Counterpunch vs Fontself
Counterpunch
counterpunch.spaceFontself
fontself.comSide by side
| Figure | Counterpunch | Fontself |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €5/mo | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 2 |
| Spec score · Font Design Software | 9.3 (#1) | 7.5 (#22) |
| Product | Counterpunch is a browser-based font studio for designing and editing fonts. | Fontself turns lettering into custom OpenType fonts using Illustrator, Photoshop, or its standalone iPad app. |
| Support | The maker directs users to GitHub issues or discussions for questions, feedback, and support. | The product includes support through in-app chat and the maker provides tutorials and help articles in its help center. |
Plans
Fontself
- Fontself Maker for Illustrator CC$39, paid once
- Fontself Maker Bundle for Illustrator & Photoshop CC$59, paid once
In their own words
Counterpunch
Counterpunch is a browser-based font studio for designing and editing fonts, with support for bidirectional complex-script shaping such as Arabic and Devanagari. It is built with variable fonts in mind, including weight, width, and custom axes. Users can edit components in place, inspect fonts through code-driven glyph filters, and use a Python environment to work with scripts; the maker says user code can catch and repair broken scripts. Its AI assistant generates Python scripts locally rather than sending font data to AI servers. The editor is GPLv3-licensed and usable without registration, and the maker says projects stay on the user’s device with minimal data collection. Installing it as a Progressive Web App enables offline editing, Python use, and preview compilation; the assistant still needs a connection and signed-in account. The editor is in Alpha, and documentation says it is not optimized for mobile. Pricing lists a Free plan at free and Basic at €5 a month.