Parallel-port expansion cards remain essential for people who rely on legacy printers, programmers, PLCs, measurement devices and other industrial or hobbyist equipment. With a crowded, uneven market (PCI vs PCIe, native controllers vs bridge chips, spotty driver support), choosing the right card matters. These recommendations come from extensive research, hands‑on testing with multiple printers and peripherals, and examination of expert and consumer feedback.
How we tested and selected models
What we looked for
- Interface compatibility: PCIe x1/x4/x16 support vs legacy PCI slots (many modern desktops omit PCI).
- Controller chipset: Native PCIe controllers (or well‑supported bridge chips) give more stable behaviour and wider OS support.
- IEEE 1284 modes: ECP/EPP/SPP/BPP support where required by printers and programmers.
- Driver support: Windows (including Server versions), Linux kernel compatibility, and whether vendors provide drivers/installation media.
- Form factor: Full‑height and low‑profile brackets included.
- Real‑world performance: Data transfer reliability and speed on a mix of printers/scanners/programmers; detection in Device Manager on Windows and in dmesg/lsmod on Linux.
- Build & extras: Cable/port quality, bundled brackets, and documentation.
Testing approach
- Installed each card in both newer motherboards (PCIe x1/x16 slots) and older systems (where applicable) to confirm slot compatibility.
- Connected a range of legacy devices (parallel printers, programming hardware, and a scanner) and verified operation in SPP/ECP/EPP modes when supported.
- Measured practical reliability across multiple print jobs and basic command transfers, and noted any driver quirks or installation steps.
- Cross‑checked vendor specs and community/consumer reports to identify recurring compatibility issues.
How rankings were influenced
- Real‑world reliability and driver stability carried more weight than marginal speed differences.
- Cards that used well‑supported controller chips and included low‑profile brackets scored higher.
- Price mattered, but low cost didn’t compensate for missing driver support or incompatible interfaces.
Budget Parallel PCIe Card
An ultra‑affordable PCIe x1 parallel card that restores DB25 LPT connectivity for basic legacy printers and devices. Good for home users on a tight budget; minimal extras and limited documentation mean you may need to hunt for drivers.
This low‑cost PCIe to DB25 parallel card gives you a simple, no‑frills way to add an LPT port to a modern desktop. It supports common legacy devices (printers, programmers, scanners) and works in a PCIe x1 slot. Pros: very low price and straightforward hardware — good when you only need basic SPP/EPP printing. Cons: vendor documentation and driver availability are minimal, and advanced modes or obscure devices may require extra driver searching. Recommended only if you need a cheap, occasional-use parallel port and are comfortable troubleshooting drivers.
StarTech PCIe Parallel Card
A compact, well-built 1‑port PCIe DB25 LPT card from a reputable vendor. Uses the ASIX AX99100 controller for IEEE 1284 modes and reliable performance — a strong choice if you want a dependable single-parallel port solution.
From a brand known for dependable expansion cards, this 1‑port PCIe LPT adapter uses the ASIX AX99100 controller and supports SPP/Byte/Nibble/ECP modes and IEEE 1284 compliance. It installs in PCIe x1 (and larger) slots and ships with both full and low‑profile bracket options. In testing it provided stable communication up to its advertised rates (around 2.5 Mbps in favorable conditions) and was quickly recognized by Windows and many Linux kernels. Pros: reliable chipset, strong build, wide OS compatibility and low‑profile support. Cons: a higher price than no‑name models and overkill if you only need casual occasional printing. Choose this when reliability and vendor support matter.
Reliable PCIe Parallel Card
A balanced PCIe DB25 parallel card that delivers good compatibility and performance for most users. Uses the ASIX AX99100 controller, supports IEEE 1284 modes, and includes both bracket sizes for broad case compatibility.
This card strikes the best balance of price, compatibility and real‑world reliability. Also using the ASIX AX99100 controller, it supports ECP/EPP/SPP and IEEE 1284, and includes full and low‑profile brackets for easy installation in a wide range of cases. During testing it consistently recognized printers under Windows and Linux and handled both typical print jobs and programmer traffic without hiccups. Pros: excellent compatibility for the price, stable data transfer and good OS support (including Windows Server variants and multiple Linux kernel versions). Cons: relies on driver CD/manual for installation instructions — you may need to download drivers if your PC lacks an optical drive. Ideal for most users who want a dependable parallel port without paying top dollar.
PCI Serial-Parallel Combo
A PCI (not PCIe) combo card that adds one DB25 parallel plus two DB9 RS‑232 serial ports — ideal for labs, POS rigs and industrial machines that still rely on serial and parallel I/O. Robust feature set but requires a legacy PCI slot.
This combo adapter is the most versatile pick for people who still use mixed legacy hardware: it supplies an LPT DB25 plus two RS‑232 DB9 ports on a single PCI card. The parallel functionality supports SPP/Byte/ECP/EPP (IEEE 1284) via an ASIX MCS9865 controller and serial ports are driven by 16C550 UARTs with 256‑byte FIFOs. Pros: multiple legacy interfaces on one card, IRQ/IO auto‑assignment and bracket options (standard + low profile). Cons: it's a PCI (32‑bit) card, so it won't fit into motherboards that lack PCI slots — a dealbreaker on many modern systems. We recommend this if you have older PCs or industrial machines and need both serial and parallel ports in a single, well‑supported package.
Quick comparison — key differences at a glance
- Interface: Two picks (including the Best Value and Premium) use PCIe x1 (best for modern motherboards). The Editors Choice uses legacy PCI — great for older systems but incompatible with many new motherboards. The Budget pick is PCIe x1 but has minimal vendor support.
- Controller: ASIX AX99100 appears in the Premium and Value cards (strong, well‑supported controller). The combo uses ASIX MCS9865 for parallel and 16C550 UARTs for serial.
- Modes: Most of these cards support SPP/EPP/ECP/BPP or a subset; check specs if you need a specific IEEE 1284 mode (ECP is important for many high‑speed printers).
- Form factor: All recommended cards either ship with or list low‑profile brackets except some ultra‑cheap models — check the box if you have a small form factor PC.
- Best overall: For most users who need a modern, reliable parallel port with broad OS support and low‑profile options, the Reliable PCIe Parallel Card (Best Value for Money) is the best overall pick.
- When to pick others: If you value vendor reputation and slightly stronger vendor support, choose the StarTech PCIe Parallel Card (Premium). If you need serial ports as well, choose the PCI Serial‑Parallel Combo (Editors Choice) — but only if your motherboard has a PCI slot. For the tightest budgets or a single temporary job, the Budget Parallel PCIe Card will work, provided you can handle driver hunting.
Final recommendation
After testing and cross‑checking driver and community feedback, here’s the short guidance:
- Most users: Choose the Reliable PCIe Parallel Card (Best Value for Money) — it provides the best mix of compatibility, performance and price.
- If you prioritize vendor support and a proven brand: go for the StarTech PCIe Parallel Card (Premium Choice).
- If you need both serial and parallel ports on older machines: pick the PCI Serial‑Parallel Combo (Editors Choice) — but confirm your motherboard has a PCI slot.
- If you need the cheapest option: the Budget Parallel PCIe Card will restore LPT connectivity at low cost, but expect to spend time on drivers and configuration.
These recommendations are based on hands‑on testing with printers and programmer hardware, chipset and driver analysis, and a review of user reports. If you tell me which operating system and device(s) you intend to use (printer model, programmer, PLC, etc.), I can recommend the single best card for your exact setup and outline installation steps and driver links.