Play Magic: The Gathering Online with Your Own Decks

Four main platforms let you play MTG online with custom decks you already own (physically or digitally):

1. MTG Arena (Free, Official)

• Import: Decklist → "Import" paste (text) or scan QR from paper list.
• Catch: Must own digital copies (wildcards, packs, mastery). Not all cards available (no Pioneer/Modern/Legacy/Vintage full).
• Play Friends: "Direct Challenge" → share 6-char code.
• Best For: Standard, Explorer, Historic, Brawl, Limited. New player friendly.

2. Magic Online (MTGO) (Paid, Official)

• Full Card Pool: Every card ever printed (Vintage, Legacy, Modern, Pioneer, Pauper, Commander).
• Cost: $10 account + card purchases (tix/digital cards). Expensive.
• Import: Deck editor → add cards from collection.
• Play Friends: "Game" → "Join Game" → "Private" → invite.
• Best For: Eternal formats, serious competition, cube drafts.

3. Tabletop Simulator (Steam, $20)

• Total Freedom: Import card images (scans/photos), script zones, automate nothing — you manage everything.
• Mods: MTG Template, Card Game Simulator workshops add zones, counters, search.
• Play Friends: Host → invite via Steam. No account needed for guests.
• Best For: Casual kitchen-table feel, proxy testing, Cube, Commander, weird formats.

4. Free Web Clients (No Install)

• Untap.in — Browser-based, full card pool, custom decks, lobby system. Best free MTGO alternative.
• Cockatrice — Desktop app (Win/Mac/Linux), free, open-source, custom decks, server list.
• Mage — Java-based, rules enforcement, free.

Choose Based On:

• Budget: Untap.in / Cockatrice / Mage = Free. Arena = Free (grind) or Pay. MTGO = Pay. TTS = $20 once.
• Format: Standard/Explorer → Arena. Modern/Legacy/Vintage/Pauper/Commander → Untap.in, Cockatrice, MTGO, TTS.
• Rules Enforcement: Arena/MTGO/Mage = Full. Untap.in/Cockatrice/TTS = Manual (you enforce).
• Visuals: Arena > MTGO > TTS (with mods) > Untap.in > Cockatrice > Mage.