Comparison

Magic card database (MTG) 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

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 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

Magic card database (MTG)4 screens
TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Magic card database (MTG) at 84% against TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner's 0%. Magic card database (MTG) also leads on rating (3.7 vs 2.0) and ads (none vs shown). TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner's advantage is iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). 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 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

Magic card database (MTG) holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Magic card database (MTG) has 122 ratings behind it against 1, 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 0% of TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Magic card database (MTG) ships an update every 11 days, TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Magic card database (MTG) versus TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMagic card database (MTG)TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (122 ratings) — better2.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews84.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings122 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.018.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size237 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNicole HankinsonHa Vu Thi

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%

TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner

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

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 Deck Builder MTG Scanner

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

Questions

Is Magic card database (MTG) free?
Magic card database (MTG) 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, Magic card database (MTG) or TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner?
Magic card database (MTG) is rated higher. Magic card database (MTG) averages 3.7 out of 5 from 122 ratings, while TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Magic card database (MTG) or TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner have ads?
TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner shows ads; Magic card database (MTG) does not.
Which is updated more often, Magic card database (MTG) or TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner?
Magic card database (MTG) ships an update every 11 days, and TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner weekly. Most recently, Magic card database (MTG) was updated on September 24, 2026 and TCG Deck Builder MTG Scanner on September 15, 2026.

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