Free scanning, full-album scanning and Japanese and Chinese Pokémon support. Now available on iOS.
Visit official website ↗THE SCANNER GUIDES / SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
FREE TCG SCANNER APPS.
A free download does not always mean unlimited free scanning. Here’s how to separate a free core app from a free entry tier with paid upgrades.
10 FREE-TO-DOWNLOAD SCANNERS.
Compare free entry points and the optional upgrades each app offers. TCGplayer and PokeLite explicitly offer free scanning.
App Store ↗
Google Play ↗
Multi-game collection tracking
Collectr
Track raw cards, graded cards and sealed products together, with market history and portfolio tools. PRO adds unlimited scans and exports.
Multiple TCGsFree download · PRO available
Free marketplace scanning
TCGplayer
Scan cards into lists, follow TCGplayer market prices and move from your collection to marketplace listings.
Multiple TCGsFree to use
Magic decks and collections
Dragon Shield MTG
Scan Magic cards, organize folders and build decks with mana-curve statistics, trade comparisons and collection exports.
MTGFree download · In-app upgrades
Pokémon binders, variants and set completion
Dex
Dex scanner review: Pokémon variants, region-based card editions, folders, Dex+ prices and iOS CSV export for collectors building a complete binder.
PokémonFree download · Dex+ scanner
Magic inventory that feeds deck building
ManaBox
ManaBox scanner review: Magic scanning, binders, deck tools, CSV export and PRO prices, with practical guidance for cataloguing a full collection.
Magic: The GatheringFree download · PRO available
Pokémon collection folders
Dragon Shield Pokémon
Organize Pokémon cards into folders, compare trade values, build decks and export collection lists.
PokémonFree download · Premium available
Multiple trading card games
FoilSnap
A scanner for Pokémon, Magic and Yu-Gi-Oh! with portfolio tracking and tools for identifying foil variants.
Pokémon; MTG; Yu-Gi-Oh!Free download · Premium available
Pokémon master sets
Acorn
Track Pokémon sets and master sets, scan multiple cards and import or export collections with pricing from several marketplaces.
PokémonFree download · PRO available
Pokémon price research
PokeScope
Pair camera scanning with recent eBay sales, graded-card prices and collection organization. Premium adds unlimited scans.
PokémonFree download · Premium available
Collection portfolios
Shiny
Scan cards, build folders and wishlists, follow completed-sale prices and inspect centering with its grading-preparation tool.
Pokémon; Multiple TCGsFree download · PRO available
21 MORE TO DISCOVER.
Explore more specialist scanners, from One Piece lists to Magic batch scanning.
Multi-game scanning
FoilBoost
The listing includes Pokémon, Magic and Yu-Gi-Oh! scanning, foil identification and collection price tracking.
Pokémon; MTG; Yu-Gi-Oh!Free download · Premium available
Yu-Gi-Oh! decks and trades
Dragon Shield Yu-Gi-Oh!
Scan Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, build main, side and extra decks, and organize trade lists with collection exports.
Yu-Gi-Oh!Free download · Premium available
Pokémon collection exports
CollectDeck
Track Pokémon sets and portfolio history, organize wishlists and export collection data in CSV or JSON formats.
PokémonFree download
Pokémon watchlists
Card Value Scanner for Pokemon
Explore Pokémon card sets, monitor prices and keep a watchlist of cards you want to add to your collection.
PokémonFree download
Magic batch scanning
MagicFrame
The listing describes on-device Magic recognition and collection management. PRO adds batch scanning, price feeds and portfolio analytics.
MTGFree download · PRO available
Pokémon on-device recognition
PokéVision
Recognize Pokémon cards on your phone and track set completion. Start with 20 cards; PRO unlocks unlimited scanning.
PokémonFree download · PRO available
Pokémon collection totals
TCG Card Scanner Value
Identify Pokémon cards, view set and rarity details, and track the value of a collection with subscription options.
PokémonFree download · Subscription available
One Piece collections
Nika TCG
Scan One Piece cards and organize binders, decks and wishlists. Premium adds unlimited scans, saved cards and lists.
One PieceFree download · Premium available
Scanning and portfolio tracking
Card Scanner Value TCG
Scan cards into collections, maintain wishlists and follow prices. PRO adds export and portfolio profit/loss.
Pokémon · MTG · One Piece · Yu-Gi-Oh!Free download · PRO available
Unlimited free scans
PokeLite
The current listing offers free unlimited card scans, with estimated market values and collection tracking.
PokémonFree scans
Multi-game collections with condition insights
HoloDex
HoloDex combines card identification, collection tracking and AI condition estimates across eleven advertised card games. Its portfolio and sealed-product tools suit collectors who want more than a price lookup.
Pokémon, One Piece, Disney Lorcana, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering, Dragon Ball Super, Digimon, Gundam, Union Arena, Riftbound and Star Wars UnlimitedFree download; Pro in-app purchases
Sales-history research across cards and collectibles
PriceCharting
PriceCharting pairs photo identification with historical sales, grade-specific values and a collection tracker. It is particularly relevant when the question is which comparable sales support a value.
Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering and Disney Lorcana, plus sports cards and other collectiblesFree core tools; Collector subscription available
Pokémon and Magic portfolios with CSV or JSON exports
MonPrice
MonPrice connects card scanning and price tracking with quantities, collections and structured exports. Its current release history extends beyond the Pokémon-only scope still described in an older website FAQ.
Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering and One Piece10 initial scans advertised free; Pro options
Sports-card collections with an integrated marketplace
CollX
CollX links card identification and inventory management to a buying and selling marketplace. Its sports-card scope and paid seller tools make it especially relevant to collectors organizing cards for sale.
Baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, wrestling and other sports; Pokémon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Flesh and Blood, One Piece and Lorcana; selected non-sport cardsFree collection limits; Pro $9.99/month or $99.99/year advertised
Multi-game collections with personal notes and wishlists
Foloy
Foloy combines photo identification, collection records, price history and wishlists across several TCGs. Its tags and card notes suit collectors who want to organize what they own as well as look up values.
Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering, One Piece and Dragon Ball; the official website also lists Disney LorcanaFree download; optional Pro purchases
Sports cards alongside Pokémon and MTG
LUDEX
LUDEX combines card identification, collection binders and eBay listing tools, with an unusually clear free collection allowance.
Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, VeeFriends; sports cardsFree tier + Lite, Standard and Pro
Sports and multi-game collections with AI condition estimates
Cardly AI
Cardly AI groups scanning, digital binders, estimated grading and price tracking in one app from Scate.
Pokémon, MTG, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Digimon, Lorcana, One Piece; sports cardsFree download + in-app purchases
Pokémon collection tracking with a premium export option
Pokechart
Pokechart combines OCR scanning, searchable card records and collection charts, with export included in its premium feature list.
PokémonFree download + Premium subscription
Detailed portfolio accounting and market comparisons
Pokedata
Pokedata combines card scanning with purchase and sale records, shareable portfolios and market data spanning raw and graded cards.
Pokémon; wider website TCG catalogueFree tier + Gold and Platinum
Visual inventory and value tracking across devices
CardlyMon
CardlyMon combines AI card identification, collection records and estimated market-value tracking in apps from Applus.
Pokémon, MTG, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Lorcana; sports cardsFree download + in-app subscriptions
Mixed TCG inventory with marketplace exports
Dexter
Dexter scanner review: free camera scanning, four named TCGs, binder and box organization, CSV exports and an eBay listing workflow.
Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Disney Lorcana, Star Wars UnlimitedFree scanning
THE FREE APP CHECKLIST
Make the free tier work for your collection.
A free download is an invitation to try an app. To decide whether it will work for you over time, check the camera allowance, saved collection access and the tools you need after the scan. The most useful free option is the one that supports your regular task.
Separate a free download from free use.
Start with the feature you actually need. Is it camera identification, manual card search, a collection list or price lookup? An app can be free to install while placing some of these features behind an upgrade. Read the listing and the in-app plan screen together so you know what the free workflow includes.
TCGplayer’s official app FAQ describes its app as free to download and use. Our TCGplayer review collects its store information and features. Other free downloads in the toplist may offer a mix of free access and optional purchases.
Find out how the scanning allowance works.
Look for the number of scans available and whether the allowance renews daily, monthly or at all. A one-time sample is different from an ongoing free tier. Check whether a scan is counted when the camera identifies a card, when you confirm it or when you save the result.
If the wording is unclear, watch the allowance while trying a small set of cards. Include an unsuccessful attempt and a correction so you understand the session you are likely to have. Manual search may provide another route to add cards, but check its access separately rather than assuming it is included.
Try a complete collecting session.
Do more than scan one easy card. Add several cards, save them to a list or binder, change a quantity and return to the collection after closing the app. Try a duplicate and a card with more than one printing. This shows whether the free workflow covers the task from beginning to end.
For a small collection, those basics may be all you need. If you regularly sort large boxes, note the number of steps required per card and whether you can continue without interruptions. The practical difference between two free apps often appears in confirmation and organization rather than the first camera result.
Keep free access to your records in view.
Check how the app handles saved collections, editing and export. If you create a binder during a trial, read the plan details to see which features remain accessible afterward. Look for an explicit explanation of backup or sync before relying on the app as your only collection record.
For an existing collection, inspect import support and test a small file first. For a new one, decide which fields you need to preserve: quantity, set, condition and language are common starting points. Avoid spending an afternoon entering detailed notes before checking how you can retrieve them later.
Check new sets and difficult variants.
Free scanning is most useful when it can reach the correct card entry. Search for a new release and a few older cards you own. Compare the set number and finish after scanning a foil or a reprint. If several candidates look similar, check whether you can choose another match without beginning again.
Our 30th Celebration article covers explicit set support in three Apple listings, including PokeScan’s published free-scanning claim. Use the linked listings for the current terms and supported features of each app.
Upgrade only when you can name the limitation.
After trying the free workflow, identify what slows you down. It might be a recurring camera limit, the absence of an export or a batch-scanning feature. Compare the upgrade with another free option that addresses the same task. You can also keep an app for occasional price checks without moving your whole collection.
If the limitation matters often enough to consider paying, move to our paid scanner guide. It explains how to compare subscriptions and evaluate an upgrade during a realistic session. The broader best scanner guide helps you check accuracy, game support and organization first.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Before you choose.
Are free TCG scanner apps unlimited?
Allowances differ. Look for an explicit statement about scan limits and renewal periods. Free installation alone does not establish unlimited scanning.
Do I need a subscription to look up a card?
It depends on the app and the feature. Check manual search, camera scanning and pricing separately because they may have different access rules.
Is a free trial the same as a free tier?
A trial is temporary access to a plan. A free tier is ongoing access to a defined feature set or allowance. Check the duration and what happens when the trial ends.
What should I try before entering my whole binder?
Scan a varied handful, correct a printing, save duplicates and edit quantities. Then inspect collection access and export options so you understand the full workflow.
FIND YOUR GAME