A note on fairness
We make GishFy, so read this with that in mind. We've tried to be straight about where other products do better. Details about other products come from their websites, app listings and published reviews, checked October 31, 2026. They can change, so check before you decide.
Quick picks
- Private family exchange every year: Giftster
- Big Secret Santa with reminders and chat: Elfster
- Wedding or baby registry with cash funds: MyRegistry
- Everything from Amazon anyway: Amazon Lists
- A list you can send to anyone with no setup: GishFy
What to check before choosing
- Does it work with every store you shop at?
- Do the people buying for you need an account?
- Can the list owner see what's been bought?
- Is there an app, and do you need one?
- Does it work in your currency and country?
Side by side
| App | Price | Platforms | Any store? | Keeps gifts secret from owner? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Lists | Free | Web and Amazon apps | Built for Amazon items | Has a surprise setting for purchases |
| DrawNames | Free | Web, iPhone, Android | Add text and links | Yes |
| Elfster | Free, ad-supported | Web, iPhone, Android, Chrome button | Yes | Yes |
| GiftList | Free | Web, iPhone, Android, extensions | Yes | Reservations supported; check details |
| Giftster | Free | Web, iPhone, Android, extensions | Yes | Yes |
| GishFy (ours) | Free | Any browser, no app | Yes, added by hand | No, the owner can see |
| GoWish | Free to start | Web, iPhone, Android | Yes | Check the app |
| MyRegistry | Free; fee on cash funds | Web, iPhone, Android, extension | Yes | Check the site |
The apps, one by one
Amazon Lists
Best for: people who buy nearly everything on Amazon
It's convenient if you already live on Amazon, and buyers can check out in a tap. The downside is that lists revolve around one retailer, so handmade goods, local shops and experiences don't fit as neatly.
DrawNames
Best for: a name draw with reminders
A long-standing Secret Santa service with exclusions, wish lists, anonymous questions and reminder emails. Wish lists can be started without an account, though you'll need one to save them.
Elfster
Best for: large organized gift exchanges
One of the best-known Secret Santa apps, with budgets, exclusions, reminders and anonymous chat. It's ad-supported, according to published reviews, and reservations are hidden from the list owner. Reserving a gift requires a login.
GiftList
Best for: a universal list with extensions and apps
A free universal list with apps and browser extensions, plus its own Secret Santa tool. It adds items from any store and lets people reserve gifts. Check its site for the current details on surprises and accounts.
Giftster
Best for: families who exchange gifts every year
Built around a private family group, with apps, extensions, child accounts and a Secret Santa that hides the draw from the organizer. Reservations are hidden from the list owner. It earns affiliate commissions rather than showing display ads, according to published reviews.
GishFy
Best for: a list you can send to anyone, for any occasion
Ours. You can share any list by link with no group to set up, friends mark gifts so nobody doubles up, and group gifts track pledges toward bigger items. It also handles address requests and per-list currencies, including AED. The trade-offs: no mobile app or extension, items are added by hand, and the owner can see what's been gifted.
GoWish
Best for: sharing a list on your phone
A popular mobile wishlist app, whose listing says you can share via SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger and email. Check its current plans and features to see if it suits your needs.
MyRegistry
Best for: weddings and baby registries with cash funds
A complete universal registry with cash gift funds, a mobile app with a barcode scanner, a browser extension, and syncing with other store registries. Creating a registry is free, and a small transaction fee applies to cash funds.
How we made this comparison
We make GishFy, so we can't claim to be neutral. Instead of ranking ourselves first, we've listed the apps alphabetically and told you when another one would serve you better. Our notes on other apps come from their websites, app listings and published reviews, some of which were written by their competitors. Features and pricing change regularly, so check before committing your family to one.
What actually matters in a wishlist app
Start with the people buying for you, not the person making the list. If your relatives have to download an app and create an account just to see your list, some of them won't. Check what's needed to view a list and what's needed to mark a gift.
Next, think about surprises. Some apps hide reservations from the list owner, so you won't know what you're getting. Others, including GishFy, show the owner what's been gifted. That's fine for weddings and baby showers, where people often want to know what's coming, but it's less ideal for Christmas morning.
Finally, think about what you buy, and from where. If your list includes small shops, handmade items, or stores outside the US, make sure the app can handle them. It's also worth checking currency support if your family lives in more than one country.
Common questions
What's the best free wishlist app?
It depends on your needs. Giftster is a popular choice for families, Elfster for large exchanges, and GishFy for sharing a list by link with anyone. All three are free to use.
Which wishlist app works with every store?
Giftster, Elfster, GiftList, MyRegistry and GishFy all let you add items from any store. Amazon Lists is built mainly around Amazon's own items.
Which wishlist apps hide purchases from the list owner?
Giftster and Elfster hide reservations from the owner, and DrawNames hides marked gifts. Amazon has a surprise setting for purchases. On GishFy, the owner can see what's been gifted.
Is there a wishlist app with no sign-up?
GishFy's quick wishlist maker needs no account at all, and people can open the list from the link. It can't track gifts, though, so you'd need a free account for that.
Which wishlist app is best for a wedding?
If you want guests to send money online, MyRegistry's cash funds are worth a look. If you just need a list from different stores, with no fees, GishFy is a simple alternative.
Which wishlist app works in the UAE?
GishFy lets you price lists in AED and add items from Amazon.ae, Noon and other stores. Other apps may work too, so check their currency and store support.