Foundry VTT
$50 one-time
Roll20
Free tier
Foundry VTT vs Roll20: Which Should You Use?
Last updated: 2026
Choose Foundry VTT if…
Technical GMs running long campaigns who want full control over their virtual tabletop experience.
Visit Foundry VTT →Choose Roll20 if…
New GMs who want to start quickly without spending money or installing software.
Visit Roll20 →Side-by-side comparison
| | | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | one-time | freemium |
| Starting price | $50 | Free |
| Free tier | ||
| Platforms | Win, Mac, Linux, Web | 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 | 2020 | 2012 |
Pricing breakdown
Foundry VTT
GM buys once at $50; players connect free via browser. No ongoing fees.
Roll20
Free tier available; Plus $5.99/mo, Pro $9.99/mo for GMs. Players always free.
Pros & cons
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
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 Foundry VTT or Roll20 cheaper?
Roll20 is cheaper — it has a free tier, while Foundry VTT starts at $50.
Can I use Foundry VTT and Roll20 together?
Foundry VTT 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.