Comparison

MTG Guide vs TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner

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

TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner

Easily build and organize your card decks, scan cards for instant identification and pricing, and manage your collection. Track market trends and compare trade values to make informed decisions.

Highlights
  • Unlimited deck creation
  • Instant card scanning
  • Real-time card value tracking
  • Collection management
  • Trade value comparison
  • Strategy optimization
Features
Read full description

Build powerful decks, scan cards instantly, and track real-time values - all in one place. Create and organize unlimited decks, optimize your strategy. Scan cards with your camera for instant identification and pricing. Manage your collection, track market trends, compare trade values, and make smarter decisions before every buy or trade. Magic: The Gathering is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast LLC, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. All rights reserved. This app is not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is cancelled at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. The subscription fee is charged to your iTunes account at the confirmation of purchase. You may manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings after purchase. Per Apple policy, no cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Once purchased, refunds will not be provided for any unused portion of the term. Terms of Use: https://sites.google.com/view/tcg-deck-builder-mtg-scanner/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/tcg-deck-builder-mtg-scanner/privacy-policy

Screenshots

MTG Guide4 screens
TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MTG Guide at 80% against TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner's 0%. MTG Guide also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.0) and ads (none vs shown). TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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 TCG Deck Builder 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MTG Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MTG Guide has 722 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of MTG Guide's written reviews are positive against 0% of TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MTG Guide ships an update every 2 months, TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
MTG Guide versus TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMTG GuideTCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (722 ratings) — better2.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews79.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings722 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB37 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperMichael WybrowHa Vu Thi

Customer experience

MTG Guide

All ratings722 ratings
Positive91.8%
Neutral1.0%
Negative7.2%
Written reviews345 reviews
Positive79.7%
Neutral2.3%
Negative18.0%

TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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

TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner

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

TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Premium Yearly$49.991 Year

Questions

Is MTG Guide free?
MTG Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner free?
TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MTG Guide or TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner?
MTG Guide is rated higher. MTG Guide averages 4.7 out of 5 from 722 ratings, while TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do MTG Guide or TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner have ads?
TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner shows ads; MTG Guide does not.
Which is updated more often, MTG Guide or TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner?
MTG Guide ships an update every 2 months, and TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner weekly. Most recently, MTG Guide was updated on September 25, 2026 and TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner on September 15, 2026.

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