Fantasy Grounds
From $3.99/mo
Roll20
Free tier
Fantasy Grounds vs Roll20: 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 Roll20 if…
New GMs who want to start quickly without spending money or installing software.
Visit Roll20 →Side-by-side comparison
| | | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | freemium |
| Starting price | $3.99 | Free |
| Free tier | ||
| Platforms | Win, Mac | 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 | 2012 |
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.
Roll20
Free tier available; Plus $5.99/mo, Pro $9.99/mo for GMs. Players always free.
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
Roll20
Pros
- No software install — runs in any browser
- Largest existing user base and community
- Free tier is genuinely usable for basic games
Cons
- Dynamic lighting locked behind subscription
- Performance can degrade with large maps
- Older interface feels dated compared to newer VTTs
Frequently asked questions
Is Fantasy Grounds or Roll20 cheaper?
Roll20 is cheaper — it has a free tier, while Fantasy Grounds starts at $3.99.
Can I use Fantasy Grounds and Roll20 together?
Fantasy Grounds and Roll20 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.