Comparison
GradeX vs CGC
GradeX runs the same scan against PSA, BGS, CGC, and TAG rubrics — so you can see exactly which house gives the best predicted return before paying anyone to slab the card.
At a glance
CGC (Certified Guaranty Company) originally graded comics and trading-card-style collectibles before becoming a major card grading service. Strong reputation in the Pokémon and trading-card-game space, with a 1–10 scale that includes subgrades similar to BGS.
Side-by-side
| Attribute | GradeX | CGC |
|---|---|---|
| Type of service | AI grade prediction app | Physical grading with sealed slab |
| Specialisation | All sports + TCG (including Pokemon, MTG, Yu-Gi-Oh, Lorcana) | Especially strong in TCG (Pokemon) and trading-card collectibles |
| Subgrades | Centering, corners, edges, surface — predicted | Centering, corners, edges, surface — official |
| Turnaround | ≈60 seconds per scan | Typically 20–60 days for standard tier |
| Cost per card | Free or $9–$29/mo subscription | ≈$15–$150+ depending on tier and declared value |
| Pristine 10 | Predicted when all four subgrades come in at 10 | Issued as the rare CGC Pristine 10 designation |
| Pokemon expertise | AI specifically trained on Pokemon parallels, holos, and modern set quirks | Among the most-respected Pokemon graders in the hobby |
| Defect detail | Per-defect markers + severity on front and back | Subgrade summary only |
When to choose GradeX
- Pre-grading triage on a Pokemon collection — scan first, only submit cards predicted at 9.5 or 10.
- Cards where you want PSA, BGS, AND CGC predictions side-by-side to pick the most lucrative slab destination.
- Bulk grading decisions for a sealed-product flip where slabbing fees compound quickly.
When to choose CGC
- Pokemon and TCG cards where CGC's reputation among that specific buyer pool is part of the resale premium.
- Cards where CGC's transparent subgrades are favoured by buyers over PSA's label-only grade.
- Volume submitters using CGC's bulk tiers for advantageous per-card pricing.
The short verdict
If you're holding a stack of modern Pokemon and weighing CGC vs PSA for slabbing, GradeX's prediction across both rubrics tells you which slab will be worth more in the market. For sports cards, PSA's slab still trades higher; for Pokemon, CGC is increasingly competitive.
Quick answers
How does CGC compare to PSA for Pokemon cards?▾
CGC has built strong credibility in the Pokemon market, but PSA still commands the highest secondary-market premiums on most modern Pokemon. GradeX surfaces both predictions so you can pick the slab that maximises expected sell price.
Are GradeX's CGC predictions accurate for TCG cards?▾
Yes. The AI is given parallel-specific context (e.g. holo silvering tendencies, foil edge wear patterns) and the centering wizard is the same regardless of card category. Modern TCG cards in good condition typically predict within half a grade.
Does GradeX support graded card lookups?▾
Yes — if you scan an already-slabbed card, GradeX detects the slab, transcribes the cert number, and surfaces the existing official grade alongside its own visual analysis (useful for spotting damage to slabbed cards in transit or storage).