Which BarTender Edition or Cloud Plan Do I Need?
Choose your deployment. Match the features to your workflow. Then confirm your license.
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Deployment choice · On-premises editions · Cloud plans · License checklist · FAQs
Choose your deployment
On-premises
For local infrastructure and configuration control.
- Tight control over server configuration and change management.
- Specific data-residency requirements.
- Large print jobs with low latency.
- Reduced exposure to poor internet connectivity.
Confirm your installation and printing requirements before ordering.
Cloud
For simpler deployment and access across locations.
- Online label creation, management and printing.
- Less additional IT infrastructure.
- Automatic feature and security updates.
- Remote printing and cloud-native integrations.
Some local printing setup is still required. Essentials requires minimal installation, not no installation.
Compare within a deployment family. Higher tiers include the preceding level's features within that family. Cloud and on-premises plans are not interchangeable.
On-premises editions
Professional
Best starting point for data-driven labels and operator-guided printing.
- Dynamic templates and connections to more than 20 preconfigured databases or file types.
- Customizable data-entry forms.
- RFID encoding and printing from mobile devices or browsers.
- Reprinting lost or damaged labels.
Choose this when operators select or enter information and initiate printing.
Automation
For printing triggered by systems, data or events.
- REST APIs, File Drop and no-code integration builders.
- More than 70 trigger actions.
- Integration with business applications such as ERP, WMS and MES.
- On-demand, data-driven printing forms.
Move to Automation when printing should respond to your workflow rather than depend only on manual operator steps.
Enterprise
For document governance, traceability and enterprise controls.
- Centralized label-document management and version control.
- Enterprise-level security and permissions.
- Complete audit trails and logs.
- Comprehensive traceability.
The guide lists 99.99% high availability with enhanced reliability. Confirm the architecture and requirements for your environment; this is not a blanket uptime guarantee.
Cloud plans
Essentials
For online label design and centralized documents.
- Cloud-based label design.
- Centralized label and document management.
- Connections to cloud databases and local files.
- Minimal software installation.
A starting point for cloud labeling without the integration and workflow tools of higher plans.
Automation
For Cloud integrations, version control and team workflows.
- REST API and File Drop integrations.
- Document version control.
- Dedicated spaces for users and teams.
- Direct cloud printing to Zebra printers.
- Preconfigured single sign-on options.
Confirm printer support and integration requirements for your setup.
Enterprise
For a Cloud plan with an included ERP printing connector.
Print directly from an ERP or business system using a pre-built connector. One connector is included according to the guide. Confirm that the connector supports your system and intended workflow.
Roadmap features are not current-plan promises. The supplied guide marks private/semi-private cloud options and a dedicated sandbox as future features. Do not select a plan assuming these are available now.
Before you order
- Deployment: on-premises or Cloud.
- Edition or plan: required workflow features.
- License scope: printing workstations and printer count.
- Term: subscription duration; do not assume perpetual licensing.
- Integration fit: databases, APIs, ERP connectors and triggers.
- Support: confirm included services. Premium support and professional services are listed separately in the guide.
Common questions
Does unlimited printers mean unlimited workstations?
No. The Professional Workstation subscription listed in our store covers unlimited printers from one workstation. Check license scope as carefully as the edition.
Are Cloud and on-premises tiers with the same name identical?
No. Feature sets and deployment models differ. Compare within the deployment family you intend to use.
Do more printers automatically mean I need Enterprise?
No. Start with features and controls, then confirm printer capacity and licensing. Printer count alone does not determine whether you need document governance, audit trails or an ERP connector.
Can I combine Cloud and on-premises?
The guide describes local, Cloud and combined deployments. Contact Symbology Enterprises Inc. to review the architecture and licenses for your workflow.
Need help choosing?
Tell Symbology Enterprises Inc. your printer models and count, printing workstations, locations, current BarTender version, and database or ERP requirements. We can help narrow the options before you order.
Source: BarTender Quick Reference Guide, BT-DS029 0226. Confirm current feature availability and exact license terms for the product selected.