The built-in deck builder in MTG Arena gets the job done, but it’s pretty bare-bones. If you’ve ever tried to filter by multiple card types, visualize your mana curve properly, or theorycraft a deck before burning wildcards, you know the frustration.
Thankfully, the Magic community has built some excellent alternatives. Here’s what’s actually worth using in 2025.
Moxfield
Moxfield has basically taken over as the default deckbuilder for Magic players, and for good reason. The interface is clean, search is instantaneous, and it just works without getting in your way.
You get real-time deck stats, a proper mana curve visualization, and a playtest mode for goldfishing. Import and export work seamlessly with Arena’s format, so you can copy a list and paste it directly into the client. The community features are solid too—easy deck sharing, primers, and a decent discovery system for finding new brews.
If you only try one tool from this list, make it Moxfield.
Archidekt
Archidekt takes a more visual approach to deckbuilding. The category-based organization is genuinely useful if you like sorting cards by function rather than just card type—think “removal,” “ramp,” “finishers” instead of just creatures and instants.
It’s particularly popular with Commander players, but the features translate well to Arena formats. The physical card layout view is nice for people who think better when they can see the actual cards spread out. Price tracking is built in if you also play paper.
MTGGoldfish
MTGGoldfish isn’t just a deckbuilder—it’s a metagame database with deckbuilding attached. The real value here is seeing what’s actually winning in competitive play, with percentage breakdowns of the meta and tournament results.
The budget deck section deserves a mention too. If you’re trying to build something competitive without emptying your wildcard stash, MTGGoldfish often has cheaper alternatives that still perform. The upgrade path feature shows you how to improve budget builds over time as you acquire more cards.
Scryfall
Scryfall is technically a card database first, but its deckbuilder is surprisingly capable. The real draw is the search syntax—once you learn it, you can find exactly the card you’re thinking of in seconds. Searching for “blue instant that draws cards and costs less than 3 mana in Pioneer” is trivial once you know the operators.
The interface is minimal, which some people love and others find lacking. No fancy visualizations here, just powerful search and a clean list. Developers also appreciate the API access for building their own tools.
AetherHub
AetherHub leans into the social side of Magic. Beyond the deckbuilder itself, you get meta tier lists, community-submitted win rates, and integration with streamers and content creators.
The draft simulator is a nice bonus if you want to practice before spending gold on Premier Drafts. The forums are reasonably active too, though the quality of discussion varies.
MTG Arena Zone
Unlike the other options, MTG Arena Zone focuses exclusively on Arena. No paper prices, no Commander—just digital Magic.
This specialization has its advantages. Wildcard cost calculations are front and center, the tier lists are Arena-specific, and the guides assume you’re playing on the client. If Arena is your only way to play Magic, this might be the most relevant resource on the list.
Picking the Right Tool
Honestly, most of these will serve you well. Moxfield is the safe default—it does everything competently. If you’re a competitive grinder who cares about meta percentages, MTGGoldfish adds value there. Visual thinkers and Commander players often prefer Archidekt. Power users who want maximum search flexibility gravitate toward Scryfall.
The actual deckbuilding matters more than the tool. Know what your deck wants to accomplish, respect your mana curve, and test before you craft. A mediocre deckbuilder with a good pilot beats a fancy tool with no plan behind it.
Try a couple and see what feels natural. You’ll know pretty quickly which interface clicks with how you think about Magic.