FontLab 8
FontLab 8 is an integrated font editor for creating typefaces, from simple designs to complex font families.
What FontLab 8 is
FontLab 8 is an integrated font editor for creating typefaces, from simple designs to complex font families. It creates, opens, tests and exports variable OpenType fonts, color fonts and web fonts for Unicode writing systems. Drawing tools include Brush, Pencil, Rapid, Pen and geometric shapes, with integer or fractional coordinate precision. For spacing and kerning, it supports phrase spacing, kerning classes, automatic metrics and kerning, and right-to-left kerning for scripts such as Arabic and Hebrew. OpenType Layout features can be created manually or automatically using FEA format and Adobe FDK for OpenType. FontLab handles formats including OTF, TTF, PostScript Type 1, WOFF, WOFF2, UFO, designSpace and Glyphs v2/v3, and lists interchange with Glyphs, RoboFont, FontForge and Microsoft VOLT. Python 3 scripting and the TypeRig library are also supported. The software runs on macOS and Windows, and a fully functional 10-day trial is available. Starter costs 97.00 USD once for 97 days; Pro lifetime costs 499.00 USD once.
Good
- Creates variable and color OpenType fonts
- Supports right-to-left kerning
- Imports and exports WOFF and WOFF2
- 10-day fully functional trial
- Runs on macOS and Windows
Watch out
- No free plan is listed
- Collaboration level is listed as none
- Starter license lasts 97 days
Who it suits
FontLab 8 suits professional typeface designers, designers, students and foundries working with font creation, spacing or OpenType features. Its listed formats and scripting options may suit users moving work between font tools.
Verdict
FontLab 8 covers drawing, spacing, kerning, OpenType feature work and a broad set of font formats. Readers can try the full software for 10 days, then choose a time-limited or lifetime license.
Plans and prices
From FontLab 8's own pricing page, checked 28 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Starter — 3-months license | $97, paid once | Mac & Windows · 1 user, 3 computers · 97 days · full functionality · regular feature updates · expert support · US$ 97, buy once |
| Workshop 2-weeks | $99, paid once | Workshop organizer · 20 participants · 14 days of use · $99 once |
| Student 1-year | $109 a year | Academic students · use for any purpose · upgradable to lifetime · $109 for 365 days |
| Course 4-months | $249, paid once | Teacher or school · 20 students · 4 months of use · $249 once |
| Student / teacher lifetime | $335, paid once | Academic students, teachers or institutions · lifetime use · discounts on future upgrades · $335 once |
| Pro — Lifetime license | $499, paid once | Mac & Windows · 1 user, 3 computers · full functionality forever · regular feature updates · expert support · volume discount available · US$499, buy once |
The facts
Each one read from FontLab 8's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audience
- The maker describes FontLab as a tool used by professional typeface designers, designers, students and foundries.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Drawing
- Drawing tools include Brush, Pencil, Rapid, Pen, Ellipse, Rectangle, Polygon and Star, with integer or fractional coordinate precision.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Font types
- It creates, opens, tests and exports font families, variable OpenType fonts, color fonts and web fonts for Unicode writing systems.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Import and export
- It opens and exports OTF, TTF, variable and color OpenType, PostScript Type 1, WOFF, WOFF2, UFO, designSpace and Glyphs v2/v3 formats, among others.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- The maker lists interchange with Glyphs, RoboFont, FontForge and Microsoft VOLT, plus Python 3 scripting and the TypeRig library.checked 28 Sep 2026
- License limit
- The Starter and Pro offers each allow one user on up to three computers.checked 28 Sep 2026
- OpenType
- FontLab supports automatic and manual OpenType Layout feature creation using FEA format and Adobe FDK for OpenType.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Operating systems
- FontLab 8.4 works on macOS 10.15–26 Tahoe on Intel and Apple Silicon, and Windows 8.1–11; Windows 7 has limited functionality.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Privacy
- FontLab says it does not sell personal data and only uses submitted fonts or crash reports for support, without sharing them with third parties absent permission.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Product
- FontLab 8 is an integrated font editor for creating fonts from simple designs to complex projects.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Security
- FontLab says it uses appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data and will notify the Polish authority within 72 hours when a breach is likely to risk people’s rights.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Spacing and kerning
- The editor supports phrase spacing, kerning classes, automatic metrics and kerning, and right-to-left kerning for scripts such as Arabic and Hebrew.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Support
- The maker offers expert support with the Starter and Pro licenses and provides support through its support portal and email.checked 28 Sep 2026
The company
- Founded
- 1992checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Warsaw, Polandchecked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Trial
- The maker offers a free, fully functional 10-day trial for Mac or Windows.checked 28 Sep 2026
Alternatives to FontLab 8
- 1
Counterpunch
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS8.0From €5 a month - 2
FontBob
Free planAndroidiOSWebLinux7.9From $7 a month - 3
Calligraphr
Free planWebmacOSWindows7.6From £8 a month - 4
Fontra
Free planOpen sourceWebLinuxmacOSSelf-hosted7.5Free plan - 5
FontMaker
Free planAndroidiOSWebLinux7.3From $3.99 a month - 6
Prototypo
Free planWebExtensionLinuxmacOS7.0From $8.25 a month