Fantasy Grounds
From $3.99/mo
Foundry VTT
$50 one-time
Fantasy Grounds vs Foundry VTT: Which Should You Use?
Last updated: 2026
Choose Fantasy Grounds if…
GMs who run published adventures and want automated rules handling with minimal manual setup.
Visit Fantasy Grounds →Choose Foundry VTT if…
Technical GMs running long campaigns who want full control over their virtual tabletop experience.
Visit Foundry VTT →Side-by-side comparison
| | | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | one-time |
| Starting price | $3.99 | $50 |
| Free tier | ||
| Platforms | Win, Mac | Win, Mac, Linux, Web |
| Game systems | D&D 5e, Pathfinder 2e, Call of Cthulhu, System agnostic | D&D 5e, Pathfinder 2e, Call of Cthulhu, System agnostic |
| Self-hosted | ||
| AI-powered | ||
| Open source | ||
| Works offline | ||
| Official content | ||
| Launched | 2004 | 2020 |
Pricing breakdown
Fantasy Grounds
Standard $3.99/mo or Ultimate $9.99/mo (players can use free demo). Lifetime licenses also available. Official content sold separately.
Foundry VTT
GM buys once at $50; players connect free via browser. No ongoing fees.
Pros & cons
Fantasy Grounds
Pros
- Best rules automation of any mainstream VTT
- Extensive official content library from major publishers
- Works offline — no internet required to play
Cons
- Dated UI that has a steep learning curve
- Content purchases are platform-locked — can't use elsewhere
- Desktop-only; no browser play for players on Ultimate tier
Foundry VTT
Pros
- One-time purchase — no recurring subscription
- Most customisable VTT via modules
- Players join free in any browser
Cons
- Self-hosting requires some technical knowledge to set up
- Initial scene setup is time-intensive for new GMs
- No official mobile app for GM use
Frequently asked questions
Is Fantasy Grounds or Foundry VTT cheaper?
Fantasy Grounds is cheaper at $3.99 vs Foundry VTT's $50.
Can I use Fantasy Grounds and Foundry VTT together?
Fantasy Grounds and Foundry VTT overlap in the virtual-tabletops category, so most users pick one or the other rather than using both. That said, some GMs use them for different parts of their workflow if the tools serve genuinely different purposes.