Top pick
Shop UPCBay →UPCBay — Best for solo founders and small catalogs
One-time $8. Works on Amazon and most online platforms. No account needed to stay active.
Pros
- Lowest cost entry point: $8 for one code, $15 for five
- No annual fees — pay once, codes are yours permanently
- Instant download after purchase
- Legitimate codes from original UCC-issued prefixes
- Works on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Google Shopping, Shopify
Cons
- Won't work for Kroger, Target, Costco, or physical retail chains that require GS1
- No GS1 company registry listing for your brand
Best for: Amazon sellers, Etsy shops, Shopify stores, DTC brands, anyone selling primarily online with under 100 SKUs
#2
Visit GS1 US — Best for retail-bound brands
The official source. Required for Kroger, Target, Costco. $250+/year.
Pros
- Required for most major physical retail chains
- Your company name appears in GS1 public registry
- Accepted everywhere without question
Cons
- $250–$1,500/year depending on the number of products, plus annual renewal
- Overkill and expensive for online-first or testing-phase brands
- Takes time to set up
Best for: Brands targeting physical retail (Kroger, Walmart stores, Target), established companies with large catalogs, brands where GS1 registry verification matters to buyers
#3
Visit Nationwide Barcode — Best for budget-conscious with volume needs
Established provider, one-time pricing, slightly higher than UPCBay
Pros
- Long operational history — established credibility
- One-time pricing, no annual fees
- Bulk pricing available
Cons
- Higher per-code cost than UPCBay for small quantities
- Older interface
Best for: Small businesses who want an established third-party provider and are less price-sensitive
Bottom line
For most small businesses — especially online sellers on Amazon, Etsy, or their own store — UPCBay is the right starting point. You get legitimate barcodes for the lowest one-time cost, with no commitment beyond the initial purchase. If and when your business grows toward physical retail, you can get GS1 at that point. The math strongly favors starting with third-party: $8 vs. $250/year before you've proven the product sells.
Get barcodes for your products
Starting at $8. One-time, no renewal, instant delivery.