Fantasy map makers compared
There is no single best fantasy map maker: each popular tool is good at something different. Here is what each is for, so you can pick the one that fits your map — or combine them.
| Loremapper | Inkarnate | Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator | Wonderdraft | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A fantasy map generator and editor focused on believable terrain | An online map maker for world, city and encounter maps, with a large library of hand-drawn art | A procedural generator of whole fantasy worlds, including cultures and states | A desktop map maker for illustrated world and regional maps |
| How maps are made | Generated from a seed at true scale (real elevation, rivers, climate), then edited by hand | Painted and stamped by hand: terrain brushes, art stamps, lighting and filters | Generated procedurally, then customised in many editors | Brushed and generated landmasses, painted symbols, styled labels and themes |
| Where it runs | Browser; can also run on your own computer | Browser | Browser; desktop builds for Windows, macOS and Linux | Desktop: Windows and Ubuntu (per their site) |
| Cost | Free, non-commercial project | Free to start; paid plans (see their site) | Free | One-time purchase (see their site) |
| Source code | Open source (MIT) | Proprietary | Open source (MIT) | Proprietary |
| Account | None; maps stay in your browser | Free account to start | No | Purchase required |
In short
- Inkarnate — paint an illustrated map by hand, with a large library of art, in the browser.
- Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator — generate a whole world with its peoples and politics, and customise every layer.
- Wonderdraft — draw an illustrated map on your computer with brushes, symbols and themes.
- Loremapper — generate believable land at a real scale (elevation, rivers, climate) and edit it by hand; heightmaps and fog of war included.
One by one
Loremapper and Inkarnate
Hand-painted maps with a large art library, or generated terrain with real elevation.
Loremapper and Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator
Whole worlds with cultures and states, or landforms at true scale.
Loremapper and Wonderdraft
Illustrated maps on the desktop, or realistic terrain in the browser.
Questions
What is the best free fantasy map maker?
It depends on the map you want. Loremapper and Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator are free and open source; Inkarnate is free to start with paid plans. Loremapper focuses on realistic terrain at true scale, Azgaar's on whole worlds with cultures and states, Inkarnate on hand-painted maps with a large art library.
Which fantasy map maker generates realistic terrain?
Loremapper generates terrain with real elevation in metres: mountain ranges in belts, rivers that run downhill to the sea, and climate and wind that place forests and deserts, at true scale from 250 km to 10,000 km or a whole planet.
Which tools work in the browser without installing?
Inkarnate, Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator and Loremapper run in the browser. Wonderdraft is a desktop app.