Google Fonts vs Morisawa Fonts

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.

Morisawa Fonts is a subscription service for finding and using licensed multilingual fonts. Its library contains more than 3,500 typefaces from the Morisawa Group and other foundries, with coverage stated for more than 150 languages. Users can create and share font collections and synchronize them across two computers. Online activation works with the Desktop Manager application to install fonts. The Free Plan costs nothing and includes five fonts selected by Morisawa. The Standard Plan costs ¥64,240 a year for one license, available on two computers per account; it permits trademark registration for logotypes made with its fonts, unlike the free plan. Multi-license subscribers can manage team use through the Admin Console. Desktop Manager supports Windows 11 version 23H2 or later and macOS 12 or later. Fonts work with common software, although applications that directly access font files may not make them available. Support is offered in Japanese or English through a contact form, with replies during weekday business hours in GMT+9; telephone support is unavailable.