Roll20 vs TaleSpire

Roll20 is a browser-based virtual tabletop for playing tabletop roleplaying games and board games online. It supports D&D, Pathfinder, and more than 1,200 game systems, with built-in character sheets for over 250 systems and the option to design your own. The tabletop combines voice and video, live chat, 3D dice, handouts, digital tokens, and effects. Game masters can use Dynamic Lighting and Fog of War, and create maps with Dungeon Scrawl. Macros automate rolls, spell effects, and character actions; extending the service through its API requires Pro. Dungeon Scrawl maps can sync to a Roll20 game page, alongside connected Roll20 Characters and Compendium features. The free tier is available indefinitely and includes base tools, 100MB of storage, and ads. Pro costs $8.33 a month, billed $99.99 pay once a year; Elite costs $12.50 a month, billed $149.99 pay once a year. Chrome and Firefox fully support the VTT.

TaleSpire is an online tabletop for playing pen-and-paper role-playing games with friends. Game Masters and players can construct and revise campaign boards as a session unfolds, with updates synchronized in real time. The core game does not prescribe a ruleset; it is designed for games played on a square grid with standard seven-set RPG dice. Tools include dice, rulers, area markers and emotes, as well as modes for turn-based combat and cinematic sequences. Up to 16 players can be online in a campaign, and multiple players can receive Game Master privileges to build together. Players can browse and upload slabs through in-game mod.io, and share creations through TalesBazaar and TalesTavern. Symbiotes can interact with the game through an API. The free Guest Edition lets users join a campaign when a one-time seat is available, even if its owner is offline; guests cannot create campaigns or buy seats. The full game costs $24.99, paid once, with no subscription for the base game or server access. Official support covers Windows and Apple Silicon macOS; Linux works under Proton 7 and later but is not fully supported.