MapTool
MapTool is an open-source virtual tabletop that replaces maps, tokens, and dice with a robust application replete with useful features. Fitting its name, MapTool has tools for the creation or uploading of virtual maps and augmenting them with lighting, fog of war, walls, doors, elevation, and more that dynamically show players what their characters can (and cannot) see as they explore. But it's not only maps; the program also has features for character sheets, notes, and dice rolls that most tabletop games require. Because it's open source, there's a large collection of community-created features that can enhance the user experience, supporting your game of choice or streamlining your game. And enterprising users who know or want to learn a little programming can use MapTool's scripting language to create and share their own custom features and automations. MapTool is "system agnostic," meaning it can work for any game system that uses maps and tokens, but it still has support for several systems from add-ons and community creations. It's a great choice for a free, straightforward software with an active community of savvy, DIY-minded users.
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MapTool the Simple Way
Learn the basics of how to set up and use MapTool with this short video! First, you'll need to download, install and start up the software. Your main interface is your map area, your chat, and your library windows, which you can toggle using the "Windows" menu. To add a map, download a map image or use one you've already saved, set the map layer to "Background," and drag and drop the map image into MapTool. If your map has a grid, you can view MapTool's grid overlay and use the auto-resize feature size the map correctly, then move the map to align. You can add tokens to the map by switching to the "Token" layer and dragging and dropping as before, or by using one of MapTool's many free libraries of tokens and downloading them to your own library. Tokens can be set as players or NPCs upon placement. You can then make your map visible to players.
If you'd like to conceal portions of your map, you can turn on fog of war; your players will only see what you reveal to them by default. To invite players, you'll need to start a server, give it a name and password, and give that information to your players, who will join the server with that name and password. To reveal areas to your players, use the fog of war reveal tool, and select an area to reveal. Dice can be rolled using commands in the chat window.