Roll20 Alternatives, Similar Games, Apps 2023

Roll20 has been a go-to platform for tabletop RPG players who want to take their games online. However, with the rapid development of technology and the increase in popularity of online gaming, players now have more options than ever before.

Whether you’re looking for a platform with advanced features, a simpler user interface, or a specific set of game rules, there are plenty of Roll20 alternatives available in 2023. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best alternatives, similar games, and apps for playing tabletop RPGs online.

While Roll20 is a great platform for playing tabletop RPGs online, there are a few reasons why you might want to consider using an alternative:

• Advanced Features: Roll20 offers a range of features for running tabletop RPGs online, but if you’re looking for more advanced features, such as dynamic line-of-sight for maps or automated character sheets, you may want to consider an alternative like Fantasy Grounds or Foundry VTT.
• Simpler User Interface: Roll20’s interface can be overwhelming for some players, particularly those who are new to online RPGs. If you’re looking for a simpler and more intuitive platform, alternatives like Astral Tabletop or Tabletop Simulator might be a better fit for you.
• Specific Game Rules: Roll20 supports a wide range of game systems, but if you’re playing a game that isn’t fully supported by Roll20, or you want a platform that’s specifically designed for your game system, you may need to look for an alternative. For example, the platform Mythic Table is designed specifically for playing games using the Mythic rules system.

List of the 23 Best Roll20 Alternatives in 2023:

1. MapTool

MapTool is the best Roll20 alternative with an online, multi-user, network, graphic, interactive, and programmable virtual dashboard. It requires Java 6+. You can use it to play face-to-face or to play online roles in real-time, even if your players are on the other side of the world. Also, RPTools accepts donations as needed, but is open source and has no cost to use.

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2. Fantasy Grounds

Another Roll20 alternative, Fantasy Grounds is a virtual table to help facilitate online role-playing games with a GM (game master) and one or more players. Repeat what you would traditionally do around a physical table, such as throwing dice, sharing brochures and images, and moving tokens or figures on a map. You can use this tool as an alternative to Roll20.

The nice thing about Fantasy Grounds is that when you finish using an image/map, you can stop sharing that image and stop using generous memory. You can handle lightning with simple colors in hexadecimal code, and you can adjust it according to your needs. Lighting never causes a memory problem in the FG.

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3. D&D Beyond

D&D Beyond is the official digital toolkit for the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons and it is a great Roll20 alternative app. The integration of Twitch and a massive online compendium of official characters, spells, items, and more provide an easy-to-use system with everything that table D&D players need for an epic adventure. If you are looking for an alternative to Roll20, you can go for it.

What’s more? You do not need to pay to use the website. D&D Beyond makes a promise to make this service available for free, including the creators of characters and other tools. The only limitation is that you can only access rules freely distributed by the Wizards of the Coast.

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4. Rolisteam

Rolisteam is one of the top-rated Roll20 alternatives in 2023. It offers many roles for sharing maps, and images, and also comprises a tool to talk with your friends/players just like Roll20. The goal is to make the role-playing games managed by Rolisteam as good as the role-playing games around your table.

Characteristics: 

• Character sheet
• Music player
• Drawing tools (draw maps on the fly).
• Vector map
• Name generator
• Unit conversion
• Character sheet
• A rich text editor.
• Rolling dies
• Rolling secret dice
• Share photos
• Share the map
• War fog on the map
• Playable character or player ID (chat)
• PC and NPC locations on the map.
• One-to-one / many / all chat communication
• Client/server architecture.

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5. Beyond Tabletop

Beyond Tabletop is the trusted Roll20 replacement app with a set of tools for role-playing game players who want to improve their in-game gaming sessions with maps and sheets of clean and easy-to-use online characters. This Roll20 alternative has no subscription plan, and we can use it on all devices.

The features are as follows:

• Mobile gaming system specifically optimized for touchscreen devices and requires no installation
• A simple virtual battle mat that allows you to quickly place tiles, draw with a pen or figure, and collaborate with friends in battles
• A fully customizable character sheet with the flexibility to create your lists, resources, and macros.
• With cross-platform sync between your account and the account of the invited friend, you can only play in real life or online!

