When comparing FontBase vs PhraseExpress, the Slant community recommends PhraseExpress for most people. In the question“What are the best text expansion apps for macOS?” PhraseExpress is ranked 4th while FontBase is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose PhraseExpress is:
Very clear and thoughtful user interface.
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Pros
Pro It saves you from having to install fonts
Pro Works fast with a lot of fonts
Pro Free to use
FontBase is free.
Pro Wonderful minimalist interface with good choice of controls
Pro Get Google Fonts on your system in a few seconds
Pro Syncs font database from Dropbox easily
Fontbase allows you to easily set up watch folders allowing you to sync your font libraries directly from any cloud-based storage provider.
Pro Regular free updates
Pro Affordable upgrade option
Pro Easy to use
Very clear and thoughtful user interface.
Pro Flexible shortcut system
Offers many options for autotext.
Pro No subscription, perpetual license
Unlike other text expanders, PhraseExpress is a one time purchase.
Pro Versions for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android
Pro Phrase menu
Pro Document generator
Pro Portable option
Can run from a USB device.
Pro Works with Mac and Windows and iPhone
There are versions for all platforms, that can synchronize snippets.
Pro Sophisticated macro language
It has many macro functions. Macros can be combined and nested.
Pro Supports RTF formatting and Word documents
Pro Does not force to use a cloud service
It can run standalone without the need to connect to the Internet.
Pro Fill-In forms with may options
You cannot only add simple text input but also radio buttons, check boxes, etc.
Pro Includes Outlook addon to automate email replies
Pro Clipboard Manager with cool extra features
If email addresses or URL are part of the clipboard contents, PE offers you to send an email to that address or to open the web site.
Cons
Con Must open it everytime to activate fonts
FontBase's main pro is its main drawback - not needing to install fonts is great, but opening files using fonts not installed may not show them properly unless FontBase is also opened.
Con Crashes with many fonts
Con It doesn't grab fonts when using the package features in Adobe software
You will have to manually grab the font folders from your library. As the fonts aren't actually installed locally, Adobe software can't see the font nor export it with your project.
Con Virtually non-existent support
Generally get one response and then dead silence.
Con Does not display all fonts, and there is NO support at all
No help/support, no spec, no tech page or forum.
Con It doesn't make adding, activating or sorting through fonts any easier
When dragging font and font folders into the library you will still need to search for them and manually activate. The ability to search and sorting fonts is very limited.
Con Makes Adobe programs run slow and crash
Con Ask to buy
Search filter is need to buy.
Con No Linux version
Some people might want it.