Font Bros vs Google Fonts

Font Bros is a storefront for display typefaces used in logos, websites, apps, videos, and other design projects. Its library contains over 44,400 styles, browsable by categories including serif, sans serif, handwritten, script, monograms, and special effects. Fonts are offered in OpenType; TrueType is included when supplied by the foundry, and other or legacy formats can be requested. Font Bros says its OpenType fonts work on Macintosh OS X and Microsoft Windows. Most fonts can be licensed for website embedding with CSS @font-face, with webfont files delivered after ordering. A desktop license allows installation on up to two computers per licensed end user, not for simultaneous use. The EULA permits company logo and professional design work under the relevant license terms. Some specialized embedding, such as in software, eBooks, or broadcast, may require an upgrade; per-order personalized resale products also require an additional license. Free fonts are available, and paid options start at $15 one-time.

Google Fonts is a catalog of fonts for websites, released under open-source licenses for commercial and non-commercial use. A website can use a font by linking a stylesheet and referencing the font in CSS. Developers can also query the REST-based Google Fonts Developer API for font metadata in JSON; each request requires an API key. The API supports sorting by alphabet, date, popularity, style count, and trending growth, plus filters for family, subset, and category. It can return variable font files and axis-range metadata when capability=VF is requested. For projects that need specific characters, the text parameter can reduce a requested font file’s size by up to 90%. Native Android apps can use the Font Provider in Google Play Services, supported from Android Jelly Bean API level 16 onward. Fonts can also be self-hosted for redistribution under their license terms. Google says the Web API is designed to limit data collection, storage, and use, and is not used to create end-user profiles or for advertising. The catalog is free at free.