7 Best Free Label Makers in 2026
We tested every free label maker we could find — browser-based, desktop, and mobile. Here's an honest comparison of features, printer support, and ease of use. (Yes, we're biased — but we're also transparent about it.)
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Platform | Barcodes | Batch | Label Sizes | Account Needed | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 OpenLabelMaker | Browser | ✓ 7 types | ✓ | 500+ | No | Free |
| Canva | Browser | ✗ | ✗ | Generic | Yes | Freemium |
| DYMO Connect | Win/Mac | ✓ | Limited | DYMO only | Yes | Free |
| Avery Design & Print | Browser | ✓ | ✓ | Avery only | Yes | Free |
| Brother P-touch Editor | Win/Mac | ✓ | ✓ | Brother only | No | Free |
| Labeljoy | Win | ✓ | ✓ | Many | No | Freemium |
| Google Docs | Browser | ✗ | Manual | DIY | Yes | Free |
1. OpenLabelMaker
Our PickFull disclosure: this is our tool. But we built it because every other free option had deal-breaking limitations. Here's what makes it different.
✅ Pros
- • 500+ label sizes (DYMO, Brother, Zebra, Avery, HERMA, Rollo...)
- • 7 barcode formats + QR codes
- • Batch labels from Excel/CSV/Google Sheets
- • 158 fonts, drag-and-drop editor
- • No account, no download, 100% private
- • Works on any OS including Chromebook
❌ Cons
- • No mobile-optimised editor (tablets work, phones are tight)
- • No cloud save (local browser storage only)
- • No direct printer integration (uses PDF → print)
- • Newer tool — smaller community than established options
2. Canva
Canva is the go-to design tool for non-designers. It has beautiful templates and an intuitive editor. But it's a general-purpose tool — not built for labels.
✅ Pros
- • Beautiful templates and stock photos
- • Very easy to use
- • Great for decorative labels (wedding, party)
❌ Cons
- • No barcode support
- • No batch/mail merge
- • No printer-specific label sizes (DYMO, Brother, Zebra)
- • Requires account (Google or email)
- • Best features locked behind Pro ($13/mo)
Best for: Decorative labels where design matters more than precision. Full comparison →
3. DYMO Connect
The official software for DYMO LabelWriter printers. It works — when it works. Notorious for crashes, bloat, and compatibility issues.
✅ Pros
- • Direct printer integration (sends labels natively)
- • Built-in address book and contacts
- • Database connectivity for batch printing
❌ Cons
- • Frequent crashes and freezes
- • 400MB+ download with background services
- • Windows and macOS only (no Chromebook/Linux)
- • Now requires DYMO account
- • Only works with DYMO printers
Best for: Users who need native DYMO printer communication. Full comparison →
4. Avery Design & Print Online
Avery's free online editor for designing labels on Avery sheet products. Well-made, but locked to the Avery ecosystem.
✅ Pros
- • Professional templates for every Avery product
- • Mail merge from spreadsheets
- • Barcode support
- • Browser-based
❌ Cons
- • Only Avery label sizes (not DYMO, Brother, Zebra)
- • Requires Avery account
- • Steers you toward buying Avery products
- • Slower editor with ads
Best for: Users who already buy Avery sheets and want matching templates. Full comparison →
5. Brother P-touch Editor
Brother's desktop software for P-touch and QL label printers. Feature-rich but Windows/Mac only and Brother-exclusive.
✅ Pros
- • Powerful editor with advanced layout options
- • Database connectivity for batch printing
- • Good barcode support
- • No account required
❌ Cons
- • Windows and macOS only
- • Only works with Brother printers
- • Heavy desktop application
- • Learning curve for advanced features
Best for: Brother printer owners who need advanced database connectivity. Full comparison →
6. Labeljoy
A desktop label designer for Windows with a free tier. Decent editor, but the free version has limitations and it's Windows-only.
✅ Pros
- • 6,000+ built-in label templates
- • Database connectivity (Excel, Access, CSV)
- • Good barcode support
❌ Cons
- • Windows only
- • Free version limited to 5 records per batch
- • Full version is €59–€199
- • Dated UI
Best for: Windows users who need database-connected label printing and are willing to pay.
7. Google Docs (DIY Labels)
Some people use Google Docs with a table layout to create labels. It works for basic address labels but it's clunky and time-consuming.
✅ Pros
- • Free (Google account)
- • Cloud-based, collaborative
- • Avery add-on available for basic mail merge
❌ Cons
- • Not a label tool — you're fighting the layout
- • No barcode support
- • Alignment is trial-and-error
- • No printer-specific label sizes
Best for: Quick one-off address labels when you already have Google Docs open.
The Verdict
If you need a free label maker that works with any printer (not just one brand), runs in any browser (including Chromebook), supports barcodes, and can batch print from spreadsheets — OpenLabelMaker is the best option available in 2026.
If you only use one printer brand and prefer native desktop integration, the manufacturer's own software (DYMO Connect, Brother P-touch) is a reasonable choice — just be prepared for the bloat and platform limitations.
For purely decorative labels (weddings, parties), Canva is hard to beat on design quality — but it can't do barcodes or printer-specific sizes.
Try OpenLabelMaker Free →