You're setting up your Shopify store and realize you need barcodes for your products. A quick search pulls up a dozen paid apps promising to solve everything. But do you actually need them — or will a free web tool do the job just as well? This guide cuts through the noise.
💡 Short answer: For most small to medium Shopify stores, a free web tool is all you need to generate barcode images. Paid apps add value only if you need direct label printing from Shopify admin or have hundreds of SKUs to manage daily.
⚡ Generate EAN-13, CODE128 or QR barcodes for your Shopify products — free, no signup.
Generate Barcode →What Do Shopify Barcode Apps Actually Do?
Before comparing, it's worth understanding what paid Shopify barcode apps offer beyond a basic web tool:
- Direct integration: Pull product data straight from your Shopify catalog — no manual entry
- Label printing: Print directly to thermal label printers from within Shopify admin
- Bulk operations: Generate and print hundreds of labels in one click
- Inventory scanning: Use your phone or scanner to update stock levels
- Custom label templates: Add product name, price, SKU alongside the barcode
These are genuinely useful features — but only if your workflow actually needs them.
What Can a Free Web Tool Do?
A free barcode generator like barkodkarekod.com handles the core task — creating the barcode image:
- Generate EAN-13, CODE128, UPC-A, QR codes instantly
- Download as PNG or SVG (print-ready vector format)
- Bulk generation from CSV — upload your product list, download a ZIP
- No Shopify account connection needed
- 100% free, no monthly subscription
- Works in your browser — nothing installed
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Free Web Tool | Shopify App (paid) |
|---|---|---|
| Generate barcode image | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Download PNG / SVG | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Bulk CSV generation | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Shopify product sync | ❌ Manual | ✅ Automatic |
| Print from Shopify admin | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Custom label templates | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Inventory scanning | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Monthly cost | $0 | $5–$20/month |
| Setup time | 30 seconds | 15–30 minutes |
Popular Shopify Barcode Apps in 2026
If you decide a Shopify app is right for you, here are the most commonly used options:
1. Barcode Generator & Scanner by Omega
One of the most popular options. Generates barcodes for all your products, supports label printing, and has a built-in scanner for inventory management. Starts around $9/month.
2. Stock&Buy
More of a full inventory management system with barcode support built in. Better for stores with complex stock management needs. Higher price point.
3. EasyScan
Focused on scanning — turn your phone into a barcode scanner that updates Shopify inventory in real time. Useful for physical retail alongside Shopify.
⚠️ Note: App pricing changes frequently. Always check the Shopify App Store for current pricing before subscribing.
🔲 Need just the barcode image? Generate EAN-13, CODE128 or QR codes free — download PNG or SVG.
Create Barcode →When to Use a Free Web Tool
- You have fewer than 200 products
- You're just starting out and want to test before committing
- You only need the barcode image — you'll add it to Shopify manually
- You're on a tight budget
- Your products don't change frequently
When to Pay for a Shopify App
- You have 500+ SKUs and add new products regularly
- You need to print labels directly from Shopify admin
- You run a physical store alongside your Shopify store
- Your team needs to scan items to update inventory
- You need custom label templates with product info
🏆 Verdict
Start with a free web tool. If your workflow grows to the point where manual barcode generation feels slow — then invest in a Shopify app. Most small stores never reach that point. Save the $10-20/month and put it toward marketing instead.
How to Add Barcodes to Shopify Products
- Generate your barcode at barkodkarekod.com — enter your product's EAN-13 or CODE128 number
- Download as PNG or SVG
- In Shopify admin, go to Products → [Your Product] → Inventory
- Enter the barcode number in the Barcode (ISBN, UPC, GTIN, etc.) field
- Use the downloaded image for printing physical labels
✅ Pro tip: Use our bulk CSV generator to create barcodes for your entire product catalog at once — upload your spreadsheet, download a ZIP with all barcode images.
Do I Need a GS1 Barcode for Shopify?
For selling only on your own Shopify store — no, you don't need a GS1-registered barcode. A free-generated barcode works perfectly for your own store's inventory tracking.
However, if you also sell through:
- Amazon, eBay, or other marketplaces that verify GTINs
- Physical retail stores or supermarkets
- Wholesale to other businesses
...then you'll need an official GS1 barcode. Once you have your GS1 number, come back to barkodkarekod.com to generate the barcode image for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Shopify app to generate barcodes?
No. For generating barcode images, a free web tool like barkodkarekod.com works perfectly. Shopify barcode apps add value mainly for printing labels directly from your admin panel and managing large inventories.
Can I use a free barcode generator for my Shopify store?
Yes. You can generate EAN-13, CODE128, or QR code images for free, then upload them to your Shopify products. This works well for stores with a small to medium number of products.
What barcode format does Shopify use?
Shopify accepts EAN-13, UPC-A, and CODE128 barcodes. EAN-13 is recommended for products sold internationally. Enter the barcode number in the product's barcode field in Shopify admin.
Do I need a GS1 barcode to sell on Shopify?
For selling exclusively on your own Shopify store, no GS1 registration is needed. For Amazon, retail stores or marketplaces that verify GTINs, a GS1-registered barcode is required.
How do I print barcode labels for Shopify products?
Generate your barcode as SVG or PNG from barkodkarekod.com, then use a label printing tool or Shopify's built-in label printing feature. For large volumes, a dedicated Shopify app may be more efficient.
Generate Free Barcodes for Your Shopify Store
EAN-13, CODE128, UPC-A, QR codes — no signup, no watermark, no subscription. Download PNG or SVG instantly.
Generate Free Barcode →