Side by side
Fontographer vs Fontself
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.
Paid Windows
Visit Fontographer Paid iPhoneMacWindows
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.
Visit FontselfThe facts
| Fontographer | Fontself | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | No |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Windows | iPhone, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Fontself Maker for Illustrator CC: $39, paid once |
| Plans published | None | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | fontlab.com | fontself.com |
| On font design software | #32 of 33 | #28 of 33 |
Fontographer: what it does well
Fontself: 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
Alternatives to Fontographer Alternatives to Fontself The whole list