A detailed comparison of two popular font optimization tools. See which one is right for your workflow.
Sift is better for modern workflows because it processes fonts entirely in your browser (100% private), offers full variable font support with axis controls, and provides real-time preview. Font Squirrel requires uploading fonts to their servers and has limited variable font capabilities. Both are free.
| Feature | Sift | Font Squirrel |
|---|---|---|
| Variable Font Support | Full Interactive axis controls, instance extraction | Limited Basic conversion only |
| Processing Location | Browser 100% client-side with WebAssembly | Server Files uploaded to Font Squirrel servers |
| Privacy | Complete Fonts never leave your device | Limited Fonts uploaded for processing |
| WOFF2 Output | Yes Brotli compression, optimal output | Yes Standard WOFF2 output |
| Subsetting | Yes Unicode ranges, custom text, presets | Yes Good subsetting options |
| Real-time Preview | Yes Live preview as you adjust settings | No Preview after conversion only |
| Batch Processing | Yes Multiple fonts at once | Yes Upload multiple fonts |
| CSS Generation | Yes Optimized @font-face with font-display | Yes Basic @font-face CSS |
| Speed | Instant No upload/download wait | Varies Depends on server load |
| Cost | Free No limits, no account required | Free No limits, no account required |
This is where Sift truly shines. Variable fonts are the future of web typography, allowing a single font file to contain multiple weights, widths, and styles.
Font files can contain sensitive metadata and are often under license restrictions. Where your fonts are processed matters.
Uses WebAssembly to process fonts entirely in your browser. Your fonts never leave your device. Perfect for licensed fonts or confidential projects.
Requires uploading fonts to Font Squirrel's servers for processing. Files are processed remotely and results are downloaded back.
Processing speed affects your development workflow, especially when iterating on font optimization.
Instant processing with real-time preview. Adjust settings and see results immediately. No waiting for uploads or server processing.
Upload → wait → download workflow. Speed depends on file size, server load, and your connection. Can be slow for large fonts.
Sift offers advantages over Font Squirrel for modern workflows: full variable font support, browser-based processing (no uploads), and real-time preview. Font Squirrel requires uploading fonts to their servers and has limited variable font support.
Font Squirrel has limited variable font support. It can convert variable fonts but doesn't provide axis controls or instance extraction. Sift offers full variable font support with interactive axis adjustment.
Yes, Sift is completely free to use with no limits. Unlike Font Squirrel which uploads fonts to servers, Sift processes everything in your browser using WebAssembly.
Yes! Some developers use Font Squirrel for their existing workflow with static fonts and Sift specifically for variable font optimization. Use whichever tool best fits each project's needs.
Both tools produce similar WOFF2 output sizes for the same subsetting options. The key to smaller files is proper subsetting (removing unused glyphs), which both tools support well.
Sift is the better choice for most modern web development workflows. Its browser-based approach means complete privacy, instant processing, and the ability to work offline. The full variable font support is essential as more designers adopt this technology.
Font Squirrel remains a solid tool, especially if you're familiar with it and primarily work with static fonts. But for new projects, Sift's modern architecture and feature set make it the recommended choice.
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