Best Free D&D Tools
Last updated: 2026
You can run a full D&D 5e campaign without spending a single dollar. This guide identifies the best free tools across every category — VTTs, character builders, map makers, and generators — so you know exactly what you need to get started at no cost.
Our picks
One platform covers VTT, character sheets, dice, and a large free community content library — the best single free tool for a D&D group.
If your group lives in Discord, Avrae provides free D&D 5e dice, initiative, and D&D Beyond integration at zero cost.
Free SRD character builder, integrated rules explanations, and the most beginner-friendly onboarding of any D&D tool.
Comparison: all 6 tools
| # | Tool | Pricing | Free tier | Platforms | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Free tier | Web | New GMs who want to start quickly without spending money or installing software. | ||
| 2 | Free tier | Web, iOS, Android | D&D 5e players and GMs who want an official, rules-accurate digital experience on any device. | ||
| 3 | Free tier | Web | GMs who want a fast, no-fuss map tool for one-shots or groups that handle rules elsewhere. | ||
| 4 | Free tier | Web | GMs who need a quick, throw-away dungeon sketch for tonight's session and don't need polished visuals. | ||
| 5 | Free tier | Web | GMs who need quick, usable random tables and generators without spending money or creating accounts. | ||
| 6 | Free tier | Web | D&D 5e groups playing primarily via Discord who want automated dice and rules without a full VTT. |
In-depth reviews
Roll20 is a free-to-play browser-based virtual tabletop that requires no software installation. It offers character sheets, dice rolling, maps, tokens, and video/voice chat for online play. A subscription unlocks dynamic lighting, an asset marketplace, and API scripting.
Best for
New GMs who want to start quickly without spending money or installing software.
Pros
- No software install — runs in any browser
- Largest existing user base and community
- Free tier is genuinely usable for basic games
Cons
- Dynamic lighting locked behind subscription
- Performance can degrade with large maps
- Older interface feels dated compared to newer VTTs
D&D Beyond
The official digital toolset for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition
D&D Beyond is the official digital platform for Dungeons & Dragons, published by Wizards of the Coast. It provides an interactive character builder and sheet, a rules compendium, digital sourcebook purchases, and a dice roller. It is tightly integrated with D&D 5e and the official rules. Campaign management features allow GMs to share purchased content with players.
Best for
D&D 5e players and GMs who want an official, rules-accurate digital experience on any device.
Pros
- Official, rules-accurate character builder for 5e
- Mobile app works well for at-table use
- Content is purchased once and accessible anywhere
Cons
- Entirely D&D 5e only — useless for other systems
- Digital content purchases are platform-locked and cannot be exported
- Content costs can add up quickly to match physical book prices
Minimal, fast, browser-based VTT focused on maps and tokens
Owlbear Rodeo is a lightweight, browser-based VTT that prioritises simplicity — you get a map, tokens, a fog-of-war tool, and not much else. Version 2 introduced a free tier and optional subscription for advanced features. Its fast setup makes it ideal for one-shots and pick-up games.
Best for
GMs who want a fast, no-fuss map tool for one-shots or groups that handle rules elsewhere.
Pros
- Extremely fast to set up — shareable room link in seconds
- Clean, uncluttered interface
- Works well on tablets
Cons
- No built-in character sheets or dice rolling in free tier
- Limited automation compared to Roll20 or Foundry
- Asset storage capped on free plan
Fast, free browser tool for sketching dungeon maps in a hand-drawn style
Dungeon Scrawl is a free browser-based dungeon map tool that produces maps with a hand-drawn, old-school aesthetic. It is designed for speed — a basic dungeon can be sketched in minutes using its simple line-drawing tools. Maps export as PNG or SVG and import cleanly into VTTs. It requires no account to start.
Best for
GMs who need a quick, throw-away dungeon sketch for tonight's session and don't need polished visuals.
Pros
- Completely free with no account needed
- Fastest tool for a quick dungeon sketch
- Hand-drawn style suits old-school gaming
Cons
- Very limited feature set — no asset library or decorations
- Not suited for detailed battle maps or polished presentation
- No save-to-cloud without an account
Donjon is a long-running website offering a wide array of free random generators for tabletop RPGs — dungeon maps, encounter tables, NPC names, treasure hoards, calendars, world maps, and more. Each generator is system-aware, with options tailored to D&D 5e, Pathfinder, OSR systems, and others. No account or installation is required.
Best for
GMs who need quick, usable random tables and generators without spending money or creating accounts.
Pros
- Completely free — no account needed
- Wide variety of generators covering most session prep needs
- System-specific outputs are immediately usable
Cons
- Plain utilitarian interface with no visual polish
- Generated content needs GM curation — raw output can be bland
- No export or save functionality beyond copy-paste
Avrae is a free Discord bot built specifically for D&D 5e that handles dice rolling, character sheet integration, initiative tracking, spell slot management, and basic combat automation in a Discord channel. It connects to D&D Beyond character sheets for automated stat lookups. Groups that play entirely via Discord text channels use Avrae as their rules engine.
Best for
D&D 5e groups playing primarily via Discord who want automated dice and rules without a full VTT.
Pros
- Completely free and runs inside Discord
- D&D Beyond integration removes manual stat entry
- Powerful scripting system for advanced users
Cons
- D&D 5e only — no support for other systems
- Text-only interface — no visual maps or tokens
- Scripting can be complex to customise
How we evaluate
Our methodology →- 1. Genuinely free — no hidden paywalls during play
- 2. Coverage of core D&D session needs
- 3. Ease of setup for a full group
- 4. Quality within the free tier
Frequently asked questions
Can I play D&D for free online?
Yes — using Roll20 (free VTT), D&D Beyond (free SRD character builder), and Donjon (free generators), you can run a complete D&D campaign at zero cost.
What free tools do I need to start D&D online?
At minimum: Roll20 or Owlbear Rodeo for your virtual table, D&D Beyond for character sheets, and Donjon for session prep generators. All are free.
Related guides
Best Virtual Tabletops
Virtual tabletops let you run TTRPG sessions online with shared maps, tokens, dice, and rules automation — but the right choice depends heavily on your budget, technical comfort, and how much map complexity your game needs. This guide compares every mainstream VTT honestly so you can make an informed decision before spending money.
Best Free Virtual Tabletops
You don't need to spend money to run online tabletop RPG sessions — several capable VTTs offer genuinely useful free tiers. This guide focuses on what each tool actually gives you for free, so you can run your first session without pulling out your credit card.
Best VTT for D&D 5e
D&D 5e has official support across multiple virtual tabletops, but the depth of rules integration varies wildly. Whether you want full spell-automation or just a shared map, there's a VTT that fits your group.
Best VTT for Pathfinder 2e
Pathfinder 2e's complexity — three-action system, condition tracking, extensive feat trees — rewards VTTs that can automate rules. This guide identifies which platforms handle PF2e best so you can spend your session playing rather than looking things up.