A free and open-source font editor for creating, editing, and converting fonts across multiple formats and platforms.
FontForge is a free and open-source font editor that allows users to create, edit, and convert fonts in various formats like OpenType, TrueType, and UFO. It solves the need for a cross-platform, libre tool for typography work, enabling designers and developers to handle font design and compatibility without relying on proprietary software.
Typography designers, font developers, graphic designers, and open-source enthusiasts who need a powerful, free tool for creating and modifying fonts across different platforms.
Developers choose FontForge because it offers a fully-featured, libre alternative to commercial font editors, with strong community support, cross-platform compatibility, and extensive format support, all without licensing costs.
Free (libre) font editor for Windows, Mac OS X and GNU+Linux
Open-Awesome is built by the community, for the community. Submit a project, suggest an awesome list, or help improve the catalog on GitHub.
Released as free software with no licensing fees, empowering users with full control and community-driven development, as highlighted in the README and project philosophy.
Runs on Windows, macOS, and GNU/Linux systems, ensuring broad accessibility for typographers on different operating systems, directly stated in the README.
Handles editing and conversion across OpenType, TrueType, UFO, CID-keyed, and Multiple Master formats, making it versatile for font compatibility work, as detailed in the key features.
Supports Python scripting to automate repetitive tasks like batch conversions or glyph adjustments, offering extensibility for advanced users, mentioned in the features.
The interface is often perceived as outdated and less intuitive compared to modern commercial alternatives, which can slow down workflow for new or casual users.
Building from source requires managing dependencies and following detailed steps in INSTALL.md, which can be daunting for non-technical users or those seeking quick setup.
While external resources like designwithfontforge.com exist, in-application help is limited, forcing reliance on community channels like the mailing list for troubleshooting.
FontForge is an open-source alternative to the following products:
FontLab is a professional font editor software for designing, editing, and producing digital typefaces.
Glyphs is a professional font editor for macOS used by type designers to create and edit digital typefaces and fonts.
RoboFont is a font editor for macOS used by type designers to create, edit, and produce OpenType fonts with Python scripting capabilities.