Comparison

Magic card database (MTG) vs TCG Identifier MTG Scanner

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

TCG Identifier MTG Scanner

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
Read full description

TCG Identifier MTG Scanner – Fast, Accurate Magic Card Scans TCG Identifier MTG Scanner is your smart companion for exploring, organizing, and valuing cards. Just point your camera at any card, and advanced AI instantly identifies it with precision. Whether you're fine-tuning your deck, managing a growing collection, or keeping up with market prices, the app makes everything effortless and lightning-fast. Key Features: Instant AI scanning for any MTG card Complete card details: name, set, rarity, type, mana cost, abilities, and more Real-time price checking from trusted markets Collection tools to save, sort, and organize cards your way Supports thousands of cards across countless sets and editions Clean, intuitive design built for both new players and seasoned collectors 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/tcgidentifiermtgscanner/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/tcgidentifiermtgscanner/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Magic card database (MTG)4 screens
TCG Identifier MTG Scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: TCG Identifier MTG Scanner at 4.3 against Magic card database (MTG)'s 3.7. TCG Identifier MTG Scanner also leads on review sentiment (95% vs 84%) and iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). Magic card database (MTG)'s advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (122 vs 12). On price, update cadence, 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 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TCG Identifier MTG Scanner holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Magic card database (MTG) has 122 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Magic card database (MTG)'s written reviews are positive against 95% of TCG Identifier MTG Scanner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Magic card database (MTG) ships an update every 11 days, TCG Identifier MTG Scanner every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Magic card database (MTG) versus TCG Identifier MTG Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMagic card database (MTG)TCG Identifier MTG Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (122 ratings)4.3 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.4% of reviews95.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings122 — better12
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 9 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.017.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size237 MB79 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNicole HankinsonPham Dat

Customer experience

Magic card database (MTG)

All ratings122 ratings
Positive64.8%
Neutral10.7%
Negative24.6%
Written reviews1,272 reviews
Positive84.4%
Neutral6.3%
Negative9.4%

TCG Identifier MTG Scanner

All ratings13 ratings
Positive76.9%
Neutral15.4%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive95.0%
Neutral5.0%
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
2 purchases

TCG Identifier MTG Scanner

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Premium Yearly$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Magic card database (MTG) free?
Magic card database (MTG) 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, Magic card database (MTG) or TCG Identifier MTG Scanner?
TCG Identifier MTG Scanner is rated higher. Magic card database (MTG) averages 3.7 out of 5 from 122 ratings, while TCG Identifier MTG Scanner averages 4.3 from 12 ratings.
Do Magic card database (MTG) or TCG Identifier MTG Scanner have ads?
TCG Identifier MTG Scanner shows ads; Magic card database (MTG) does not.
Which is updated more often, Magic card database (MTG) or TCG Identifier MTG Scanner?
Magic card database (MTG) ships an update every 11 days, and TCG Identifier MTG Scanner every 9 days. Most recently, Magic card database (MTG) was updated on October 19, 2026 and TCG Identifier MTG Scanner on October 20, 2026.

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