When comparing New Heterodox Mono vs Microsoft Verdana, the Slant community recommends Microsoft Verdana for most people. In the question“What are the best programming fonts?” Microsoft Verdana is ranked 105th while New Heterodox Mono is ranked 112nd.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Looks professional and scientific
There are very few free programming fonts that is serifed and have a "scientific" look.
Pro Blends well with natural language
The serif style looks very good in English, especially when writing LaTeX or README files. In a LaTeX-compiled PDF it also blends well with the Computer Modern family because both of them are "modern style".
Pro Free with Windows
Pro Compact while light
Packs lots of information into your screen space while remaining clear and never looking crowded.
Pro Renders perfectly at all sizes
Again, particularly in Windows
Pro Looks absolutely gorgeous in Windows
Looks good elsewhere as well, but the world-class hinting here really comes out with the windows rasterizer (probably optimized for it).
Cons
Con Does not support Greeks
Con Not monospaced
-if that is an absolute must for you. But don't assume it is until you've tried without...