A Roll20 alternative with dynamic lighting on the free plan
Roll20 has been the default VTT since 2012. It has the biggest marketplace, the biggest player-finder, and more official content than anyone. It also gates dynamic lighting behind a $5.99 a month subscription and runs on an interface that most people describe with the word "dated". If that's the bit that's bothering you, this page is a fair look at what RollQuest does differently and where Roll20 is still the better pick.
The short version
RollQuest is a browser VTT built recently, by a small team, for D&D 5e and 5.5e. Fog of war, dynamic lighting, 3D dice, character sheets and combat tracking are all on the free plan. Paid plans ($3.99 and $8.99 a month at founding prices) add GM tools: journal, cards, a map builder, more games and storage.
Roll20 is the established platform. Free gets you a table with fog of war, character sheets and a huge library of purchasable content. Plus ($5.99 a month) adds dynamic lighting. Pro ($10.99) adds API scripts and more storage.
Where RollQuest is the better choice
Dynamic lighting for free. On Roll20 you pay for it. On RollQuest, lighting, walls, doors, torches on tokens and fog of war are all on the free plan, no limits. For a lot of GMs this is the whole decision.
The interface. RollQuest was designed this decade. Panels, a Quick HUD, a battle mode that lives on the map. It's the kind of thing you notice within five minutes.
Sheets that follow you. Character sheets live on your account and go with you into any game using the same rules pack. Roll20 has a Character Vault, but it's a paid feature to move sheets between games.
A map builder in the table. On Pro, you build maps from asset packs and the walls are already wired for lighting. Roll20 has no map builder; you draw walls on an uploaded image.
Price. Starter at $3.99 a month gets you the journal, cards, markers and playlists. Roll20's cheapest paid tier is $5.99 and doesn't include most of those.
Where Roll20 is the better choice
Official content. Roll20 sells licensed D&D, Pathfinder and Call of Cthulhu books and adventures, ready to drop in. RollQuest's marketplace is new and community-driven, with SRD rules built in but no licensed Wizards or Paizo books.
System coverage. Roll20 has community sheets for over a thousand systems. RollQuest has 5e and 5.5e rules packs. You can run other systems on the board, but without sheet automation.
Finding players. Roll20's LFG board is the biggest in the hobby. RollQuest has a Discord.
API scripts. Roll20 Pro gives you scripting. RollQuest doesn't have an equivalent.
Player limit. Roll20 has no player cap. RollQuest games hold 8 players plus the GM, a technical limit that's the same on every plan.
Side by side
| Feature | RollQuest | Roll20 |
|---|---|---|
| Runs in browser | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Dynamic lighting | Free | Plus ($5.99/mo) |
| Fog of war | Free | Free |
| 5e and 5.5e sheets | Free, built in | Free, community sheets |
| 3D dice | Free | Free |
| Combat tracker | Free | Free (turn tracker) |
| Journal and handouts | Starter ($3.99/mo) | Free |
| Map builder | Pro ($8.99/mo) | No |
| Licensed D&D books | No | Yes, purchase |
| Systems with sheets | 2 | 1,000+ |
| Cheapest paid plan | $3.99/mo | $5.99/mo |
| Top plan | $8.99/mo | $10.99/mo |
| Players per game | 8 + GM | Unlimited |
Roll20 prices checked September 2026. Founding prices for RollQuest are locked in for early subscribers.
Moving from Roll20
There is no one-click importer. What moves easily: your map images (download from your Roll20 library, upload to RollQuest, align with the grid editor, draw walls). Your notes (paste them into the journal). Your characters (rebuild in the guided builder; starting at any level makes this a few minutes each). What doesn't move: purchased marketplace content, which is licensed to Roll20.
Frequently asked questions
Is RollQuest free like Roll20?
Yes, and the free plan includes dynamic lighting, which Roll20's doesn't.
Can I import my Roll20 games?
Not automatically. Maps, notes and characters move by hand. Purchased content stays on Roll20.
Does RollQuest have a marketplace?
Yes, for content packs (full campaigns) and map asset packs, from RollQuest and from creators. It's smaller and newer than Roll20's and doesn't carry licensed publisher books.
Which is better for a new GM?
RollQuest is quicker to set up, especially for lighting. Roll20 is better if you want to buy an official adventure and run it as-is.
Try it
Free plan, no download: app.rollquest.io. Or see how RollQuest compares with Foundry and Owlbear Rodeo.