# PTCGBuilder vs TCGSim

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PTCGBuilder at none against TCGSim's 4. PTCGBuilder also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 months). TCGSim's advantage is review sentiment (78% vs 47%) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TCGSim sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. PTCGBuilder asks for nothing beyond the download.

PTCGBuilder ships an update every 9 days, TCGSim every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and June 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PTCGBuilder | TCGSim |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tcgsim/id6474193450/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **2** |
| Positive reviews | 46.7% of reviews | **77.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 26 MB | 167 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Katada Hayata](https://appshunter.io/developer/1709101880) | [Kenta Hayakawa](https://appshunter.io/developer/1681275019) |

## What reviewers say

### PTCGBuilder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ptcgbuilder/id6467753935)

Build and simulate Pokémon card game decks with this tool. Save your decks, practice solo play, and test strategies before actual matches. Ideal for quick deck construction and strategy refinement.

**Highlights:** Deck code and name saving, Solo play simulation, Simulated matches, Deck recipe editing, Deck list management

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### TCGSim

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tcgsim/id6474193450)

Practice popular trading card games solo with this easy-to-use app. It supports deck tuning, strategy research, and includes features like free card manipulation and dice rolls. Customize your experience with optional in-app purchases.

**Highlights:** Solo play for 1-2 player fields, Free card manipulation, Deck and card management, Import decks via codes/CSV, Dice roll and coin toss, Customizable backgrounds

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Custom Field Image | $1.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Custom Card Back | $1.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Deck Slots | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PTCGBuilder free?

PTCGBuilder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is TCGSim free?

TCGSim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do PTCGBuilder or TCGSim have ads?

Both PTCGBuilder and TCGSim show ads.

### Which is updated more often, PTCGBuilder or TCGSim?

PTCGBuilder ships an update every 9 days, and TCGSim every 3 months. Most recently, PTCGBuilder was updated on June 1, 2026 and TCGSim on June 7, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*