Free Alternatives to Bebas Neue

Bebas Neue font preview
Best match: Oswald (90%) | Updated: Jan 2026

About Bebas Neue

Classification
display
Style
condensed

Bebas Neue is a bold display typeface from Ryoichi Tsunekawa. Engineered for maximum impact at large sizes, Bebas Neue commands attention in headlines, posters, and brand identities. Its distinctive character shapes and carefully crafted details make it a popular choice for designers seeking to create memorable visual statements.

Why People Replace Bebas Neue

  • Licensing cost: Bebas Neue requires a paid license from Ryoichi Tsunekawa
  • Per-seat pricing: Most premium fonts charge per user or device
  • No variable font: Requires purchasing multiple weights separately
  • Limited language support: May not cover all required scripts
  • Web font licensing: Additional fees for web embedding

Best Free Alternative

Oswald is the closest free match at 90% similarity.

Nearly identical condensed display character

Quick Comparison

FeatureBebas NeueOswald
LicensePaidOFL-1.1
WeightsMultipleVariable (100-900)
VariableNoYes
CyrillicNoYes
SourceRyoichi TsunekawaGoogle Fonts

FAQ

Is Bebas Neue free?

No, Bebas Neue is a premium font from Ryoichi Tsunekawa. The best free alternative is Oswald.

What is the best free alternative to Bebas Neue?

Oswald is the closest free alternative at 90% similarity. Nearly identical condensed display character

Can I use Oswald commercially?

Yes, Oswald is licensed under OFL-1.1, which permits commercial use without fees.

Is Oswald on Google Fonts?

Yes, Oswald is available for free on Google Fonts.

Does Bebas Neue support Cyrillic?

No, Bebas Neue does not include Cyrillic support. However, Oswald does support Cyrillic.

Free Alternatives (2)

#1 Oswald 90%
[Google Fonts] · OFL-1.1 · Variable

Nearly identical condensed display character

Get Font ↗
#2 Anton 85%
[Google Fonts] · OFL-1.1 · 1 weights

Similar bold condensed aesthetic

Get Font ↗

How to Use Oswald

Copy these code snippets to quickly add Oswald to your project.

CSS Import

@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Oswald:wght@100..900&display=swap');

HTML Link Tags

<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com">
<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin>
<link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Oswald:wght@100..900&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">

Tailwind CSS

// tailwind.config.js
module.exports = {
  theme: {
    extend: {
      fontFamily: {
        'oswald': ['Oswald', 'sans-serif'],
      },
    },
  },
}

// Usage in HTML:
// <p class="font-oswald">Your text here</p>

React / Next.js

// Using next/font (Next.js 13+)
import { Oswald } from 'next/font/google';

const oswald = Oswald({
  subsets: ['latin'],
  weight: ['100', '200', '300', '400', '500', '600', '700', '800', '900'],
});

export default function Component() {
  return (
    <p className={oswald.className}>
      Your text here
    </p>
  );
}

// Or using inline styles with Google Fonts link:
// <p style={{ fontFamily: "'Oswald'" }}>Your text</p>

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free alternative to Bebas Neue?

Oswald is the best free alternative to Bebas Neue with 90% similarity. It shares similar proportions and characteristics while being available under the OFL-1.1 license for both personal and commercial use at no cost.

Is there a free version of Bebas Neue?

There is no official free version of Bebas Neue. However, Oswald is available under the OFL-1.1 open-source license and offers 90% visual similarity. It includes variable weights and supports latin, latin-extended.

What Google Font looks like Bebas Neue?

The Google Fonts most similar to Bebas Neue are Oswald, Anton. Among these alternatives, Oswald offers the closest match at 90% similarity with variable weights for flexible typography options.

Can I use Oswald commercially?

Yes, Oswald can be used commercially. It is licensed under OFL-1.1, which allows free use in websites, applications, print materials, and commercial projects without purchasing a license or paying royalties.

Is Oswald similar enough to Bebas Neue?

Oswald achieves 90% similarity to Bebas Neue. While not identical, it offers comparable letterforms, proportions, and visual style. Most designers find it works excellently as a substitute in web and print projects.

What are the main differences between Bebas Neue and its free alternatives?

Free alternatives to Bebas Neue may differ in subtle details like letter spacing, curve refinements, and available weights. Premium fonts typically include more OpenType features, extended language support, and optimized screen rendering. However, for most projects, these differences are negligible.

Where can I download free alternatives to Bebas Neue?

Download Oswald directly from Google Fonts. Click the "Get Font" button on any alternative listed above to visit the official download page. Google Fonts also provides convenient embed codes for seamless web integration.