Foundry Virtual Tabletop vs Fantasy Grounds

Foundry Virtual Tabletop8.4Visit Fantasy Grounds8.0Visit

Higher score Foundry Virtual Tabletop #2 in Virtual Tabletop Software 8.4/10 From $50 ✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Foundry

vs

Fantasy Grounds #4 in Virtual Tabletop Software 8.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Try Fantasy Grounds

• Foundry Virtual Tabletop fits best

  Power users wanting deep customization

• Fantasy Grounds fits best

  Rules-heavy campaigns and automation

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Side by side

Feature	Foundry Virtual Tabletop 8.4/10 Visit ↗	Fantasy Grounds 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.4	8.0
Ranking	#2 in Virtual Tabletop Software	#4 in Virtual Tabletop Software
Best for	Power users wanting deep customization	Rules-heavy campaigns and automation
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted, Desktop	Cloud, Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Email, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Foundry Virtual Tabletop 3/5 · Fantasy Grounds 3/5
Video and audio	✓ (best)	Not published
Campaign tools	✓	✓
Rules compendium	Not published	✓ (best)
API access	✓	✓
Mobile apps	—	Not published
Specs
Player limit	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	One-time $50 license includes all core features and future updates Scenes support maps, tokens, lighting, walls, and ambient effects Documented JavaScript API supports modules and game systems	Rules-aware combat automation with advanced modifiers Maps include line of sight, lighting, vision, tokens, and 3D dice XML and Lua extensibility supports custom rulesets and modules
Cons	No free plan is available Core software does not support mobile devices Self-hosting adds server administration to the setup	Paid books, adventures, art, and community content can add cost Desktop software requires Windows, macOS, or Linux Advanced customization may require XML or Lua knowledge
Our verdict	Foundry Virtual Tabletop is self-hosted software for game masters and players running tabletop role-playing games online. It combines scenes, maps, tokens, lighting, walls, ambient effects, dice rolling, journals, playlists, character… Read the review →	Fantasy Grounds is a desktop virtual tabletop for tabletop roleplaying games, whether sessions take place online or in person. It suits Game Masters and players who want structured campaign management, detailed records, maps, rules… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Foundry Virtual Tabletop — where it wins

  • One-time $50 license includes all core features and future updates
  • Scenes support maps, tokens, lighting, walls, and ambient effects
  • Documented JavaScript API supports modules and game systems

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available
  • Core software does not support mobile devices
  • Self-hosting adds server administration to the setup

• Fantasy Grounds — where it wins

  • Rules-aware combat automation with advanced modifiers
  • Maps include line of sight, lighting, vision, tokens, and 3D dice
  • XML and Lua extensibility supports custom rulesets and modules

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid books, adventures, art, and community content can add cost
  • Desktop software requires Windows, macOS, or Linux
  • Advanced customization may require XML or Lua knowledge

• Foundry Virtual Tabletop8.4/10 · From $50

  A deep, customizable virtual tabletop with a $50 one-time license and self-hosting.

  Visit FoundryFull verdict →
• Fantasy Grounds8.0/10 · Free plan

  A mature, automation-focused virtual tabletop for complex roleplaying campaigns.

  Try Fantasy GroundsFull verdict →