Foundry VTT vs Fantasy Grounds
Foundry VTT and Fantasy Grounds Unity are the two tabletops people mean when they say "automation". Both can resolve attacks, apply damage and track effects. They differ in how you pay (Foundry is a one-time licence; Fantasy Grounds has been free to download since late 2025, with content sold separately), how you host, and how they feel to use.
Side by side
| Topic | Foundry VTT | Fantasy Grounds | TerrainTale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | One-time GM licence ($50 at the time of writing); players free | Software free for GMs and players since November 2025; licensed rulesets and adventures are paid | Free plan with one saved scene; Premium $6/mo or $48/yr |
| Platform | Desktop app or server; players join in a browser | Desktop app for Windows, Mac and Linux (also on Steam) for GM and players | Browser for everyone |
| Hosting | Self-hosted or paid hosting | GM hosts from the app; a lookup service helps connect | Hosted, or self-host the Node server |
| Rules automation | Deep, through systems and modules | Deep, much of it built in for supported rulesets | None by design |
| Official content | Growing licensed library | Long-running store with many licensed books | No rulebook content; a realistic 3D library |
| Maps | 2D maps with walls, lighting and fog | 2D maps with lighting, line of sight and fog | 3D scenes with light, shadow and height; fog brush |
| Look and feel | Modern, highly customisable interface | Traditional desktop interface with a dedicated following | A 3D scene with an editor and a play mode |
| Community | Very large module and creator community | Long-standing forums and community wiki | Small and new |
| Learning curve | Moderate to steep | Steep at first, then fast | Short |
Foundry VTT and Fantasy Grounds 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 Foundry VTT
GMs who want players to join from a browser, like a modern interface they can reshape, and enjoy the module ecosystem. A single licence covers the GM; players need nothing but a link.
Who should pick Fantasy Grounds
Groups who want deep automation that works out of the box for a supported ruleset and are happy for everyone to install a desktop app. It has a long history with licensed content, which matters if you want official books already wired into the rules.
Price compared
Foundry is one payment for the GM, and players join free. Fantasy Grounds dropped its licences in November 2025, so the software now costs nothing for the GM or the players. On both, official books and adventures are bought separately, and that is where most of the spending goes. Check current prices on both sites.
Learning curve and setup
Both take time. Foundry's effort goes into hosting and picking modules; Fantasy Grounds' effort goes into learning its interface and conventions. Once learned, both run combat quickly.
Where a 3D browser table fits
Groups comparing Foundry and Fantasy Grounds usually want the software to do the arithmetic, and TerrainTale will not: it has no rules engine and no character sheets. Where it fits is the table that has tried automation and found it too much upkeep. It keeps the parts of combat a map has to know about (initiative, HP, conditions, movement measured in feet with height) and spends the rest on the place itself: lit 3D rooms, realistic miniatures and fog the DM brushes on, all in a browser with nothing for players to install. No voice or video either. 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 Foundry or Fantasy Grounds better for automation?
Both are strong. Fantasy Grounds has much of its automation built in for supported rulesets; Foundry reaches similar depth through systems and modules. Fantasy Grounds is free to download, so it is easy to try.
Do my players need to buy Fantasy Grounds?
No. Since November 2025 the Fantasy Grounds software is free for GMs and players; licensed content is still sold separately.
Does Foundry run in a browser?
Players join in a browser. The GM runs the Foundry app or a server, or rents hosting.
Which is easier to learn, Foundry or Fantasy Grounds?
Most people find Foundry's interface more familiar, though its setup takes effort. Fantasy Grounds has a steeper first few sessions.
Can I use my D&D books in both?
Official content is sold separately on each platform, so a book bought for one does not carry over to the other.
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