Birdfont vs FontLab 8
Birdfont
birdfont.org
FontLab 8
fontlab.comSide by side
| Figure | Birdfont | FontLab 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $9.08/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 4 | 6 |
| Spec score · Font Design Software | 8.5 (#5) | 8.1 (#9) |
| OpenType | The Plus version supports OTF fonts with OpenType CFF outlines and OpenType SVG color fonts. | FontLab supports automatic and manual OpenType Layout feature creation using FEA format and Adobe FDK for OpenType. |
| Privacy | The BirdFont app does not collect user data by default, with optional crash reports available. | FontLab says it does not sell personal data and only uses submitted fonts or crash reports for support, without sharing them with third parties absent permission. |
| Product | Birdfont is a free font editor for creating vector graphics and exporting TTF, OTF and SVG fonts. | FontLab 8 is an integrated font editor for creating fonts from simple designs to complex projects. |
| Support | Users can report bugs or get help by email, Mastodon, Twitter, Facebook or GitHub issues. | The maker offers expert support with the Starter and Pro licenses and provides support through its support portal and email. |
Plans
Birdfont
- FreewareFree
- Open SourceFree
- Commercial$4.99, paid once
- Plus$9.99, paid once
FontLab 8
- Starter — 3-months license$97, paid once
- Workshop 2-weeks$99, paid once
- Student 1-year$109 a year
- Course 4-months$249, paid once
- Student / teacher lifetime$335, paid once
- Pro — Lifetime license$499, paid once
In their own words
Birdfont
Birdfont is a font editor for creating vector graphics and exporting TTF, OTF and SVG fonts. It runs on Linux, Windows and macOS, and supports monochrome and color font formats. SVG files from Inkscape and Adobe Illustrator can be imported. The Open Source plan costs nothing and includes TTF and monochrome SVG fonts, kerning, ligature substitutions, alternates, SVG import and commercial use. The Freeware plan also costs nothing, and allows creation of free fonts under the SIL Open Font license. Commercial costs $4.99, paid once; it includes commercial fonts and one year of upgrades, while the purchased version continues to work afterward. Plus costs $9.99, paid once and adds color fonts, OpenType SVG, OTF, COLR/CPAL, single-stroke CNC fonts and variable fonts. Plus can export multiple static fonts from a variable master. Birdfont is also available through Steam. The app does not collect user data by default; crash reports are optional.