# MapGenie vs Archivist

The clearest difference is ads: Archivist at none against MapGenie's shown. Archivist also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 24 months). MapGenie's advantage is ratings volume (22 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MapGenie sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Archivist sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for MapGenie against 5.0 for Archivist. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MapGenie has 22 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

MapGenie ships an update every 24 months, Archivist every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MapGenie | Archivist |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapgenie-gow-map/id1644855201/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/archivist-mtg-scanner/id6770096041/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **22** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 24 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 54 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Magic Lamp Technologies Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/499996104) | [Ryan Fontenot](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896715332) |

## What reviewers say

### MapGenie

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapgenie-gow-map/id1644855201)

This fan-made interactive map helps players find over 1500 collectibles and complete all side quests in Midgard. Track your progress, take notes, and sync with the website for a comprehensive gaming experience.

**Highlights:** Over 1500 collectible locations, 35+ item categories, Quick search functionality, Progress synchronization with website, Progress tracking and notes, All game maps included

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GoW Map PRO Upgrade | $6.99 | one-time |


### Archivist

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/archivist-mtg-scanner/id6770096041)

Digitize your Magic: The Gathering card collection quickly and easily. Scan cards to read details, organize your collection, build decks, and track prices. Connect with other collectors and manage your wishlist.

**Highlights:** Scan cards with camera, Organize by box, condition, foil, language, Build decks with mana curve, Track card prices and set alerts, Wishlist cards with TCGplayer integration, Follow other collectors

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Archivist Plus (Monthly) | $4.99 | per month |
| Archivist Plus (Yearly) | $39.99 | per year |
| Archivist Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MapGenie free?

MapGenie is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Archivist free?

Archivist is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, MapGenie or Archivist?

Archivist is rated higher. MapGenie averages 4.9 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while Archivist averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do MapGenie or Archivist have ads?

MapGenie shows ads; Archivist does not.

### Which is updated more often, MapGenie or Archivist?

MapGenie ships an update every 24 months, and Archivist every 9 days. Most recently, MapGenie was updated on October 16, 2026 and Archivist on October 15, 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.*