Dungeons & Dragons is among the most iconic tabletop roleplaying games of all time. Like any tabletop roleplaying game, the game is ideally played in person. It is a "tabletop game" after all. However, not everyone is able to conveniently able to play D&D in person, leading many campaigns to transition into a more digital approach.
Luckily for players, there are many excellent online resources and programs that players can use to get the most out of D&D while playing online. So today, we're going to explore the best ways that players can experience Dungeons & Dragons online!
Updated December 6, 2021 by Paul DiSalvo: Depending on the style of D&D experience a group is looking for, there are many great tools that players can access to play the game remotely. While some may be video games that aim to capture the spirit of D&D, others provide players with means of conveniently keeping track of their character sheet digitally. On the other hand, while some online tools are great for keeping track of a game in a 2D manner, there are resources available that are capable of presenting three-dimensional terrain and environments in impressive fashion. This allows players to choose resources based on the types of experiences that would best suit their campaigns.
11 Baldur's Gate
Baldur's Gate is far from a replacement for traditional D&D. However, as a video game series directly based off of D&D that possesses many of the iconic races and classes of the game, it can be a solid alternative for players who are planning on playing online, or newcomers to D&D with backgrounds in video gaming who are looking to experience similar gameplay. Though technically still in early access, the most recent entry in the series, Baldur's Gate III has been playable since October of 2020.
10 Skype Or Zoom
One of the most simple and straightforward approaches a D&D party can take when it comes to playing online is to simply use Skype or Zoom. Setting up a group call with one's D&D group, a party can still use traditional paper character sheets and physical dice, just from the comfort of each party members' homes.
9 Foundry VTT
Foundry VTT (or Foundry Virtual Tabletop) is an online program that aims to replicate a traditional tabletop experience online.
This program allows a DM to host a fully customizable game of D&D with access to any and all homebrew inclusions that their heart desires. While this program can be modified to include pretty much anything a DM would need, the program is entirely dependant on the DM to configure everything. This is a program that benefits DMs that are willing to invest a great deal of effort into running their online campaign.
8 Awwapp.com
Somewhat obscure and simplistic, Awwapp.com is an in-browser application that serves as an online whiteboard that can be edited and drawn on by anyone who is invited into a given session. When working in conjunction with a program like Skype or Zoom, it can serve as a free to use program for communal note-taking or organizing position in combat. With a very simple user interface, it is a solid option for players not looking to spend.
7 Discord
Outside of D&D, Discord is among the most popular programs for talking to friends when playing games. When it comes to hosting an online D&D campaign, Discord can be rather appealing for players looking to save money.
Offering similar call functionality as programs like Zoom, Discord allows for numerous bots to be installed in a given server. Many of these bots can be quite useful for hosting a campaign online, such as bots that can digitally roll dice! Some great dice-rolling bots perfect for helping to streamline a discord D&D campaign include Arvae and Dice Maiden. In addition to dice-rolling bots, Discord also allows for the use of music-playing bots that can really help take setting the ambiance of an online campaign to the next level such as FredBoat.
6 Astral Tabletop
For players looking for incredible map-making options, Astral Tabletop may be the online D&D program for you. While a free version of Astral Tabletop exists, players who utilize the paid version gain access to a wide range of useful features such as additional map customization effects, and even a random NPC generator!
5 Tabletop Simulator
As the name would imply, Tabletop Simulator is an online program that can replicate the gameplay of numerous tabletop games. One of the games that Tabletop Simulator is able to emulate is Dungeons & Dragons. This allows players to capture a pretty faithful digital recreation of D&D using 3D models of dungeons and structures!
Tabletop Simulator notably supports a wide variety of quality of life features, allowing players to import 3D models of their characters via Heroforge, upload character sheets, and use the game's convenient digital dice. In addition to providing players with access to immersive visual elements and accessible tools, Tabletop Simulator is also home to several editions of D&D, meaning players can reliably use it to utilize their prefered iteration of the game.
4 Fantasy Grounds
One of the highest quality options available for playing in an online D&D campaign, Fantasy Grounds is a program that is compatible with a wide range of other tabletop RPGs in addition to Dungeons & Dragons. Unlike the majority of the other programs on this list, Fantasy Grounds is programmed with the effects of the spells of D&D, allowing it to automate parts of the game, not requiring players to carry them out manually.
3 TaleSpire
Though currently still in early access, TaleSpire is a stellar platform for running a D&D campaign online. With fully 3D-modeled and customizable environments, TaleSpire provides DMs and players alike with one of the most immersive and visually impressive means of playing D&D online.
While it doesn't support systems, meaning players will need to keep track of things such as their character's health, spell slots, and the rules of the game separately, TaleSpire offers a great alternative to using miniatures and terrain on a tabletop. As the cost of minis and terrains can add up, TaleSpire is solid option for those looking to convey their D&D adventures with visual elements as well as the roleplaying and improvisation the game is known for.
2 Roll20
Roll20 is among the most well-known options for hosting a D&D campaign online. Available for free, Roll20 comes equipped with many useful features such as a map maker and both text and voice chats that allow players to run a game without the use of an external calling program like Discord. Additionally, due to the popularity of this program, players who don't already have a group to play with can find games on the program to join.
Roll20 notably supports a wide variety of games, meaning that players can easily use it to play various editions of D&D. Roll20 even allows you to directly obtain D&D sourcebooks directly through the service, meaning all of a player's resources can be in a single convenient location.
1 D&D Beyond
D&D Beyond is an in-browser option that is directly owned by Wizards of the Coast, the creators of D&D. This online resource is beyond user friendly, allowing players to host and join campaigns and even make new characters and items! While races and subclasses not found in the player's handbook must be purchased in order to be used, as far as free and easy-to-use options for tools for an online campaign are concerned, it's hard to beat the usefulness of D&D Beyond.
As an officially supported online platform for D&D, D&D Beyond is home to every spell, class, item, feat, monster, and every other element of D&D players could possibly want, with players able to pick and choose which elements to prioritize purchasing so you only buy what you need. D&D Beyond is also home to a wide range of tools to allow players to create their own custom-made homebrew material and share it with the world, meaning that players and DMs will never have a shortage of material to use, whether it be official or made by other players.