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Shift
What it is
Shift is a free, open-source desktop font editor for designing variable fonts on macOS, Windows, and Linux. Version 0.1.1 is its first alpha release, and the maker says workflows and document details may change. The editor draws and edits straight and cubic curves, shapes, points, handles, side bearings, and advance width. Shape tools move, resize, rotate, flip, align, distribute, unite, intersect, and subtract closed contours. Variable-font controls expose axes, sources, mappings, style labels, and named instances. A glyph catalog uses Hyperglot language data to show required characters for selected languages and scripts. Shift opens editable `.shift` documents and inspects TTF, OTF, UFO, Designspace, Glyphs, and Glyphspackage sources. TTF and OTF files are view-only previews in the desktop app. Users can save `.shift` files and export TrueType fonts. Text proofing and complete spacing and kerning workflows are not yet available. Help tools include problem reporting, logs, and feedback, with direct email support listed by the maker.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Runs on three desktop platforms
- Includes variable-font settings
- Provides contour shape operations
- Exports TrueType fonts
Against
- First alpha release may change
- TTF and OTF files are view-only
- No complete spacing or kerning workflows
- No text proofing
The verdict
Shift provides broad outline and variable-font editing in a free desktop package. Its alpha status and missing proofing, spacing, and kerning workflows matter for production planning.
Who it suits
It suits font designers who want an open-source variable-font editor across macOS, Windows, or Linux. It is also useful for inspecting several font source formats and exporting TrueType fonts.
Plans and prices
Free
Free and open-source font editor · currently in alpha
Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics
On the record
- Alpha status
- Version 0.1.1 is the first alpha release, and the maker says workflows and document details may change.shift.graphics · read 8 Oct 2026
- Import and export
- Shift can save editable `.shift` documents and export TrueType fonts; compiled TTF and OTF sources remain view-only.shift.graphics · read 8 Oct 2026
- Language coverage
- The glyph catalog uses Hyperglot language data to show required characters present for selected languages and scripts.shift.graphics · read 8 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The site footer identifies Kostya Farber, while the About page does not expose additional company details in the opened page.shift.graphics · read 8 Oct 2026
- Open and browse
- Shift can open `.shift` documents and inspect TTF, OTF, UFO, Designspace, Glyphs, and Glyphspackage sources.shift.graphics · read 8 Oct 2026
- Outline editing
- The editor supports drawing and editing straight and cubic curves, shapes, points, handles, side bearings, and advance width.shift.graphics · read 8 Oct 2026
- Read-only formats
- TTF and OTF files open as view-only previews and cannot currently be converted into editable Shift documents through the desktop app.shift.graphics · read 8 Oct 2026
- Security and signing
- The release notes say macOS builds are signed and notarized, Windows builds are unsigned, and Linux RPMs and the checksum manifest are signed with the Shift repository key.shift.graphics · read 8 Oct 2026
- Shape operations
- Shift supports moving, resizing, rotating, flipping, aligning, and distributing shapes, plus union, intersect, and subtract operations on closed contours.shift.graphics · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The Help menu includes Report a Problem, Show Logs, and Feedback, and the maker lists [email protected] for direct email.shift.graphics · read 8 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The maker lists macOS, Windows, and Linux as supported platforms.shift.graphics · read 8 Oct 2026
- Variable fonts
- Users can inspect and edit authored sources and settings such as axes, sources, mappings, style labels, and named instances.shift.graphics · read 8 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Shift is a free, open-source desktop font editor for designing variable fonts.shift.graphics · read 8 Oct 2026
- Workflow limits
- Text proofing and complete spacing and kerning workflows are not yet available.shift.graphics · read 8 Oct 2026
