Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

React Native Desktop VS Roll20

Compare React Native Desktop VS Roll20 and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

React Native Desktop logo React Native Desktop

Build OS X desktop apps using React Native

Roll20 logo Roll20

Roll20 is a suite of easy-to-use digital tools that expand pen-and-paper gameplay.
  • React Native Desktop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-30
  • Roll20 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-20

React Native Desktop features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Code Sharing
    React Native Desktop allows for code sharing between mobile and desktop platforms, reducing development time and effort. This promotes a unified codebase across iOS, Android, and macOS platforms.
  • React Ecosystem
    Developers can leverage the extensive ecosystem of React and React Native, including libraries, tools, and community support, thus simplifying development and benefiting from existing solutions.
  • Hot Reloading
    React Native Desktop supports hot reloading, which allows developers to see changes immediately without rebuilding the whole application. This greatly enhances development speed and productivity.
  • Native Performance
    React Native Desktop aims to deliver a performance close to native applications on macOS, allowing for smooth user experience and efficient utilization of the system's resources.

Possible disadvantages of React Native Desktop

  • Immature Project
    React Native Desktop is still a relatively young project compared to its mobile counterpart. It may lack some stability, advanced features, and support that are available in more mature frameworks.
  • Learning Curve
    Developers familiar with only web development might find it challenging to adapt to React Native's paradigms and native coding patterns required for desktop applications.
  • Limited macOS-Specific Components
    There might be fewer out-of-the-box components and libraries tailored for macOS when compared to those available for mobile, requiring more custom implementation work.
  • No Official Support
    As an open-source project, React Native Desktop doesn't have official support from Facebook or a large organization, which might lead to slower updates and a greater reliance on community contributions.

Roll20 features and specs

  • Accessibility
    Roll20 runs within a web browser, making it accessible on almost any device without needing special software installations.
  • Integrated Tools
    The platform offers built-in tools like character sheets, dice rollers, and rule sets that streamline game management.
  • Large Community
    A vibrant community provides extensive resources, including user-generated content, guides, and support forums.
  • Dynamic Lighting
    Advanced features like dynamic lighting enhance immersion by simulating realistic light and shadow effects in game maps.
  • Multimedia Integration
    Allows integration of music, sound effects, and visual aids to provide a richer game environment.
  • Versatility
    Supports multiple game systems such as Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and many others.

Possible disadvantages of Roll20

  • Learning Curve
    New users may find the platform overwhelming due to its vast array of features and settings.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users experience lag or slow performance, particularly during intense gameplay or when using advanced features like dynamic lighting.
  • Pricing
    While the free tier is functional, many advanced features require a subscription, which can be costly over time.
  • Complex Setup
    Setting up games, especially those with multiple systems or custom content, can be time-consuming and tedious.
  • Limited Native Content
    Although user-generated content is extensive, officially licensed material often requires additional purchase or subscription.
  • Internet Dependence
    A stable internet connection is required to use the platform, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.

Analysis of React Native Desktop

Overall verdict

  • React Native Desktop can be a good choice if you are already invested in the React Native ecosystem and are looking for a way to expand your application's reach to desktop platforms without starting from scratch. It benefits from the familiar JavaScript and React syntax, as well as a large community of developers who contribute to its growth. However, depending on the project's specific needs and the level of maturity expected, it might lack some features or optimizations available in native desktop application frameworks.

Why this product is good

  • React Native Desktop is designed to allow developers to use React Native for creating desktop applications. It leverages the existing React Native ecosystem, which means that developers familiar with React Native can transition to desktop app development more easily. By allowing code sharing between mobile and desktop platforms, it can significantly reduce the development time and effort required to maintain consistency across platforms.

Recommended for

    This framework is recommended for JavaScript developers who are already comfortable with React Native and want to leverage their existing skills to develop cross-platform applications that include desktop environments. It is suitable for projects that require rapid prototyping and consistent user experiences across mobile and desktop devices.

