Lotus ScanDragon Shield vs Lion's Eye
Which MTG card scanner is better for you? A detailed comparison of features, accuracy, pricing, and more.
Dragon Shield and Lion's Eye both attempt to solve the tricky problem of identifying specific card variants, but with dramatically different success rates. Dragon Shield brings AR translation for foreign-language cards but infamously struggles with selecting the right version of reprinted cards. Lion's Eye takes the opposite approach, specializing in the exact variant identification that Dragon Shield gets wrong, including Secret Lair and non-standard printings. Note that Lion's Eye is iOS only, while Dragon Shield runs on both platforms.
Quick Overview
Detailed Comparison
| Feature | Dragon Shield | Lion's Eye |
|---|---|---|
| Scanning Accuracy | 2/5 Chronic issues with variant selection on reprinted cards. The AR translation works for foreign cards, but the core scanning accuracy is unreliable for collectors who need correct printings. | 5/5 Outstanding variant identification through collector number detection. Handles Secret Lair, special editions, and non-standard layouts better than any other scanner available. |
| Scanning Speed | 4/5 Fast recognition of card identity but frequent need to manually correct variants. Available on both iOS and Android. | 4/5 Auto-scanning in Plus tier improves speed. Free tier is adequately fast for individual scanning sessions on iOS. |
| Price Tracking | 4/5 Four marketplace sources with 30-day history. Good pricing data, though wrong variant selection can misrepresent values. | 3/5 Basic price data for identified cards. Pricing is not the app's main selling point, but accurate variant identification means the prices shown are actually correct. |
| Collection Management | 3/5 The 100-card free limit and restricted export options make collection management impractical for most collectors. | 4/5 Active developer builds features based on community feedback via Discord. Collection management evolves with user needs, and the developer is responsive to requests. |
| Value for Money | 3/5 The restrictive free tier and variant accuracy problems diminish the value proposition. AR translation is useful for a small audience. | 4/5 Free basic scanning with a reasonably priced Plus tier. The engaged community and responsive developer add real value beyond the feature list. |
Our Verdict
If variant accuracy is important to you, and it should be for any serious collector, Lion's Eye is vastly superior to Dragon Shield. The collector number detection that Lion's Eye offers solves the exact problem that Dragon Shield consistently fails at. Dragon Shield's only advantage is Android availability and AR translation for foreign cards. For iPhone users who collect specific printings, Lion's Eye is not even a close call.
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.