Free alternatives to Proxima Nova
Proxima Nova (Mark Simonson Studio): Mark Simonson's 2005 hybrid of geometric structure and grotesque proportions, with a large x-height, open apertures, and a friendly but businesslike tone. It became one of the most-used webfonts of the 2010s, appearing across countless startup and media sites.
Proxima Nova is sold directly by Mark Simonson Studio and through services like Adobe Fonts, with paid desktop and web licenses and no free tier for self-hosting.
Montserrat is the standard free stand-in: similar x-height, similar geometric-grotesque blend, and a huge weight range. It is slightly wider and more geometric, so headlines feel a little rounder than Proxima Nova's.
Mulish (formerly Muli) matches Proxima Nova's minimalist skeleton and open apertures at text sizes, with a softer, slightly narrower body. It is one of the better swaps for paragraph copy rather than display.
Figtree hits the same friendly-professional register with a tall x-height, short descenders, and clean geometric curves. Its terminals are a touch more clipped, giving it a slightly more contemporary look.
Hanken Grotesk shares the rounded grotesque warmth and evenly balanced weights, and it holds up well in long text where Proxima Nova is often used. Its lowercase g and tighter spacing are the main visible departures.
Lato covers the same corporate-but-warm territory with semi-rounded details and a large family of weights. It has more humanist stroke modulation than Proxima Nova, so it reads as slightly softer and more traditional.
Proxima Nova is a trademark of its owner and is not distributed by DaFontFonts. This page recommends independent open-licence typefaces with a comparable feel; they are not copies and render with their own metrics and details.
Questions
Is Proxima Nova free for commercial use?
No. Proxima Nova requires a paid license from Mark Simonson Studio or access through a subscription service such as Adobe Fonts. Montserrat, Mulish, and Figtree are free alternatives licensed for commercial use.
What is the closest free alternative to Proxima Nova?
Montserrat is the most common substitute and works well for headlines, while Mulish and Figtree sit closer to Proxima Nova's proportions in body text.