FontCreator vs FontLab 8
FontCreator
high-logic.com
FontLab 8
fontlab.comSide by side
| Figure | FontCreator | FontLab 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $9.08/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 6 |
| Spec score · Font Design Software | 8.0 (#11) | 8.1 (#9) |
| License limit | A single-user license can be activated on up to two devices and, for an organization, must be assigned to one named user. | The Starter and Pro offers each allow one user on up to three computers. |
| Support | The download page points users to a community forum, tutorials, a user manual, FAQ, and contact form for help. | The maker offers expert support with the Starter and Pro licenses and provides support through its support portal and email. |
| Trial | The fully functional trial includes all features for 30 days; a license is required afterward. | The maker offers a free, fully functional 10-day trial for Mac or Windows. |
Plans
FontCreator
- FontCreator 16 Essentials$49, paid once
- FontCreator 16 Professional$199, 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
FontCreator
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.