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What Is Roll20 Used For: Features, Reviews & Alternatives

Virtual tabletop for RPGs like D&D.

Editorially updated Oct 25, 2025

The overview

What Roll20 is for

Roll20 serves as a browser-first virtual tabletop (VTT) platform, providing a comprehensive digital environment for Game Masters (GMs) and players to run and participate in tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) online. It replicates the physical game table experience by offering tools for dice rolling, character sheet management, interactive maps, and token movement, enabling remote groups to engage in their favorite RPG systems like Dungeons & Dragons or Pathfinder without geographical constraints.

Key features

1Core Capabilities

Dynamic Lighting engine
Integrated dice roller with custom macro
Character Sheet editor with official template
Token and map layer management
Compendium access for licensed game system
Audio/Video chat integration

Who it helps

Useful ways to use Roll20

Hosting A Remote Ttrpg Campaign

A Game Master utilizes the virtual tabletop to host their weekly Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition campaign. They prepare battle maps with dynamic lighting, manage monster tokens, track player character sheets, and execute dice rolls for encounters, all within the browser interface for their geographically dispersed player

Participating In An Online Game Session

A player logs into their GM's game, accesses their character sheet to track stats and abilities, moves their character token across the battle map, and uses the integrated dice roller to perform skill checks and attack rolls during a live game session with their friend

Distributing Custom Ttrpg Asset

A content creator leverages the Marketplace to publish and sell custom map packs, unique token sets, or full adventure modules designed for the platform. They use the built-in tools to package their digital assets, making them available for other GMs to purchase and integrate into their game

A practical path

How to use Roll20

Create Or Join A Game

Navigate to the website, sign in to your account, and from the main dashboard, either click 'Create New Game' to start a fresh campaign or accept an invitation link to join an existing game

External signals

Reviews & reputation

AI aggregated

4.3/ 5

Aggregated review score

Roll20 is a well-established virtual tabletop, praised for its comprehensive feature set that allows GMs and players to run complex TTRPG campaigns online. Users appreciate the dynamic lighting, integrated character sheets, and extensive marketplace. Some feedback points to a learning curve for new GMs and occasional performance issues with integrated voice/video, leading many to use external communication tools.

G2 LarryLudwig Product Review SmartCustomer Trustpilot

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

1Is Roll20 free to use for TTRPGs?⌄

Yes, the core virtual tabletop features, including dice rolling, character sheets, and basic map tools, are available for free. Optional paid subscriptions (Plus and Pro) offer advanced functionalities like dynamic lighting, API access, and increased storage.

2What TTRPG systems are supported on Roll20?⌄

Roll20 is largely system-agnostic, allowing you to play almost any TTRPG. It provides official character sheets and compendiums for popular systems such as Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu, and more, often available for purchase or free through the marketplace.

3Can I upload my own custom maps and tokens?⌄

Absolutely. Users can upload their own image files for maps, tokens, handouts, and other visual assets directly into their game's art library, allowing for highly customized game experiences.

4Does Roll20 include voice and video chat?⌄

Roll20 does offer integrated voice and video chat capabilities directly within the platform. However, many groups choose to use external communication tools like Discord for potentially better performance or additional features.

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