Helvetica vs Source Sans Pro
If you like what Helvetica does but need a license-friendly option, Source Sans Pro is the obvious place to start. With 75% similarity, Source Sans Pro offers a slightly humanist take on Helvetica's neo-grotesque style. Source Sans Pro keeps the neutral vibe but is tuned for modern digital typography.
75% Similarity
Visual Comparison
Helvetica
PremiumPremium font preview not available
Visit the foundry website to see samples
Source Sans Pro
FreeAa Bb Cc 123
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
0123456789 !@#$%^&*()
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Helvetica | Source Sans Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Premium | Free |
| Classification | sans-serif | sans-serif |
| Variable Font | No | Yes |
| Weights | Multiple | Variable (100-900) |
| Italics | Yes | Yes |
| License | Commercial License Required | OFL-1.1 |
| Language Support | latin, latin-extended, cyrillic, greek | latin, latin-extended, cyrillic, cyrillic-extended, greek, greek-extended, vietnamese |
| Source | Linotype | Google Fonts |
Which Should You Choose?
Recommended: Source Sans Pro
- Free to use with open-source license
- Variable font offers flexible weight adjustment
- Broader language support
- No licensing costs for commercial projects
- Can be self-hosted or loaded from Google Fonts