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6. Mipui

Just like Roll20, Mipui is an online map editor based on grids, which focuses on simplicity and collaboration: all editions appear in real-time for other viewers. It intends to be used for role-playing games such as D&D and other board games. All maps are stored indefinitely in the Cloud. So, you can use Mipui if you need an alternative for Roll20.

Mipui uses a limited but expressive toolset to provide a wealth of features that are sufficient for most everyday gaming needs while avoiding the bloat that exists in some other map editors. In particular, no textures are used but choose a symbolic approach instead.

Mipui has real-time collaboration between multiple authors. Just share the link with someone else and watch the edition live. No registration is required.

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7. Astral Tabletop

Astral Tabletop, a great Roll20 alternative, is an online role-playing stage for hosting and playing games online. Play together online with others and communicate via live video or create and organize games like GM using powerful combat and map management tools with easy access to visual effects for the atmosphere.

Astral is an online platform where anyone can start role-playing games with friends for free. So, you can use it as a good alternative to Roll20. As a humble creator of free role-play maps, Astral continues to expand to a powerful set of online features that make online role-playing games easier than ever.

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8. Battlegrounds

Battlegrounds is an effective tabletop software. It helps you improve your pen-and-paper role-playing games even if your players are in the same room, or on the other side of the world. It is named as one of the top competitors of Roll20. Battlegrounds Gaming Engine (also called BGE) is a virtual table software used in board games, war games, card games, and dice games.

It is based on the BRPG code base but is optimized for common games. RPG-related features have been removed, and new features and functions have been added. BGE is compatible with all digital game conversions.

9. Power Virtual TableTop

Power VTT helps you build and play fantasy role-playing games online. This RPG Map editing has everything you need to create RPG meetings in less time. People are using it as an alternative to Roll20.

• Two hundred assets included
• Import your assets
• Fit to the grid
• Layers
• Add/edit text
• Search
• Export JPEG/PNG
• Undo-redo
• RPG Map editing.

Power Virtual Tabletop is an online platform where anyone can start role-playing games with friends for free. As a humble creator of free role-play maps, Astral continues to expand to a powerful set of online features that make online role-playing games easier than ever.

10. Standard Action

Standard Action is a board game application designed to be easy to use, but highly customizable like Roll20. In the game, Standard Action features an interactive game board, live chat, dice rolls, a turn tracker, and customizable statistics bars.

Role-playing games (RPGs) are a genre of video games where players control fictional characters that start searching in a fictional world. Defining role-playing games is very challenging due to the different hybrid genres with role-playing elements.

11. GM Forge

GM Forge is an independent virtual table with competitive features, which makes it a good affordable alternative to Roll20. It has all the reasonable features on other practical tabletops, as well as some fresh and impressive innovative ideas formed with the standard GM in mind.

This project intended to provide a complete virtual dashboard experience without resorting to unreasonable subscriptions and costs. The software costs $30, so you don’t have to break the bank and own it. Players can participate for free. There is an additional charge for the software.

12. Epictable

Epictable is a virtual table (sometimes called “VT”) that allows you and your friends to play your favorite paper and pencil role-playing games, regardless of whether they are sitting on the different sides of the board or the other side of the world. It’s similar to Roll20.

EpicTable is not a game. A tool used to play games. You still need the rulebook and other resources for the game you are playing. EpicTable replaces only some of the objective traps in role-playing playoffs (battle maps, miniatures, character sheets, leaflets, etc.). 

13. PlanarAlly

PlanarAlly project is still in early development; multiple errors or changes in the structure can and will happen. A complementary tool for when you travel on airplanes. PlanarAlly is a web tool that adds virtual battle maps with several extras to your D&D toolbox.

14. Dungeon Sketch

Dungeon Sketch is a low-fidelity tactical combat map for board role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons. This application intends to replace the board or graph paper found in the middle of a game table. The application provides a vector drawing utility and a collection of images to use as chips representing players, monsters, or anything else.

