This chart compares the features of Mac OS X font servers. Great care has been taken to compare the capabilities of the products. If you have questions or suggestions that can improve the comparison, please send us your thoughts. Thank you.
| Feature |
FontAgent
Pro Server 3 |
Extensis
UTS |
Font Explorer
X Server |
| Establish and Maintain Font Integrity |
|
|
|
|
Built-in, automatic font integrity checking Auto-validates fonts without external utilities - prevents crashes and hangs |
|
● |
|
|
|
Remove corrupt and incomplete fontsEliminates confusing, unusable font files that can cause crashes |
|
● |
|
|
| |
Prevent addition of corrupt fonts to librariesHeads off potential crashes and lockups |
|
● |
● |
|
| |
Prevent addition of duplicate fonts to libraries Eliminates accidental font duplication in libraries |
|
● |
● |
● |
| |
Prevent different versions of fonts in libraries Stops font conflicts and incorrect document imaging |
|
● |
|
|
| |
Prevent distribution of corrupt fonts Blocks distributing bad fonts that cause crashes and lockups |
|
● |
|
|
| |
Prevent distribution of duplicate fonts Blocks distributing duplicate fonts that cause activation and imaging problems |
|
● |
● |
|
| Font Server Libraries and Sets |
|
|
|
|
Manage multiple server libraries simultaneouslyEnables fast and easy library management |
|
● |
|
|
|
Distribute server-based setsCreates logical groups of fonts for easier font activation and management |
|
● |
● |
|
|
Merge libraries and sets via drag-and-dropAllows server admins to manipulate fonts quickly and easily |
|
● |
● |
|
|
Create server-based startup setsActivates specific sets of fonts at startup |
|
● |
|
|
| Feature |
|
FontAgent
Pro Server 3 |
Extensis
UTS |
Font Explorer
X Server |
| Font Server and Client Administration |
|
|
|
|
|
Simple server setup and configurationSimple server installation - no multiple components to setup |
|
● |
|
? |
|
Extensive diagnostics and reportingProvides detailed status of server installation, font testing and font uploading |
|
● |
|
|
|
Administer all server settings from one locationUnified interface for administering all server functions |
|
● |
|
● |
|
Granular levels of admin permissions Allows server admins to grant various users specific privileges |
|
● |
● |
● |
|
Built-in scripting on clients for automating tasksAutomate tasks quickly and dependably with AppleScript |
|
● |
|
|
|
Client installation assistant auto-installs plug-ins Automatically detects existing apps and installs correct plug-ins |
|
● |
● |
● |
| |
Supports remote client installationAllows admins to remotely install configured clients |
|
|
● |
● |
| Font License Management |
|
|
|
|
|
Tracks number of licenses purchasedStores number of licenses purchased for each font |
|
● |
● |
● |
|
Tracks invoice and vendor data for font purchasesStores date, price, invoice and vendor data for future purchases |
|
● |
● |
? |
|
Supports additional notes and comments Stores notes regarding project, user and other related info for each font |
|
● |
● |
? |
|
Controls distribution of fonts beyond licensed limitsSends alerts or blocks distribution of fonts to more users than authorized |
|
● |
|
● |
| Feature |
|
FontAgent
Pro Server 3 |
Extensis
UTS |
Font Explorer
X Server |
| Platform Support |
|
|
|
|
|
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Server runs on Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) |
|
● |
● |
● |
|
Mac OS X 10.4 TigerServer runs on Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) |
|
● |
● |
? |
|
Does not require dedicated server hardwareServer can run on hardware being also used for other purposes |
|
● |
● |
● |
|
Supports Mac OS X clients Distributes fonts to Mac users running OS X |
|
● |
● |
|
|
Supports Windows XP clientsDistributes fonts to Windows users running XP |
|
● |
● |
|
|
Supports Windows Vista clientsDistributes fonts to Windows users running Vista |
|
● |
● |
|
| Server Architecture, Performance and Scalability |
|
|
|
|
|
Replication server for enterprise scalabilitySyncs redundant servers across enterprise to guarantee scalability |
|
● |
|
|
|
Ensures that users can work when not connectedFonts are available even when users are not connected to server |
|
● |
|
|
|
Multi-threaded, high-performance architectureMulti-threading maximizes sync speed and throughput |
|
● |
|
|
|
Advanced caching of downloaded fonts Speeds delivery and downloading of fonts to users |
|
● |
|
|
|
Technology proven through multiple releasesProduct is proven through multiple versions and years |
|
● |
|
|
|
Synchronization speed with connected clientsServer architectures deliver dramatically different sync speeds |
|
|
|
? |
| Directory Server and Login Security |
|
|
|
|
|
Support for Active/Open/LDAP Directory Connects to Active/Open Directory servers and LDAP servers for user and group information |
|
● |
● |
|
|
Import users from LDAP server |
|
● |
