Alegreya, designed by Juan Pablo del Peral for Huerta Tipográfica, is a dynamic, humanist serif typeface created for literature and long-form reading. Known for its calligraphic influence, lively rhythm, and excellent readability, it has become a go-to for books, magazines, and elegant web typography. It’s available for free under the SIL Open Font License, making it popular for both print and digital projects.
But there are times when you might want a typeface with a similar warm, organic quality yet different proportions, weights, or licensing terms.
Here’s our curated list of 7 typefaces similar to Alegreya, including both premium and free choices.
Visual Comparison
Sample Text: The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog
| Font | Preview |
|---|---|
| Alegreya | Image preview here |
| FF Tisa | Image preview here |
| Calluna | Image preview here |
| Skolar | Image preview here |
| Literata | Image preview here |
| Lora | Image preview here |
| Merriweather | Image preview here |
| PT Serif | Image preview here |
Premium Alternatives
1. FF Tisa (Mitja Miklavčič)
- Style: Humanist Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Shares Alegreya’s warm, approachable tone with a humanist touch.
- Key Difference: More structured letterforms for a modern feel.
- Price & Availability: Paid — FontFont/Monotype.
2. Calluna (Jos Buivenga)
- Style: Humanist Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Calligraphic feel and flowing rhythm, like Alegreya.
- Key Difference: Slightly softer serifs and gentler curves.
- Price & Availability: Paid — exljbris Font Foundry.
3. Skolar (David Březina)
- Style: Humanist Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Optimized for text, with the same literary focus as Alegreya.
- Key Difference: Stronger serifs and wider letterspacing.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Rosetta Type.
4. Literata (Google/TypeTogether)
- Style: Transitional Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Designed for long-form reading with a friendly, bookish personality.
- Key Difference: Slightly taller x-height for on-screen clarity.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Available via TypeTogether (also on Google Fonts).
Free Alternatives
5. Lora (Cyreal)
- Style: Transitional Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Smooth curves, generous x-height, and approachable elegance.
- Key Difference: Higher contrast for crisp screen display.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
6. Merriweather (Eben Sorkin)
- Style: Transitional Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Warm, readable design ideal for body text.
- Key Difference: Slightly heavier stroke weight for digital clarity.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
7. PT Serif (ParaType)
- Style: Transitional Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Balanced proportions and classic shapes akin to Alegreya.
- Key Difference: More restrained calligraphic influence.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
Recommendation Summary Table
| Font Name | Similarity Score (1–5) | Free/Paid | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| FF Tisa | ★★★★★ | Paid | Modern literary typography |
| Calluna | ★★★★★ | Paid | Elegant books and editorial design |
| Skolar | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Academic and publishing projects |
| Literata | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Web and eBook typography |
| Lora | ★★★★☆ | Free | Web content with classic elegance |
| Merriweather | ★★★★☆ | Free | Readable on-screen body text |
| PT Serif | ★★★★☆ | Free | Neutral yet refined text use |
Conclusion
For a premium upgrade, FF Tisa and Calluna offer Alegreya’s warmth with enhanced modern refinements.
For a free, versatile replacement, Lora and Merriweather deliver beautiful readability for both print and web.
Typeface Similar to Font 