Reviews of MTG Guide

By: Michael Wybrow App

List of user reviews and ratings for MTG Guide

Total ratings

4.70 (Rating count: 722)

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Review summary

MTG Guide is praised as a comprehensive, centralized MTG rules and card reference with solid design and useful tooling for judges and players. However, it faces strong pushback from long-time users after shifting from a paid app to a subscription model, especially for not grandfathering owners and gating features previously purchased. Additional complaints include stability issues, mixed responses from the developer, and comparisons to alternatives like Scryfall. The net is a highly capable tool that's marred for many by the pricing change.

Pros

All-in-one MTG rules and rulings reference (quick access to comp rules, IPG, and MTR) for fast lookups.
Card data/search with Gatherer links and printings info, plus helpful card details and pricing references.
Solid UI/UX and generally reliable with ongoing maintenance; appreciated by long-time users.
Useful features for MTG judging/playing (e.g., draft timer and structured rule references) and cross-device usability (works on iPad).

Cons

Subscription-based pricing after years of upfront purchases, with widespread frustration over not grandfathering existing customers (often described as a bait-and-switch).
Locking features already purchased (card images, rule updates, rulings) behind a paywall, degrading value for long-time users.
Customer communication/response criticized as dismissive or snarky and slow to address criticism.
Stability issues in newer versions (crashes when viewing card art) and perceived decline in reliability after the price shift.
Users frequently cite better alternatives (e.g., Scryfall, Google) as more cost-effective or up-to-date.

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User Reviews

Recent rating average: 1.80

All time rating average: 4.70

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64% (39)

Date	Author	Comment
2026-08-08	Gl*****	My reading of one star does not reflect the usability and functionality of the app. It reflects the way the app makes me feel. Having used this app for over a decade, it is a bit upsetting to have the sudden switch to a subscription.
My reading of one star does not reflect the usability and functionality of the app. It reflects the way the app makes me feel. Having used this app for over a decade, it is a bit upsetting to have the sudden switch to a subscription.
2026-08-07	Dl*****	Paid for the app, they updated with a subscription and TOOK AWAY functionality of the previously paid app!!! I paid for the app… it worked great!… then they took away things they sold me!
Paid for the app, they updated with a subscription and TOOK AWAY functionality of the previously paid app!!! I paid for the app… it worked great!… then they took away things they sold me!
2026-07-17	jo*****	Paid for this app quite a few years back with the expectation it would be supported for the price I paid. Instead the dev wants to charge for information Wizards makes available for free and other apps make available for free. Bye!
Paid for this app quite a few years back with the expectation it would be supported for the price I paid. Instead the dev wants to charge for information Wizards makes available for free and other apps make available for free. Bye!
2026-06-27	OM*****	App functionality was removed after full payment and now requiring a subscription. Scam!!
App functionality was removed after full payment and now requiring a subscription. Scam!!
2026-06-25	En*****	Easy access to all cards, errata, rulings, comprehensive rules, and everything. You name it, this app has it. It’s not there for collating your collection or deck building, but for those interested in the nuts and bolts and details of the game, there’s nothing like it!
Easy access to all cards, errata, rulings, comprehensive rules, and everything. You name it, this app has it. It’s not there for collating your collection or deck building, but for those interested in the nuts and bolts and details of the game, there’s nothing like it!
2026-06-21	Rx*****	I bought the app, now they remove features AND UPDATES unless you sign up for a subscription. Hell no
I bought the app, now they remove features AND UPDATES unless you sign up for a subscription. Hell no
2026-06-08	Mt*****	I paid for the full app many years ago and now I can’t view card images anymore and is asked to pay for a premium subscription. I don’t think it’s right to remove a feature for old customers who give you money.
I paid for the full app many years ago and now I can’t view card images anymore and is asked to pay for a premium subscription. I don’t think it’s right to remove a feature for old customers who give you money.
2026-05-29	ki*****	YEARS of use, now everything requires a subscription. New set updates, images, what’s next?
YEARS of use, now everything requires a subscription. New set updates, images, what’s next?
2026-05-28	dr*****	The premium is super cheep and nice, but you don’t even need it, makes skimming the comp rules wayyyyy easier
The premium is super cheep and nice, but you don’t even need it, makes skimming the comp rules wayyyyy easier
2026-05-26	Cr*****	I loved this app and it was always my go-to app for any rulings or even looking up cards on my phone whenever I played, talked about, or had ideas for decks involving MTG. I bought this app a long time ago (a few years), because I figured it would be very helpful. And it has been. But the recent change to the app has upset me very much. Especially as since I had bought the app before, one would think that I would be grandfathered in for lifetime access to database updates. No, I now have to pay a subscription to get those updates, and so the money originally paid to get the app in the past is now wasted. In addition, the idea to gatekeep the database updates behind a paywall is not good in my opinion. Especially as for those who want to just use the app for free would download it at x day, especially for reference to the rules at a future event at y day. Before the event happens, some of the rules get changed, however the person who is using it for free can't see the new, updated rules, and could end up making a mistake at the event that they thought was a valid play because they didn't want to pay a subscription to get new info that should be available to everyone regardless. Sure, there is also the source of getting the rules information from Wizards's website themselves, but people would also like the ease of use the app provides. I do understand the need to keep the lights running for the app, but this isn't it. Especially for those who had bought the app before it went free-to-use that don't get anything but their money wasted for something they thought was going to be permanent at the time of purchase that ended up changing without notice until it changed.
I loved this app and it was always my go-to app for any rulings or even looking up cards on my phone whenever I played, talked about, or had ideas for decks involving MTG. I bought this app a long time ago (a few years), because I figured it would be very helpful. And it has been. But the recent change to the app has upset me very much. Especially as since I had bought the app before, one would think that I would be grandfathered in for lifetime access to database updates. No, I now have to pay a subscription to get those updates, and so the money originally paid to get the app in the past is now wasted. In addition, the idea to gatekeep the database updates behind a paywall is not good in my opinion. Especially as for those who want to just use the app for free would download it at x day, especially for reference to the rules at a future event at y day. Before the event happens, some of the rules get changed, however the person who is using it for free can't see the new, updated rules, and could end up making a mistake at the event that they thought was a valid play because they didn't want to pay a subscription to get new info that should be available to everyone regardless. Sure, there is also the source of getting the rules information from Wizards's website themselves, but people would also like the ease of use the app provides. I do understand the need to keep the lights running for the app, but this isn't it. Especially for those who had bought the app before it went free-to-use that don't get anything but their money wasted for something they thought was going to be permanent at the time of purchase that ended up changing without notice until it changed.