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CGC and SGC both authenticate, grade, and encapsulate eligible cards, but their current service menus differ. CGC lists $20 Economy with an estimated 90 working days; SGC lists $15 Standard with an estimated 75+ business days. Compare the exact card, current value band, shipping, timing, label preference, and completed sales instead of assuming one company wins every category.
Published service details checked September 14, 2026; SGC pricing checked August 8, 2026. Fees, availability, shipping, and turnaround estimates can change.
| Factor | CGC | SGC |
|---|---|---|
| Published entry service | CGC Economy lists $20 per card, $1,000 maximum value per card, and an estimated 90 working days, with no card-count minimum stated for that tier. | SGC Standard lists $15 per card, $1,500 maximum declared value, and an estimated 75+ business days, with no published membership or card-count minimum. |
| Bulk pricing | CGC Bulk lists $17 per card, requires 25 cards, has $500 maximum value per card, and carries an estimated 150 working days. | SGC’s $15 Standard entry band does not publish a card-count minimum. Compare the full batch cost rather than CGC’s headline per-card difference alone. |
| Published faster option | CGC Standard lists $55 with an estimated 10 working days; Express lists $100 with an estimated 5 working days. | SGC Expedited starts at $150, with $3,500 maximum declared value and an estimated 2–3 business days. Higher declared-value bands cost more. |
| Grading scale and top labels | CGC uses a 1–10 scale topped by Pristine 10, followed by Gem Mint 10 and Mint+ 9.5. Its legacy Perfect 10 is still recognized in online tools but is no longer assigned. | SGC uses a 1–10 scale with half-point grades and distinguishes Pristine 10 from Gem Mint 10. Read each label under SGC’s own published scale. |
| Subgrades | CGC’s current grades FAQ says subgrades are no longer offered, although graders still consider multiple condition factors. | SGC does not publish category subgrades on its card label. Its result is presented as an overall numerical grade and designation. |
| Turnaround clock | CGC publishes working-day estimates under its intake rules. Shipping to the facility, intake, and return transit are outside the headline grading estimate. | SGC says turnaround begins after a package is unboxed and logged into its system. Carrier transit, intake, and return shipping are separate. |
| Shipping and total cost | CGC’s grading fee is not the whole order. Include inbound and return shipping, insurance, supplies, membership choice, and any applicable extras or value adjustment. | SGC publishes domestic return shipping starting at $15 by USPS Priority or $25 by FedEx Ground/USPS. Inbound shipping, insurance, supplies, and declared-value bands still affect the total. |
| Resale research | Compare completed CGC sales for the exact card, variation, label, grade, venue, and date. Do not assume every TCG or modern card receives the same buyer response. | Compare completed SGC sales for the same card, grade, venue, and date. Research vintage and modern issues separately because there is no universal vintage or sports-card premium. |
Use the official service pages before shipping. This comparison does not predict a card's grade, resale value, or eligibility.
Use Economy at $20 for a no-minimum route, or compare the 25-card $17 Bulk tier when every card fits its value limit.
CGC distinguishes Pristine 10 and Gem Mint 10 and provides online certification images. Confirm that the label and grade market fit the exact card you plan to keep or sell.
Research recent completed sales for the identical card, variation, and current or legacy CGC label. Do not substitute broad TCG reputation for card-specific evidence.
SGC Standard lists $15 with no published card-count minimum. Confirm the card fits its $1,500 maximum declared value before creating the order.
SGC Expedited starts at $150 with an estimated 2–3 business days. Budget separately for intake and shipping outside that window.
Use recent completed sales for the identical issue and grade. Card era, the black insert, marketplace, and buyer preferences can affect comparability, but none guarantees a price or sale speed.
Check recent completed sales for the exact card and grade, all-in submission costs, the current service terms, and the card's visible condition. A lower published grading fee is only one part of the decision.
CardGrade can help you review visible centering, corners, edges, and surface before you pay a mail-in grading fee. It is not an authentication result, an official grade, or a substitute for a grader's physical examination.
Neither is better for every card. CGC and SGC publish different price bands, turnaround estimates, value limits, grade labels, and shipping terms. Compare the exact card, current service terms, full cost, and completed sales.
SGC Standard currently lists $15 without a card-count minimum. CGC Economy lists $20; CGC Bulk lists $17 but requires 25 cards. Shipping, insurance, supplies, and value bands affect the final comparison.
It depends on the tier. CGC Standard lists 10 working days and Express 5 working days; SGC Expedited lists 2–3 business days. Entry tiers are much slower. These are service estimates, not door-to-door guarantees.
Neither currently publishes category subgrades on new standard card labels. CGC’s official FAQ says subgrades are no longer offered, and SGC presents one overall numerical grade.
Both accept eligible Pokémon cards. Compare current eligibility, all-in cost, timing, label preference, and recent completed sales for the exact card and grade instead of relying on a universal TCG winner.
No grader is automatically best for every vintage issue. Compare recent completed sales, value limits, holder preference, fees, timing, and current eligibility for the exact card before choosing CGC or SGC.
There is no safe universal multiplier. Match recent completed sales by exact card, variation, grade, label, venue, and date, then subtract the full submission cost.
A photo-based pre-screen can help review visible centering, corners, edges, and surface before choosing a mail-in service. It cannot authenticate the physical card, issue an official grade, guarantee a result, or replace an in-hand examination.
Pricing and turnaround information on this page comes from the providers' published service pages.