Cardstock alternatives (2026)

Last updated October 2026

Cardstock is a clean, lightweight iOS scanner, so alternatives usually mean you want deeper market data, availability beyond iOS, stronger recognition, or a way to track what you paid rather than just catalog cards. Here's each, grouped by what you're after.

First, is Cardstock actually the problem?

Cardstock does the simple thing nicely: scan a card, add it to a tidy digital collection, move on. If you want a no-fuss way to catalog cards on an iPhone, it's pleasant and quick, and that simplicity is the point.

Where people outgrow it is depth. Reviewers note it's lighter on market intel like grade-specific sold prices or population reports, and a simple catalog still doesn't capture what each card cost you. If you want richer pricing, a bigger database, or the money side tracked, a different tool fits better.

The best alternatives, ranked by need

CollX

best for free scanning and a buy/sell marketplace

A more complete free scanner: a large recognition database, value estimates and a built-in marketplace, on iOS and Android. The usual step up when a lightweight scanner isn't enough.

Ludex

best for accurate scanning of parallels and inserts

If recognition is the weak spot, Ludex is known for catching parallels, inserts and variations that lighter scanners miss.

Cards AI

best for scanning by real sold value and grade estimate

If you want values you can trust more, Cards AI leans on real sold prices and a grade estimate rather than simple averages.

My Card Inventory

usbest for auto-logging purchases, cost basis, profit & taxes

If what you really want is to track what you paid, not just keep a catalog, we read your purchase emails and file the cards with real cost basis (shipping, fees, tax), profit and a tax worksheet. There's a free plan, and it works on the web across devices.

Collectr

best for collectors who mix sports and tcg

A polished tracker for collectors who mix sports and trading card games, with portfolio value and a clean interface.

Side by side

Pricing and free-tier limits change often; details below are as of October 2026, check each app's current terms before deciding.

App	Best for	Free tier	Auto-logs purchases	Cost basis	Price data
Cardstock	A lightweight iOS scanner	Yes, with limits	No	Limited	Basic value estimates
CollX	Free scanning and a buy/sell marketplace	Yes, up to ~500 cards	No	Limited	Estimated values (accuracy varies)
Ludex	Accurate scanning of parallels and inserts	Scan free, small save limit	No	Limited	Estimated values
Cards AI	Scanning by real sold value and grade estimate	Trial, then paid	No	Limited	Sold-price estimates
My Card Inventoryus	Auto-logging purchases, cost basis, profit & taxes	Yes, free plan	Yes, reads receipts	Yes, incl. shipping/fees/tax	Price lookups, not a price index
Collectr	Collectors who mix sports and TCG	Yes, with limits	No	Portfolio value	Portfolio value tracking

FAQ

What is the best alternative to Cardstock?

CollX is the most common pick, with a bigger free database, values and a marketplace, on both iOS and Android. Ludex is stronger on recognition, Cards AI has more accurate values, and My Card Inventory is the choice if you want cost-basis tracking rather than a simple catalog.

Is there a Cardstock alternative on Android?

Yes. CollX, Ludex and Collectr are available beyond iOS, and My Card Inventory is a web app that works across devices, so you're not limited to an iPhone the way an iOS-only scanner can leave you.

Which alternative tracks what I paid for cards?

A simple scanner like Cardstock catalogs and values cards but doesn't track your cost. My Card Inventory reads your purchase receipts and splits shipping, fees and tax into real cost basis, so it records what each card cost you and your profit when you sell.

See how it works The full app comparison →

The inventory that keeps itself up to date

Forward a receipt and the cards, with cost basis, land in your inventory. Free to start.

Get started free

Free plan, no card needed. Nothing to install.