# MTG Guide vs TCG Identifier MTG Scanner

The clearest difference is ads: MTG Guide at none against TCG Identifier MTG Scanner's shown. MTG Guide also leads on ratings volume (725 vs 12) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). TCG Identifier MTG Scanner's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (95% vs 80%). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MTG Guide sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and TCG Identifier MTG Scanner sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

MTG Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MTG Guide has 725 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 80% of MTG Guide's written reviews are positive against 95% of TCG Identifier MTG Scanner's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

MTG Guide ships an update every 2 months, TCG Identifier MTG Scanner every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MTG Guide | TCG Identifier MTG Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (725 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mtg-guide/id378754271/reviews)** | [4.3 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tcg-identifier-mtg-scanner/id6755862811/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **725** | 12 |
| Positive reviews | 79.5% of reviews | **95.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 45 MB | 79 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Michael Wybrow](https://appshunter.io/developer/366746485) | [Pham Dat](https://appshunter.io/developer/1576288166) |

## What reviewers say

### MTG Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mtg-guide/id378754271)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Monthly | $0.99 | per month |
| Premium Yearly | $6.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent reference tool
- 🔒 Offline access to rules and cards
- 👍 Comprehensive and up-to-date database
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use interface
- 👍 Helpful for judges and players

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Limited search/filter options
- 📱 Lack of full-screen card art
- 🔍 Truncated search results

**Reported bugs**

- Slow loading of Gatherer text
- Occasional crashes or freezes

**Requested features**

- 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


### TCG Identifier MTG Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tcg-identifier-mtg-scanner/id6755862811)

Instantly identify Magic: The Gathering cards using advanced AI. Get complete card details, check real-time market prices, and organize your collection effortlessly. Perfect for deck building and managing your card inventory.

**Highlights:** Instant AI card scanning, Complete card details, Real-time price checking, Collection organization tools, Supports thousands of cards, Intuitive design

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Weekly | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MTG Guide free?

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

### Is TCG Identifier MTG Scanner free?

TCG Identifier MTG Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, MTG Guide or TCG Identifier MTG Scanner?

MTG Guide is rated higher. MTG Guide averages 4.6 out of 5 from 725 ratings, while TCG Identifier MTG Scanner averages 4.3 from 12 ratings.

### Do MTG Guide or TCG Identifier MTG Scanner have ads?

TCG Identifier MTG Scanner shows ads; MTG Guide does not.

### Which is updated more often, MTG Guide or TCG Identifier MTG Scanner?

MTG Guide ships an update every 2 months, and TCG Identifier MTG Scanner every 9 days. Most recently, MTG Guide was updated on October 17, 2026 and TCG Identifier MTG Scanner on October 20, 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.*