uk · read 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.zint.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project points users to SourceForge and GitHub for releases, source code, issues, discussions, and community support.zint.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Supported formats
- The library supports over 50 barcode symbologies, including QR Code, Code 128, EAN, UPC, Data Matrix, and PDF417.zint.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
