EpicGM vs. Roll20: Choosing the Right VTT for Your Table Choosing a Virtual Tabletop (VTT) can make or break your digital tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) experience. Two popular options on the market approach game mastering from completely opposite angles: Roll20 and EpicGM.
Roll20 is a feature-heavy, browser-based industry giant designed to handle everything from maps to character sheets. EpicGM is a sleek, mobile-first app built specifically for streamlined, in-person, or lightweight digital game management.
Here is how these two platforms stack up to help you choose the best tool for your next campaign. Platform and Accessibility
The biggest differentiator between these two tools is where and how they run.
Roll20 is a web-based platform built primarily for desktop computers. It requires a stable internet connection and a larger screen to comfortably view the complex interface, maps, and sidebar tokens.
EpicGM is an application built for mobile phones and tablets (iOS and Android), though it also offers a desktop version. It functions perfectly offline, making it highly portable. Map Management and Combat Tracking
Both platforms allow you to run combat, but they handle the visual layout differently.
Roll20 offers a robust, traditional grid system. It features advanced tools like dynamic lighting, line-of-sight restrictions, layered maps (GM layer, map layer, token layer), and integrated status trackers on individual tokens.
EpicGM takes a minimalist approach to maps. It allows GMs to load images, apply a basic grid, and use a fog-of-war feature. It excels at quick combat tracking, offering an intuitive initiative tracker and monster stat blocks right at your fingertips. Feature Depth vs. Ease of Use
Your preference between these systems will depend on how much time you want to spend configuring your setup.
Roll20 has a steep learning curve but offers immense depth. It includes built-in video/audio chat, thousands of community-made macros, automated character sheets for hundreds of game systems, and an official marketplace to buy pre-made modules.
EpicGM prioritizes speed and simplicity. It features a built-in dice roller, random name generators, and quick-reference compendiums (primarily for D&D 5e). It is designed to let a GM run a game with minimal screen management. Pricing Models
The cost structure of each platform reflects its target audience.
Roll20 uses a freemium model. The base platform is free, but advanced features like dynamic lighting, increased storage capacity, and shared compendiums require a monthly or annual subscription (Plus or Pro tiers).
EpicGM offers a highly affordable one-time premium upgrade. Most of its core functionality is completely free, with no recurring monthly subscription fees to access its full suite of tools. The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Roll20 if: You run fully remote campaigns, rely heavily on tactical grid maps, want automated character sheets, and want your players to interact directly with the screen.
Choose EpicGM if: You run in-person games and need a digital GM screen, prefer playing on a tablet or phone, favor “Theater of the Mind” combat over complex maps, or want a lightweight, budget-friendly tracker. Whether your games are in-person or remote
Your preferred TTRPG system (D&D 5e, Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu, etc.) How heavily you rely on tactical battle maps
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