
Unfortunately, since Magic Online isn't the most intuitive game (although it really isn't nearly as bad as some people make it out to be), there is a bit of a learning curve when you first start playing. As a result, the client has a much more stripped-back look as compared to Magic Arena (you won't find flashy animations, for example), but you gain a ton more options, play experiences, and functionality as a result. Unlike Magic Arena, whose primary goal is to recreate Magic as a video game, the goal of Magic Online is to represent the truest possible paper Magic experience in digital form.

Magic Arena is great for some players, but it has its share of issues, ranging from a limited card pool and limited number of formats to the proliferation of digital-only cards not available in paper and to the awkward (and, for some players, expensive) economy. If you're looking for a way to play more formats-Commander, Legacy, Modern, Pioneer, and Vintage-with more cards ( Magic Online has almost all the cards from Magic's nearly 30-year history) and have control over your collection in a way similar to paper Magic (with buying, selling, and trading for singles), Magic Online is the best and only official option.
