Open5e alternatives in 2026
Looking for Open5e alternatives? Compare Tavern Bag, D&D Beyond and Roll20 on content, character tools, and the facts each source gives.
Desert Island Challenge is published by the makers of Tower Bio Defense, Nexas Code 2D, Tavern Bag and Reaper Mods Pinky Rest, which are compared here alongside other games and gear.
Open5e is open-source and covers SRD and other OGL monsters and spells. [1] [1] Tavern Bag, D&D Beyond and Roll20 are described below, each with only what its source says.
| Option | Fee stated by its source | What its source says it offers |
|---|---|---|
| Open5e | not published | Open-source site and API with SRD and other OGL monsters and spells, plus a search API [1] |
| Tavern Bag | Free plan keeps 3 characters; Unlimited $3.99 a month [2] [2] | Search of 8,381 entries and a step by step character builder [2] [2] |
| D&D Beyond | Hero Tier from $2.17 USD per month; Master Tier from $4.58 USD per month [3] [3] | Character builder and the Maps virtual tabletop [4] [4] |
| Roll20 | not published | Full API to extend the platform, Pro subscription required [5] |
Why gamers look past Open5e
Open5e says its site and API are open-source on Github. [1] It also says its API includes all monsters and spells from the SRD and other OGL sources, plus a search API. [1]
One reason a reader might look elsewhere is content scope. Open5e says some content you may be expecting was not released as part of the 5e SRD, so it is not allowed to include it. [1] If you hunt for a specific book that is not openly licensed, that statement is worth reading first.
The facts on file say nothing more about Open5e. They do not say whether it has a character builder, saved characters or a maps tool, so check its pages for those before you decide. The options below are matched only on what their own sources say.
Tavern Bag: search rules and build characters in a browser
Tavern Bag is made by the team that publishes this site, and the maker is Lunar Werx. [2]
After a free sign-in you can search 1,817 spells, 3,144 monsters, 2,861 magic items and 175 rules pages from 18 openly licensed books. [2] The library has 8,381 entries and opens after a free sign-in. [2] You can search the whole library at once or filter it by book, level and class. [2]
You can build a character step by step: class, background, species, ability scores, subclass, feats and gear. [2] When you put on a magic item, your sheet's numbers change and a note explains why. [2] You can make your own items, species, classes and backgrounds, and Tavern Bag says they work exactly like the published ones. [2]
It runs in any browser on a phone or laptop, and your characters follow your sign-in. [2] The free plan keeps 3 characters, with no trial and no card required. [2] Tavern Bag Unlimited is the one paid plan, for keeping more characters. [2] It costs $3.99 a month. [2] Connections accounts are for people 18 and over. [2]
D&D Beyond: character builder, subscriptions and a maps tool
D&D Beyond says its character builder offers premade or custom options and mobile and tablet support. [4] It also says Maps is the official D&D virtual tabletop available to all D&D Beyond users. [4] Its page says you can play in Maps with your free account. [4]
On subscriptions, D&D Beyond says the Hero Tier includes a subscriber content library and unlimited character slots. [4] Hero Tier is listed from $2.17 USD per month. [3] The Master Tier is listed from $4.58 USD per month. [3] D&D Beyond says Master Tier includes content sharing and using homebrew content in Maps. [4]
The homepage also lists paid content such as Eberron: Forge of the Artificer at $29.99. [4] Read the page for what each tier and purchase covers.
Roll20: a platform with an extension API
Roll20 says its full API for extending the platform lets you add new features and automate campaigns. [5] The same page says a Pro subscription is required for it. [5]
The facts on file say nothing else about Roll20, so this page does not describe its other tools or its pricing. If you want to script or extend your tools, that API line is the one to read. Check Roll20's own pages for character sheets, content and plan limits.
How to pick the right Open5e alternative
If you want to search books that are openly licensed, Tavern Bag's library has 18 of them. [2] Open5e says its API includes all monsters and spells from the SRD and other OGL sources. [1]
If you want to build a character step by step and search rules in the same browser tab, Tavern Bag lists class, background, species, ability scores, subclass, feats and gear. [2] If you want to keep many characters, Tavern Bag Unlimited at $3.99 a month lets you keep as many as you like. [2]
If you want an official virtual tabletop, D&D Beyond says Maps is the official D&D virtual tabletop. [4] If you want unlimited character slots inside a subscriber library, D&D Beyond says Hero Tier includes them. [4]
If you want to extend a platform with your own automation, Roll20 says its full API needs a Pro subscription. [5]
Things to check before you choose
Ask whether the content you need is openly licensed, since Open5e says some expected content is not part of the SRD. [1] Ask whether you need a sign-in, since Tavern Bag opens its library after a free sign-in. [2] Ask how many characters you need to keep. Check the age rules of any account you create before you sign up.
For Open5e and Roll20, confirm on their own pages whether they offer saved characters, a character builder or a maps tool, because the facts here do not say.
Frequently asked questions
Is Open5e open-source?
Open5e says its site and API are both open-source on Github. [1] It also says its API includes all monsters and spells from the SRD and other OGL sources, plus a search API. [1] For anything beyond that, such as saved characters or tools, read its own pages.
Why is some content missing from Open5e?
Open5e says some content you may be expecting was not released as part of the 5e SRD, so it is not allowed to include it. [1] If a particular book matters to you, check whether it is openly licensed before choosing any tool that relies on open licenses.
Does Tavern Bag cost anything?
The free plan keeps 3 characters, with no trial and no card required. [2] Tavern Bag Unlimited is the one paid plan, for keeping more characters. [2] It costs $3.99 a month. [2] The library opens after a free sign-in. [2]
Does D&D Beyond have unlimited character slots?
D&D Beyond says the Hero Tier subscription includes a subscriber content library and unlimited character slots. [4] Hero Tier is listed from $2.17 USD per month. [3] Its page says the Maps virtual tabletop can be played with a free account. [4]
Does Roll20 have an API?
Roll20 says it has a full API to extend the platform, add new features and automate campaigns. [5] Its page says a Pro subscription is required. [5] The facts here say nothing more about Roll20, so check its pages for character tools, content and plan details before you decide.
The free plan keeps 3 characters, with no trial and no card required. [2]
Try Tavern BagSources
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