Review of the Best Font Managers for Your Own Usage
Published in Fonts, ToolsI’m sure you have already found a way to optimize your work with fonts, and that you are absolutely happy with your font management app. But wait a minute, why you are reading this post if that is the case?
Just let me guess…you want to compare your solution with other apps or, maybe, like many designers you’re still working without a font management app and cluttered drop down lists of fonts are your reality. Oh man, you should fix it!
Windows users, have you noticed that every new version of Windows brings hundreds of standard fonts. Here are some stats:
- Windows XP: 133
- Windows Vista: 191
- Windows 7: 235
- Windows 8: 400 +
You don’t even use all of these fonts. Working with huge font lists is terrible.
Everyday we noticed that 24 hours is not enough time in the day. We need more extra time to work, to rest, to spend with our family and loved ones. That’s why we are trying to optimize our working process. Without an effective font management system you are wasting your precious time.
There are a huge number of font management apps, and I’ve tried a lot of them. So, let’s start talking about their pros and cons.
Suitcase Fusion 4
License: $99.95 for Windows and $99.95 for Mac.
OS: Mac OS X Mountain Lion (10.8) and Windows 7
Suitcase is a super font manager for creative persons, but still it is a very professional app. It allows you to compare fonts side-by-side. Also this font storage has some plugins for work with Adobe Creative Suite 5-6 QuarkXPress (for font auto activation).
Suitcase Fusion 4 makes your life much easier. You can organize your fonts in sets, cool previews and searches will save your time. More features: web font is enabled (WebINK and Google Web Font connections), you can detect and repair bad fonts (FontDoctor ) and find similar fonts (QuickMatch). There is a full-trial-version for 30 days. Just try it 
MainType 5
License: $39.00 -Standard and $79.00 -Professional.
OS: Windows 2000 — Windows 8
Main Type 5 is designed especially for graphic artists and typographers, because this font preview application provides all the features they need: advanced categorizing, searching capabilities, different plugins. You may easily detect invalid and corrupt fonts, work with all popular font formats (TrueType, OpenType, TrueType Collections, Postscript Type 1 fonts)
FontExplorer X
License: $100
OS: Windows / Mac
This application performs functions of all above applications, and a version for Mac in many ways surpasses them. FontExplorer functionality for Windows and for Mac are very different. Mac-version is steeper. There is a full-Trial-version for 30 days.
FontCase
License: $34.99
OS: Mac OS X 10.6 or later
Need some great font previews? Try Fontcase! This app has many ways of fonts previewing in your library. At the same time font activation is very easy and fast. One more cool feature- you can easily compare multiple fonts.
Not enough? Well, look at the list with font storage applications below. I’m sure, you’ll find something useful for yourself there.
For MAC:
MasterJuggler – $89.95
FontAgent Pro 5 – $99.95
For Windows:
FontAgent Pro 5 - $149.95
Typograf – $35
Advanced Font Viewer – $39
I hope I have convinced you to use some font manager in your work. Your next task is to choose which application is right for you. Compare features and prices with your needs to find the best solution. Good luck!
About the Author:
Hi! I’m Stacy Summers from WebDesignOrg. I’m a passionate blogger and funny girl. Want to show you some amazing web things. Hope, you’ll like them just like me.
14 Responses
WOW! Thanks a lot for sharing
I definiticely wouldn’t call this a “review”.
But rather a listing of links.
How come typedna is not listed here. I used their trial, way better than most softwares mentioned here. And has seamless integration within cs3~cs6. Worth considering atleast. Cheers.
Madhav,
Thanks for the suggestion.
That NexusFont deal has malware. I downloaded it and was loaded with all kinds of browser redirects. I spent the entire day trying to get rid of the mess instead of being creative.
C.R.
I just removed NexusFont from the list. I did a search to see of other people were reporting the same issues. I didn’t really find anything, but better to be safe than sorry, so I removed it.
I use NexusFont, love it! Don’t know about any malware in the years I’ve used it. May have been a fluke for C.R.
Thanks for the post..I personally think fontcase is good…
Font Explorer is the best … I download it and started as a trial for now … I need to try the other before a purchase .. .Thanks for the list man!
Over the last couple of weeks I’ve tried numerous popular font managers for Windows. I came to the conclusion MainType is the best font manager. It is stable, fast, easy to use, and contains all advanced features I need.
Very helpful overview of these useful programs.
Before I had read these comments I downloaded and began familiarizing myself with NexusFont. No problems yet! We’ll see if it lasts, but so far the program is incredibly awesome. Fast, intuitive, and overall very useful.
Thanks again for a helpful post.
I like MainType 5 however I will give a try to other when I will have some time, because from what I see other recommend NexusFont and Font Explorer .
Thanks for the list.
Please add NexusFont back to the list!!! It is absolutely one of the best font managers I’ve ever used and it’s totally free. When I found this article, I couldn’t believe it wasn’t on here.
Anyone who says it comes with malware has no idea what they are talking about. The only bummer about that great app is only works for windows. The developer actually has a lot of other great apps on his site xiles.net for IOS as well. Check it out for yourself. These comments are way off base.
NexusFont is a great font management application, just avoid downloading from CNET or you will get a load of crap installed on your system as well.