Comparison

MTG Guide vs MTGCardStack

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

MTGCardStack

Manage your Magic the Gathering collection, build decks, and track game statistics. Discover new sets, monitor collection progress, and analyze deck performance with powerful search and customization options.

Highlights
  • Card search with powerful options
  • Deck and binder building
  • Collection completion tracking
  • Game history and win/loss statistics
  • Customizable interface
  • Import card lists
  • Trade balancing
Read full description

MTGCardStack is the all-in-one utility for managing your Magic: The Gathering collection across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and the web. Search over 100,000 cards, build decks, manage collections, track games, record trades, and monitor prices — all synced to your account and accessible at app.mtgcardstack.com. Key Features • Powerful card search with filters for colors, types, rarity, sets, artists, keywords, mana value, and more • Build decks and collections with detailed card tracking (condition, foil, acquired price, notes) • Price tracking with market value charts, set price history, and daily top movers • Collection value over time — watch your portfolio grow with interactive charts • Card scanner — use your camera to identify cards and add them to any list • Import from CSV (Moxfield, Deckbox, TCGPlayer, MTGGoldfish, PriceCharting, MTGStocks, or custom) • Export lists as CSV or PDF (financial inventory or proxy print sheets) • Set completion progress across your entire collection • Deck insights — mana curve, type breakdown, draw probability calculator, and starting hand simulator • Game tracker with life/poison counters, game logs, and win/loss statistics • Trade tracker with per-card values, balance calculator, and trade partner history • Auction tracker for monitoring bids and price history • Sales analytics — revenue, profit, velocity, and top sellers • Booster pack simulator — open randomized packs from any set • Random card browser with filter support • Optimized for iPad and Mac with side-by-side split views • Customizable home page, tab order, and display preferences • Sign In with Apple or email — no passwords required • Full web companion at app.mtgcardstack.com with all features available MTGCardStack Pro is available for $0.99/month, or a one-time lifetime purchase for $2.99. Pro unlocks unlimited lists, cards, trades, games, and exports. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.mtgcardstack.com/privacypolicy/

Screenshots

MTG Guide4 screens
MTGCardStack4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: MTG Guide at 722 against MTGCardStack's 2. MTG Guide also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). MTGCardStack's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and monetization model (freemium vs paid). On price, update cadence, 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 MTGCardStack sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MTGCardStack holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MTG Guide has 722 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MTG Guide ships an update every 2 months, MTGCardStack every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
MTG Guide versus MTGCardStack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMTG GuideMTGCardStack
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (722 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings722 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB14 MB
Age rating9+9+
DeveloperMichael WybrowNicholas Diodato

Customer experience

MTG Guide

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

MTGCardStack

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

MTGCardStack

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
4 purchases

MTGCardStack

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Yearly$9.991 Year
One-time2
  • Leave a Tip$0.99
  • Lifetime$2.99

Questions

Is MTG Guide free?
MTG Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MTGCardStack free?
MTGCardStack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MTG Guide or MTGCardStack?
MTGCardStack is rated higher. MTG Guide averages 4.7 out of 5 from 722 ratings, while MTGCardStack averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do MTG Guide or MTGCardStack have ads?
Neither MTG Guide nor MTGCardStack shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MTG Guide or MTGCardStack?
MTG Guide ships an update every 2 months, and MTGCardStack every 3 months. Most recently, MTG Guide was updated on September 22, 2026 and MTGCardStack on September 24, 2026.

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