Choosing the Right VTT for Running Pathfinder 2e Online

As more groups move Pathfinder 2e sessions online, the platform you choose now shapes preparation time, automation, and player experience. Demiplane’s Pathfinder Nexus offers the most Paizo-aligned experience with a polished character builder, an integrated reader for compendium content, and shareable character links that simplify session setup. Demiplane’s ongoing updates include Nexus feature refinements, builder improvements, and export and PDF tweaks that make it a strong choice if you want a D&D Beyond-like workflow for Pathfinder.

For groups that prioritize deep automation and custom rule integration, Foundry VTT remains the flexible standard. Foundry supports extensive paid and free community modules, tokens, and adventure conversions, and it excels when GMs want macros, automated encounters, and complex scripting. Foundry does require either a self-host or a hosted instance and a willingness to learn its ecosystem. Community experience highlights one recurring issue: naive imports can lead to actor corruption. Plan to test imports on copies and perform manual setup for key actors and spells to avoid surprises during play.

Roll20 continues to be the most accessible browser-based option, with a low barrier to entry and a long history of supporting published adventures and straightforward map-and-token play. It is simpler to set up than Foundry, but it offers less deep automation. For groups that only need a virtual tabletop for tactical maps and tokens, Owlbear Rodeo and other lightweight VTTs deliver a streamlined grid and quick setup. Pair these lighter tools with Demiplane or a character app like Pathbuilder to handle character management and rule lookups.

Practical choices come down to three clear trade-offs. If you want official integration, polished character management, and convenient share links, choose Demiplane/Nexus. If you want maximum automation, custom systems, and module-driven encounters, choose Foundry and budget time for hosting and manual tuning. If you need quick browser access and minimal setup, choose Roll20 or a lightweight VTT and combine it with a dedicated character tool.

Before committing, test your workflow: export or back up characters, import one adventure map and run a short encounter, and confirm any paid modules or tokens work with your chosen hosting. Back up actor data and keep manual copies of complex spells or abilities. These steps reduce mid-session troubleshooting and keep your games running smoothly for players and GMs alike.