Comparison

Magic card database (MTG) vs MTGCardStack

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

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

Magic card database (MTG)4 screens
MTGCardStack4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

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 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 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Magic card database (MTG) ships an update every 11 days, MTGCardStack every 3 months. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Magic card database (MTG) versus MTGCardStack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMagic card database (MTG)MTGCardStack
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (122 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings122 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS26.026.0
Further details — not scored
Size237 MB14 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperNicole HankinsonNicholas Diodato

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%

MTGCardStack

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

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

MTGCardStack

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

Questions

Is Magic card database (MTG) free?
Magic card database (MTG) 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, Magic card database (MTG) or MTGCardStack?
MTGCardStack is rated higher. Magic card database (MTG) averages 3.7 out of 5 from 122 ratings, while MTGCardStack averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Magic card database (MTG) or MTGCardStack have ads?
Neither Magic card database (MTG) nor MTGCardStack shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Magic card database (MTG) or MTGCardStack?
Magic card database (MTG) ships an update every 11 days, and MTGCardStack every 3 months. Most recently, Magic card database (MTG) was updated on September 24, 2026 and MTGCardStack on September 24, 2026.

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