Roll20
Freemium
A browser-based virtual tabletop offering character sheets, dice rolling, and drawing tools. The free tier includes basic features, while paid tiers add dynamic lighting, API scripting, and more.
Official Site →Digital RPG Tools
Beyond Pencil & Paper
Digital tools have become essential companions for many tabletop gamers, whether for remote play or enhancing face-to-face sessions. This collection showcases noteworthy applications across various categories to help you find the right tools for your specific needs.
While no single tool works for every group or playstyle, this curated selection represents some of the most popular and effective options available—each with its own strengths for different aspects of tabletop gaming.
Virtual Tabletops (VTTs)
These platforms serve as digital gaming tables for remote play, each with different approaches to features like map handling, automation, and content integration. Your choice often depends on technical requirements and which systems you play most frequently.
Foundry VTT
Paid
A one-time purchase VTT with a robust module system for customization. Known for its modern UI, dynamic lighting, and active community developing extensions and content.
Official Site →Fantasy Grounds
Paid
A feature-rich virtual tabletop with official licensed content from major publishers. Comes in Standard and Ultimate editions, with the latter allowing players to join without purchasing their own copy.
Official Site →Owlbear Rodeo
Free
A lightweight, browser-based VTT focused on simplicity and ease of use. Perfect for quick battles and straightforward encounters without requiring accounts or complicated setup.
Official Site →Map Making Tools
Map creation software continues to evolve rapidly, with specialized tools for different map types and scales. Options range from continent-scale world builders to detail-oriented battlemap creators, each optimized for specific cartographic needs.
Inkarnate
Freemium
A web-based map creation tool with an intuitive interface for creating fantasy world maps, regional maps, and battle maps. The pro version offers higher resolution exports and additional assets.
Official Site →Dungeondraft
Paid
A battle map creation tool designed specifically for making detailed dungeon and building interiors with dynamic lighting and object placement.
Official Site →Wonderdraft
Paid
A world map creation tool focused on continent and region-scale maps with land generation, mountain ranges, rivers, and custom symbols.
Official Site →Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator
Free
A free, browser-based tool for generating detailed fantasy maps with customizable cultures, religions, and political boundaries. Includes options for climate simulation and city placement.
Official Site →Dice Rollers
Digital dice applications offer advantages for complex probability calculations, record keeping, and situations where physical dice are impractical. Most provide support for custom expressions, roll modifiers, and critical/fumble detection.
Dice by PCalc
Paid
A beautifully designed dice roller app with 3D animations, customizable dice sets, and detailed statistics. Supports dice expressions and saving favorite rolls.
Official Site →RPG Simple Dice
Free
A straightforward dice roller for Android with support for all standard RPG dice, custom dice, and complex dice expressions. Includes history tracking and favorites.
Official Site →Audio Tools
Ambient sound applications have transformed from simple music players to sophisticated soundscape creators with layered effects, scene transitions, and customizable soundboards. These tools add atmospheric depth to key moments and locations in your campaign.
Syrinscape
Subscription
A sound environment creator for tabletop games with customizable soundscapes and music. Features thousands of sounds organized by setting (fantasy, sci-fi, etc.) and scenario.
Official Site →Tabletop Audio
Freemium
A collection of 10-minute ambient audio tracks designed for tabletop roleplaying games. The free version offers hundreds of looping soundscapes, while the premium version adds a SoundPad for more control.
Official Site →Worldbuilding & Campaign Management
Organization tools have evolved beyond simple note applications into specialized systems for relationship tracking, wiki creation, timeline management, and interactive maps. These platforms vary in structure from highly flexible frameworks to purpose-built campaign organizers.
World Anvil
Freemium
A comprehensive worldbuilding and campaign management tool for creators and game masters. Offers wiki-style articles, interactive maps, timelines, and campaign management features.
Official Site →Notion
Freemium
A flexible workspace that can be adapted for campaign notes, with databases for NPCs, locations, and quest tracking. The free tier offers enough for most campaign needs.
Official Site →LegendKeeper
Subscription
A worldbuilding tool featuring a wiki-like interface for organizing lore, an interactive map system, and collaborative editing for game masters and players.
Official Site →Kanka
Freemium
A campaign management tool focused on organizing all aspects of your worldbuilding. Features support for characters, locations, organizations, and more with rich relationship tracking.
Official Site →Character Builders
Digital character tools have become increasingly system-specific, offering deep integration with each game's rules and content libraries. Modern options typically provide automation for leveling, equipment management, spellcasting, and real-time stat updates during play.
D&D Beyond
Freemium
The official digital toolset for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. Offers character creation, digital rulebooks, and an encounter builder. Free for basic rules content.
Official Site →Pathbuilder 2e
Freemium
A comprehensive character builder for Pathfinder 2nd Edition with step-by-step creation and leveling. The free version covers most content, with a paid version for additional options.
Official Site →Digital vs. Physical Tools
Advantages of Digital Tools
- Accessibility: Enable remote play and sharing resources easily
- Organization: Search, filter, and organize information efficiently
- Automation: Handle complex calculations and rule applications
- Updates: Stay current with errata and rule changes automatically
- Integration: Connect various tools for a streamlined workflow
When to Use Physical Tools
- Tactile Experience: The irreplaceable feel of rolling physical dice
- No Screen Fatigue: Reduce eye strain during long gaming sessions
- Reliability: No technical glitches, crashes, or connectivity issues
- Focus: Fewer distractions compared to digital devices
- Tradition: The authentic tabletop experience that started it all
Pro Tip: Many gaming groups use a hybrid approach, combining physical dice and character sheets with digital maps and reference materials for the best of both worlds.