You'll need: FontCreator (Windows and macOS), a Windows or Mac computer that meets the system requirements below, and an internet connection to download the installer.

FontCreator for Mac and Windows is one and the same font editor: a native application on both platforms. There's no virtual machine, no Boot Camp, and no Windows license required to run it on a Mac. This page shows how to download and install FontCreator on either platform, how to move projects between them, and the small interface differences to expect.

> Note: This page replaces the older "Running FontCreator on a Mac" tutorial. That guide described workarounds — virtualisation, Boot Camp, a portable Windows drive — from before FontCreator was native on macOS. Since September 2024 FontCreator runs natively on macOS, so those workarounds are obsolete. Don't use them.

A native font editor on both platforms

High-Logic describes FontCreator as "the #1 font editor for Windows & macOS." It runs natively on each — the same OpenType, TrueType, variable-font, and color-font tools on both operating systems. Native means it installs and behaves like any other app for that platform: no emulation layer, no extra purchases.

FontCreator is available directly from High-Logic with a free 30-day trial that includes all features.

Download and install

You download a different installer per platform from the same page.

On Windows

1. Go to the FontCreator download page.
2. Choose Download FontCreator for Windows — this is the FontCreatorSetup.exe installer.
3. Run the downloaded installer and follow the prompts.

Windows system requirements: Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11 (64-bit). 32-bit builds are no longer supported — FontCreator is 64-bit only.

On macOS

1. Go to the same FontCreator download page.
2. Choose Download FontCreator for macOS — this is the FontCreator.dmg disk image.
3. Open the .dmg and drag FontCreator to your Applications folder, then launch it.

macOS system requirements: macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later. Both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs are supported.

> Tip: The 30-day trial is fully functional — every feature is available during the trial on both platforms. After the trial, a license is required to continue. The same licensing applies whether you use Windows, macOS, or both.

Move projects between Windows and macOS

FontCreator project files (.fcp) and exported fonts are fully interchangeable between the two platforms. A project you start on Windows opens unchanged on a Mac, and vice versa — so a team can mix Windows and Mac machines without converting anything.

1. Save your project as a FontCreator project file (.fcp) on one platform.
2. Copy the .fcp to the other machine (cloud sync, a shared drive, or a USB stick all work).
3. Open it in FontCreator on the other platform — File → Open.

The same applies to exported deliverables (TTF, OTF, WOFF/WOFF2, variable fonts): a font you build on either platform is a standard font file that works everywhere.

> Note: If you also exchange projects with other font editors, FontCreator supports .glyphs, UFO, and designspace interchange formats — see Open & Export .glyphs Files.

Interface differences to expect

Windows and macOS share the same toolset, panels, and workflows, and FontCreator 16 deliberately brought their toolbar and context-menu actions into line. At a high level:

• Consistent actions across platforms. FontCreator 16 made toolbar and context-menu actions consistent across Windows and macOS. Duplicate, Bring to Front and Back, Re-interpolate Position, Add Smart Layer, reorder, and more behave the same on both.
• Platform-native conventions. FontCreator follows the conventions of each operating system, so menus, window controls, and keyboard modifiers match what you'd expect on Windows versus macOS.
• A few macOS-specific additions. FontCreator 16  adds the ability to view and edit color glyphs on macOS, along with a Palette Manager and the Tags Settings… dialog.

The differences are about platform fit, not capability — the font you can build is the same either way.

> Watch out: A couple of features are gated by what the platform can render. SVG color-glyph editing is not available on macOS, because the Mac build cannot render SVG glyphs — Load SVG, Edit SVG, and COLR-to-SVG conversion are Windows-only. COLR color-glyph editing works on both Windows and macOS. The font you can build is the same on either platform; this only affects which color-glyph format you can author where.

Frequently asked questions

Does FontCreator run on macOS? Yes. Download FontCreator for macOS (requires macOS 11 Big Sur or later). It runs natively — no Windows, virtual machine, or Boot Camp needed.

Do I need a Windows license to use FontCreator on a Mac? No. The old advice about needing a Windows license (for virtualisation or Boot Camp) is obsolete. FontCreator is a native Mac font editor app.

Is there a 32-bit Windows build? No. FontCreator is 64-bit only on Windows. The 32-bit build was retired in earlier releases.

Can I open the same project on both Windows and macOS? Yes. FontCreator project files (.fcp) and exported fonts are fully interchangeable between the two platforms.

Which Macs are supported? Both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, on macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later.

Is the trial different on Windows versus macOS? No. Both platforms offer the same free 30-day trial with all features included.

What to read next

• Open & Export .glyphs Files — moving projects between FontCreator and Glyphs.
• Export a Font — building deliverable TTF/OTF/WOFF and variable fonts.
• Creating a Font and Editing Glyphs — your first font, end to end.