Side by side
FontMaker vs Fontra
Both stand on font design software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3
FontMaker provides several ways to create and refine downloadable fonts, with OTF, TTF, and WOFF exports. Its free tier is limited to 26 characters for personal use; Pro adds all characters and commercial use.
Visit FontMaker
Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2
Fontra offers a broad set of variable-font editing tools in a free, cross-platform project. Check the listed desktop builds and Linux installation options against your system, and note that multi-user collaboration is tied to a remote setup.
Visit FontraThe facts
| FontMaker | Fontra | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | FontMaker Pro Monthly: $3.99 a month | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | textstudio.com | fontra.xyz |
| On font design software | #6 of 33 | #2 of 33 |
FontMaker: what it does well
- Creates fonts from handwriting, drawings, SVGs, and images
- Exports OTF, TTF, and WOFF files
- Offers per-glyph spacing and size controls with live preview
- Free version needs no account and adds no watermark
- Files are processed in the browser, according to the maker
What to know first
- Free downloads are limited to 26 lowercase or uppercase characters
- Free-version fonts are for personal use
- Commercial use requires a paid Pro plan
Fontra: what it does well
- Free and open-source under GPL-3.0.
- Reads and writes Designspace and UFO files.
- Includes variable-font editing and export tools.
- Remote setup supports real-time collaboration.
- Desktop packages cover macOS, Windows, and Ubuntu x86_64.
What to know first
- Desktop binaries are listed for specific operating systems and versions.
- Other Linux architectures require compiling from source.
- Real-time collaboration requires a remote server setup.
Alternatives to FontMaker Alternatives to Fontra The whole list