Lotus ScanLotus Scan vs Dragon Shield
Which MTG card scanner is better for you? A detailed comparison of features, accuracy, pricing, and more.
Lotus Scan and Dragon Shield both offer clean, modern interfaces for scanning Magic: The Gathering cards, but their accuracy on reprinted cards tells very different stories. Dragon Shield is known for its unique AR translation feature for foreign-language cards, while Lotus Scan focuses on getting the correct version and variant right every time. Dragon Shield works on both iOS and Android, giving it a platform advantage over the iPhone-only Lotus Scan. Let us see how they stack up across the key categories.
Quick Overview
Detailed Comparison
| Feature | Lotus Scan | Dragon Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Scanning Accuracy | 5/5 Excels at identifying the correct set and variant of reprinted cards. AI recognition handles foils, sleeves, and tricky printings with consistent accuracy. | 2/5 Frequently selects the wrong version of reprinted cards, which is a dealbreaker for collectors who care about exact printings. AR translation is a nice bonus but does not compensate for variant misidentification. |
| Scanning Speed | 5/5 Fast recognition that does not sacrifice accuracy. Scanning sessions feel smooth and efficient with minimal manual corrections needed. | 4/5 Initial card recognition speed is good, but the time spent manually correcting wrong variants adds up significantly during bulk scanning sessions. |
| Price Tracking | 5/5 Multi-source real-time pricing with detailed price history charts. Tracking collection value over time is straightforward and informative. | 4/5 Daily prices from TCGPlayer, CardMarket, Card Kingdom, and MTGMintCard with 30-day history charts. Solid pricing data, though the wrong variant selection can show incorrect values. |
| Collection Management | 4/5 Custom collections with a modern interface keep things organized. iOS exclusivity is the main limitation for cross-platform households. | 3/5 The 100-card free limit makes it impractical for any serious collection. Cannot export to popular platforms like MTGGoldfish, TappedOut, or Archidekt. |
| Value for Money | 4/5 The free tier provides genuine utility for scanning and tracking. Premium features are reasonably priced for what they deliver on iOS. | 3/5 The 100-card free limit is extremely restrictive. Paying for premium feels necessary just to use the app, and the variant accuracy issues persist regardless. |
Our Verdict
Lotus Scan dominates this comparison thanks to its vastly superior accuracy on card variants and reprints. Dragon Shield's biggest weakness, misidentifying printings, is precisely what Lotus Scan does best. The one scenario where Dragon Shield wins is if you need AR translation for foreign-language cards or require Android support. For everything else, especially if you collect specific printings, Lotus Scan is the better choice.
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.