You probably already know, but FoundryVTT is pretty fantastic. The software/base VTT itself is not open source, but the rule systems and modules (QOL add-ons) mostly are. I self host my own server.
this post was submitted on 23 Nov 2025
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Yes, but it is closed source and I heard of plug in to add games and so... I don't want to have a table for few stats and items.
Still thank you for the idea.
Can you help us to understand why the plugins to add games is a problem for you?
Maybe I'm missing your meaning here, but it reads kind of like you're expecting some kind of situation where a single VTT would somehow support every game system out of the box?
I would like to draw a table, add words and numbers, and that's all. I don't want to have to code anything. I am GM-ing Blades in the Dark, with Deep-cut, and some things we took from Fate and others. I want to be able to freely create anything, even in the middle of the session. We don't need automation. I want simplicity.
So, it seems like the plugins don't really affect you either way then? If you don't want that added functionality, you're good to just not use it, right?
I didn't see that I could just create character sheets and adapt then during a session. Can you?
Depends what you want to do with those character sheets.
If you just want a text file that people can paste their character sheet into, this will work: https://foundryvtt.com/packages/taf/ If you want to actually build full custom character sheets, you probably want something more like this: https://foundryvtt.com/packages/universal-tabletop-system/ Or this: https://foundryvtt.com/packages/custom-system-builder/
There's also a general purpose PbTA system that's meant to be customised into different PbTA hacks: https://foundryvtt.com/packages/pbta/
I guess in the sense that you have to load some kind of system to play, there's a requirement to use some sort of plugin, so maybe that's a dealbreaker. But it's generally not an issue. While premium content for Foundry exists, it's mostly in the form of rulebooks and scenarios that have been ported into it by the people who make and sell those games. The actual systems are all free, with literally only one exception (Brambletrek, for some reason).
Thank you. I'll check again what it proposes.
Foundry has so many game systems, even systems like custom system builder, which let you make your own.
If all you want is spreadsheets, why not use shared Google docs or something?
So you want to be able to stream Gimp and have a shared drive with your PC's sheets, it needs to be open source and with no limitations?
I'd just do gimp+Discord+google docs, but if you want it to be open source and all-in-one then go checkout Nextcloud. I think that's as free as you get, if even foundry is too limiting.
Google docs is a no-go. But I was looking at etherpad indeed.
I don't want to have to code anything.
You don't have to code anything. You just look through the game system browser, pick what you want, and after a few seconds it's installed.
We don't need automation. I want simplicity.
Then screenshare over Discord while drawing things in MS Paint. It's simple and it's not automated, just like you asked
Then I have to pick a system. I'll check if I can play without a system or something which is out of our way.
I've long since switched to foundry, but I used to use
https://www.rptools.net/toolbox/maptool/
It's not web based, but the clients are available for linux mac and windows,
I use Owlbear Rodeo. It doesn't do character sheets (unless there is an extension that does), but I find the tabletop with tokens and fog easy to use.
Not OSS, but you could self-host Foundry that would allow for that. There's a lot of plugins for different TTRPG systems
irmadlad showed me https://www.cauldron-vtt.net/
Wow, cauldron is looking great! I saw it a long ways back (like pre-1.0) and promptly forgot about it (thanks ADHD).
Wasn't even thinking about vtt and going to have to stand up an instance before thanksgiving!
Thank you but it isn't self-host-able.
If you want you can self host it according to there gitlab link.
Not really a install guide include it seems
Still thank you. I'll check.
decorum: a solemn request that questions use question marks.
why: differentiation - between "hey. look at what I made" posts and "anybody know how I can?" questions.
Are you referring to this? https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/344554/decorum
I think they wanted you to end the post title with a question mark
Thank you! Fixed :)
Do you mean http://fari.app/ ?
Yes. The backend service they rely on has changed its API and they said that they have no plan at all to follow. I discovered them only after they left peerJs (an alternative, which is interoperable and open source).
I know the developer got disenchanted with the project and is focusing on his games. Didn't know there were technical issues. Is it easy to self host?
Self hosting the frontend is eas but since 2 weeks, the frontend doesn't connect to the backend, a private company which updated theeir API.
Oh, rats. I liked Fari.
From the looks of things, your best options are either Linwood Setonix, Dungeon Revealer, PlanarAlly, QuestPortal, Alchemy, Cauldron, SpellCanvas, Arkenforge, and MapTool. That's all I could find as of right now. Maybe it's pottible with Mythic Table, but don't really know too much about it.
Me personally, I really liked using maptool. https://www.rptools.net/toolbox/maptool/
Its got a bit of a learning curve and doesnt look great, but it gets the job done and is Foss.
Is it actually Foss? I assumed it was, but recently I was checking and couldn't find anything about licenses and stuff on the webpage.
Yup, they say its free and open source, and here is the link to their github: