Tabletop gaming has long been a cherished pastime for many people, but with the rise of technology, virtual tabletops have become a popular alternative for online gaming. Roll20 has been a popular choice among tabletop gamers, but there are now many other options available on the market. In this article, we will explore the top 9 Roll20 alternatives, their features, pricing, and pros and cons.
1. Foundry Virtual Tabletop (Foundry VTT)
Foundry VTT is a powerful virtual tabletop with a focus on modularity and customization. It offers a vast range of features, including dynamic lighting, fog of war, and extensive map tools. It also has a user-friendly interface, making it easy for new players to learn and use. Foundry VTT offers a one-time fee for purchase, which includes all future updates and features, with no subscription fees.
| Features | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Dynamic Lighting | One-time fee of $50 USD |
| Fog of War | All future updates and features included |
| Extensive Map Tools | No subscription fees |
Pros
- Robust features and customization options
- No subscription fees
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Only available for self-hosting, may require technical knowledge to set up
- Smaller user community compared to other platforms
2. Astral Tabletop
Astral Tabletop is a cloud-based virtual tabletop that offers a wide range of features for both novice and experienced players. It has an intuitive interface that allows players to create and manage their games easily. Astral Tabletop offers a free basic plan, which includes limited features, and two paid subscription plans, which offer more advanced features.
| Features | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Intuitive Interface | Free basic plan |
| Advanced Mapping Tools | $10 USD per month |
| Extensive Library of Assets | $15 USD per month |
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Large library of assets available
- Cloud-based, no hosting necessary
Cons
- Limited features on the free plan
- Monthly subscription fees can add up
3. Fantasy Grounds
Fantasy Grounds is a virtual tabletop with a focus on ruleset integration, allowing players to easily manage and automate their games. It offers a wide range of features, including dynamic lighting, extensive map tools, and a large library of pre-made content. Fantasy Grounds offers a one-time fee for purchase, with optional subscription plans for additional content.
| Features | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Ruleset Integration | One-time fee of $39.99 USD |
| Dynamic Lighting | Optional subscription plans available |
| Extensive Pre-made Content Library | Starting at $3.99 USD per month |
Pros
- Strong ruleset integration
- Large library of pre-made content
- One-time purchase fee with no subscription required
Cons
- One-time purchase fee can be expensive
- Subscription plans required for additional content
4. Tabletop Simulator
Tabletop Simulator is a physics-based virtual tabletop that allows players to create and manipulate their game pieces in a 3D space. It has an extensive library of pre-made content, including popular tabletop games like Catan and Warhammer. Tabletop Simulator offers a one-time purchase fee, with all future updates and features included.
| Features | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Physics-based Gameplay | One-time fee of $19.99 USD |
| Extensive Library of Pre-made Content | All future updates and features included |
| 3D Manipulation of Game Pieces |
Pros
- Unique physics-based gameplay
- Large library of pre-made content
- One-time purchase fee with no subscription required
Cons
- Learning curve for manipulating game pieces in 3D space
- Limited customizability compared to other platforms
5. D20PRO
D20PRO is a virtual tabletop with a focus on automation and ease of use. It offers a wide range of features, including dynamic lighting, fog of war, and rule automation. It also has an intuitive interface that makes it easy for players to learn and use. D20PRO offers a one-time purchase fee, with optional subscription plans for additional content.
| Features | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Rule Automation | One-time fee of $34.99 USD |
| Dynamic Lighting | Optional subscription plans available |
| Intuitive Interface | Starting at $3.99 USD per month |
Pros
- Strong focus on automation and ease of use
- Intuitive interface
- One-time purchase fee with no subscription required
Cons
- One-time purchase fee can be expensive
- Subscription plans required for additional content
6. Battlegrounds RPG Edition (BRPG)
Battlegrounds RPG Edition is a virtual tabletop with a focus on simplicity and affordability. It offers a wide range of features, including dynamic lighting and fog of war, but with a simpler interface than some of the other platforms. Battlegrounds RPG Edition offers a one-time purchase fee, with no subscription fees.
