Start with TCGdex for Pokémon, Scryfall for Magic or YGOPRODeck for Yu-Gi-Oh! when a free single-game API fits your project. JustTCG also publishes a limited free tier for non-commercial use.
Which options should you evaluate?
| Option | What to evaluate | Decision detail |
|---|---|---|
| TCGdex | Free Pokémon database | REST, GraphQL and marketplace price fields. |
| Scryfall | Free Magic card API | Usage guidelines apply to API and image access. |
| YGOPRODeck | Free Yu-Gi-Oh! API | Cache data locally and follow image-hosting instructions. |
| JustTCG free | 1,000 requests/month | Its pricing page limits free use to personal, non-commercial projects. |
Provider facts come from the linked documentation. Examples and workflow recommendations are this guide’s analysis.
Check what “free” includes
A zero subscription price does not mean unlimited traffic, every field or unrestricted data redistribution. Check current usage conditions, image rules and rate limits before selecting the API. Those are product requirements, not details to postpone until launch.
Treat optional price fields as optional in your application. A prototype that assumes every card has a price can become fragile as soon as users add unusual cards.
Pay when the broader workflow justifies it
A paid multi-game service may reduce integration work, but that does not make it the right choice for every small project. Compare the fee with the actual work of maintaining the sources your product needs.
TCGGraph is our recommendation when the combined catalog, pricing and recognition workflow matters. Its recognition service is billed separately from data access, so budget for both if you use both.
Keep the prototype portable
Store your own user records and put provider calls behind a small adapter. That gives you space to change sources after testing coverage or costs. Use your production data requirements to evaluate the prototype instead of choosing only the simplest first request.
Make the free prototype answer a real product question
Choose a narrow workflow and test it with the records your intended users will add. A prototype should reveal whether the catalog supports the required printing identity, images and optional prices. Keep an explicit list of missing fields instead of replacing them with fabricated placeholders.
A free service can remain the right choice if the product stays within its scope. Use the Pokémon, Magic and Yu-Gi-Oh! guides to compare game-specific requirements before adding another source.
Recognize the point where a paid service becomes useful
Revisit the choice when the product adds games, a recognition workflow, larger traffic or operational requirements the initial source does not meet. The reason to pay should be a concrete capability or reduced maintenance task. Extra features have no value if the application never uses them.
Keep the initial provider behind an adapter and retain your own user records so migration remains possible. Test identifier mappings and historical source changes before switching a live collection. Our multi-game guide describes when TCGGraph becomes a relevant option.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a free TCG API commercially?
It depends on the provider and plan. Review current usage conditions directly. JustTCG’s published free tier is personal and non-commercial; its paid plans address commercial use.
Is TCGGraph a free TCG API?
TCGGraph publishes paid data plans. We recommend comparing free specialist services when they cover the entire project, and evaluating TCGGraph when its broader workflow justifies the fee.
Does free API access include unrestricted image hosting?
Do not assume it does. Image access, rehosting and attribution can have separate operating requirements. Include those requirements in the project design.
Sources and further reading
Your next step with TCGGraph
Inspect the documented fields, then test the cards and workload your application needs.