Freedom251 › Design, Video & Audio
Free and open first
Best Font Design Software in 2026
Building a typeface involves shaping glyphs and choosing how a finished font can be used. Compared on glyph capacity and OpenType layout tools, these entries also cover variable fonts, color fonts, and webfont export. Collaboration level may matter for shared work, while supported platforms, free-plan availability, and paid-from pricing help clarify practical fit. FontBob, Fontra, and Runebender are among the options shown. Think about the typeface you want to create and the platforms you work on, then compare the listed capabilities to see which tools align with your design process.
- 33 apps
- Research read 23 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
Counterpunch
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3Counterpunch offers font editing with scripting and variable-font considerations, while keeping project data on the user's device according to the maker.
- 2
Fontra
Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2Fontra offers a broad set of variable-font editing tools in a free, cross-platform project.
- 3
Birdfont
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsBirdfont covers font creation and export across Linux, Windows, and macOS, with SVG import and free plan options.
- 4
FontBob
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3FontBob offers browser-based glyph drawing, editing workflow tools and font sharing. The free plan covers core creation and OTF export; Pro adds broader import, export and glyph options.
- 5
Calligraphr
Free plan MacWebWindowsChoose Calligraphr if you want to build a font from handwriting or calligraphy and download it as a TTF or OTF file.
- 6
FontMaker
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3FontMaker provides several ways to create and refine downloadable fonts, with OTF, TTF, and WOFF exports.
- 7
FontForge
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsFontForge brings drawing, font editing, scripting and layout-table support together in a free tool. Check the Mac system requirement or Windows launcher warning before installing.
- 8
Bitmap Font Editor
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsBitmap Font Editor provides focused tools for drawing, previewing, importing, and exporting monochrome fonts. Be prepared for unsigned-build warnings, and note that system-font filling is unavailable.
- 9
Fontastic
Free plan WebPick Fontastic if you need a free web-based workflow for assembling and exporting custom icon fonts.
- 10
Fontello
Free plan APIWebChoose Fontello if you need a free way to combine or import icon artwork and export it as a webfont.
- 11
FontStruct
Free plan MacWebWindowsFontStruct offers a grid-based way to create and share type designs, with TrueType downloads and advanced editing options. It does not accept existing font uploads or include OpenType layout tools.
- 12
Prototypo
Free plan ExtensionLinuxMac+2Choose Prototypo if you want to customize a typeface from its templates, edit glyphs, and export OTF fonts under a CC0 license.
- 13
Runebender
Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1Runebender offers broad font-source editing tools, but its alpha status and source-based native installation matter for adopting it.
- 14
Brutalita
Free plan WebBrutalita offers browser-based glyph editing alongside CLI workflows for font building and inspection. Its stated character coverage and lack of collaboration may matter when assessing fit.
- 15
Glyphr Studio
Free plan Self-hostedWebGlyphr Studio provides accessible vector tools for creating and editing fonts, with two-project workflows and several import and export formats.
- 16
Mixfont
Free plan APIWebChoose Mixfont if you need custom typefaces from prompts or lettering references, with broad usage rights and downloadable TTF output. Its API also supports generation, identification, and variants.
- 17
PixelForge
Free plan LinuxWindowsChoose PixelForge if you make monochrome pixel fonts and want glyph editing, previews, and TTF export together.
- 18
Shift
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsChoose Shift if you want a free, open-source desktop editor for variable font design, with outline tools and editable source settings across three operating systems.
- 19
Type Light
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsChoose Type Light for free, occasional TrueType font creation or editing, including symbol fonts and metric adjustments.
- 20
Glyphter
Free plan WebChoose Glyphter if you want a web-based way to map SVG icons to font characters and download font files.
- 21
Metaflop
Free plan WebMetaflop offers browser-based font customization and two export formats, with no need to write Metafont code.
- 22
FontCreator
Free trial MacWindowsFontCreator covers detailed font production across desktop Windows and macOS, including variable and color workflows.
- 23
FontCreator
Free trial MacWindowsFontCreator covers font creation, editing, validation, and multiple exchange formats across Windows and macOS. Check edition requirements and the trial period before choosing a license.
- 24
FontLab 8
Free trial MacWindowsFontLab 8 combines drawing, spacing, kerning, OpenType and broad format support in one editor. Its paid licensing choices and computer limits should be matched to the intended user and project.
- 25
Fontopia
Free plan Linux
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price