Mapping zero-install font editors

Carl Enlund · January 7

Hi all,

I have not posted here in a while, but I am trying to get a clearer picture of what browser-based font editors exist today. All kinds of tools or experiments included.

I'm mainly interested in zero-install editors that run entirely in the browser and do not require downloading a desktop app. It feels like this space is slowly expanding, and may invite designers who'd never consider using a normal font editor.

To my knowledge, some existing zero-install editors include (incomplete list):

- Glyphr Studio
- FontStruct
- Typograph Studio (recent, private beta)
- FontBob (a browser-based editor I am working on)
- Yanone has mentioned a new browser-based editor in development
- Variable font axis playgrounds that allow instance export (depends how strictly you define "editor")
- Fontra (browser-based, but requires installation)

I am sure I am missing things.

I would be curious to hear:

Are there other browser-based font editors or experiments worth noting?

What limitations do you see of browser-based font work?

Not meant to endorse any specific approach, just interested in mapping the space.

/Carl

Dave Crossland · January 7

Variable font axis playgrounds that allow instance export (depends how strictly you define "editor"

I think 'inspectors' and 'proofers' are a secondary but important class of tool in any type designer's toolbox, even without instance export.

Here's a few I've supported

And a few I am a fan of

I guess adjacent to these are the specimen generators (typedrawers thread)