● |
● |
|
Authenticate users on Active/Open/LDAP directories |
|
● |
● |
|
|
Zero-configuration directory services setup Simple, configuration of font server directory services |
|
● |
|
|
|
Supports remote login to AD/OD servers Passes login info to enterprise directory servers |
|
● |
● |
|
|
AES 128-bit industry-standard login security Protects authentication information transmitted to directory servers |
|
● |
|
|
|
Advanced local and remote password protection Stores no passwords for AD/OD users and encrypts password for local users |
|
● |
|
|
| Feature |
|
FontAgent
Pro Server 3 |
Extensis
UTS |
Font Explorer
X Server |
| Activation of Inactive Fonts |
|
|
|
|
|
Font metrics manager finds 100% font matchesCompare metrics of requested fonts to provide 100% matching |
|
● |
● |
|
|
Relevancy ranking for finding similar fontsShow likelihood of matching fonts when unable to find 100% match |
|
● |
|
|
|
Auto-activate fonts in Adobe InDesignConnected clients can auto-activate fonts in InDesign |
|
● |
● |
● |
|
Auto-activate fonts in Adobe IllustratorConnected clients can auto-activate fonts in Illustrator |
|
● |
● |
● |
|
Auto-activate fonts in Adobe PhotoshopConnected clients can auto-activate fonts in Photoshop |
|
● |
|
● |
|
Auto-activate fonts in QuarkXPress Connected clients can auto-activate fonts in QuarkXPress |
|
● |
● |
● |
|
Auto-activate fonts in specific OS X appsAuto-activate fonts in applications that use Mac OS X standards |
|
● |
● |
● |
|
Auto-activate fonts in specific OS 9 Classic appsAuto-activate fonts in Mac OS 9 applications running in Classic mode |
|
● |
|
|
|
Will not activate font solely on font namePrevents accidental activation of wrong version or format of font |
|
● |
|
|
|
Prevent activation of corrupt fontsStop activation of corrupt fonts that cause crashes and imaging problems |
|
● |
|
|
|
Control font activation at startupSet preference for activating fonts at startup |
|
● |
● |
? |
|
Enable/disable auto-activation Allow user to turn auto-activation on and off |
|
● |
● |
● |
|
Control activation order by font file format Control auto-activation by file format (e.g. OpenType, then Type1, etc.) |
|
● |
|
|
|
Prevents instability caused by auto-deactivationAvoids auto-deactivation that can adversely affect running applications |
|
● |
|
? |
| Feature |
|
FontAgent
Pro Server 3 |
Extensis
UTS |
Font Explorer
X Server |
| Viewing Fonts on Connected Clients |
|
|
|
|
|
Character set (ABC123)Displays alphabet and numbers in selected font |
|
● |
● |
● |
|
Waterfall of various sizesDisplays a text string in various text sizes in selected font |
|
● |
● |
|
|
Lorem ipsum paragraphDisplays a paragraph of latin text in selected font |
|
● |
● |
● |
|
Custom text Displays text entered by user in selected font |
|
● |
● |
|
|
Player or slideshowDisplays a text string through various fonts, one at a time |
|
● |
|
|
|
Multi-font compareDisplays a text string in various fonts |
|
● |
● |
● |
|
View all fonts in one list Lists all fonts in all libraries in a single pane |
|
● |
|
● |
|
Font metrics and propertiesDisplays metadata and location information for the selected font |
|
● |
|
|
|
Print specimen books Print font catalogs to preview and share |
|
● |
|
|
| Searching Fonts on Connected Clients |
|
|
|
|
|
View and search all fonts on clientLists and searches all fonts with no need to search individual libraries
|
|
● |
|
● |
|
Search by font name and family name Finds font names containing specific string (e.g. "Times" or "Helvetica")
|
|
● |
● |
● |
|
Search by font file format Finds fonts with a specific file format (e.g. OpenType or TrueType)
|
|
● |
● |
|
|
Search by font slant Finds fonts with specific properties (e.g. slant from .05 and .12, or width )
|
|
● |
|
|
|
Search by font proportionFinds fonts of a specific weight (e.g. narrow, condensed, extended, etc.)
|
|
● |
|
|
|
Search by font weightFinds fonts of a specific weight (e.g. thin, regular, bold, black, etc.)
|
|
● |
|
|
|
Search Internet fonts by keyword or concept Find fonts on the Internet by topic without importing them
|
|
● |
|
|
|
View Internet fonts in WYSIWYG mode View fonts on the Internet in their native typefaces
|
|
● |
|
● |
|
Access to online font store Shop for and purchase fonts from the Internet
|
|
● |
|
● |
|
Prevent unauthorized font purchases Prevent enterprise users from making Internet font purchases
|
|
● |
|
● |
| Feature |
|
FontAgent
Pro Server 3 |
Extensis
UTS |
Font Explorer
X Server |
| Documentation and Support |
|
|
|
|
|
User guideComprehensive guide for administrating the font server
|
|
● |
● |
● |
|
Online help facility Built-in online help |
|
● |
● |
|
|
Technical support - phoneTechnical support available by phone |
|
● |
● |
● |
|
Technical support - emailTechnical support available by email |
|
● |
● |
● |
|
24x7 support available 24x7 support plans available for enterprise users |
|
● |
● |
|
| |
|
|
