Chitmunk vs MultiDeck
Last checked October 2026
Chitmunk and MultiDeck are both card designers, but they're built for different people. MultiDeck is a free macOS desktop card maker with a long-standing hobbyist following — great if you've used it for years, you're on a Mac, and the workflow already fits your brain. Chitmunk is a modern, browser-based editor with visual CSV merge, AI card art, virtual playtesting, and direct upload to TheGameCrafter, designed for first-time designers who'd rather not install anything.
| Feature | Chitmunk | MultiDeck |
|---|---|---|
| Browser-based (no install) | Yes | No — macOS desktop only |
| CSV data merge | Yes — visual {{column}} binding + conditional visibility | Yes — external CSV with column-driven layouts |
| AI card art (in-editor) | Yes — Acorn Cauldron | No |
| Print-ready PDF (CMYK + crop marks) | Yes (Rare / Epic) | PDF export available; CMYK + crop marks not documented |
| Tabletop Simulator export | Yes (Rare / Epic) | PNG export works with TTS; no one-click TTS deck builder |
| TheGameCrafter direct upload | Yes (Rare / Epic) | No |
| Real-time collaboration | Yes (Epic) | No |
| Virtual playtest simulator | Yes | No |
| 200+ component sizes | Yes | Custom sizes + standard presets; no 200+ catalogue |
| 160+ starter templates | Yes | No first-party template library |
| 39 component generators (hex grids, tracks, etc.) | Yes | No |
| Free tier | 7-day free trial, then from $2.99/mo | Yes — free desktop tool |
When to pick MultiDeck
- You've been using MultiDeck for years, you're on a Mac, and the workflow fits your brain.
- You want everything stored locally on disk with no cloud account involved.
- You don't need AI art, virtual playtesting, or one-click upload to TheGameCrafter.
When to pick Chitmunk
- You work on a Mac, Chromebook, or Linux box — or you switch between machines and want your project to follow you.
- You want a visual CSV merge: drop the spreadsheet, type
{{Card Name}}, generate the deck. No install, no migration. - You want AI card art in the same tab as your card design, with credits included on every paid plan.
- You want a virtual playtest tabletop so you can shuffle, draw, and play before printing anything.
- You want one button to upload to TheGameCrafter when the game is ready for professional print-on-demand.
- You want 39 ready-made generators for hex grids, tech trees, and score tracks instead of drawing them yourself.
{{Column Name}} placeholders inside the visual editor.
Frequently asked
Does Chitmunk run on Mac or Linux?
Yes. Chitmunk runs in any modern browser on any operating system. There is no installer. MultiDeck is macOS-only desktop software.
Can I import my MultiDeck spreadsheet into Chitmunk?
Yes. Chitmunk reads standard CSV files. Export your card list from a spreadsheet, drop it on the Chitmunk canvas, and bind column names with {{Column Name}} placeholders in any text element.
Does Chitmunk have a free tier?
No free tier. You get a 7-day free trial with everything in Rare unlocked, no card needed to start. After that, Common starts at $2.99 a month. Every print export is included in Common; AI art is on Rare and Epic, and real-time collaboration is on Epic.
Can I export my Chitmunk project to Tabletop Simulator?
Yes — Tabletop Simulator spritesheets are a one-click export on every plan. The same project also exports to Screentop and Tabletopia.