Collectr - TCG Collector App

What it does

Collectr is a comprehensive portfolio management tool for trading card game (TCG) enthusiasts. It allows users to digitize their physical collections by scanning or searching for cards, tracking their real-time market value, and organizing them into distinct portfolios. The app also includes a marketplace for buying and selling, along with a social network for collectors to share their passion and discoveries.

Where it shines

Collectr excels by deeply understanding its niche audience. The card scanning feature (00:28) is fast and accurate, turning the tedious task of cataloging into a quick, satisfying interaction. The app's true power is revealed in its detailed analytics screen (02:49), where users can toggle between price histories for raw and professionally graded cards, providing a level of insight that serious investors need. Furthermore, the integration of a social feed (10:00) transforms a solitary hobby into a connected experience, building a community directly within the portfolio tool.

UX highlights

Value-first onboarding: The app has users scan their first card immediately, demonstrating its core 'magic moment' before ever asking for a sign-up (00:25).
Contextual prompts: Account creation is prompted as a way to "save your collection" (01:17) only after the user has something tangible to save.
Delightful micro-interactions: Mundane loading actions, like moving cards between portfolios, are accompanied by a humorous, themed checklist that improves the experience of waiting (07:11).
Granular data for experts: The ability to switch between raw and graded price charts, and filter by grading service (03:06), caters directly to the needs of power users.
Powerful bulk actions: Users can easily select multiple items in their portfolio to copy, move, or delete them in one go (07:01), a crucial feature for managing large collections.
Integrated discovery: The app seamlessly blends portfolio management with a marketplace and social feed, keeping users within a single ecosystem for all their collecting needs.

Monetization & growth

Collectr uses a freemium model with a 'PRO' subscription. A soft paywall is encountered when trying to access advanced features like unlimited scans or detailed analytics (02:13). The paywall clearly lists the benefits of upgrading and presents a discount for the annual plan to encourage a longer-term commitment. Growth is driven by the robust social features; user-generated posts, profiles, and community engagement create a network effect that attracts and retains users.

Who it’s for

This app is built for anyone involved in the TCG hobby, from casual collectors who want to see what their childhood cards are worth to serious investors tracking market trends across multiple graded populations. Its feature set supports both cataloging for fun and tracking for profit, making it versatile for a wide spectrum of the collecting community.

Notes & opportunities

The initial onboarding flow jumps directly into system permission requests for the camera and notifications (00:22) without any warm-up screens. While this is fast, it could lead to a higher rate of denials. A brief screen explaining why these permissions are needed could improve user trust and acceptance rates. Additionally, the social feed's value will heavily depend on content quality and moderation, which was not fully observable in the recording.