Dex vs Card Value Scanner: TCG App
Pick Dex for a broad Pokémon collection manager with unlimited free card tracking, social tools, and Android or browser access. Pick Card Value Scanner: TCG App on iPhone when photo identification, PSA, CGC and BGS values, and eBay sold listings matter more.
Dex vs Card Value Scanner: TCG App at a glance
| Feature | Dex | Card Value Scanner: TCG App |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free plan. Dex+ costs $3.99 per month. | Free to download. |
| Free tier | Unlimited owned cards, all cards, expansions and marketplaces, 3 folders, up to 5 friends, Trade Finder, and light and dark themes. Camera scanning requires Dex+. | Core scanning, card matching, raw market value, and PSA, CGC and BGS graded values are free. The website also offers limited free photo scans. |
| Games | Pokémon only, including English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese sets. | The app covers Pokémon, Disney Lorcana and One Piece. The website price guide also covers Disney Lorcana and One Piece. |
| How cards are added | Free users search by name. Dex+ adds camera recognition and whole stack scanning. | Identifies a card from a photo, including its name, set, number, and rarity. Multi-card scanning keeps a running session total, and cards can also be entered by hand. |
| Graded prices | Not published | PSA, CGC and BGS graded values. |
| Sold listings | Not published | eBay sold listings. |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, and web browser. | iPhone app and website. No Android app. |
| App Store rating | 4.8 out of 5 from 14,000 ratings. | 4.1 out of 5 (9 ratings) |
Who Dex suits best
Dex suits Pokémon collectors who want a mature collection manager across iOS, Android, and a browser. Its free plan includes unlimited owned cards, all cards and expansions, marketplace access, three folders, five friends, and Trade Finder. It also covers English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese sets. That combination is useful for collectors who organize large inventories without needing free camera scanning.
Dex is also stronger for social and organizational features. Dex+ adds unlimited folders, up to 25 friends, notes, favorites, widgets, challenges, badges, themes, and CSV export. The camera can identify a card and capture its set, rarity, variant, and price information. It can also scan a whole stack.
Where Card Value Scanner differs
Card Value Scanner puts photo identification and basic value checks in its free iPhone tier. It identifies the card name, set, number, and rarity, then shows TCGplayer market prices for the United States and Cardmarket prices for Europe. It also includes PSA, CGC and BGS graded values. Dex reserves its camera scanner for the $3.99 monthly Dex+ plan.
The larger difference is pricing detail. Card Value Scanner includes PSA, CGC and BGS graded values, eBay sold listings, a price chart, and a collection total. Paid features add unlimited collection size, the full graded price ladder, all eBay sold comparisons, price alerts, AI pre-grades and CSV or JSON export. Dex is stronger on Android access and collection organization. Card Value Scanner is iPhone and iPad only and is not a grading or authentication service.
What users complain about
Dex users commonly report that the camera scanner can fail or work inconsistently. Some reviews also mention crashes and bugs. These issues matter because scanning requires Dex+, rather than being included in the free plan. They do not erase Dex's broad collection tools or strong App Store rating, but buyers should consider them before subscribing mainly for stack scanning.
Other complaints focus on subscription value. Reviews object to putting the scanner, notes, badges, and dynamic folders behind the paid plan. Some users consider the monthly charge unreasonable, while others regard the free version as useful. The free plan remains generous for manual collection tracking, since it allows unlimited owned cards and access to all supported cards, expansions, and marketplaces.
Best Dex alternatives
- Card Value Scanner: TCG App: best for iPhone users who want free photo matching with raw and PSA, CGC and BGS values. It also shows eBay sold listings, price charts, and collection totals, but it has no Android app.
- TCGplayer: best for collectors who price and buy cards across many trading card games. It supports Pokémon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Lorcana, and other games while showing Market Price, Listed Median, and Most Recent Sale.
- PriceCharting: best for collectors who want historical sales across cards and other collectibles. It tracks prices and collections for trading cards, video games, comics, coins, LEGO, and related collectibles on iOS, Android, and the web.
- Collectr: best for collectors managing raw, graded, and sealed card portfolios. Its iOS and Android apps track collection values and price movements across multiple card categories.
- PokeDATA: best for Pokémon collectors tracking profit, loss, price history, and population data. It combines portfolio tools, purchase and sale records, alerts, sales volume, and market comparisons across iOS, Android, and the web.
Other comparisons: FoilSnap vs Card Value Scanner: TCG App, TCGplayer vs Card Value Scanner: TCG App, Rare Candy vs Card Value Scanner: TCG App. All of them are listed on the Pokémon card app comparison hub.
Sources
- dextcg.com/
- help.dextcg.com/getting-started/6fCPKKnHDiB2evTL9BuiZ5/welcome-to-dex/6fCPKKnHDi
- apps.apple.com/us/app/dex-for-tcg-collectors/id1555489854?see-all=reviews
- play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dextcg.app&hl=en_US
- getcardex.app/guides/best-pokemon-card-scanner-apps
- appinsider.io/apps/dex-for-tcg-collectors-1555489854
- mwm.ai/apps/dex-for-tcg-collectors/1555489854
Frequently asked questions
How much does Dex cost?
Dex has a $0 monthly plan with unlimited owned cards, all cards and expansions, marketplace access, three folders, and up to five friends. Dex+ costs $3.99 per month and adds camera scanning, unlimited folders, notes, widgets, CSV export, customization, and other collection features.
Can Dex be used for free?
Yes. Free users can search for cards by name and track an unlimited number of owned cards. The plan includes all supported cards, expansions, and marketplaces, plus three folders and five friends. Camera scanning is not free, since it is included with the Dex+ subscription.
Is Dex available on Android?
Yes. Dex is available on Android, iOS, and through a web browser. This is a clear advantage over iPhone only alternatives. The exact feature parity between the browser version.
Does Dex show PSA graded card prices?
Its confirmed pricing sources include TCGplayer, Cardmarket, CardTrader, and eBay marketplace data. Collectors who need PSA values should use an alternative that explicitly includes graded card pricing rather than treating raw market values as slab values.
Does Dex include eBay sold listings?
Dex uses pricing from eBay and other major marketplaces, but a historical sold listings feature is not confirmed. Marketplace price data and individual completed sales serve different purposes. If checking recent eBay transactions is central to your pricing process, choose an alternative that explicitly offers sold listings.
Can Dex scan a whole stack of Pokémon cards?
Yes. Dex advertises whole stack camera scanning into a collection or folder. The scanner identifies card identity, set, rarity, variant, and price data. It requires the paid Dex+ plan.
Try the scanner on your own cards
Free on the App Store. Scan a card and compare the result with any app on this page.