What is the difference between BGS and CGC?

BGS is known for printed subgrades and the prestige Black Label (a 10 in all four subgrades), favored for high-end modern cards. CGC tends to be faster and more value-priced with clean slabs, popular for modern Pokémon.

PSA vs BGS vs CGC vs TAG: How the Major Grading Companies Compare

Q: Is TAG grading legit?

TAG (Technology Assisted Grading) uses computer-vision grading on a 1,000-point scale with detailed photographic reports. It is a legitimate, transparency-focused option, though its resale recognition is still smaller than PSA's.

Which grading company actually leads depends on what you want — resale liquidity, subgrade prestige, speed, or objective transparency. Here's the honest breakdown, plus how to predict your grade before you submit.

TCG Treasury · GradingReviewed June 16, 2026 · 8 min read

Ask ten collectors which grading company is “best” and you'll get ten answers — because they're optimizing for different things. PSA, BGS, CGC, and TAG all grade on a 1–10 scale, but they win on different axes: resale liquidity, subgrade prestige, speed and price, and objective transparency. Here's how they actually compare.

Grader	Known for	Scale	Best for
PSA	Resale liquidity & recognition	1–10 (mostly whole)	Maximizing resale value, sports & Pokémon
BGS	Printed subgrades + Black Label	1–10 w/ half & quarter	High-end modern cards, subgrade prestige
CGC	Speed, value, clean slabs	1–10 + Pristine 10	Value-conscious grading, modern Pokémon
TAG	Computer-vision objectivity	1–1000 → 1–10	Data-backed grades & detailed reports

PSA — the resale standard

PSA is the most widely recognized name in card grading, and that recognition is the whole point: a PSA 10 typically sells faster and for more than the same card in another holder, especially for Pokémon and sports. If your goal is maximum resale value and liquidity, PSA is usually the default. The trade-off is demand — turnaround and pricing move with the market, so check current tiers before you submit.

BGS — subgrades and the Black Label

Beckett prints four subgrades (centering, corners, edges, surface) right on the slab, and a card that earns a 10 in all four gets the coveted Black Label. That granularity makes BGS a favorite for high-end modern cards, where the difference between a 9.5 and a pristine 10 is real money.

CGC — speed and value

CGC built a strong following with clean slabs, competitive pricing, and often quicker turnaround, particularly for modern Pokémon. If you're grading in volume or watching cost, CGC is worth a hard look.

TAG — objective, computer-vision grading

TAG (Technology Assisted Grading) scores cards with computer vision on a 1,000-point scale that maps to a familiar 1–10, and returns a detailed photographic report showing exactly where points were lost. For collectors who want an objective, data-backed grade with full transparency, that report is the draw. Resale recognition is still growing relative to PSA.

Before you pick a grader

Predict your grade before you pay to submit.

Every company above charges a fee and makes you wait — sometimes months. The costly mistake is submitting a card that comes back a 7 when you needed a 10 to profit. CardGrade predicts your PSA, BGS, and CGC grade from a photo in 60 seconds across 47 inspection points, so you only pay to slab the cards that earn it.

Pre-grade a card → CardGrade

So which should you use?

Selling for top dollar? PSA, for the liquidity premium.
High-end modern card? BGS, for the subgrades and Black Label upside.
Grading in volume or on a budget? CGC, for speed and value.
Want an objective, documented grade? TAG, for the data-backed report.

Whichever you choose, the decision that protects your money comes first: know the likely grade before you commit the fee.

Common questions

Which grading company gives the highest resale value?

PSA generally commands the highest resale premiums and deepest liquidity, especially for Pokémon and sports, because buyers recognize and trust the label most widely.

What's the difference between BGS and CGC?

BGS is known for printed subgrades and the prestige Black Label; CGC tends to be faster and more value-priced with clean slabs. BGS leans high-end; CGC leans value and volume.

Is TAG grading legit?

Yes — TAG uses computer-vision grading on a 1,000-point scale with detailed photographic reports. It's a legitimate, transparency-focused option; its resale recognition is still smaller than PSA's.

Don't guess. Pre-grade first.

See your likely PSA, BGS, and CGC grade in 60 seconds — then submit with confidence.

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