Side by side

Cauldron VTT vs MapTool

Both stand on virtual tabletop software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Cauldron VTT

Free plan ExtensionWeb

Choose Cauldron VTT if your group wants a free, lightweight tabletop with dice support, map creation, and campaign tools. Look elsewhere if you need the tabletop itself to provide character sheets or spell and magic item lists.

Visit Cauldron VTT

MapTool

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

MapTool brings maps, online play, and visibility controls together in a free, system-agnostic desktop tabletop. Its local, non-browser setup and code requirements for complex rolls are worth considering before choosing it.

Visit MapTool

The facts

	Cauldron VTT	MapTool
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	Extension, Web	Linux, Mac, Windows
Lowest paid plan	Free or on request	Free or on request
Plans published	1	1
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	cauldron-vtt.net	rptools.net
On virtual tabletop software	#6 of 28	#10 of 28

Cauldron VTT: what it does well

Free plan includes campaign tools and a rules compendium.
Generic dice system is intended for any dice-based ruleset.
Maps support fog of war, still images, or video.
Cauldron20 can bring D&D Beyond characters into Cauldron VTT.
Open source, with source code linked on GitLab.

What to know first

Account resource storage is limited to 100 MB.
Uploads larger than 20 MB are blocked.
Players need an invitation code from their DM or GM.
It does not replace character sheets or provide spell and magic item lists.

MapTool: what it does well

Free and open source.
Integrated server connects players over the internet.
Supports dynamic lighting, vision, and fog of war.
Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

What to know first

Not browser-based.
Complex rolls require campaign properties and code macros.
No mobile apps.

Alternatives to Cauldron VTT Alternatives to MapTool The whole list