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Tabletop Simulator alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Tabletop Simulator: everyone needs to buy a copy, and desktop download, not a browser game. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Tabletop Simulator, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. PlayingCards.io currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Cockatrice logoCockatriceOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +15 of 540.0
  1. Cockatrice logo

    1. CockatriceTop pick

    Best for: Card game players who want to playtest decks and play casual games online for free

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Tabletop Simulator

    Free and open source, focused on card games, with offline deck testing and self-hosted servers.

    Pros

    • Free and open source, with no cards to buy
    • Offline single-player mode for testing decks
    • You can host your own server for a private group
    • Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux

    Cons

    • No rules engine: players handle all game actions by hand
    • No mobile or browser version
    • Public servers are run by volunteers, so availability varies
    Visit Cockatrice Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Cockatrice a good Tabletop Simulator alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026cockatrice.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Single-player deck testing
    Checked Oct 29, 2026cockatrice.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Oct 29, 2026cockatrice.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Yes (Servatrice server)
    Checked Oct 29, 2026cockatrice.github.io(opens source in a new tab)

The best Tabletop Simulator alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

PlayingCards.io logo

Best Tabletop Simulator alternative for most people

PlayingCards.io

A free, lightweight virtual card table that runs in any browser.

Cockatrice logo

Best Tabletop Simulator alternative for a free option

Cockatrice

Free and open source, focused on card games, with offline deck testing and self-hosted servers.

Tabletopia logo

Best Tabletop Simulator alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Tabletopia

Plays in the browser with a free plan, so friends can join without buying anything.

Cockatrice logo

Best Tabletop Simulator alternative for open source

Cockatrice

Free and open source, focused on card games, with offline deck testing and self-hosted servers.

Cockatrice logo

Best Tabletop Simulator alternative for self-hosting

Cockatrice

Free and open source, focused on card games, with offline deck testing and self-hosted servers.

Tabletopia logo

Best Tabletop Simulator alternative for Mac

Tabletopia

Plays in the browser with a free plan, so friends can join without buying anything.

Tabletopia logo

Best Tabletop Simulator alternative for Windows

Tabletopia

Plays in the browser with a free plan, so friends can join without buying anything.

Cockatrice logo

Best Tabletop Simulator alternative for Linux

Cockatrice

Free and open source, focused on card games, with offline deck testing and self-hosted servers.

Board Game Arena logo

Best Tabletop Simulator alternative for working in the browser

Board Game Arena

Automated rules and instant matchmaking for over a thousand games, free to start.

Tabletop Simulator alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Tabletop Simulator?

PlayingCards.io ranks first right now. A free, lightweight virtual card table that runs in any browser. Tabletopia and Board Game Arena follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Tabletop Simulator?

Yes. PlayingCards.io (free plan + paid), Tabletopia (free plan + paid), Board Game Arena (free plan + paid) and Cockatrice (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Tabletop Simulator?

Yes: Cockatrice. Cockatrice can also be self-hosted.

Which Tabletop Simulator alternatives work on Linux?

Cockatrice runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Tabletop Simulator?

The complaints we hear most: everyone needs to buy a copy; desktop download, not a browser game; rules usually aren't enforced.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Tabletop Simulator, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.