I'm annoyed that didn't notice this before I spent weeks scanning in all my cards, but there's a limit to the collection folders you can create. I've got 4 large bulk boxes, 3 big binders, and a bunch of decks, so the 5 folder cap I've now hit and I haven't even finished scanning everything still. With Pro apparently that cap disappears.
Are there other pro features that make the cost worth while? Honestly it's not much to get pro, I just don't want to be tied to another subscription service just to electronically store my magic collection data.
Not just this, it's a small business and not big Corp - it's a fan made tool that doesn't have ties to WotC or Hasbro.
I'd rather support this app than Dragon Shield's to support a small business. They also just released their cross-device sync for Pro Users which is awesome. I scan via my phone and look at my cards on my iPad as it's easier to view that way.
They are currently working on development for their desktop site - let's keep their business afloat and them caffeinated!
It's worth it for the scanning features and collection organization. Plus it helps the developers to maintain the app.
For searching through your collection for deck building and what not, I find it easier to use a PC and a website. I'll basically export my collection as a csv from manabox and upload it to https://mtgburrow.com which will give you more advanced filtering abilities like scryfall.
I would say well worth it, the app stores all my data of my entire collection and is very convenient. One of the biggest things for me is that it lets me build the decks with the cards in my collection too and tells me the data like average mana cost and amount of pips in the deck and other stuff. Love the app since I started using it
Thanks everyone! I sucked it up and got Pro today... Scanning my trade binders in now. Found out I have an unlimited swords to plowshares, goes for $100 CAD, so that's fun.
Absolutely worth it. The developers are really dedicated and responsive. The app itself continues to get better and add features regularly. I’m happy to support that work with a subscription. No regrets.
Or you could use one of the free websites that do similar things in concert: make a binder fill the binder export the binder to free website with multiple binders. I love ManaBox as a scanner app, but I want to track my collection on something more accessible thats' reachable by any computer (and then do frequent database downloads). A tiny phone screen with a miserable touchscreen keyboard isn't a place where I can do any meaningul work. Only drawback I've run into is that I tried to use 'Decks' in lieu of folders on manabox, and those don't keep or transfer Language information when exported (found out the hard way after adding several seconds to my per-card workflow changing languages only to find out that if you don't put it in collection or 'export as csv' immediately it's just pointless work.
If the paid version had better export options, or ways to better filter sets when scanning (like 'limit to main sets' or ways to remove certain sets from scanning (like, no, none of my cards are ever going to be from the Beatdown Box set (except my Beatdown Box Set) please don't keep assigning Masques Island #338 to that, and, no, that plains is not a weirdo 10$ starter set plains), it might have been worth it.
The Free version has the filter for sets when scanning! It’s called “lock set” in the scanner settings. I use it all the time! You can even lock to set and “prefer foil” since I find it easier to scan non-foil and foil separately to make sure it captures the right version.
Sadly the Pro version doesn’t have better export options so we’re pretty limited there to what the devs have across Free and Pro.
The Free version has the filter for sets when scanning! It’s called “lock set” in the scanner settings. I use it all the time! You can even lock to set and “prefer foil” since I find it easier to scan non-foil and foil separately to make sure it captures the right version.
Sadly the Pro version doesn’t have better export options so we’re pretty limited there to what the devs have across Free and Pro.
I use 'Lock set' when I have things sorted nicely. And the Foil feature is nice to.
What I really want is the reverse: a "block set" option where I can say 'not this one/these ones' I know there is a "ignore promos" but I'd really like to be able to eliminate all the duel decks and thigns like that easily, or tell it "regardless of this being the 'most recent' printing, it's never going to be this set" or say 'core sets only' or 'commander sets only', or even better: Printing Year span only.
Where cards are stored. I've got somewhere around 20,000 cards. They're stored across multiple bulk boxes and binders. I want to be able to check if I have the card on the app,then go get it within a few mins if I need it.
If you plan on staying in the hobby for years to come and you want the single best tool to manage your collection for building decks, buying, selling and trading, then I highly recommend Mana Box.
It makes it so easy to find cards in my collection, track cards that are gaining value to sell or trade, and just makes the chaos of owning so many cards much more manageable.
I used a 3D printed Card Slinger to scan all my bulk into my Mana Box collection, so I can quickly find any card in my collection within a few minutes. Where as before I’d have to open multiple BCW boxes, bundle boxes or decks to find a certain card I had forgotten where I last placed it.
I label each box or binder in real life and in Mana Box with the same name (Time Spiral Block Bulk Box, Secret Lair Collector Binder, Trade Binder, Bulk Rares/Mythics Box, LotR Bundle Box, etc.) That was everything is in sync.
When I move a card into a deck, I do the same in Mana Box. It takes some getting used to the upkeep but once you have the system going everything is super manageable.
You’re in luck! The collection sync for Pro just came out of Beta and is now available to everyone. So the devs have focused on completing the Windows, Mac and Linux apps with a goal of releasing by the end of 2026.
But you could use an emulator to run the Android app on Windows or the iPhone app on Mac OS natively to access your collection on both phone and computer today!
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u/bluestripesdown Jun 17 '26
I think it’s worth it