FontCreator vs Fontello

FontCreator is a font editor for creating, modifying, and exporting OpenType, TrueType, variable, and color fonts. Its editing tools include quadratic and cubic curves, image import, an OpenType Layout Designer, and real-time validation. When changing an existing font, it can preserve OpenType layout feature data. Variable-font work can define axes, masters, and outline layers, while scalable color fonts can use COLR and SVG extensions. The listed supported formats include OpenType, TrueType, WOFF, and WOFF2; projects can also be exchanged in .glyphs, UFO, and designspace formats. FontCreator runs on Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11 (64-bit) and macOS 11 or later, on Apple Silicon or Intel. Essentials is presented for everyday creation and editing, while Professional targets advanced development and production work. The fully functional trial includes all features for 30 days, after which a license is required. Essentials costs 49.00 USD one-time; Professional costs 199.00 USD one-time.

Fontello is a free web and API service for turning vector artwork into icon webfonts for websites. It can reduce glyph collections and combine symbols from multiple fonts into one generated file. The web app includes open-source artwork and accepts custom SVG icons or SVG fonts by drag and drop. Generated files arrive in a single ZIP archive, with a config.json file that can be imported later to continue editing. Its API can create a session from a font configuration, reopen that project, and download the resulting font; API sessions remain stored for 24 hours. Fontello lists Makefile, Node.js, Ruby, and Grunt integrations for workflow automation. It does not offer accounts for project storage, so archives should be kept in version control. Generated font icons are single-color. The code is MIT-licensed, while embedded fonts retain their own licenses.