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Embed Google Fonts

By Adrian MÃ¶rchen

Performance & Optimization / Image Optimization & Compression

Embed Google Fonts Review - In-Depth Analysis

Embed Google Fonts automatically replaces registered Google Fonts with local versions from your server. This enhances performance and compliance with GDPR.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.77/10

User Rating

5/5 (based on 12+ reviews)

Active Installations

5,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

Embed Google Fonts tries to automatically replace registered Google Fonts from themes and plugins with local versions, directly loaded from your own server.

This plugin helps improve your website's performance by loading fonts locally instead of relying on external sources. The first request might be slow as fonts are downloaded and cached the first time they are requested.

It is important to note that this plugin does not automatically replace all Google Fonts. If a plugin or theme does not use WordPress wp_enqueue_style, it might not work as expected. Additionally, loaded fonts are not optimized, meaning the entire font including all subsets is loaded.

For further instructions on using locally hosted fonts directly and to avoid using Heroku, please refer to the FAQ section. Thank you for using this plugin, which downloads fonts using a reliable source.

Comparing to Alternatives

Embed Google Fonts is a straightforward plugin designed to locally host Google Fonts, helping sites comply with GDPR regulations. Compared to other similar plugins, it focuses on simplicity and ease of use.

Top alternatives

Embed Google Fonts

Strengths

Simple installation and setup process
Effectively prevents GDPR/DSGVO issues by hosting fonts locally
Compatible with popular themes like DIVI, BLOCKSY, and LEARNDASH
Requires minimal user intervention after activation

Weaknesses

Does not completely eliminate all external font requests in some cases
Limited customization options for font management
No advanced features beyond local font embedding

User Sentiment Analysis

User feedback highlights the plugin's ease of use and effectiveness, though some note minor issues with residual external font calls.

Positive highlights

'Great plugin worx perfect – THX' (marcaurelius)
'Just install, activate and forget. You guys are great!' (contixmedia)
'Works out of the box, prevents from GDPR/DSGVO issues.' (Ralf Geschke)
'Super easy to use and a great way to make your site EU GDPR compliant.' (peter11y)
'Great, works with DIVI, BLOCKSY & LEARNDASH out of the box!' (J.)

Common complaints

One CSS import had to be removed manually
Residual request to fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans from WordPress Admin Bar
Takes some troubleshooting to fully eliminate external font calls

Weaknesses

Does not fully block all external font requests in default setup
Requires manual checks in private browser windows to confirm effectiveness

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Website owners seeking a simple, effective solution to host Google Fonts locally for GDPR compliance without complex configuration.

Not ideal for

Users needing advanced font customization or complete elimination of all external font requests without manual intervention.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers full local hosting of Google Fonts with easy setup, sufficient for most users aiming for GDPR compliance.

Final Verdict

Embed Google Fonts is a reliable and user-friendly plugin that effectively addresses GDPR concerns by hosting Google Fonts locally. Its simplicity and compatibility with popular themes make it a solid choice for most WordPress users.

While it may require some manual adjustments to fully eliminate all external font calls, its free offering provides excellent value for those prioritizing privacy and compliance without needing advanced features.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free Embed Google Fonts plugin.

Embed

Google Fonts

GDPR

FAQ

It is possible to avoid using Heroku and directly use locally hosted fonts.

Easy way:

Let the plugin download the fonts
- Click the button in the plugin list overview 😉

Custom way:

Create a folder “embed-google-fonts” in your “wp-content” folder
For every font create a subfolder, i.e. “embed-google-fonts/open-sans/”
- Create a file “embed-google-fonts/open-sans/_font.css”
- Edit your “_font.css” to include rules for loading your local font