If you own a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, you already own a legal license to use Hiragino Sans TC. Apple bundles the Hiragino family natively within its operating systems to support multi-language typography.
However, there is a major loophole that allows millions of users to use Hiragino Sans TC for free legally: How to Get Hiragino Sans TC for Free Legally hiragino sans tc free
Developed by Google and Adobe, Noto Sans TC is the absolute best free alternative to Hiragino Sans TC. If you own a Mac, iPhone, or iPad,
It is virtually identical to Noto Sans TC (sharing the same underlying glyph design structure). It offers professional-grade kerning, diverse weights, and exceptional clarity for print and digital mediums. Where to get it: Adobe Fonts (Free Open Source) or GitHub. 3. Microsoft JhengHei (微軟正黑體) It is virtually identical to Noto Sans TC
While the dream of using "Hiragino Sans TC" for free is a tempting one, it is legally not a reality. However, the great news for today's designers is that the open-source ecosystem has matured to the point where you no longer need to pay for a premium font to get a premium result. The alternatives listed above are not just free; they are world-class, professionally designed typefaces. They offer exceptional clarity, complete multilingual support, and peace of mind through permissive open-source licenses. By choosing any of these alternatives, you are not settling for something "lesser"—you are making an intelligent, risk-free investment in your creative work.
Fortunately, there are highly professional, completely free fonts that match the modern, clean look of Hiragino Sans TC: 1. Noto Sans Traditional Chinese (Noto Sans TC)