Fonto Editor vs HelpNDoc
Fonto Editor
fontoxml.comHelpNDoc
helpndoc.comSide by side
| Figure | Fonto Editor | HelpNDoc |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 8 |
| Spec score · Help Authoring Tools | 7.7 (#14) | 8.9 (#2) |
| Audience | Fonto says it is mostly used in finance, life sciences, pharma, standardization, legislation, technical documentation, aerospace and defense, and publishing. | both |
| Company history | Fonto says its predecessor was developed for a Wolters Kluwer authoring platform in 2011 and that it was acquired by RWS in March 2022. | IBE Software says it has developed tools for developers and Windows users since 2003. |
| System requirements | Fonto products do not store content or provide a workflow solution, so they need integration with a CMS, workflow system, or repository. | The maker recommends Windows 10 or 11, 512 MB RAM, 230 MB disk space and at least 1024x768 resolution. |
Plans
HelpNDoc
- Personal EditionFree
- Personal EditionFree
- Standard Named€99, paid once
- Standard Floating€249, paid once
- Professional Named€299, paid once
- Ultimate Named€499, paid once
- Professional Floating€749, paid once
- Ultimate Floating€1,249, paid once
In their own words
Fonto Editor
Fonto Editor is an online XML editor for people without XML or structured-content authoring experience. It validates edits in real time against the active schema, including DITA, JATS, S1000D, or custom schemas. Authors can add comments and metadata, restructure content by dragging and dropping, copy and paste, and track changes. Version control, translation support, review workflows, and previews for HTML, PDF, e-books, learning platforms, magazines, and manuals are listed. Fonto says it supports any XML schema, including BITS, DocBook, NISO STS, TEI, and bespoke schemas. Its open architecture connects with content-management, digital-asset, and repository systems; listed integrations include Alfresco, OneDrive, SharePoint, Adobe EM, Google Drive, OpenText, SDL Tridion Docs, MarkLogic, and FileNet. It does not store content or provide workflow, so integration with a CMS, workflow system, or repository is required. Platforms are API, self-hosted, and web. Pricing is on request, with an annual fee based on named and/or concurrent users.
HelpNDoc
HelpNDoc is a Windows help-authoring tool for turning written or imported content into help files, websites, manuals, documents, Markdown, and eBooks. A single project can generate CHM, HTML, Word, PDF, Qt Help, Markdown, ePub, and Kindle outputs. Its authoring environment combines a table of contents editor, WYSIWYG topic editor, keywords editor, library, and word processor. The library stores reusable media and content, including pictures, videos, documents, HTML, variables, snippets, equations, QR codes, and counters. A script editor and API support project automation with Pascal commands, and generated help IDs and context numbers can be produced as source code for several programming languages. PDF output offers controls for compression, encryption, permissions, fonts, and viewer layout. The Ultimate edition includes an AI Assistant, AI Project Management Agent, and built-in MCP server. A free Personal Edition is available for personal use; commercial editions start at €99, with named and floating licenses. The listed prices exclude VAT.