Virtual Tabletop Solutions
Jun 23 2020
A preliminary look at Virtual Tabletop systems for running an RPG. Mostly got the alternatives from reading this article in Ars Technica.
Roll20 - web based, very popular but the main app hasn't been really updated recently as resources are spent on game plug-ins. Free and people say it's quite usable without paying, otherwise $100 per year. Lots of fan add-ons though I think you need to be in a paid tier.
Astral - also web based. Maybe better map tools. Less support for RPPs though some popular ones are supported. Free tier or $100 per year.
Foundry VTT - Although web based it is not subscription. $50 for the app which runs on your web server (which might cost money if you use a third party web server host). Some community stuff which is free?
Fantasy Grounds - Our first app-based solution which means everyone needs a copy (though players can use demo version). Modules are fairly expensive. $150 for Ultimate (or $120 per year).
MapTool - Open Source, Java-based app.
D20Pro - As the name says it's focused on playing d20 games and variants. $10 for players, $50 for GM.
Tabletop Simulator - Someone mentioned using this with a D&D plug-in.
I think Roll20 is the way to go. It's free, has broad system support from the community, and has no app-based client with accompanying issues (instead everyone should be using latest Chrome or Firefox browser).
I'm thinking of using Roll20 with simple maps and counters. Maybe for character sheet too. Discord or Zoom for voice chat. Roll20 has campaign stuff but probably will use my web site. A wiki would be good but I wasn't satisfied with the one in Mac OS Server and it's unsupported now.
Roll20 - web based, very popular but the main app hasn't been really updated recently as resources are spent on game plug-ins. Free and people say it's quite usable without paying, otherwise $100 per year. Lots of fan add-ons though I think you need to be in a paid tier.
Astral - also web based. Maybe better map tools. Less support for RPPs though some popular ones are supported. Free tier or $100 per year.
Foundry VTT - Although web based it is not subscription. $50 for the app which runs on your web server (which might cost money if you use a third party web server host). Some community stuff which is free?
Fantasy Grounds - Our first app-based solution which means everyone needs a copy (though players can use demo version). Modules are fairly expensive. $150 for Ultimate (or $120 per year).
MapTool - Open Source, Java-based app.
D20Pro - As the name says it's focused on playing d20 games and variants. $10 for players, $50 for GM.
Tabletop Simulator - Someone mentioned using this with a D&D plug-in.
I think Roll20 is the way to go. It's free, has broad system support from the community, and has no app-based client with accompanying issues (instead everyone should be using latest Chrome or Firefox browser).
I'm thinking of using Roll20 with simple maps and counters. Maybe for character sheet too. Discord or Zoom for voice chat. Roll20 has campaign stuff but probably will use my web site. A wiki would be good but I wasn't satisfied with the one in Mac OS Server and it's unsupported now.