Free Alternatives to Vanguard
About Vanguard
- Foundry
- Typodermic
- Classification
- sans-serif
- Style
- display
Vanguard is a versatile sans-serif typeface from Typodermic. With its clean lines and modern geometric proportions, Vanguard works effectively across digital interfaces, print materials, and brand identities. The typeface balances neutral character shapes with subtle personality, making it adaptable to many design contexts.
Design Philosophy
Vanguard was created with a clear vision: to provide designers with a typeface that balances functionality with aesthetic appeal. Every curve, angle, and proportion has been carefully considered to ensure optimal performance across different applications and sizes. The design team focused on creating letterforms that would remain distinctive while being highly readable, achieving the difficult balance between personality and practicality.
Why People Replace Vanguard
- Licensing cost: Vanguard requires a paid license from Typodermic
- 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
Exo is the closest free match at 80% similarity.
Similar futuristic display
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Vanguard | Exo |
|---|---|---|
| License | Paid | OFL-1.1 |
| Weights | Multiple | Variable (100-900) |
| Variable | No | Yes |
| Cyrillic | No | Yes |
| Source | Typodermic | Google Fonts |
FAQ
Is Vanguard free?
No, Vanguard is a premium font from Typodermic. The best free alternative is Exo.
What is the best free alternative to Vanguard?
Exo is the closest free alternative at 80% similarity. Similar futuristic display
Can I use Exo commercially?
Yes, Exo is licensed under OFL-1.1, which permits commercial use without fees.
Is Exo on Google Fonts?
Yes, Exo is available for free on Google Fonts.
Does Vanguard support Cyrillic?
No, Vanguard does not include Cyrillic support. However, Exo does support Cyrillic.
Free Alternatives (2)
How to Use Exo
Copy these code snippets to quickly add Exo to your project.
CSS Import
@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Exo: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=Exo:wght@100..900&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">Tailwind CSS
// tailwind.config.js
module.exports = {
theme: {
extend: {
fontFamily: {
'exo': ['Exo', 'sans-serif'],
},
},
},
}
// Usage in HTML:
// <p class="font-exo">Your text here</p>React / Next.js
// Using next/font (Next.js 13+)
import { Exo } from 'next/font/google';
const exo = Exo({
subsets: ['latin'],
weight: ['100', '200', '300', '400', '500', '600', '700', '800', '900'],
});
export default function Component() {
return (
<p className={exo.className}>
Your text here
</p>
);
}
// Or using inline styles with Google Fonts link:
// <p style={{ fontFamily: "'Exo'" }}>Your text</p>Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free alternative to Vanguard?
Exo is the best free alternative to Vanguard with 80% 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 Vanguard?
There is no official free version of Vanguard. However, Exo is available under the OFL-1.1 open-source license and offers 80% visual similarity. It includes variable weights and supports latin, latin-extended.
What Google Font looks like Vanguard?
The Google Fonts most similar to Vanguard are Exo, Orbitron. Among these alternatives, Exo offers the closest match at 80% similarity with variable weights for flexible typography options.
Can I use Exo commercially?
Yes, Exo 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 Exo similar enough to Vanguard?
Exo achieves 80% similarity to Vanguard. 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 Vanguard and its free alternatives?
Free alternatives to Vanguard 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 Vanguard?
Download Exo 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.