D&D Beyond Maps vs Roll20
If your group already lives on D&D Beyond, its Maps tool is the obvious first try. Roll20 is the long-standing alternative with its own sheets and marketplace. With Sigil, D&D Beyond's 3D tabletop, closing at the end of October 2026, Maps is the 2D option D&D Beyond continues to offer.
Side by side
| Topic | D&D Beyond Maps | Roll20 | TerrainTale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free for registered users with content they own; Master Tier adds uploads and homebrew | Free tier; paid subscriptions | Free plan with one saved scene; Premium $6/mo or $48/yr |
| Character sheets | D&D Beyond sheets, linked directly | Roll20 sheets; D&D Beyond import through third-party tools | None; no D&D Beyond sync |
| Systems | D&D | Hundreds of systems | Any grid-based game |
| Official content | Books owned on D&D Beyond, with their maps | Separate Roll20 marketplace purchases | None |
| Maps | 2D maps, including official adventure maps, with basic fog | 2D image maps with lighting and fog | 3D scenes you build, with a fog brush |
| Automation | Rolls from linked sheets | Roll templates; API on top tier | None |
| Voice and video | Not the focus | Built-in options | Not built in |
| Setup effort | Very low if your campaign is already on D&D Beyond | Low | Low |
| Learning curve | Short | Short to moderate | Short |
D&D Beyond and Roll20 are trademarks of their respective owners and are not affiliated with TerrainTale. Prices and features are described in general terms as we understand them at the time of writing and change often; check each product's site for current details.
Who should pick D&D Beyond Maps
Groups whose books, characters and campaign are already on D&D Beyond and who want official maps with as little extra setup, and cost, as possible.
Who should pick Roll20
Groups who play more than D&D, want built-in lighting, fog and voice, or already own adventures on Roll20.
Price compared
Maps is free to use with maps and adventures you own on D&D Beyond; uploading your own maps and homebrew needs the Master Tier subscription. Roll20 can be used free, with paid tiers for more. Books are bought separately on each, and do not transfer between them.
Setup and the Sigil question
Sigil players moving on before the end of October 2026 will find Maps the most direct path inside D&D Beyond, Roll20 the most established outside it, and several 3D tabletops for anyone who wants to keep the third dimension.
Where a 3D browser table fits
For D&D Beyond groups, especially Sigil players who want to stay in 3D, TerrainTale is a 3D table in the browser that sits beside your D&D Beyond sheets rather than reading them: there is no sync, so HP and conditions are entered on the token card. In return the map is a lit 3D place with height, built with a room tool and brushes or imported as a scene recipe, with initiative, a dice roller and a fog brush for reveals. It has no character sheets, rules automation or voice and video. The free plan keeps one saved scene; Premium, $6 a month or $48 a year, keeps up to 200 and imports your own models.
Questions
Is D&D Beyond Maps better than Roll20?
For a D&D campaign already on D&D Beyond, Maps is usually smoother because sheets and books are linked. For other systems or more VTT features, Roll20 is broader.
Is D&D Beyond Maps free?
Since September 2025 it is free for registered users with content they own. Uploading your own maps and tokens needs the Master Tier subscription; check D&D Beyond for current details.
Is Sigil shutting down?
Yes. D&D Beyond announced that Sigil, its 3D tabletop, closes at the end of October 2026. Maps continues.
Can I use D&D Beyond characters in Roll20?
Not natively; third-party tools and browser extensions can import them.
What is a good 3D alternative to Sigil?
TaleSpire is a 3D option on Steam; TerrainTale is a 3D option in the browser. Neither imports Sigil maps, so scenes are rebuilt.
Keep reading
D&D Beyond Maps alternative
Want more than a flat map? A D&D Beyond Maps alternative that builds the battle map in 3D: real walls, torchlight and height, realistic minis, a ruler in feet and initiative.
Sigil alternative
D&D Beyond's Sigil 3D VTT closes at the end of October 2026.
Roll20 alternative
A Roll20 alternative for groups who want a realistic 3D map and none of the overhead: no character sheets, no macros, a ruler in feet, initiative and HP.
Owlbear Rodeo vs Roll20
Owlbear Rodeo vs Roll20 compared: a lightweight shared map against a full browser platform, with prices, features, setup and who each suits.
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