Söhne, designed by Kris Sowersby of Klim Type Foundry, is a neo-grotesque sans-serif inspired by Helvetica but reinterpreted with modern refinements. It has the clarity and neutrality of Swiss typography but adds warmth and flexibility, making it a favorite for digital design, branding, and user interfaces.
Because it’s a premium font, designers often search for strong alternatives that capture its clean, timeless look. From professional-grade paid options to free, accessible choices, there are many ways to achieve the same understated Swiss-inspired aesthetic.
Here are 7 fonts similar to Söhne — both premium and free.
Visual Comparison
Sample Text: The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog
| Font | Preview |
|---|---|
| Söhne | Image preview here |
| Helvetica Now | Image preview here |
| Neue Haas Grotesk | Image preview here |
| GT America | Image preview here |
| Inter | Image preview here |
| IBM Plex Sans | Image preview here |
| Work Sans | Image preview here |
| Source Sans Pro | Image preview here |
Premium Alternatives
1. Helvetica Now (Monotype, 2019)
Style: Neo-grotesque sans-serif
Why It’s Similar: Shares Söhne’s Swiss-style clarity and neutral tone.
Key Difference: A modern refresh of Helvetica with updated features.
Price & Availability: Paid — Monotype.
2. Neue Haas Grotesk (Linotype, 1957/2010 revival)
Style: Neo-grotesque
Why It’s Similar: The original Helvetica design, making it nearly identical in style.
Key Difference: Historical authenticity, slightly more rigid forms.
Price & Availability: Paid — Linotype.
3. GT America (Grilli Type, 2016)
Style: Transitional grotesque
Why It’s Similar: Blends American gothics with Swiss-style neutrality, close in versatility.
Key Difference: More range of stylistic voices, with broader widths.
Price & Availability: Paid — Grilli Type.
4. Akkurat (Lineto, 2004)
Style: Swiss grotesque
Why It’s Similar: Minimalist, clean, and very close to Söhne’s tone.
Key Difference: More restrained and functional, less expressive.
Price & Availability: Paid — Lineto.
Free Alternatives
5. Inter (Rasmus Andersson, 2017)
Style: Neo-grotesque sans-serif
Why It’s Similar: Designed for screens, highly similar to Söhne’s usability.
Key Difference: Optimized for digital legibility.
Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
6. IBM Plex Sans (IBM, 2017)
Style: Grotesque sans-serif
Why It’s Similar: Balanced and modern with humanist undertones.
Key Difference: Slightly more distinctive personality than Söhne.
Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
7. Work Sans (Wei Huang, 2015)
Style: Neo-grotesque sans-serif
Why It’s Similar: Neutral, modern proportions echo Söhne’s digital clarity.
Key Difference: Slightly lighter feel in text settings.
Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
Recommendation Summary Table
| Font Name | Similarity Score | Free/Paid | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helvetica Now | ★★★★★ | Paid | Corporate branding, timeless design |
| Neue Haas Grotesk | ★★★★★ | Paid | Editorial and Swiss-style projects |
| GT America | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Branding and versatile digital use |
| Akkurat | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Minimalist, highly functional layouts |
| Inter | ★★★★☆ | Free | UI/UX, apps, web design |
| IBM Plex Sans | ★★★★☆ | Free | Corporate identity, digital branding |
| Work Sans | ★★★☆☆ | Free | Lightweight headings and body text |
Conclusion
If you want a near-identical replacement for Söhne, Helvetica Now and Neue Haas Grotesk are your top choices. For a versatile modern twist, GT America delivers flexibility. And if you’re working with a budget, Inter and IBM Plex Sans are excellent free alternatives that capture the same Swiss-inspired spirit.
Typeface Similar to Font 