This paper deals with the free vibration characteristics of isotropic and laminated orthotropic spherical caps. A first order shear deformable semi-analytical shell finite element has been used to obtain axisymmetric and asymmetric modes of vibration. Two geometric configurations, namely deep and shallow shells, have been considered in the analysis. Both thick and thin ranges of thickness ratio are studied. The effects of thickness ratio, shallowness, material orthotropy and lay-up have been studied. An attempt has been made to explain some of the vibrational characteristics by observing the energies in various modes of vibration.