Compare / Helvetica vs Roboto

Helvetica vs Roboto

Helvetica and Roboto compared on classification, designer, release year, licensing and web use. Both are sans-serif typefaces, so the choice usually comes down to licensing, availability and the feel of the letterforms rather than category.

Helvetica ▸

Hamburgefonstiv

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. 0123456789

Roboto ▸

Hamburgefonstiv

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. 0123456789

Side by side

	Helvetica	Roboto
Classification	Sans-serif	Sans-serif
Designer	Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffmann	Christian Robertson
Released	1957	2011
License	Commercial license required	Open source, free via Google Fonts
On a website	Needs a web license (@font-face) before self-hosting	Can be self-hosted or loaded from Google Fonts
Weights	-	9
Languages	-	9

What to know

Both are sans-serif typefaces, so the choice usually comes down to licensing, availability and the feel of the letterforms rather than category.
Licensing differs: Helvetica is "commercial license required", while Roboto is "open source, free via google fonts". That matters before either one ships on a website or in a product.
Helvetica (1957) is 54 years older than Roboto (2011).

Which of these does your site use?

Paste your URL for a free scan: every font the page loads, where it is served from and whether it needs a license.

Questions

Can I use Helvetica and Roboto on my website?

Helvetica: Needs a web license (@font-face) before self-hosting. Roboto: Can be self-hosted or loaded from Google Fonts.

Is Helvetica better than Roboto?

Neither is better in every case. The right choice depends on where the text appears, your licensing situation and how each typeface looks in your layout; the specimen above shows both side by side.

How do I check which of these fonts my site uses?

Run the free Font Checker Pro scan on your URL: it lists every font the page loads, where each one is served from and whether it needs a license.

Try them with your own text →Helvetica details Roboto details