React Native Desktop videos

No React Native Desktop videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Roll20 videos

Roll20 Overview 2019 (Play 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons Online)

More videos:

  • Review - Why I Quit Roll20
  • Review - Roll20 Vs Fantasy Grounds | Which is REALLY the Cheapest?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to React Native Desktop and Roll20)
Developer Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Gaming
0 0%
100% 100
Tech
100 100%
0% 0
Game Engine
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using React Native Desktop and Roll20. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare React Native Desktop and Roll20

React Native Desktop Reviews

We have no reviews of React Native Desktop yet.
Be the first one to post

Roll20 Reviews

  1. When it works, its mediocre

    As a DM for homebrew games, I used Roll20 for 2+ years. When it works, its OK. When it doesn't, its frustrating. I use a lot of custom rules and they are simply not supported due to a lack of modularity within the system. A simple variant of Proficiency Dice in 5e is outlined in the rules, and even it is hacky and not well supported on Roll20.

    The format feels like it was made two decades ago, and the web console spits out warnings and errors left and right. There has even been some conspiracies / drama with some of the higher-ups at Roll20, showing a lack of leadership.

    Please, let's let Roll20 die. Support another system.

    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Can purchase modules like curse of strahd and tomb of annihilation|Free for dms and players|Use with a variaty of systems|Many features
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    Not modular enough for me|Hacky programming|Ugly|Features feel clunky and slow|Some features do not work well at all|Buggy
  2. Diego Herrerรญas
    Not very easy to learn

    Not easy to learn, not friendly controls

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: digitald20.com Digital d20
    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    The most famous
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    User experiance|Design|Costly pro plan

10 Best Sites Like Roll20 Alternatives For Tabletop Gaming
These tools aide gamers during online games. Both Roll20 and the Roll20 alternatives can be best described as table-top games. Launched in 2012, Roll20 has received a lot of positive feedback.
Roll20 Alternatives, Similar Games, Apps 2020
Roll20 is a set of easy-to-use digital tools that extend the pencil and paper set. It is the easiest and free way to play board games (such as paper and pencil role-playing games) online with others. Roll20 is completely online, so it runs directly in your browser.
7 Best Roll20 alternatives 2020
Programs like Roll20 and Best Roll20 alternatives are quite similar. So you can play and try one of them and easily download from play store, app store and Roll20 official Website.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Roll20 seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 334 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

React Native Desktop mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of React Native Desktop yet. Tracking of React Native Desktop recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Roll20 mentions (334)

  • Friend screwed 3/4 of the table out of 1/2 the game.
    There are other options: https://roll20.net/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Looking for a DND/TTRPG group
    I've used roll20.net up until now. They have a find group feature and a virtual table top with character sheets and dice roller included, so everything you need to play virtually is all on the one site. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Iโ€™m here to giveaway $1,500 in RPG goodies to celebrate 1 Year of Roll20 x DriveThruRPG! [Mod Approved]
    1 Year Roll20 Pro Subscription ($109 value!) โ€“ use it yourself or give it to your GM! Source: over 2 years ago
  • Looking for advice on running DnD game on stream!
    There are plenty of D&D software programs out there that are free and paid versions. Many of them with the ability to have friends join and interact with the table. As basic as Tabletop Simulator to Fantasy Grounds (both on steam that I have experience with, not an endorsement). roll20.net being a popular browser based version. Source: over 2 years ago
  • I'm looking for someone to teach me how to Play DnD
    I have made a character on roll20.net that maybe border line iffy/OP, so I may have to make one that's not. My free time can be a bit unusual at times(it's 12:24AM as I write this)so someone who has similar free times as I do(if your interested let me know and we can talk times), basicly I've been listening to a DnD podcast and I think it sounds fun and I want to try it out Edit: I'm in PST timezone in... Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing React Native Desktop and Roll20, you can also consider the following products

React Native - A framework for building native apps with React

Foundry Virtual Tabletop - A self-hosted, modern, and developer-friendly roleplaying platform.

Deco IDE - Best IDE for building React Native apps

D&D Beyond - Official online toolset for Dungeons & Dragons tabletop gaming

Expo - The fastest way to build an iOS and Android app ๐Ÿ“ฑ

Astral Tabletop - Create, host, and manage your tabletop role-playing games โ€” online or in person