Tomeus or Alchemy: which virtual tabletop should you choose?
Choose Alchemy if you want a very complete cinematic tabletop that is entirely free, with video, animated environments and a content marketplace. Choose Tomeus if you want the simplest tool possible, with ready to use illustrations and music and a game started in a minute.
Both tools share the same philosophy: theater of the mind, the scene and the atmosphere before the grid. The difference lies in ease of use, included content and business model. Here are the facts, side by side.
The comparison, point by point.
| Criterion | Tomeus | Alchemy |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, Adventurer plan: 1 game, 10 scenes, audio only | Yes, with no limit on games, characters or uploads |
| Paid plan | Archmage: $4.99 per month, no commitment | Optional Alchemist subscription, with perks to support the tool |
| Installation | None, everything runs in the browser | In the browser, with Windows, macOS and Linux apps as well |
| Approach | One full screen illustration and one track per scene | Cinematic scenes with animated environments, grid available |
| Background music | Built in catalog, linked to each scene | Music and atmospheres built into scenes |
| Audio and video | Audio with Adventurer, audio and webcam with Archmage | Built in audio and video, free |
| Character sheets | A name and an image, no rules sheet | Sheets for many systems, and a homebrew system builder |
| Content | Illustration and music catalogs included | Content marketplace, with a discount for subscribers |
| Preparation before playing | One minute: a scene, an image, a track | More options to set up: scenes, effects, environments |
Alchemy information checked on October 29, 2026 on its official pages. Plans may change, check the Alchemy website.
See the comparison of 6 virtual tabletops
Which one should you choose?
Choose Alchemy if…
- You want a complete cinematic tool without paying anything.
- You enjoy building rich scenes, with effects and animated environments.
- You want character sheets for your game system.
- You plan to buy adventures and ready to play content.
Choose Tomeus if…
- You want the simplest tool, one you learn in a minute.
- You want illustrations and music already provided, with nothing to look for.
- You want a lean interface with nothing to configure before playing.
- Your table has four players or fewer.
The real differences.
Alchemy offers many settings to build spectacular scenes. Tomeus makes the opposite choice: a scene, an image, a track, and nothing else to configure before playing.
Tomeus provides illustration and music catalogs, available from every scene: nothing to buy or import to get started. Alchemy also offers music and atmospheres, with a content marketplace to go further.
Alchemy is free with no limits, its subscription is there to support the tool. Tomeus is free to start, and Archmage at $4.99 per month unlocks webcam, two thousand scenes and the full catalogs.
The limits of Tomeus.
On price, Alchemy is more generous: everything is free, video included, while the Tomeus Adventurer plan is limited to one game, ten scenes and audio.
Tomeus offers no animated environments, rules sheets or content marketplace, and a game hosts four players at most. If you want the richest tool, Alchemy will serve you better.
Frequently asked questions.
Is Alchemy really free?
Yes, according to its official website: games, characters, uploads, audio and video are free and unlimited. The Alchemist subscription is optional and brings perks, such as a marketplace discount. On Tomeus, the Adventurer plan is free, and Archmage costs $4.99 per month.
What is the real difference between the two?
The philosophy is close: theater of the mind and atmosphere first. Alchemy bets on rich scenes and effects, Tomeus on simplicity: a game takes a minute to create, with illustrations and music already provided.
What content does Tomeus include?
Illustration and music catalogs, available from every scene. The Adventurer plan gives access to a selection, the Archmage plan to the full catalogs. Nothing to buy or import to get started.
Try Tomeus for free.
Create a game, add a scene and invite your players: your first session can start within minutes.
The Adventurer plan is free, all you need is an email address to create an account.
Try it for free