Overview

Alchemy’s scene-based format puts storytelling alongside game management, using music, animated environments, and overlays to shape the atmosphere of a session. That emphasis makes it a natural fit for groups that want presentation to contribute to play, rather than treating the tabletop only as a place to manage mechanics.

The Free Unlimited plan includes unlimited games, characters, and universes, as well as voice and video chat, asset uploads, every game system, and a homebrew system builder. Those inclusions give groups room to run multiple games or develop their own system without a paid plan. Alchemy identifies Arboreal, LLC as its rights holder and says it will not sell user data or serve irrelevant third-party ads.

Key features

Scenes and storytelling tools

Scenes are designed to create cinematic moments while keeping game mechanics in view. Music, animated environments, and overlays give gamemasters ways to establish a mood; this is a stronger match for narrative-focused sessions than for groups seeking only a minimal play surface.

Systems, assets, and communication

Free Unlimited covers every game system and includes a homebrew system builder, unlimited asset uploads, and unlimited voice and video chat. That combination supports groups that want to bring their own materials and communicate within the platform, without a plan quota forcing them to ration those features.

Marketplace purchases are intended to be downloadable for use outside Alchemy as well as on the platform. Desktop apps support D&D Beyond character import for Alchemy Unlimited subscribers, adding a useful bridge for subscribers who already manage characters there.

Pricing

Plan	Price	What it includes	Best suited to
Free Unlimited	0.00 USD per month (billed $0 per month)	Unlimited games, characters, universes, voice and video chat, and asset uploads; every game system; homebrew system builder	Groups and creators who want the core play and creation features without a subscription
Alchemist	Custom pricing	5% Marketplace discount, roadmap votes, seasonal perks and rewards, early access, exclusive dev team chats, Alchemist role and player badge	Active users who value community participation, early access, and marketplace savings

Alchemist is a subscription tier with community and access perks rather than a stated expansion to Free Unlimited’s play quotas. The 5% marketplace discount may matter to frequent buyers, but its value depends on purchases; users seeking more games, characters, or uploads do not need to upgrade for those limits.

Platforms

Alchemy offers desktop applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as a browser application that runs on computers, tablets, and mobile devices. The desktop app requires Windows 10 or later, macOS Monterey 12.0 or later, or a Linux distribution such as Ubuntu 22.04 or newer. A stable internet connection is required.

Although the browser app runs on mobile and tablet devices, those experiences are not yet optimized. That makes desktop the safer choice for a full session; mobile app support is not offered.

Who it's for

Alchemy suits groups that want story presentation, integrated voice and video, and generous free tools for running or creating games. The homebrew system builder and unlimited asset uploads are especially useful to creators who want to shape their own play materials. It is less compelling for players whose primary need is an optimized mobile experience.

Pros and cons

Pros: Free Unlimited has no stated caps on games, characters, universes, chat, or asset uploads, which gives active groups room to grow without upgrading.
Pros: Every game system and a homebrew system builder are included free, supporting both established systems and custom designs.
Pros: Marketplace purchases are intended for use outside the platform too, giving buyers more flexibility over their content.
Cons: Tablet and mobile browser experiences are not optimized, and there are no mobile apps, so phone- or tablet-first groups face a weaker fit.
Cons: Alchemist’s price is custom pricing, making it harder to weigh the tier’s discount and community perks against its cost before subscribing.
Cons: D&D Beyond character import is for Alchemy Unlimited subscribers, not a stated Free Unlimited feature.

Alternatives

Virtual Tabletop Software is a category guide for comparing other virtual tabletop options.

D&D Beyond Maps is worth considering for groups who want a free tier with up to six character slots and access to purchased content, plus Android, iOS, and web support.
Quest Portal is another freemium option with Android, iOS, and web support, and a free plan described as including unlimited campaigns and characters, scenes with music, maps, and dynamic lighting.
Questline VTT offers a free player account for joining as many games as desired; its GM account costs 5.00 USD per month, making it an option for groups who want a separate player and game-master plan structure.
Roll20 may suit groups that want a browser-based option across Linux, macOS, Windows, and web; its free tier includes base game tools but caps storage at 100MB and includes ads.
Fantasy Grounds is another freemium virtual tabletop with a free-to-play plan.
Let's Role offers a free Basic plan with 125MB storage and all features, as well as an Explorer plan for 2.00 USD per year with 500MB storage and no ads.
Owlbear Rodeo has a free Nestling plan limited to two rooms, for groups who want a room-based alternative.
D20PRO may suit players who prefer a one-time license: its Player License costs 10.00 USD per once and includes one player seat.

Verdict

Choose Alchemy RPG if your group wants cinematic, story-led tabletop sessions and a free plan with unusually broad allowances for games, systems, communication, and assets. Look elsewhere if optimized mobile play is essential, or if you need a published price before committing to a paid tier.

	Alchemy RPG	Battlegrounds: RPG Edition
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial		No
Paid from	Free	Free
Platforms	Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows	macOS, Windows
Free plan	Yes	No
Video and audio	Yes	No
Campaign tools	Yes	Yes
Mobile apps	No	No
Rules compendium		No

Alchemy RPG vs Battlegrounds: RPG Edition

Alchemy RPG

Battlegrounds: RPG Edition