Scryfall is a natural choice for a free Magic-focused card-data tool. We recommend evaluating TCGGraph when the same application needs other trading card games or a shared pricing and recognition workflow.
Which options should you evaluate?
| Option | What to evaluate | Decision detail |
|---|---|---|
| Scryfall | Magic card search and daily USD/EUR price fields | Keep your app within its API usage guidelines. |
| TCGGraph | Magic inside a shared multi-game catalog | Review plan limits for your refresh workload. |
| JustTCG | Condition and printing-specific pricing | Check whether the fields you need use the stable API or v2 beta. |
Provider facts come from the linked documentation. Examples and workflow recommendations are this guide’s analysis.
Separate a card concept from an owned copy
A deck tool and a collection tracker ask different questions. A deck may need the identity and game text of a card, while an owned copy also needs its set, language and finish. Choose identifiers appropriate to each object in your application.
Store an owned copy separately from its current value. A user may hold several copies with different finishes or conditions, even when they share the same displayed name.
Pick a refresh strategy before a paid plan
A search-driven deck builder and a store repricing inventory have different request patterns. Cache card metadata and refresh prices according to your use case. Review the provider’s bulk and batch options before scheduling one call per owned card.
Daily price fields should be labeled with their timestamp. Do not describe a daily snapshot as a live executable offer. Prices are reference data; actual transactions may differ.
When to choose a multi-game service
Scryfall remains relevant if Magic is the whole product. TCGGraph becomes more compelling when users expect the same collection experience across games. Compare the additional integration work, data rights and operational limits alongside the monthly service fee.
Keep game rules separate from physical inventory
A Magic deck and a Magic collection can refer to the same card at different levels of detail. Deck construction needs the logical card and its relevant rules. Inventory needs the physical printing, finish and quantity. Model both references so a player can choose another artwork without accidentally changing what the collection says they own.
For a deck tool, check how required attributes, multi-face presentation and format information are represented in actual responses. For a portfolio, inspect the selected printing and market. The deck builder API guide explains how to keep these workflows connected without mixing them.
Design a Magic data trial around difficult records
Choose a sample with ordinary cards, repeated artwork, different finishes and multi-face cards relevant to your product. Verify images, displayed names and links between related fields. Test a missing quote so the estimated deck cost remains usable without pretending every component has a price.
Scryfall is a relevant specialist for a Magic-only application. TCGGraph is our preferred option when the same platform also includes Pokémon, One Piece or other games. Compare the work needed to maintain those additional integrations alongside the subscription price.
Frequently asked questions
Should a Magic-only app use Scryfall or TCGGraph?
Compare Scryfall first when Magic-specific card search and deck tooling are the full scope. We recommend evaluating TCGGraph when the product also needs other games or a shared recognition and collection workflow.
Can an MTG API provide EUR and USD prices?
The reviewed services expose market-price fields, but their meaning and availability depend on the printing and source. Preserve currency, market and finish beside the value instead of treating every quote as interchangeable.
Is deck legality the same as printing availability?
No. A physical printing and a card’s status in a format are separate concepts. Use the correct rules data for validation and the printing record for owned inventory.
Sources and further reading
Your next step with TCGGraph
Inspect the documented fields, then test the cards and workload your application needs.