PRODUCT COMPARISON

Microsoft Universal Print^® vs. PrinterLogic^®: Which Fits Your Print Environment?

The short answer: Choose Universal Print for a Microsoft-centered environment when its supported printers, connector architecture, job allowance, and release workflows fit your needs. Evaluate PrinterLogic when you want centrally managed direct IP printing across a mixed fleet, more flexibility in identity and endpoint environments, or a migration path focused on removing print server administration. Pilot both against the same device and workflow checklist.

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Serverless Print Management

Print Job Routing

Cloud Deployment Architecture

Security Authorizations, Certificates, & Reports

Driver Support

Platform Support

Identity Providers (IdP)

Pull & Secure Release Printing

Reporting & Analytics

Embedded MFP Application

Label Printing

Guest Printing

Local (direct IP)
Cloud (Off-Network Cloud Printing)

Cloud-native SaaS through AWS,
Azure Private Cloud

FedRAMP^® High Authorized
ISO 27001:2022
ISO 42001:2023
SOC 2 Type II Report

Type 3 drivers
Universal drivers

Agnostic
(Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Mobile)

Multi-IdP Support
(Okta, Entra ID, etc.)

Microsoft Universal Print

It depends
Eliminates traditional print servers for Universal Ready printers; others require an on-prem connector

Cloud (through Azure)

Microsoft cloud print service

FedRAMP^® High Authorized
ISO 27001:2022
(Inherited through Microsoft Office 365 Enterprise)
(Other certifications not publicly disclosed)

Driverless, IPP printing

Windows, macOS

Entra ID only

It depends
Overall print usage in Azure tenant with downloadable per-printer, per-user reports

It depends
Manufacturers have developed their own Universal Print firmware for their printers

It depends
Limited to PDF formats only for labels

Microsoft Universal Print

Serverless Print Management

It depends
Eliminates traditional print servers for Universal Ready printers; others require an on-prem connector

Print Job Routing

Local (direct IP)
Cloud (Off-Network Cloud Printing)

Cloud (through Azure)

Cloud Deployment Architecture

Cloud-native SaaS through AWS,
Azure Private Cloud

Microsoft cloud print service

Security Authorizations, Certificates, & Reports

FedRAMP^® High Authorized
ISO 27001:2022
ISO 42001:2023
SOC 2 Type II Report

FedRAMP^® High Authorized
ISO 27001:2022
(Inherited through Microsoft Office 365 Enterprise)
(Other certifications not publicly disclosed)

Driver Support

Type 3 drivers
Universal drivers

Driverless, IPP printing

Platform Support

Agnostic
(Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Mobile)

Windows, macOS

Identity Providers (IdP)

Multi-IdP Support
(Okta, Entra ID, etc.)

Entra ID only

Pull & Secure Release Printing

Reporting & Analytics

It depends
Overall print usage in Azure tenant with downloadable per-printer, per-user reports

Embedded MFP Application

It depends
Manufacturers have developed their own Universal Print firmware for their printers

Label Printing

It depends
Limited to PDF formats only for labels

Guest Printing

Feature information based on publicly available documentation as of 4/16/2026. Contact vendors directly for current specifications. Results may vary based on configuration and environment.

Universal Print vs. PrinterLogic: Comparison at a Glance

Microsoft Universal Print and Vasion PrinterLogic can both help organizations modernize printing without conventional print servers. The better fit depends on how many existing printers need a connector, how print jobs should travel, which endpoints and identity providers you use, and how your team manages secure release. Start with those requirements instead of assuming one platform has a feature the other lacks.

Architecture

Universal Print is a Microsoft cloud print service; Universal Print-ready printers connect directly, and other printers can use a Windows connector. PrinterLogic centrally manages direct IP delivery and offers off-network cloud printing. Map the actual route for each job.

Existing Printers

Microsoft says its connector supports existing printers. PrinterLogic also promotes support for mixed fleets. Inventory models, driver requirements, and any device-specific release application.

Secure Release

Microsoft supports QR-code release through the browser-based Universal Print portal. PrinterLogic supports secure release methods described in its documentation. Test the methods needed at every printer.

Identity and Endpoints

Universal Print uses Microsoft Entra ID and works with Intune deployment. PrinterLogic supports Entra ID and other identity providers; its Intune mobile integration has specific OIDC requirements.

Reporting and Cost

Compare print usage detail, export needs, license entitlements, pooled job volume, paid add-ons, and IT support effort rather than license price alone.

