# bgLifecounter vs MTG Playbook

The clearest difference is ads: MTG Playbook at none against bgLifecounter's shown. MTG Playbook also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). bgLifecounter's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 weeks). On price and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

bgLifecounter ships an update weekly, MTG Playbook every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | bgLifecounter | MTG Playbook |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 weeks |
| Size | 11 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ryo Kurachi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1038411497) | [Ryo Maruyama](https://appshunter.io/developer/1111218006) |

## What reviewers say

### bgLifecounter

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bglifecounter/id1587848423)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### MTG Playbook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mtg-playbook/id6446243687)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is bgLifecounter free?

bgLifecounter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is MTG Playbook free?

MTG Playbook is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do bgLifecounter or MTG Playbook have ads?

bgLifecounter shows ads; MTG Playbook does not.

### Which is updated more often, bgLifecounter or MTG Playbook?

bgLifecounter ships an update weekly, and MTG Playbook every 2 weeks. Most recently, bgLifecounter was updated on September 20, 2026 and MTG Playbook on September 9, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*