Birdfont is a font editor for drawing vector graphics and exporting typefaces as TTF, OTF, or SVG files. It runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS, and handles both monochrome and color font formats. You can bring in SVG artwork from Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator as part of the font-making workflow. The Open Source plan includes TTF and monochrome SVG fonts, kerning, ligature substitutions, alternates, SVG import, and commercial use. A separate Freeware plan allows free fonts under the SIL Open Font license. The Commercial plan is 4.99 USD per once, with commercial fonts and one year of upgrades; that purchased version continues to work afterward. Plus is 9.99 USD per once and adds color fonts, OpenType SVG, OTF, COLR/CPAL, single-stroke CNC fonts, and variable fonts. Plus can also produce multiple static fonts from a variable master. The app is available through Steam. Birdfont says the app collects no user data by default, though optional crash reporting is available.
Who it is for
Birdfont suits designers and type creators who need desktop font editing with SVG import and multiple export formats. Its free plans may suit people making open or SIL Open Font-licensed fonts, while Plus is aimed at users needing its additional color and variable-font capabilities.
What is good
- Runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
- Imports SVG files from Inkscape and Adobe Illustrator.
- Offers monochrome and color font formats.
- Open Source plan includes kerning and ligature substitutions.
- Plus can export static fonts from a variable master.
What to know first
- Freeware fonts must use the SIL Open Font license.
- Commercial plan costs 4.99 USD per once.
- Plus plan costs 9.99 USD per once.
- No collaboration features are listed.
Verdict
Birdfont covers font creation and export across Linux, Windows, and macOS, with SVG import and free plan options. Check the plan details carefully if you need commercial use, color formats, or variable fonts.
Birdfont plans and pricing
All plansCompared on font design software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 4.99 one-time
- Variable fonts
- Yes
- Color fonts
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Windows, Linux, macOS
- OpenType layout tools
- Yes
- Collaboration level
- none
