I've absolutely fallen in love with Foundry VTT (switched over from Roll20). The performance is phenomenal, especially on large maps or ones with lot's of tokens, it's easy to learn (with video tutorials), and has incredible potential. However, there are costs- time to learn/set up; monetary (License and maybe hosting); add ons ( I purchased maps that had been set up for it). Overall, the visuals, sounds and platform allow me to create a more immersive experience, and with some automation in place, managing multiple NPCs and monsters is a breeze. I have all the D&D beyond monsters set up, and it's a breeze to drag and drop to set up an encounter. Though, like I said, to get to this state, there are costs.
My group plays online, and it's a fantastic investment, that delivers an amazing experience, and saves me prep time, and offers what I want in a VTT.
In saying that, by the sound of what you need, I'd recommend Owlbear rodeo. It's nice and simple, add maps, tokens and lights. Lots of the VTT functionalities aren't required if you're sitting together. I'd say it offers the best blend of ease, efficiency and simplicity.
I was incredibly underwhelmed with dungeonfog in regards to it's mapmaking limitations vs dungeondraft and even the options available in foundry. I'm always surprised at how much money they have for marketing given that dungeondraft is a far superior uption for mapmaking, and foundry a far better option for running games.
Here are my needs: Simple to use, without a huge learning curve or need to understand "programming" to get certain functions to work. Have an ability to either upload maps from Beyond for integration with a token system or be able to quickly lay out a copy in the program. Basically, easy to use and incorporate a token system for players and enemies that I can manipulate from my laptop.
About me: I host an in person D&D session once per week. I started DM'ing a new campaign, which is my first to be 100% digital on Beyond. I use a 55" TV at the end of the table to display images, maps, etc. However, at this point, one of the biggest requests I keep getting is to find a system to upload tokens of sorts so players can more easily track their characters as we move through taverns, dungeons and encounters. I, personally, don't care how basic this is so long as we have a good representation of the area and I don't have to spend forever on it as I spend a lot of time in prep as it is. Could I spend more time? Who couldn't. But, slaving over map features doesn't rank amongst my list of sounding like fun time activities. Might get more into it, but for now, I just need something that works and will assist my players in interacting with the game more dynamically as we are trying to leave the table maps behind us.
Therefore, the most highly recommended and discussed programs I've seen on here and around the web include ArkenForge, DungeonFog and FoundryVTT. As an admitted technological newb...What are the differences between these options, what else should I consider, and most importantly...what would truly be best for my particular needs considering I have no plans to ever take my gaming online? Apparently, I'm lucky to live in a community where D&D is reasonably popular and there is no shortage of groups and people clamoring to meet up in person.
AboveVTT is the best one hands down, is free, you can upload your own maps into it (although you can’t build maps in it). You have access to everything you have purchased in DND beyond including all campaign maps to use.
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I've absolutely fallen in love with Foundry VTT (switched over from Roll20). The performance is phenomenal, especially on large maps or ones with lot's of tokens, it's easy to learn (with video tutorials), and has incredible potential. However, there are costs- time to learn/set up; monetary (License and maybe hosting); add ons ( I purchased maps that had been set up for it). Overall, the visuals, sounds and platform allow me to create a more immersive experience, and with some automation in place, managing multiple NPCs and monsters is a breeze. I have all the D&D beyond monsters set up, and it's a breeze to drag and drop to set up an encounter. Though, like I said, to get to this state, there are costs.
My group plays online, and it's a fantastic investment, that delivers an amazing experience, and saves me prep time, and offers what I want in a VTT.
In saying that, by the sound of what you need, I'd recommend Owlbear rodeo. It's nice and simple, add maps, tokens and lights. Lots of the VTT functionalities aren't required if you're sitting together. I'd say it offers the best blend of ease, efficiency and simplicity.
I was incredibly underwhelmed with dungeonfog in regards to it's mapmaking limitations vs dungeondraft and even the options available in foundry. I'm always surprised at how much money they have for marketing given that dungeondraft is a far superior uption for mapmaking, and foundry a far better option for running games.
AboveVTT is the best one hands down, is free, you can upload your own maps into it (although you can’t build maps in it). You have access to everything you have purchased in DND beyond including all campaign maps to use.