Side by side
Metaflop vs PixelForge
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 Web
Metaflop offers browser-based font customization and two export formats, with no need to write Metafont code. Note the lack of online draft saving and Metafont-file export before relying on it for a workflow.
Visit Metaflop Free plan LinuxWindows
Choose PixelForge if you make monochrome pixel fonts and want glyph editing, previews, and TTF export together. Look elsewhere if you need color fonts, multiple sizes or weights in one font, or formats beyond TTF.
Visit PixelForgeThe facts
| Metaflop | PixelForge | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Web | Linux, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Free or on request |
| Plans published | None | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | metaflop.com | pixel-forge.com |
| On font design software | #21 of 33 | #17 of 33 |
Metaflop: what it does well
- Free web application
- Adjust parameters with sliders or numeric values
- Exports webfont packages and OTF fonts
- Generated outline fonts use SIL Open Font License v1.1
What to know first
- Drafts are not saved online
- Metafont files cannot be downloaded
- Preview speed depends on server activity and internet connection
- Preview is unsupported in older browsers
PixelForge: what it does well
- Imports pixel fonts and exports TTF files with metadata.
- Glyph tools include drawing, erasing, rotating, flipping, and scaling.
- Live text preview updates during glyph editing.
- Multiple projects can stay open with separate undo histories.
- Periodic saves and crash recovery help protect open documents.
What to know first
- Supports only monochrome 1-bit bitmap fonts.
- Each font is limited to one size and one weight.
- TTF is the only currently supported import and export format.
- The 0.91b release is a pre-release and may change before version 1.0.
Alternatives to Metaflop Alternatives to PixelForge The whole list