What Is Microsoft Universal Print?

Universal Print is Microsoft’s cloud-based print service for licensed organizations. It lets admins register and share printers and deploy them to users, including through Intune. Universal Print-ready printers connect to the service directly. For many other printers, a Windows connector can connect the printer to the service. That connector can run on a Windows client or server; it does not mean every older printer needs a traditional print server.

Where Universal Print Fits Well

An organization already standardizing on Microsoft 365, Entra ID, and Intune may value one familiar administrative environment. Microsoft documents Intune printer deployment and QR-code secure release. A fleet of Universal Print-ready devices can reduce connector footprint. For existing devices, plan who will maintain the connector host and test advanced printer options, authentication and site connectivity.

When Printerlogic Deserves a Closer Look

PrinterLogic uses centrally managed direct IP printing and a Self-Service Installation Portal. Vasion describes centralized printer, driver and profile management, secure release, and support for mixed environments. For a distributed fleet, test printer onboarding, driver updates, local job delivery, remote user printing, and helpdesk workflows. Vasion’s serverless infrastructure guide explains the underlying approach.

Secure Release Is a Workflow Comparison

Do not treat secure release as a yes-or-no differentiator. Microsoft’s Universal Print portal supports QR-code release from a browser; organizations using Conditional Access need to test the device and browser policy at the printer. PrinterLogic secure release documentation describes held jobs and printer-side release. Verify badge, PIN, QR, mobile, or embedded device requirements against the specific product configuration and printers in scope.

Intune and Entra ID Need Specific Testing

Universal Print sits inside Microsoft’s identity and device-management ecosystem. PrinterLogic supports Entra ID identity integration, and Vasion documents Microsoft Intune support for its mobile app. That mobile integration requires a supported OIDC identity setup when Intune Mobile Application Management policies protect documents. Do not assume the same integration covers every desktop deployment or mobile use case without validation.

Universal Print Pricing and Total Cost

Microsoft says eligible licenses contribute print jobs to a shared tenant pool and that additional volume can be purchased. Review the current Universal Print licensing and included volume for your tenant rather than assuming the service is simply free or capped at a fixed print count. Then compare your expected jobs, any add-ons, connector maintenance, printer replacements, migration, and support effort with a PrinterLogic quote.

Decision Checklist for an Enterprise Pilot

Register representative printers, including older and specialized models, and document connector or site-component requirements.

Print from Windows, macOS, managed mobile devices, and line-of-business applications that matter to your teams.

Test secure release with the actual badge, QR or mobile method, then inspect retention and audit data.

Simulate outages and remote-site operation; confirm where jobs queue and how users recover.

Estimate annual cost using real monthly job volume, deployment labor, and support tickets.

Microsoft Universal Print Alternatives:

Where PrinterLogic Wins

Mixed Fleet Environments

High Print Volume Environments

Tech Stack Agnostic Companies

Multi-Location Organizations

Organizations With Multiple Users Per Printer

Cloud and Local Print Reliability

Don’t Take Our Word For It, Trust the Users:

Testimonial

“PrinterLogic was the best decision we have made regarding printing solutions. The solution for us has just been flawless. After dealing with Microsoft Print server and things hanging, and print driver issues and install issues, we tried PrinterLogic and have not looked back since. The printing just works as you would think it should.”

Chad Byrd
IT Systems Engineer, Betenbough Business Services

Read the Full Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Universal Print support legacy printers?

Microsoft says existing printers can be connected using its Windows-based connector. Confirm drivers and advanced features on the models you plan to keep.

Can Universal Print replace print servers?

Yes, it can remove traditional print servers for supported workflows. Universal Print-ready printers connect directly; other devices may still need a maintained connector host. Architecture should be assessed printer by printer.

Does Universal Print offer secure release?

Yes. Microsoft documents QR-code release through its browser-based portal. Test its access policies and device compatibility against your security workflow.

Does PrinterLogic work with Entra ID and Intune?

Vasion documents Entra ID integration and Intune support for its mobile application. The required configuration depends on the intended workflow and identity provider, so validate it during a pilot.

See PrinterLogic With Your Own Fleet

If your print environment includes multiple sites, varied devices, or complex release needs, schedule a PrinterLogic demo with a sample of your real printers and usage data.

Microsoft and Microsoft Universal Print are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

Source: G2.com, Inc, data as of 4/3/2026

Microsoft Universal Print® vs. PrinterLogic®: Which Fits Your Print Environment?