There are many free online barcode generators (like Barcode Robot or various websites). Softmatic is a paid plugin. For a designer doing a one-off project, the price might seem steep. However, the cost is justified by the time saved and the risk mitigation of printing an unscannable barcode.
Operates as a native panel within Illustrator, allowing users to generate and modify barcodes without leaving their document. Softmatic Barcode Extension For Illustrator
Designers can adjust dimensions, human-readable text, and apply bar width reduction to compensate for ink spread (dot gain) during different printing processes. There are many free online barcode generators (like