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.
Choose GishFy if you want
- A Secret Santa draw with no accounts for anyone, including the organizer
- To join your own draw without seeing the matches
- To send each match by WhatsApp, email or any chat app
- No ads and no app to install
- Wishlists with group gift tracking and address requests
- Prices in USD, AED, INR, EUR, GBP or SAR
Stick with Elfster if you want
- A native iPhone or Android app and a Chrome button
- Built-in reminders and anonymous chat with your match
- Gift reservations that stay hidden from the list owner
- One login that manages accounts for your children
- A long-established, feature-rich exchange organizer
Side by side
| Feature | GishFy | Elfster |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Ads | None | Ad-supported, according to published reviews |
| Where it works | Any browser, no app | iPhone, Android, web and a Chrome button |
| Secret Santa draw | Yes, with exclusion rules, budget and date | Yes, with budgets, exclusions, reminders and anonymous chat |
| Accounts to run a draw | None for anybody | Built around member accounts |
| Can the organizer see matches? | Hidden unless they press Show all matches | Organizers can view the draw, per Elfster's help center |
| Wishlists from any store | Yes, add a link by hand | Yes, by link or Chrome button |
| Marking a gift | Needs a free account | Needs a login |
| Does the list owner see what's gifted? | Yes | No, reservations are hidden |
| Group gifts | Tracks pledges; you settle up outside the app | Check Elfster's current features |
Why people look for an Elfster alternative
The most common reason is friction. In a family or friend group, there's usually someone who doesn't want yet another account, and the organizer ends up chasing them for days. GishFy's Secret Santa generator takes the opposite approach: you type the names, it draws them in your browser, and each person gets a private link. Nobody signs up, and names are never sent to our servers.
The second reason is the organizer's position. If the organizer can view the draw, they either have to promise not to look or sit out of the surprise. On GishFy, matches stay hidden on the organizer's screen, so they can take part like everybody else. They'd only see the matches by choosing to show them.
Some people just want fewer features. If you're doing a once-a-year draw, you may not need messaging, profile setup or an app on your phone.
Where Elfster is the better choice
If your group runs a big exchange every year and uses reminders and anonymous chat, Elfster offers more than GishFy. Our draw doesn't send automatic reminders, and there's no in-app chat between Santa and recipient.
It's also better at keeping gifts a surprise on wishlists. On GishFy, the list owner can see what has been gifted, which is fine for birthdays and registries but not ideal if keeping gifts secret from the recipient matters most to you.
And if you'd rather use a native mobile app, GishFy doesn't have one. It runs in the browser on any phone.
How to switch
There's nothing to migrate. Open the Secret Santa generator, type or paste your group's names, add any exclusions, then send each person their link. If you want wishlists too, each person can create a free GishFy account and share a list link with the group. Or they can make a quick list with no account at all.
Common questions
Is there a free alternative to Elfster?
Yes. GishFy's Secret Santa generator and wishlist tools are free. Other free options include DrawNames and Giftster, which each have their own strengths.
Can I run a Secret Santa without anyone signing up?
Yes. On GishFy, nobody needs an account for the draw. You add names and send each person a private reveal link.
Can the organizer take part in the draw?
Yes. Matches stay hidden on the organizer's screen, and each person opens their own link to see only their match. Just don't press Show all matches.
Does GishFy send reminders?
No. GishFy doesn't send automatic reminders for Secret Santa. The budget and date appear in each person's link, and the organizer can post a reminder in the group chat.
Does GishFy have a mobile app?
No. It runs in any browser, including on phones, so there's nothing to install.