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Open Shell VS MTG Studio

Compare Open Shell VS MTG Studio and see what are their differences

Open Shell

Open Shell is a fork of the Classic Shell project for Windows that getting back the classic start...

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0 reviews
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MTG Studio

MTG Studio is Magic: the Gathering deck and collection builder for Windows

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PrivacyNotes
Notes, tasks, passwords, journal, files, calendar, contacts and bookmarks, with mood and medication tracking. Encrypted on your device. Open source, no ads, no trackers. Free forever; Pro is a one-time purchase. sponsored
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Note Taking popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
44 vs 9

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Open Shell
MTG Studio
Website open-shell.github.io mtg.studio
Pricing —
Official pricing
Listed in
OS & Utilities Note Taking LMS Bookmarks +1
Games Card Games Online Games Collectibles +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Open Shell 5 features
MTG Studio 5 features
  • Customization
    Open Shell provides extensive customization options, allowing users to modify the Start menu to fit their preferences, from design to functionality.
  • Familiar Interface
    It offers a classic start menu which is familiar to users of older Windows versions, making it easier for them to navigate.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, it allows for community contributions, making it more transparent and potentially more secure.
  • No Cost
    Open Shell is free to use, providing a cost-effective solution for users who want a different Start menu experience without paying for software.
  • Regular Updates
    The project is fairly well-maintained, receiving updates that add new features and fix potential issues, improving user experience over time.

Possible disadvantages

  • Compatibility Issues
    There could be compatibility problems with certain Windows updates or third-party applications, requiring troubleshooting and fixes.
  • Learning Curve
    While it offers many customization options, new users might find the settings and customization process overwhelming and confusing initially.
  • Community Support
    As an open-source project, it relies heavily on community support rather than professional customer service, which can be a drawback for users needing prompt assistance.
  • Resource Usage
    Though generally lightweight, Open Shell can consume additional system resources, which might be impactful on less powerful machines.
  • Comprehensive Deck Building
    MTG Studio offers an extensive range of features for building and managing Magic: The Gathering decks, including comprehensive search options, card filtering, and deck analysis, making it a powerful tool for players.
  • Large Database
    The software includes a vast database of Magic: The Gathering cards from all sets, allowing users to explore a wide variety of cards and include them in their deck construction.
  • User Interface
    The program features an intuitive and customizable interface, enabling users to personalize their experience and navigate the software efficiently.
  • Frequent Updates
    MTG Studio is regularly updated to include new card sets and features, ensuring compatibility with the latest game releases and rules.
  • Export and Import Options
    It supports exporting and importing decks in various formats, allowing for easy sharing and integration with other platforms and tools.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    MTG Studio is a paid software, which might be a barrier for some users who are looking for free alternatives.
  • Learning Curve
    With its broad range of features, new users might find MTG Studio overwhelming initially and may require time to fully understand and utilize all available options.
  • Platform Limitation
    MTG Studio is primarily designed for Windows, which limits its accessibility for users on other operating systems like macOS and Linux without additional software or workarounds.
  • Performance
    Some users report that the software can be slow to load or lag when managing large databases or intricate deck lists, which can be frustrating during use.
  • Interface Design
    While functional, some users may find the interface design to be outdated compared to newer software options, which can affect the overall user experience.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Open Shell
MTG Studio

Overall verdict

  • Open Shell is considered a good tool for those who desire a more traditional Start Menu experience on modern Windows versions. It is reliable, versatile, and generally well-received by the community for resurrecting the familiar interface from previous Windows iterations.

Why this product is good

  • Open Shell (formerly known as Classic Shell) is appreciated for its ability to bring back the classic Start Menu functionality to Windows, particularly for users who prefer the interface design and usability of older versions of Windows. It provides a customizable menu, various skins, and additional enhancements for the Start Button, File Explorer, and Internet Explorer. The software is lightweight, free, and open source, allowing for a high degree of personalization and adaptability.

Recommended for

  • Users who prefer the classic Windows Start Menu.
  • Individuals who are not satisfied with the default Start Menu on newer Windows versions.
  • Users seeking a highly customizable and lightweight menu solution.
  • Technical users who appreciate open-source software and want to tweak their system appearance and functionality.
  • Anyone upgrading from older Windows versions who wants to maintain a consistent user interface experience.

Overall verdict

  • MTG Studio is a solid, well-established collection management tool for Magic: The Gathering that offers robust cataloging, deck building, and portfolio tracking features, making it a reliable choice for players and collectors who want to organize their cards digitally.

Why this product is good

  • Comprehensive card database that covers all sets and editions with regularly updated pricing information
  • Powerful collection management tools that let you track quantities, conditions, editions, and total portfolio value
  • Integrated deck building features that help you construct, test, and analyze decks against your owned inventory
  • Supports importing and exporting data, making it easy to migrate collections or sync across platforms
  • Long-standing product with an active user base and ongoing updates for new set releases

Recommended for

  • Serious collectors who want to catalog and track the monetary value of large MTG collections
  • Competitive and casual players who want to build and manage decks based on cards they actually own
  • Hobbyists looking to organize their inventory across multiple sets and editions
  • Sellers or traders who need accurate, up-to-date pricing data for their cards

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Open Shell 1 video + Add
MTG Studio 0 videos + Add

Classic Menu for Windows 10 with Open Shell

No MTG Studio videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Open Shell
MTG Studio
100% 100%
Note Taking
0% 0%
0% 0%
Games
100% 100%
100% 100%
LMS
0% 0%
0% 0%
Online Games
100% 100%

User comments

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Alternatives to Open Shell and MTG Studio

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