Ditch that Font Alternatives to Comic Sans

Ditch that Font: Alternatives to Comic Sans

It's the most hated font on the planet.

Yes, the ubiquitous Comic Sans. The font that makes designers cringe, but that's plastered on everything from school newsletters to blogs because it screams casual and friendly.

Well, there are PLENTY of “casual and friendly” fonts out there besides Comic Sans. So thought I'd start an every-so-often series where I take a much-loathed or overly used font and offer some suggestions that won't make readers silently judge your font choice.

The suggestions include five free fonts and five paid ones. And the point isn't to give you Comic Sans lookalikes, but rather to give you the same vibe… without the cringing.

Note: This post contains some affiliate links to the paid fonts.

FREE:

Bubblegum Sans

Font Squirrel describes Bubblegum Sans  “upbeat” and “flavor-loaded.” Mmmmm, flavor. Seriously though, it's a cute little font with pointer edges than Comic Sans but just as friendly.

bubblegym-sans

Cartoonist Hand

Cartoonist Hand has the hand-drawn feel of Comic Sans, but cleaner and taller.

cartoon-hand

Babiole

Babiole is another hand-drawn font. Straight up letters but still casual.

babiole-font

Suplexmentary Comic

Suplexmentary Comic is wider than Comic Sans with more deliberate strokes.

comic-neue

Comic Neue

If you have a secret love affair with Comic Sans but are afraid to use it (and face the wrath of the Internet), then Comic Neue is for you. It's a Comic Sans makeover to give the font a more modern look.

PAID:

Why would you pay for a font when so many are free?  Better character options, extra glyphs or ornaments, and fewer people using them (aka better to help you stand out). I explain more in my Blog Design for Dummies book if you're really curious.

This fonts range in price from $5 – $29.

Paper Daisy

For a more feminine alternative to Comic Sans, try Paper Daisy.

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Sketchnote

Sketchnote is more rugged than Comic Sans, but is otherwise pretty similar (in a good way).

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Albus & Friends

Albus & Friends is a bubbly alternative to Comic Sans. Comes with fun ornaments like talk bubbles and clouds.

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Haakke

If you're looking for a scribbly, messy font, try Haakke.

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Simple Hand

Simple Hand is a casual handwritten font that comes in both thin and regular.

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I'm Melissa - a marketing communications expert, For Dummies author, and founder of Blog Clarity. With over 13 years of experience in marketing, I've turned my passion for blogging and social media into a successful business, helping thousands of bloggers grow their online presence. When I'm not teaching others how to build profitable blogs, I'm managing social media for a major beauty brand and wrangling my two boys (who were miraculously born on the same day, three years apart!). I believe in practical, no-nonsense strategies that get real results - no blogging voodoo magic required.

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