15. D20PRO

D20PRO is a multi-platform, multiplayer Virtual Tabletop (VTT) that takes role-playing games from about the table to gamers just about the earth. Understanding all the basics of role-playing with the commanding D20PRO system device — speed up the fight, roll a usual 20 on included dice, play on vast gaming maps, and bring superiority sheets to life.

16. VTable

VTable (previously known as Game Table) is a Java-based joint whiteboard and chat customer. Sketch directly, or put images, that all linked users can observe and control. Its focus is simplicity, nearly no learning arc, and ease of employment. Users have voted it as the best alternative to Roll20.

With a virtual table (or VTT), you can play role-playing games that are traditionally done face-to-face around the table. Using a computer, and usually, video and audio, the player and GM connect to the VTT and turn on the game.

Recent experience is so rich that it becomes a viable option for remote players, players without local groups, and even standard games. However, given the amount of VTT available, finding the right VTT for you or your group can be difficult.

17. InfinitasDM

Disparate other “digital tabletops,” InfinitasDM takes control of digital gear and carries them to the material table. Generate and direct your operation from your PC/Mac while transporting an additional Player’s outlook to a secondary show.

For greater immersion, mount or project the player’s display on the game table and use physical thumbnails and parts to enhance the gaming experience. So, if you are looking for Roll20 alternatives, you should consider using InfinitasDM.

Campaign files are compatible with iOS and Android versions of the application, as well as create and play content from Windows or macOS computers.

18. Hextml

Hextml is a web-based map maker and campaign manager. Use the best of HTML5 to allow you to make beautiful hexagonal maps. Maps can be linked with sub-maps to design a location with more details. You can use the collaboration / multiple viewing modes to co-GM a game or share the map on the player’s devices in real-time. All these features make Hextml a perfect alternative to Roll20.

This is an online hexadecimal map creator, world-building tool, campaign manager, and virtual desktop software for role-playing games. Use DnD campaigns (or other board role-playing games) to build a world of players with you. Create beautiful hexagonal maps using the best HTML5.

19. Foundry Virtual Tabletop

Foundry Virtual Tabletop, a good alternative for Roll20, is the most supported virtual tabletop, with more official licenses than any other virtual tabletop. Your most-wanted RPG sports systems are playable using FG. While you can occupy yourself with any game on this platform, these systems let you pay money for preloaded content that is prepared to participate.

20. Noizio

Noizio is an application that will let you go down the noise of the avenue and permit you to focus on the job at hand, raising your efficiency. On the other hand, it can also set the mood for a romantic evening or calm you to sleep, ensuring that you will dream all night soundly long.

Surround yourself in seconds with a full palette of natural sounds. Set up your sound environment and do your favorite activities, study, and work. Remember that this application will help with relaxation, meditation, yoga, and sleep improvement. You can use Noizio as a Roll20 alternative app with ease.

21. ZingGrid

ZingGrid is a web component-based JavaScript documentation for data grids & tables with plenty of built-in characteristics and plenty of out-of-the-box functionality. ZingGrid offers you the elasticity to decide exactly the description you require for your subsequent scheme. You should try it if you are looking for Roll20 similar apps.

This tool is JavaScript documentation for the reproduction of network and statistics tables. The main focus of ZingGrid is a fast, responsive, and customizable grid using ES6 and native web components. The goal is to solve the problem of creating a CRUD grid within 5 minutes.

22. PixTeller

PixTeller helps you make Images, Graphics & Videos in a better way, and it’s faster, easier, and not-at-all complicated. Select from hundreds of free-of-charge design patterns, efficiently crafted, simple to exercise, and modify with the aid of a photograph editor and animatronics tool.

PixTeller, a well-known alternative to Roll20, is a tool that simplifies the design process from start to finish, so it can be used by digital industry marketers, bloggers, website owners, and anyone who needs a personal or commercial design.

23. Samesurf

Samesurf is the inventor of modern co-browsing – a real-time visual engagement technology. It is perfect for sales, support, and instant collaboration. This is one of the best alternatives to Roll20 and enables multiple remote users to interact with one another on any form of content without installs or coding of any kind from any device, app, or browser.

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I hope the list of Roll20 alternatives is helpful. Please leave your comments below if we have missed any. I will keep updating the list.