Magic card database (MTG) vs MTGCardStack
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Advanced card search and browsing
- Deck building and management
- Card price guide
- Life counter with multiplayer support
- Offline mode
- Full-screen image viewer
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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
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: MTGCardStack at 5.0 against Magic card database (MTG)'s 3.7. Magic card database (MTG)'s advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (122 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Magic card database (MTG) sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 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.
MTGCardStack holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Magic card database (MTG) has 122 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Magic card database (MTG) ships an update every 11 days, MTGCardStack every 3 months. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Magic card database (MTG) | MTGCardStack |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (122 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 84.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 122 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 237 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Nicole Hankinson | Nicholas Diodato |
Customer experience
Magic card database (MTG)
MTGCardStack
In-app purchases
Magic card database (MTG)
- Premium3 Days trial$3.991 Month
- Premium (Yearly)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
MTGCardStack
- Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
- Yearly$9.991 Year
- Leave a Tip$0.99
- Lifetime$2.99
Questions
Is Magic card database (MTG) free?
Is MTGCardStack free?
Which has better reviews, Magic card database (MTG) or MTGCardStack?
Do Magic card database (MTG) or MTGCardStack have ads?
Which is updated more often, Magic card database (MTG) or MTGCardStack?
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