Freedom251 › Font Design Software
Fontself
What Fontself is
Fontself turns lettering into custom OpenType fonts through Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or a standalone iPad app. Its desktop Maker creates glyphs by dragging shapes or lettering into a panel, then provides alternates, ligatures, spacing, and kerning controls. It exports standard OpenType and OpenType-SVG color fonts; Illustrator creates vector color fonts, while Photoshop creates bitmap color fonts. The Maker extension requires Illustrator or Photoshop CC 2025 or newer. The independent iPad app includes vector brushes, Bézier curve and nib editing, spacing and kerning, font metadata, and font installation for native iPad apps. Fontself lists Procreate, Pages, Keynote, and Goodnotes as examples. A personal desktop license covers two devices for one user. There is no free plan or trial, but updates are free after purchase. Listed one-time prices are $39, paid once for Illustrator and $59, paid once for the Illustrator and Photoshop bundle, excluding tax.
Who it suits
Fontself suits lettering creators using supported Adobe versions or an iPad who want to make installable fonts. It also fits users of listed native iPad apps.
What it does well
- Creates glyphs from dragged lettering
- Exports OpenType color fonts
- Includes spacing and kerning controls
- Standalone iPad app
- Free updates after purchase
What to know first
- No free plan or trial
- Adobe Maker requires CC 2025+
- Desktop license is personal
- Webfont export is unavailable
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fontself Maker for Illustrator CC | One-Time fee (tax excluded); page also shows $98 · Illustrator CC 2025–2026 · desktop app only · personal license for 2 devices | $39, paid once |
| Fontself Maker Bundle for Illustrator & Photoshop CC | One-Time fee (tax excluded); page also shows $78 · Illustrator and Photoshop CC 2025–2026 · desktop app only · personal license for 2 devices | $59, paid once |
As fontself.com lists them, read 5 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Fontself focuses on turning drawn lettering into fonts with desktop Adobe extensions and an iPad workflow. Check the Adobe-version requirement and one-time license terms before choosing it.
Facts from Fontself's own pages
- Adobe integrations
- Fontself Maker is an extension for Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, and the product page requires CC 2025 or newer. · fontself.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Color font limits
- The Illustrator version makes vector color fonts, while the Photoshop version makes bitmap color fonts. · help.fontself.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Company
- Fontself identifies itself as Fontself SAS, incorporated under French law with its registered office in Paris, France. · fontself.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- Fontself Maker for Illustrator requires Illustrator CC 2025 or newer and will not run on earlier versions such as CS6. · help.fontself.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Desktop output
- The desktop Maker can export standard OpenType fonts and OpenType-SVG color fonts. · fontself.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Glyph creation
- The desktop product creates glyphs by dragging and dropping shapes or lettering into the Fontself panel. · fontself.com, 5 Oct 2026
- iPad app
- The standalone iPad app supports vector brushes, Bézier curve and nib editing, spacing and kerning, font metadata, and font installation for native iPad apps. · fontself.com, 5 Oct 2026
- iPad integrations
- The maker lists Procreate, Pages, Keynote, and Goodnotes as native iPad apps where installed custom fonts can be used. · fontself.com, 5 Oct 2026
- License limit
- A personal desktop license allows installation on two devices provided the purchaser is the sole user on both. · fontself.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Privacy and security
- Fontself says it makes reasonable efforts to protect personal data but cannot guarantee it against unauthorized third-party access; its listed third-party services include Firebase, Segment, Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Intercom, and RevenueCat. · fontself.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Product
- Fontself turns lettering into custom OpenType fonts using Illustrator, Photoshop, or its standalone iPad app. · fontself.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The product includes support through in-app chat and the maker provides tutorials and help articles in its help center. · fontself.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Trial and updates
- The store says there is no trial yet and that updates are free after purchase. · fontself.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Typography features
- Desktop features include alternates, ligatures, spacing, and kerning controls. · fontself.com, 5 Oct 2026
Where Fontself stands on Freedom251
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