Lotus ScanDelver Lens vs Dragon Shield
Which MTG card scanner is better for you? A detailed comparison of features, accuracy, pricing, and more.
Delver Lens and Dragon Shield both offer MTG card scanning on iOS and Android, but their approaches and limitations differ significantly. Delver Lens is celebrated for its raw scanning speed and set-locking feature, while Dragon Shield offers the unique AR translation capability for foreign-language cards. Both have free tier limitations, but one of these apps has a much more serious accuracy problem when it comes to reprinted cards.
Quick Overview
Detailed Comparison
| Feature | Delver Lens | Dragon Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Scanning Accuracy | 4/5 Strong accuracy with the set-locking feature keeping scans within the correct set. Works reliably on dark and noisy backgrounds, making it versatile for different environments. | 2/5 Fast at initial recognition but terrible at selecting the correct version of reprinted cards. This fundamental accuracy issue means collectors often need to manually fix every reprint scanned. |
| Scanning Speed | 5/5 One of the fastest MTG scanners on the market. Error correction directly from the camera screen means you never leave the scanning workflow. | 4/5 Fast initial recognition, but time spent fixing incorrect variant selections brings effective speed down. Pure recognition speed is good; practical throughput is lower. |
| Price Tracking | 3/5 Basic pricing available for scanned cards. Functional for quick checks but not a core focus of the application. | 4/5 Daily prices from four marketplaces with 30-day history. Solid pricing data, though variant misidentification can display incorrect values. |
| Collection Management | 3/5 Multi-platform export options but the free 100-card export limit is restrictive. Interface is functional but less polished than newer competitors. | 3/5 The 100-card free tier is extremely limiting, and export options exclude popular platforms like MTGGoldfish, TappedOut, and Archidekt. |
| Value for Money | 4/5 Free tier is usable despite the export limit. The paid version is affordable and adds genuine value with the web app and unlimited exports. | 3/5 The 100-card storage limit makes the free tier almost unusable for collectors. AR translation is a unique selling point but appeals to a niche audience. |
Our Verdict
Delver Lens wins this comparison on the strength of its scanning speed and significantly better accuracy on reprinted cards. Dragon Shield's variant misidentification issue is a fundamental problem that undermines its value for collectors who care about exact printings. The one exception is if you regularly deal with foreign-language cards, where Dragon Shield's AR translation is genuinely useful. For everything else, Delver Lens is the stronger scanner.
Consider Lotus Scan
Looking for an MTG scanner that combines fast AI-powered recognition, real-time price tracking, and collection management? Lotus Scan for iPhone delivers all three without requiring a white background or subscription.