Magic: The Gathering: 2 Open Source Clones Compared
Forge is an independent, actively developed rules engine (not tied to any single original release) that runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android without needing original game assets; it supports online multiplayer, Java-based modding, and multiple single-player modes (Adventure, Quest) plus AI-opponent Sealed, Draft, Commander, and Cube play. Shandalar instead is built on the actual 1997 Magic: The Gathering: Shandalar game code, later extended with cards up through 2015; it's Windows-only and its development has halted, with only a single contributor.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows, OSX, Linux, Android
- Play in browser
- Mobile
- Android
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- today
- Stars
- 2,698
- Contributors
- 382
- License
- GPL-3.0
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoForge is an independent rules engine and does not require original Magic: The Gathering game assets.
- Modding support
- YesBuilt in Java with extensible architecture; developers can contribute by adding features and cards.
- Multiplayer
- Online
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 5y ago
- Stars
- 101
- Contributors
- 1
- License
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Modding support
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
| Title | Forge | Shandalar |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Playable | Playable |
| Platforms | Windows, OSX, Linux, Android | Windows |
| Play in browser | No | |
| Mobile | Android | No |
| Project health | ||
| Development status | Active | Halted |
| Last updated | today | 5y ago |
| Stars | 2,698 | 101 |
| Contributors | 382 | 1 |
| License | GPL-3.0 | — |
| Compatibility | ||
| Requires original assets | NoForge is an independent rules engine and does not require original Magic: The Gathering game assets. | — |
| Modding support | YesBuilt in Java with extensible architecture; developers can contribute by adding features and cards. | — |
| Multiplayer | Online | — |
| Preview | |
Frequently asked questions
Are the Magic: The Gathering clones on this page open source?
Yes — every clone catalogued here is an open-source project. Availability, license, and development-status details for each one are listed in the comparison table above.
What license do these Magic: The Gathering clones use?
Forge (GPL-3.0).
Do I need to own the original Magic: The Gathering to play these clones?
Forge runs standalone, no original files needed.
Can I play any of these Magic: The Gathering clones directly in a browser?
Yes — Forge has a browser-playable build linked in the comparison table above, no install required.
Which Magic: The Gathering clone is the most actively maintained?
Forge is currently under active development, based on recent commit activity. See the "Development status" row above for every clone's current status.
See the full write-up for each clone, or go back to Magic: The Gathering.