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Fira Code VS DejaVu Sans Mono

Compare Fira Code VS DejaVu Sans Mono and see what are their differences

Fira Code logo Fira Code

A font derived from Fira Mono with added ligatures.

DejaVu Sans Mono logo DejaVu Sans Mono

This open source font family is derived from the Bitstream Vera family, itself close to the Microsoft core Web fonts (see Andale Mono).
  • Fira Code Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-23
  • DejaVu Sans Mono Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-12-18

Fira Code features and specs

  • Ligatures
    Fira Code includes programming ligatures, which combine multiple characters into a single, visually distinct symbol, making code more readable and aesthetically pleasing.
  • Readability
    The font is designed specifically for coding and enhances readability, with a high distinction between similar-looking characters.
  • Open Source
    It is open-source, allowing for community contributions and modifications, which can lead to rapid improvements and updates.
  • Wide Language Support
    Fira Code supports a wide range of characters and symbols, making it suitable for use with many different programming languages.
  • Customizable
    Users can customize the font to fit their personal preferences and needs, including turning ligatures on or off.

Possible disadvantages of Fira Code

  • Performance Issues
    The complexity of ligatures can sometimes lead to performance issues in editors, making typing feel sluggish.
  • Compatibility
    Some older editors and IDEs may not fully support ligatures or the font itself, leading to display issues.
  • Personal Preference
    Not all developers prefer ligatures; some may find them distracting or harder to read compared to traditional monospaced fonts.
  • Learning Curve
    Developers new to ligatures might need some time to get used to the combined symbols, which could initially slow down their coding speed.
  • File Size
    The font file size is larger compared to some other coding fonts, which might be a consideration for environments with constrained resources.

DejaVu Sans Mono features and specs

  • Comprehensive Unicode Support
    DejaVu Sans Mono has extensive Unicode coverage, supporting many scripts and symbols, making it versatile for multilingual text and diverse applications.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source font, DejaVu Sans Mono can be freely used, modified, and distributed, making it accessible for both personal and commercial use.
  • Monospace Design
    The monospaced design is optimal for coding and text editors, providing consistent character spacing that enhances readability and alignment.
  • High Legibility
    Designed for clear visibility, DejaVu Sans Mono's characters are distinct and easy to read, reducing strain during extended periods of reading.

Possible disadvantages of DejaVu Sans Mono

  • Aesthetic Limitations
    While functional, the aesthetic appeal of DejaVu Sans Mono may not be suitable for all design projects, particularly those requiring more artistic or stylish typography.
  • Print Limitations
    The font is primarily designed for on-screen use; it might not perform as well in professional print scenarios compared to fonts specifically tailored for print.
  • Limited Weight Variations
    DejaVu Sans Mono offers fewer weight variations than some contemporary typefaces, which might restrict creative expression or design flexibility.
  • Overshadowed by Popular Fonts
    Despite its merits, DejaVu Sans Mono is less commonly used than more popular monospaced fonts like Courier New or Consolas, which might affect its adoption.

Analysis of Fira Code

Overall verdict

  • Fira Code is generally considered a good choice for developers who appreciate the added readability provided by ligatures and a modern, clean visual style. It is widely adopted in the coding community, which speaks to its effectiveness and popularity.

Why this product is good

  • Fira Code is a popular monospaced font that includes programming ligatures, which improves code readability by visually representing common multi-character combinations as single, more aesthetically pleasing symbols. This can make coding more accessible and reduce visual clutter, particularly for those who spend long hours looking at code. Its open-source nature also allows it to be freely used and modified, fostering a community of contributors who continually optimize and enhance its features.

Recommended for

  • Developers who spend significant time coding and want to improve their code readability.
  • Programmers who appreciate aesthetic components and clarity in code design.
  • Users who utilize text editors and IDEs that support ligatures, such as Visual Studio Code or IntelliJ IDEA.

Fira Code videos

Fira Code - Programming Font Review

More videos:

  • Review - A Better Font For Web Development - Fira Code
  • Review - Fira Code in VS Code

DejaVu Sans Mono videos

sublime text 3 flat land theme, optional settings, dejavu sans mono font

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Fira Code and DejaVu Sans Mono)
Typography
61 61%
39% 39
Design
60 60%
40% 40
Tool
64 64%
36% 36
OSX
39 39%
61% 61

User comments

Share your experience with using Fira Code and DejaVu Sans Mono. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, DejaVu Sans Mono seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 12 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Fira Code mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Fira Code yet. Tracking of Fira Code recommendations started around Mar 2021.

DejaVu Sans Mono mentions (12)

  • I wrote a script to generate 3D printed two tone keycaps, here's the results. I will make a website where you can specify the text/symbol and download the generated .stl files if there is enough interest. Let me know in the comment below if this might be useful for you =D
    Long version... The potential is endless. If you have a 3d printer, you can make any keycap you want with this! I spent a few hours writing a script for blender to generate 3d printable keycaps with user specified text / symbol. The script would generate two objects, one for the text and one for the keycap body. You can then print the text first and then swap the filament and then print the body on top of that to... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Intel One Mono Typeface
    I really like Courier New but I like DejaVu Sans Mono (https://dejavu-fonts.github.io/) more. :). - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Does anyone know of any fonts with playing card symbols?
    If you don't already have this OFL-licensed font family, you can download it here. Source: over 2 years ago
  • How can I get fonts like this? I downloaded the same Patch Pack - but it didn't worked
    See these articles for more details. I'm not sure what font is featured in the screenshot you attached, but here's the one I use. Source: over 2 years ago
  • No More Coding Headaches: Try These Easy-On-The-Eyes Programming Fonts
    The DejaVu fonts were designed to cover the Unicode character set in its entirety, and while that goal hasnโ€™t quite been reached, the coverage is far more vast than most other fonts provide. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Fira Code and DejaVu Sans Mono, you can also consider the following products

Operator - Looking for something? Make a request and we'll find it.

Input Mono - Multiform monospace font.

M+ 1m - Download and install the M+ 1m free font family by M+ Fonts as well as test-drive and see a complete character set.

Source Code Pro - Monospaced font family for user interface and coding environments - adobe-fonts/source-code-pro

Bitstream Vera Sans Mono - Bitstream Vera Sans Mono Font | dafont.com

Noto Mono - OSX, Typography, Fonts, Design, and powerline