Top Mote Alternatives for Your Virtual Tabletop Needs
Mote, an heavily enhanced fork of MapTool, offers a staggering array of features for virtual tabletop gaming, including a powerful scripting language, IDE-like script editor, SQL databases, an audio player, and an advanced vision system with Fog of War. While Mote is a robust solution backed by cloud services, the diverse needs of Game Masters and players mean that exploring Mote alternatives can lead to discovering a platform that better fits specific playstyles, budgets, or system requirements.
Top Mote Alternatives
Whether you're looking for a simpler setup, a browser-based experience, or something with a strong community, there's a virtual tabletop out there for you. Here are some of the best Mote alternatives that offer compelling features for your online role-playing adventures.
Roll20
Roll20 is a powerful Freemium web-based toolset available on Android Tablet and iPad, designed to expand pen-and-paper tabletop games and facilitate online play with friends. It stands out as a strong Mote alternative due to its robust online gaming capabilities, browser-based accessibility, and interactive map features.
MapTool
MapTool is a Free and Open Source virtual tabletop available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and iPad. As the original base for Mote, it offers a powerful and flexible platform for online, multiuser, networked, graphical, and interactive role-playing, featuring custom repositories and view blocking.
D&D Beyond
D&D Beyond is the official Freemium digital toolset for Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition, accessible via web and integrating with Twitch. It's an excellent Mote alternative for D&D players, offering clean character sheets and the ability to work offline, alongside a massive online compendium of official characters.
Fantasy Grounds
Fantasy Grounds is a Commercial virtual tabletop available on Mac, Windows, Wine, and Steam. It helps facilitate online play of tabletop-style role-playing games, providing a dedicated environment for GMs and players, making it a robust, feature-rich Mote alternative for those seeking a premium experience.
Astral Tabletop
Astral Tabletop is a Freemium web-based online role-playing platform designed for hosting and playing games either online or in person. It serves as a good Mote alternative for those who prioritize browser-based access, online gaming, and real-time collaboration features.
Beyond Tabletop
Beyond Tabletop is a set of Free web-based tools for RPG players, featuring easy-to-use online character sheets and maps. It's a subscription-free Mote alternative designed to be used on all devices online, making it accessible and convenient for many gaming groups.
Standard Action
Standard Action is a Free web-based tabletop gaming application focusing on simplicity and high customizability. It offers an interactive game board and live features, making it a compelling Mote alternative for those who desire an easy-to-use yet flexible virtual tabletop.
GM Forge
GM Forge is a Commercial Standalone Virtual Tabletop available on Windows via Steam, functioning as a sandbox for GMs. It allows friends to join through web browsers for free once the GM purchases a copy, offering robust mapping features as a distinct Mote alternative.
PlanarAlly
PlanarAlly is a Free and Open Source web tool available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and for Self-Hosted deployment. It enhances your D&D toolbox with virtual battlemaps, featuring self-hosting, offline support, simple layers, and an infinite canvas, making it a flexible Mote alternative.
Battlegrounds: RPG Edition
Battlegrounds: RPG Edition (aka BRPG) is Commercial virtual tabletop software for Windows designed to enhance pen-and-paper roleplaying games, whether players are in the same room or spread across the globe. Its dedicated online gaming features make it a strong Mote alternative for focused virtual play.
Ultimately, the best Mote alternative for you will depend on your specific needs, whether that's browser-based convenience, a specific platform, open-source flexibility, or a particular set of features. Explore these options to find the perfect virtual tabletop to enhance your gaming sessions.