| Features | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Dynamic Lighting | One-time fee of $17.99 USD |
| Fog of War | No subscription fees |
| Simple Interface |
Pros
- Affordable one-time purchase fee
- Simple interface for easy use
- Dynamic lighting and fog of war
Cons
- Limited customizability compared to other platforms
- Smaller user community compared to other platforms
7. EpicTable
EpicTable is a virtual tabletop with a focus on visual customization and easy use. It offers a wide range of features, including dynamic lighting, fog of war, and an extensive map toolset. It also has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for new players to learn and use. EpicTable offers a one-time purchase fee, with optional subscription plans for additional content.
| Features | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Visual Customization | One-time fee of $39.99 USD |
| Dynamic Lighting | Optional subscription plans available |
| User-friendly Interface | Starting at $5 USD per month |
Pros
- Strong visual customization options
- User-friendly interface
- One-time purchase fee with no subscription required
Cons
- One-time purchase fee can be expensive
- Subscription plans required for additional content
8. MapTool
MapTool is a virtual tabletop with a focus on map creation and customization. It offers a wide range of features, including dynamic lighting and fog of war, but with a stronger emphasis on map creation tools. MapTool is open-source software, which means it is free to use and has a strong user community for support and custom content.
| Features | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Map Creation Tools | Free and open-source |
| Dynamic Lighting | Strong user community for support and custom content |
| Fog of War |
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Strong emphasis on map creation tools
- Large user community for support and custom content
Cons
- May require technical knowledge to use
- Limited support compared to other platforms
9. Game Master Engine (GME)
Game Master Engine is a virtual tabletop with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. It offers a wide range of features, including dynamic lighting, fog of war, and map tools. It also has an intuitive interface that makes it easy for new players to learn and use. Game Master Engine offers a one-time purchase fee, with no subscription fees.
| Features | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Dynamic Lighting | One-time fee of $24.99 USD |
| Fog of War | No subscription fees |
| Intuitive Interface |
Pros
- Affordable one-time purchase fee
- Simple and intuitive interface for easy use
- Dynamic lighting and fog of war
Cons
- Limited customizability compared to other platforms
- Smaller user community compared to other platforms
How to Choose the Right Virtual Tabletop for Your Needs
When choosing a virtual tabletop, it’s important to consider what features and functionalities you need for your specific game. Here are some factors to consider:
Comparing Features and Functionalities
Take a look at the features and functionalities of each platform and compare them to your needs. Do you need dynamic lighting and fog of war? How important is map creation to your game?
Importance of Community and Support
Consider the user community for each platform. Are there active forums and resources for troubleshooting and custom content creation?
Customization Options
Think about how much customization you need for your game. Do you need to import custom assets, or are pre-made content libraries sufficient?
Pricing Considerations
Look at the pricing plans for each platform and consider which one fits your budget. Do you prefer a one-time purchase fee or a subscription model?
By considering these factors, you can find the right virtual tabletop that fits your specific needs and budget.
Conclusion
There are many virtual tabletop options available, and each one offers unique features and functionalities to enhance your online tabletop gaming experience. Whether you prefer a simple and affordable option like Battlegrounds RPG Edition or a robust and customizable platform like Foundry VTT, there is a platform that will fit your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why should I consider using a Roll20 alternative? Using a Roll20 alternative can give you access to different features and functionalities that better fit your specific needs for your online tabletop gaming experience.
- Can I use these virtual tabletops for non-fantasy or non-RPG games? Yes, most virtual tabletops are versatile and can be used for a variety of games and genres.
- How do I get started with using a virtual tabletop platform? Most virtual tabletops offer tutorials and guides for new users, and many have active user communities that can offer support and guidance.
- Are there free virtual tabletop options available? Yes, some virtual tabletops, like MapTool and Game Master Engine, are free and open-source.
- What are the best ways to create custom content for my virtual tabletop? Many virtual tabletops offer ways to import custom assets, and some have user communities that create and share custom content.
- Can I switch between virtual tabletop platforms easily? It depends on the platform, but most allow for easy export and import of game data.
- How do I find players or groups to play with on these platforms? Most virtual tabletops have active user communities where you can find groups to join, or you can recruit players from your own personal network.
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