FontBase vs FontCap
FontBase
fontba.seFontCap
fontcap.comSide by side
| Figure | FontBase | FontCap |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $3/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 6 | 1 |
| Spec score · Font Management Software | 9.2 (#1) | 7.9 (#10) |
| Installation | The installer uses a single-step flow; default install locations are Applications on Mac and the user's Local Programs directory on Windows. | After sign-in, missing fonts are automatically downloaded and installed on a device. |
Plans
FontBase
- FontBaseFree
- FreeFree
- Awesome monthly$3 a month
- Awesome Monthly$3 a month
- Awesome ForeverPrice not published
- Awesome YearlyPrice not published
In their own words
FontBase
FontBase is a font manager for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Users can group fonts into collections and sub-collections, then activate them with one click. Watched folders keep fonts in their original locations while making them available in FontBase, and the app can automatically activate fonts placed in designated folders. The free feature set includes OpenType features, glyph viewing and copying, and access to Google's font library as if those fonts were local. The paid Awesome plan can synchronize collections across computers using a cloud drive, automatically activate missing fonts in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign documents, and manage team licenses and activations. It also supports team membership tools, including viewing who is online and how many fonts they use. Awesome costs $3 a month per user and can be used on up to two personal computers at once. The maker says it does not keep user data on its servers; Stripe handles subscription data and Auth0 handles login and authentication data. Organizations are advised to subscribe per user or contact the maker about a multi-seat account.
FontCap
FontCap syncs font libraries across Mac, Windows, and Linux computers through its built-in cloud. It automatically finds installed fonts and supports TTF, OTF, WOFF, and WOFF2 files. After sign-in, it downloads and installs fonts that are missing from a device. Users can drag font files into the app to upload and sync them, view connected machines, see where fonts came from, and set sync preferences for each device. FontCap identifies duplicates using SHA-256 file hashes and can run up to five downloads at once, with automatic retry. The maker lists macOS 10.13 or later, Windows 10 or later in 64-bit, and Linux AppImage or .deb builds. Its privacy policy says the app collects account, device, and synced-font data, but does not sell data or track behavior. Users can export font files, delete fonts, or remove an account and its associated data. FontCap is free, with every feature and font included and no subscription tiers.