The Owlbear Rodeo idea, in three dimensions
Owlbear Rodeo made the case that a virtual tabletop should be simple: a map, tokens, a ruler, fog, and nothing you have to learn. Tabletop starts from the same conviction and changes one thing: the map is a 3D place with real miniatures instead of a picture with circles on it.
Side by side
| Topic | Tabletop | Owlbear Rodeo |
|---|---|---|
| The map | A 3D scene built from a realistic library, lit and shadowed | An uploaded image, with drawing and fog tools on top |
| Tokens | Rigged, animated miniatures with bases; image standees for anything else | Image tokens |
| Measuring | Feet on the grid with waypoints, diagonal rule, and height | A ruler over the image |
| Initiative and HP | Built in: tracker, HP, conditions, round counter | Via extensions |
| Multiplayer | Not yet; one shared screen | Shared rooms for remote play |
| Fog of war | Not yet | Yes |
| Install | Browser | Browser |
Owlbear Rodeo is a trademark of its owners and is not affiliated with Tabletop. Feature notes describe the other product in general terms as we understand it at the time of writing; check its site for current details.
What stays the same
No character sheets. No dice automation. A map, tokens, a ruler and a turn order, learnable in the first five minutes. The DM stays in charge of the rules.
What changes
You build the map rather than upload one, and it takes about as long: the room tool and starter scenes get you to a playable table quickly. The reward is a scene with light, height and cover that players react to, and a ruler that knows the archer is on the wall.
Where Owlbear Rodeo is still the better pick
Remote play with everyone in a shared room, fog of war, and a map you already have as an image. Tabletop does not do those yet, and this page will change when it does.
Questions
Can I import my Owlbear Rodeo maps?
Image maps are not a floor type yet. Tokens as images work: any picture becomes a standee.
Is Tabletop free like Owlbear Rodeo?
Sign-up is free and the library is CC0. It is also self-hostable.
Keep reading
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.
Foundry VTT alternative
A lightweight Foundry VTT alternative: 3D battle maps out of the box, no modules to install or maintain, a free sign-up and a self-hostable server.
Features
The builder, play mode, the library and the renderer.
Ready to put a map on the table?
Sign up in a minute. Five starter scenes are waiting on the welcome screen.