I have used roll20 for a while and am very happy. My group doesn't use the character sheet option, but the journal and dice rollers are handy. With imported map images and fog of war the mapping feels great. I am just beginning to explore the dynamic lighting option, so can't really comment yet, but am excited about the potential.
In what ways does it appear too simple to you?
We don't use roll20 for tracking characters, so I can't speak to how useful it is. Looked at it briefly, looks comprehensive and complex. We run a separate chat through google that all of us were already famiiar with and habdle characters mamually. If you are looking for that functionally I can't provide useful help.
But I like roll20 for mapping.
I use Roll20 extensively (the last time I looked, I clocked in over 4000 hours). Basically, what you get out of it is what you put into it. The character sheets, without using custom macros, are fairly straightforward. You fill in the blank fields on the sheet as necessary and the sheet calculates everything so that when you click on the d20 icon next to saving throws, attacks, etc., no math needed from you and it will display the results for all to see.
Once you have a sheet filled out to your heart's content, you can link the sheets to specific tokens on the map so that you easily set up the ability to keep track of things like hit points and class features (like rage per day or channel energy uses). If you do that, you don't need to go back and forth between the map and the character sheet (although I recommend keeping your pc sheet open anyways).
The sheets has the option (to be toggled on) for mythic rules, psionics (both Paizo and Dreamscarred Press), horror rules, kineticists, unchained rules, and so forth. The sheets also allow you to use customized macros to pull off almost anything you need to mimic the effects of a class feature.
Roll20 has the benefits of having a Bestiary Compendium in it so that for GMs, they can make character sheets for monsters ridiculously fast and adding templates or further customization is also relatively easy.
The Journal sections, as others have mentioned, are great for both players and the GM, as you can keep track of handouts (like sample maps or portraits) or information you want to remember (such as House Rules or plot devices).
The dynamic lighting is a fun feature (and so is the fog of war), and the special effects are a neat visual treat (but not necessary). The dynamic lighting can be time consuming and has some initial limitations (see the forum about dynamic lighting and circles), but some of those limitations can be circumvented with some scripts provided by community members (I have not tried those yet) or simply using some of the "tricks" to mimic things like a pillar blocking line of sight.
The jukebox in Roll20 should cover most of the basic sound effects needs and you can upload your own tracks if you like.
The biggest limits to the maps are the size limit of the files (up to 5 MB for free users or 10 MB for paid accounts) and learning how to get the map to be the size you want it if you are using the grid lines. It takes some practice but you will get the hang of it. There are forum threads with tips to help you.
I highly recommend reading the site's wiki on the chat screen, maps, dynamic lighting, fog of war, and the Pathfinder character sheet (which gives you tips on how to use macros). There is a thread in the character sheets forum about the Pathfinder character sheets and the authors are really nice at helping you if you have a question about a specific use or concern regarding the Pathfinder sheets.
If you have any specific questions, feel free to drop me a message and I'll do my best to help out.
Cheers!
CB
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I've played roll20 a lot and used Fantasy Grounds a little. My experience with Fantasy Grounds is at least 2 years old now.
My opinion is that Fantasy Grounds has a significantly steeper learning curve, both as player and GM.
But, once you're over that curve, it is probably the more powerful platform.
But not hugely so. And the learning curve isn't massively different either.
Bottom line, they're both quite functional tools. You probably won't go wrong with either.
One possible advantage of Roll20 is that is is SIGNIFICANTLY more popular in general, at least with the PFS crowd. Which MAY mean that it gets updated more regularly, gets bugs fixed faster, etc.
Of course, Fantasy Grounds has that arrangement with Paizo. So, if you're running Paizo products you get a lot done for you for free (or so I understand).
I've played roll20 a lot and used Fantasy Grounds a little. My experience with Fantasy Grounds is at least 2 years old now.
My opinion is that Fantasy Grounds has a significantly steeper learning curve, both as player and GM.
But, once you're over that curve, it is probably the more powerful platform.
But not hugely so. And the learning curve isn't massively different either.
Bottom line, they're both quite functional tools. You probably won't go wrong with either.
One possible advantage of Roll20 is that is is SIGNIFICANTLY more popular in general, at least with the PFS crowd. Which MAY mean that it gets updated more regularly, gets bugs fixed faster, etc.
Of course, Fantasy Grounds has that arrangement with Paizo. So, if you're running Paizo products you get a lot done for you for free (or so I understand).
Good points there. If there is one thing that really irks me about Roll20 is the absolute lack of Pathfinder content in it like modules or adventure paths. I would so love it if they had the Kingmaker AP on it because that is the primary campaign I am running there. Finding the right maps to fit some of the hex encounters has been a trial.
CB