Comparison

Hearthstone vs MTG

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

Head to head
About

Hearthstone

Engage in a strategic card battle game where you collect powerful cards, build custom decks, and outwit opponents. Explore various game modes, from competitive PvP to solo adventures, all within the iconic Warcraft universe.

Highlights
  • Collectible battle cards
  • Deck building and customization
  • Strategic card battles
  • Multiple game modes (Standard, Wild, Battlegrounds)
  • PvP and PvE challenges
  • Warcraft universe integration
Read full description

Battle as legendary Warcraft heroes in Hearthstone®, Blizzard Entertainment's award-winning free-to-play* strategy card game. Build powerful decks, collect iconic cards, discover game-changing combos, and outsmart opponents in epic card battles! ONE GAME. COUNTLESS WAYS TO PLAY. Whether you're new to collectible card games (CCG) or a seasoned strategist, Hearthstone offers an experience for every kind of player. Challenge friends, test your skills against opponents from around the world, or enjoy solo adventures at your own pace. Every match is packed with opportunities to learn, experiment, and sharpen your skills. Develop strategies that fit your playstyle, craft Legendary cards, and discover new possibilities as your collection grows. Easy to learn and rewarding to master, Hearthstone offers fresh challenges with every game. Play online across mobile and PC with your Hearthstone collection and progress synced between devices. Whether you have a few minutes for a quick match or you're ready to climb the competitive ladder, your next match is always within reach. Collect. Build. Play. CLIMB TO LEGEND • Battle players from around the world in strategic online PvP duels. • Build winning decks, evolve your strategy, and climb all the way to Legend. • Earn seasonal rewards and prove your mastery every month. HONE YOUR CRAFT • Take on solo adventures, complete quests, and discover new mechanics at your own pace. • Draft a unique deck in Arena from a changing selection of cards, then test your strategy against other players. • Returning player? Wild mode lets you play with all your cards! OUTSMART RIVALS • Recruit powerful minions, build your warband, and compete against seven other players in Hearthstone's signature Battlegrounds auto-battler mode. • Adapt every turn, discover powerful synergies, and be the last player standing. • No two matches play the same. EMBRACE THE CHAOS • Jump into Tavern Brawl, where unique rules, unexpected twists, and special rewards keep every Brawl fresh. CHOOSE YOUR HERO • Battle as legendary Warcraft heroes across 11 distinct classes. • Each class features its own Hero Power, signature mechanics, and unique strategies. • Whether you prefer aggressive attacks, careful planning, or clever combos, there's a class for you. Complete quests, earn rewards, and discover new cards with every expansion. Regular balance updates, seasonal events, major expansions, and limited-time experiences keep Hearthstone fresh for newcomers and veterans alike. Experience the magic, mischief, and mayhem in this epic fantasy CCG. Battle friends, challenge online opponents, and join millions of players around the hearth. Play Hearthstone today! *In-game purchases are optional. ©/TM/® 2026 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc

About

MTG

Features
Read full description

Build better decks. Know exactly what you own. Play without slowing down. MTG Deck Builder is the all-in-one Magic: The Gathering companion for Commander players — available on iPhone, iPad. FREE TRIAL — 7 DAYS ON US Download free and explore for 7 days (Import and Export locked out until purchase) . If MTG Deckbuilder becomes an essential part of your game, unlock the full app with a single one-time purchase. No subscription. No recurring charges. Ever. DECK MANAGEMENT Create and manage unlimited Commander, Stanard or whatever decks suit your play Browse your full deck as a visual card grid or compact list Import any deck from text (Can import 2 decks in the list box on the deck import page while under trial) .csv, or .txt (Purchase Feature) Share your deck list with friends in seconds CARD LIBRARY Track every card in your collection with Have and Want status Filter by colour, card type, rarity, and more Search the full Scryfall database — over 27,000 cards — to find and add anything instantly Scan cards with your camera: point at the card name and OCR finds it automatically LIFE COUNTER Built-in life counter for 1–6 players Choose starting life totals: 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, or 60 Multiple layout orientations so everyone at the table can read their total Start a match in seconds — no separate app needed RULES REFERENCE Full glossary of evergreen keyword actions, keyword abilities, and ability words Searchable — look up Deathtouch, Proliferate, or any term mid-game in seconds Perfect for new players learning the rules and veterans settling disputes AVAILABLE ON ALL YOUR DEVICES MTG Deckbuilder is a universal purchase — buy once and use it on iPhone, iPad. Your library and decks are always with you, on whichever device you're using. Magic: The Gathering is property of Wizards of the Coast LLC. This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast. Card data provided by Scryfall.

Screenshots

Hearthstone4 screens
MTG4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is chart position: Hearthstone at #15 against MTG's unranked. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Hearthstone sells 21 one-off in-app purchases and MTG sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Hearthstone versus MTG: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHearthstoneMTG
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (123K ratings) — better—
Number of ratings123K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#15 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size889 MB70 MB
Age rating12+9+
DeveloperBlizzard Entertainment, Inc.Jonathan Parkins

Bugs and requests

Hearthstone

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes during gameplay
  • Connectivity issues after updates
  • Reward system not working as intended
  • Unresponsive UI on certain devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improved matchmaking system
  • More cooperative game modes
  • Ability to trade or disenchant unwanted cards
  • Reduced cost of new expansions
  • Faster gold/dust earning for free players

MTG

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

21 purchases

Hearthstone

One-time21
  • Arena Admission$1.99
  • Bundle of 2 Classic Packs$2.99
  • Welcome Bundle$4.99
Show 18 more
  • Welcome Bundle of 10 Classic Packs + Classic Legendary Card$4.99
  • 500 Runestones$4.99
  • Hero Skin2 variants$6.99
  • Bundle of 7 Grand Tournament Packs$9.99
  • Bundle of 7 Classic Packs$9.99
  • Bundle of 7 "Whispers of the Old Gods" Packs$9.99
  • Hero Skin Bundle$9.99
  • Packs Bundle$14.99
  • BG Season Pass$14.99
  • Tavern Pass5 variants$19.99
  • BG Season Pass5 variants$19.99
  • Bundle of 15 Classic Packs$19.99
  • Bundle: All 4 League of Explorers Wings$19.99
  • Packs Bundle$24.99
  • Packs Bundle$39.99
  • Bundle of 40 Classic Packs$49.99
  • Packs Bundle2 variants$59.99
  • Hero Skin Bundle2 variants$89.99
1 purchases

MTG

One-time1
  • Full Access$0.99

Questions

Is Hearthstone free?
Hearthstone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MTG free?
MTG is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Hearthstone or MTG have ads?
Neither Hearthstone nor MTG shows ads.

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