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Roll20 vs Foundry VTT for a new 5e DM on a budget

Both are virtual tabletops for running D&D 5e online. Here is what actually differs in hosting and cost model for a new DM deciding between them.

Reviewed 12 September 2026

Hosting and cost model

Roll20 runs in the browser from Roll20's own servers. Nothing to install, nothing to host. As of September 2026, Roll20's own site states a free tier available forever with no credit card required, per Roll20's homepage.

Foundry VTT is a license you buy once and run yourself, self-hosted or through a paid hosting service. As of September 2026, Foundry's own purchase page prices that license at $50 USD and describes it as a perpetual license with access to future updates, not a subscription, per Foundry's purchase page. If you self-host, you also take on setup and uptime yourself; a paid host adds its own recurring fee on top of the license.

Learning curve

Roll20 opens in a browser tab with no install, which is the easier on-ramp for a DM who has never run a VTT before. Foundry asks more up front: choosing a hosting path, learning its interface, and its module ecosystem if you want deeper customization.

What each is good at

Roll20 is the path of least resistance for a first campaign, especially if your group is scattered and none of you want to manage a server. Foundry's module ecosystem and local control make it the pick for a DM who wants to customize deeply, run system-specific automation, or keep campaign data off a third party's servers.

Where Narrative Nexus fits

We are not a VTT, and this comparison is not a pitch to become a third option. Keep whichever one you land on. Narrative Nexus is the prep-to-play-to-recap layer neither one owns: campaign memory, NPCs, and plot threads that persist between sessions, plus a free dice roller, DM screen, and character sheet you can use alongside either VTT. See Narrative Nexus for 5e DMs or the free tier.

Frequently asked questions

Which one is actually cheaper for a new DM?
Roll20's own site states a free tier available forever with no credit card. Foundry is a one-time license (self-hosted, or run through a paid host), which costs more before your first session but has no ongoing subscription fee after.
Which is easier to learn?
Roll20. It runs in a browser with no install and a gentler UI for a first-time VTT user. Foundry has a steeper setup (hosting or self-hosting, then its module ecosystem) but rewards that investment with more customization once you're past the learning curve.
Does Narrative Nexus replace either one?
No. Nexus isn't a VTT — it doesn't render maps or handle token movement. It's the prep-to-play-to-recap layer (campaign memory, NPCs, plot threads, session tools) that sits alongside whichever VTT you pick, plus free tools and a compendium you can use with either.

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