Comparison

MTG Guide vs Magic card database (MTG)

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

MTG Guide

Access comprehensive Magic: The Gathering rules, card text, and rulings in a searchable offline format. Stay updated with the latest expansions and tournament guidelines for all formats.

Highlights
  • Card text and FAQs/rulings
  • Complete Comprehensive Rules
  • Offline database access
  • Searchable card and rules database
  • Legality information for formats
  • Card price and image integration
Features
Read full description

MTG Guide gives you access to the latest Magic card text, card-specific FAQs/rulings and the complete Comprehensive Rules, Magic Tournament Rules and Infraction Procedure Guide, all in an easy-to-read, searchable format. Features: • Card text and FAQs/rulings for all Magic expansions. • Current text of all existing Magic cards, including tokens, Planechase, Archenemy and Vanguard cards. • App can be used completely offline (except for card images). • Download database updates for new sets and rules document changes from within the app (requires Premium) • Browse or search for cards from individual MTG expansions. • Card-specific FAQ entries (rulings) for cards are displayed, where available. Includes all rulings available in Gatherer. • All printings for cards (including promos) are displayed with expansion, rarity, and collector number. • Tapping these expands to show card images (required Premium), non-foil and foil prices from TCGplayer.com, and a link to the Gatherer page. • Legality information is included for all cards for the Standard, Modern, Legacy, Vintage and Commander formats. • Quickly and easily search for particular cards by title, card #, full card text or rulings text. • Complete text of the Comprehensive Rules, Magic Tournament Rules and Infraction Procedure Guide in an easily browsable and searchable format. • Search the rules documents and instantly find and browse all the matching sections, rules and sub-rules for your query. • View related rules (e.g. "See also rule 204.3h.") by tapping on them. • Decklist counter. • Supports Dynamic Type for altering text size. • Universal app for iPhone, iPad and Mac (as an iPad app) • Supports iPad multitasking. This app has been carefully designed to be simple and fast to use. If you have any suggestions for improvements, please suggest them from within the app. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ This app is not produced or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

About

Magic card database (MTG)

This app serves as a comprehensive database for a popular trading card game, offering advanced search, deck building, and price tracking. It features a user-friendly interface with customizable options and offline capabilities. Premium features unlock access to the latest sets and unlimited deck collections.

Highlights
  • Advanced card search and browsing
  • Deck building and management
  • Card price guide
  • Life counter with multiplayer support
  • Offline mode
  • Full-screen image viewer
Features
Read full description

Magic trading card game database is the premier iOS application for everything Magic. With its advanced grid view you can browse cards quicker than any other application. Now updated for iOS 26 with the new Liquid Glass design, dark mode, and improved performance throughout. MTG allows for editing and saving multiple searches, saving you from having to re-enter them each time you launch the app. FREE FEATURES: - Advanced search & browse options. - Life counter with player customization, textured backgrounds, undo/redo history, and multiplayer support. - Searchable by name, description, expansion, rarity, colors, artist & others. - Sort by name, price, rarity, collector number, and more. - Browse keyword abilities with quick-jump section index. - Small app size & image caching for improved performance. - Offline mode by pre-caching images. - Large grid for multiple card viewing. - Details laid out in an easy access view with all printings available. - Full-screen image viewer with pinch zoom and swipe-to-dismiss. - Bulk import — paste a card list to quickly build a deck. - Deck collections with 2-column card grid, mana curve stats, average CMC, and land counts. - Accessibility support with VoiceOver labels and hints. - Light and dark mode support. PREMIUM FEATURES (Requires IAP): - Access to the latest five sets. - Price guide that is updated often with stale cache detection. - Automatic updating card database with version tracking. - Unlimited deck collections. - Monthly and yearly subscription options. All prices are courtesy of TCGplayer.com Terms of Use: https://termify.io/terms-and-conditions/1637763460 Privacy Policy: https://termify.io/privacy-policy/1637856824

Screenshots

MTG Guide4 screens
Magic card database (MTG)4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MTG Guide at 4.7 against Magic card database (MTG)'s 3.7. MTG Guide also leads on ratings volume (722 vs 122) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). Magic card database (MTG)'s advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 2 months) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. MTG Guide sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Magic card database (MTG) sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MTG Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MTG Guide has 722 ratings behind it against 122, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 80% of MTG Guide's written reviews are positive against 84% of Magic card database (MTG)'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MTG Guide ships an update every 2 months, Magic card database (MTG) every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
MTG Guide versus Magic card database (MTG): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMTG GuideMagic card database (MTG)
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (722 ratings) — better3.7 (122 ratings)
Positive reviews80.2% of reviews84.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings722 — better122
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB237 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperMichael WybrowNicole Hankinson

Customer experience

MTG Guide

All ratings722 ratings
Positive91.8%
Neutral1.0%
Negative7.2%
Written reviews343 reviews
Positive80.2%
Neutral2.3%
Negative17.5%

Magic card database (MTG)

All ratings122 ratings
Positive64.8%
Neutral10.7%
Negative24.6%
Written reviews1,267 reviews
Positive84.3%
Neutral6.3%
Negative9.4%

Bugs and requests

MTG Guide

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Slow loading of Gatherer text
  • Occasional crashes or freezes

Requested features

5 requests
  • Advanced search and filtering options
  • Ability to display full-screen card art
  • Integration of annotated IPG and MTR
  • Option to sort cards by various criteria
  • Display of rarity symbols for cards

Magic card database (MTG)

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

MTG Guide

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly1 Month trial$0.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly1 Month trial$6.991 Year
2 purchases

Magic card database (MTG)

Subscriptions2
  • Premium3 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Premium (Yearly)7 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is MTG Guide free?
MTG Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Magic card database (MTG) free?
Magic card database (MTG) is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MTG Guide or Magic card database (MTG)?
MTG Guide is rated higher. MTG Guide averages 4.7 out of 5 from 722 ratings, while Magic card database (MTG) averages 3.7 from 122 ratings.
Do MTG Guide or Magic card database (MTG) have ads?
Neither MTG Guide nor Magic card database (MTG) shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MTG Guide or Magic card database (MTG)?
MTG Guide ships an update every 2 months, and Magic card database (MTG) every 11 days. Most recently, MTG Guide was updated on September 22, 2026 and Magic card database (MTG) on September 24, 2026.

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