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Did You Know That…
Even if Universal Print is included in your Microsoft license, it may not be a suitable print management solution for your needs or your budget. Let’s take a look at why we think ezeep Blue is the best Universal Print alternative.
Key Comparisons – ezeep vs Universal Print
Which Solution Supports Network Printers and Local Printers Better?
Network printing enables multiple devices to access printers over a network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN). This setup typically involves printers connected directly to the network or managed via a print server, which queues and directs print jobs from various users to the appropriate printers. Local printers are devices directly connected to individual computers, typically via USB. Such as when a printer is directly connected to a thin client, or in Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) scenarios, like a home office with a personal printer.
| Solution | Requirements | Result |
| Universal Print | Local print server with the Universal Print connector as a service or Universal Print ready printer or the Universal Print Connector by ezeep (*CUPS only) Endpoints must be Entra-ID joined |  You have more requirements Limited printer supportAdditional licenses are needed You have local servers with maintenance and high-power consumptionFor locally attached printers, you need a connector on each device |
 | ezeep Hub  or ezeep ready printer |  Works with every printer, including label printers and plottersOne consistent print path in all scenariosYou can attach up to 4 printers via USB to an ezeep HubPrinters are not directly connected to the InternetFewer requirementsOne user-based license |
Which Solution Is More Expensive?
| Solution | Universal Print | |
| Requirements | A valid Microsoft license or a standalone Universal Print license at varying costs Extra print job pools if needed Print servers, if your printers are not compatible with Universal Print | Licensed per user at $4.75 per user per month Optional ezeep Hubs cost $8,90 a month |
Costs with ezeep Blue? Easy!
Let’s take a sample cost calculation per month:
- 200 users
- 3 print servers
Result:
- User licenses = $950 per month
- 3 ezeep Hubs = $27 per month
- Unlimited printing
- $1 energy costs per month
Total = $978 per Month
Costs with Universal Print? Complicated! Especially for Small to Medium Businesses
Again, let’s take the same set up:
- 200 users
- 3 print servers
If you’ve already bedded in the Microsoft platform, have a lot of users who need to print, your existing printer fleet is compatible with Universal Print and your print volume stays within the given limits, then Universal Print can be cheaper to run than ezeep.
However, this is perfect scenario and there are many factors which can push these costs up.
- For example, running three print servers is likely to cost at least 500$ a month in running costs alone. Then there are added maintenance costs and energy costs
- If you users go over the print job limit, or you have a small amount of users which need to print a lot, you’ll have to add either 25$ per month for 500 extra jobs or 300$ per month for 10,000 extra print jobs
- Additional Microsoft licenses, if needed, can be 10x more expensive than ezeep Blue licenses
- Opting for Universal Print standalone licenses will also require you to purchase Entra ID licenses
All in all, only ezeep Blue can offer you regular, easy to calculate running costs, making ezeep a good Microsoft Universal Print alternative.
Universal Print and ezeep Feature Comparison
| Solution | Universal Print | |
| Platforms | Azure Entra ID joined devices only | Platform independent Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, ChromeOS, Web-print |
| Installation process | 1. Purchase license if not included in subscription 2. Select admin role to configure (printer admin) 3. Assign licenses to users & groups 4. Install and configure connector (remote access necessary) 5. Configuration, sharing and assignment for the printers 6. Users need to install printers themselves | 1. Create free ezeep account 2. Connect ezeep to Entra ID domain 3. Install ezeep connector or plug ezeep Hub into network 4. Invite users, deploy ezeep print app and assign printers (if necessary for user/groups) or activate self-service |
| Administrative printer settings | Separate for each printer Color/grayscale Orientation Print on both sides Resolution Copies Quality Scaling Output bin | Printer profiles for each printer Color/grayscale Orientation Print on both sides Resolution Tray Paper size |
| Secure Printing | QR-Code | QR-Code / NFC cards |
| Follow-Me Printing | No | Yes |
Feature Advantage ezeep Blue: True Follow-Me Printing
Universal Print currently lacks a true follow-me printing service with a generic printer queue, limiting flexibility in releasing print jobs. In contrast, ezeep provides the AnyPrinter by ezeep printer queue, a powerful solution that holds print jobs securely in the cloud. This allows users to release their documents at any available printer, offering unparalleled convenience and freedom in managing print workflows.
Bonus Advantage: Local Printers in DaaS Scenarios
Universal Print is not the native printing solution for Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365 Cloud PC, however it is used frequently for this scenario and can reach its limits quickly. For example, ezeep Blue also supports printing to locally-installed printers directly from a Windows 365 Cloud PC or Azure Virtual Desktop session, without requiring additional configurations.
| Solution | Requirements | Result |
| Universal Print | Universal Print Service Connector on the PC Endpoint must be Entra-ID joined | Local printing is not supported, instead local printers must be set up as network printers Limited printer support |
| | Just install the ezeep Remote Desktop Agent on the device with the local printer | Works with every printer Same print path for local and network printers Printers are not directly accessible from the InternetFewer requirements |
Contact Us Today to Get Started with ezeep
Unlock seamless, secure, and versatile printing with ezeep! Unlike Universal Print, ezeep supports all printer models—including label printers—without the need for additional hardware or complex configurations. Experience enhanced security, simplified management, and comprehensive compatibility. Choose ezeep for a Universal Print alternative solution that adapts to your needs.