Comparison

Magic card database (MTG) vs Magic Spellbook

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

Head to head
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

About

Magic Spellbook

Instantly find Magic card information, including rulings, prices, and all printings. Manage your card lists, compare trade values, and even use voice commands for quick lookups. Explore cards by set and track game progress.

Highlights
  • Complex card search with Scryfall
  • Card printing and price checks
  • Save, import, and share card lists
  • Price difference calculation for trading
  • Card rulings and format legality
  • Browse cards by set
  • Voice search with Siri
Features
Read full description

The fastest way to look up Magic cards, rulings, and prices. - Search for cards with complex queries powered by Scryfall - Get powerful suggestions for advanced Scryfall queries - Check all printings and prices - Save, import, and share card lists - Calculate price differences between lists when trading - Look up card rulings and format legality - Browse all cards by set - Track progress in Dungeons and abilities for The One Ring - Use Siri to look up cards with your voice Spellbook is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.

Screenshots

Magic card database (MTG)4 screens
Magic Spellbook4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Magic Spellbook at 4.8 against Magic card database (MTG)'s 3.7. Magic Spellbook also leads on review sentiment (94% vs 84%) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). Magic card database (MTG)'s advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 5 weeks). On price, ratings volume, 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. Magic card database (MTG) sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Magic Spellbook sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Magic Spellbook holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 122 and 87 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Magic card database (MTG)'s written reviews are positive against 94% of Magic Spellbook's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Magic card database (MTG) ships an update every 11 days, Magic Spellbook every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Magic card database (MTG) versus Magic Spellbook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMagic card database (MTG)Magic Spellbook
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (122 ratings)4.8 (87 ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.3% of reviews94.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings122 — better87
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size237 MB33 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperNicole HankinsonJoshua Birnholz

Customer experience

Magic card database (MTG)

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

Magic Spellbook

All ratings87 ratings
Positive95.4%
Neutral2.3%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive94.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.6%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Magic card database (MTG)

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

Magic Spellbook

One-time4
  • Common Tip$0.99
  • Uncommon Tip$2.99
  • Rare Tip$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Mythic Tip$9.99

Questions

Is Magic card database (MTG) free?
Magic card database (MTG) is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Magic Spellbook free?
Magic Spellbook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Magic card database (MTG) or Magic Spellbook?
Magic Spellbook is rated higher. Magic card database (MTG) averages 3.7 out of 5 from 122 ratings, while Magic Spellbook averages 4.8 from 87 ratings.
Do Magic card database (MTG) or Magic Spellbook have ads?
Neither Magic card database (MTG) nor Magic Spellbook shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Magic card database (MTG) or Magic Spellbook?
Magic card database (MTG) ships an update every 11 days, and Magic Spellbook every 5 weeks. Most recently, Magic card database (MTG) was updated on September 24, 2026 and Magic Spellbook on September 23, 2026.

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