RPTools.netMapTool
More than a map
Do not be fooled by the name. While it does include powerful tools for the creation of detailed maps, its primary role is a Virtual Table Top, replacing pen, paper, battle mats, and dice.
MapTool is a free, open source and extremely flexible VTT with all the bells and whistles. You can utilize the integrated server function to connect to players wherever there’s an Internet connection.
Miss your buddy in Singapore? Not a problem. Roll up that character and then your sleeves.
Download MapTool 1.18.6
Released Thu, 30 Oct 2025
Download for Windows
Windows users are encouraged to use the MSI.
Since RPTools is not a “known software publisher” by Microsoft, you will need to click through the prompts to install MapTool and when starting MapTool for the first time you will prompted to allow network access. See the download page for more information.
Download for macOS
Mac Users are encouraged to use the PKG version of the install.
Apple won’t recognize the application as being from an “identified developer”. You will have to allow it to open through System Preferences > Security & Privacy, and even then some Ctrl-click fanciness is required. See the download page for more information.
Download for Linux
Use either .deb or .rpm (depending on which packager your system uses).
The deb version installs under /opt/maptool/bin as MapTool. See the download page for more information.
You are in control
It’s not browser-based so you have to download and install it, but because of that, it doesn’t depend on a remote server. That means you’re not dependent on other servers that might charge you a subscription fee or have inconvenient “maintenance windows”, you can use your own high resolution images, and you’re not restricted in storage size (except for the amount of available disk space you have!).
Amazing Features
- Supports advanced features like Dynamic Lighting, Vision, Fog of War and much more.
- Features its own scripting language – allowing you to code and share your own creations.
- It is “game system agnostic”, meaning that while MapTool has special support for some game systems, there is no requirement for you to use these features.
- A set of “topology” tools to enable the GM to limit the view of their players, revealing the map as they explore it. Walls, pits, hills and other objects can prevent players from seeing what lies behind them.
- Vision features allows darkness to be made to fall, blinding players who lack a light. Lights can be set on objects or on tokens that illuminate however much of the map you define. If the GM wishes, s/he can limit the view of players to what their specific token sees, adding a whole new level to the experience of splitting up the party. Woe be to the character who can’t see around the corner of a wall but steps out into the view of the enemy!
- Tremendous macro facility that allows you to automate just about any facet of your game. These are entirely optional bits of code you write yourself or borrow from others you meet in the forums or on Discord.
- Support for embedded HTML. See HTML Within Maptool for helpful tidbits.
- On the horizon, MapTool 2.0 will see new scripting language support and a complete refresh of the UI into JavaFX. Much of the macro-only functionality will move into the UI to make MapTool easier for the new user.
- ([Read more] about our community.)
How to get started
- Download the package for your operating system.
- Download a framework from our [framework page] (optional).
- Watch some tutorials (optional, but recommended!).
- Join our Discord or our forums and get all your questions answered.
- Learn even more on our Wiki Documentation.
MapTool will always be free and always be supported by people that love to game. So don’t worry: fire up the tool, draw a map, and call your friends. It’s game time!
FAQ
Which version to download?
All of the tools by the RPTools Team follow a consistent versioning scheme. There is always a stable (also known as release) version available that can be used by those that have concerns as to the stability of a development version.
That said, it is frequently the case that a late development build is effectively as stable as a release version. It is a good idea to ask around on the forum or on Discord to determine which is the best build for you.
If you're looking for the latest nightly build, or a beta release, or other specific type of download, visit the GitHub wiki page for MapTool.
What can you tell me about the versions that are in development?
Development versions are where all of the glitz and new features are added. Because of the constant additions that occur in this version of the code, external file formats are likely to change, functionality may be introduced in one build only to be removed in the next build, and there can be usability issues as well. Anything major is normally corrected in a very short time but this can lead to head-scratching and a loss of sleep for those who like to live on the edge.
Will I be helping the community by using the latest version?
Yes. You would help the community more by using the latest and greatest and report back any issues to the community through our forum, blog or discord. Still, nothing’s worse than a game night ruined by a crashing program. Ideally, you can recruit your players to test the new versions but use the stable versions for when it counts.
Do I need to do anything before I update?
If you are only going to keep one version of MapTool installed, it is highly recommended that you uninstall the previous version and delete any files or directories left behind in the install location before installing the new version.
Best practice is to keep your resource libraries, campaign files and other user content in a separate location. If you have stored those files in your MapTool installation folder, ensure they are backed up or moved before uninstalling and installing the new version.
The downloaded installer won't run or the installation hangs, now what?
If the installer won't run, make sure you have sufficient permissions on your computer to install software, and that you have granted the installer the required permissions.
Antivirus checks should be suspended during installation.
Installation of MT can take several minutes, especially if you use the Windows .exe file format for installation.
Some users may find it necessary to uninstall all previous versions of MT and reboot before installation.
If you are still unable to get your installer to run, please ask in general_support on our Discord channel.
Is there a JAR file available?
A JAR file version may be downloaded as well but is only recommended for developers or other advanced users. For most users, we suggest the executable version which will install the Tools as an application you execute like any other.
The latest version of MapTool requires JavaFX and Java 16. If you have sufficient development background, you may be able to puzzle this out, but we are only supporting our packaged builds at this time.
You can find the download on our Github page.
Where can I find older versions
All our versions can be found on this page: