Best Elfster Alternatives

Elfster is a platform for Secret Santa and organised gift exchanges. Tens of millions of people have used it since 2004. It draws names for group events, with set spending limits and exclusion rules so partners cannot pick each other. For a seasonal group exchange that needs those coordination rules, it provides the necessary tools.

This page is for you if you want a year-round wishlist that friends and relatives can open without being asked to register. Elfster requires an account from anyone viewing a list. It also allows list owners to see when someone reserves an item. This guide compares Elfster with Things To Have across ten practical criteria, alongside other wishlist services worth considering.

What Elfster does well

• It manages name draws with set exclusion rules. This stops partners from drawing each other in a group exchange.
• Organisers can set budget limits for an exchange. It also includes an anonymous question and answer feature.
• More than 47 million people have used it since 2004. These users span more than 50 countries.
• It has apps for iOS and Android. It also runs as a full website.

Why people look for an alternative to Elfster

Everyone has to create an account. Anyone who wants to view a wishlist on Elfster must register first. That setup suits an organised Secret Santa exchange. A relative who only wants to check one link has to sign up as well.

The owner can see reservation activity. List owners can see when someone reserves an item on their list. Reviewers note that this spoils the surprise. When you see which items are taken, you already know what you will receive.

It is built around occasions. The platform is designed around specific events with start and end dates. That structure works for a seasonal exchange, but it feels clumsy for an everyday wishlist.

Reports of spammy email and an AI feature that added items to people's lists without being asked.

Elfster vs Things To Have

View without an account

A gift list only works if the people buying from it can open it. Relatives who are asked to sign up first often give up before they see the list.

Things To Have. Anyone with the link can open a shared list in a browser. Visitors do not need to create an account or download an app to see the list.

Elfster. Everyone using the service needs an account, including people who only want to see a wishlist. That fits an organised Secret Santa exchange, where every participant joins to draw names anyway.

Verdict: Things To Have is ahead for lists shared with people outside an organised exchange.

Reservations

Marking an item as reserved prevents duplicate gifts. People buying from your list can see what is already taken.

Things To Have. Visitors can reserve an item when you turn reservations on for a list. Visitors sign in to reserve.

Elfster. People can mark items on a list as purchased.

Verdict: Even, as both let people reserve items.

Free, no paywall

Most family gift exchanges happen only once or twice a year. Paying a recurring fee for a tool used that rarely makes little sense.

Things To Have. Every feature is free to use. There is no paywall, and there are no limits on the number of lists or items you can create.

Elfster. Drawing names and keeping a wishlist cost nothing. Its wishlist page states that there is no premium tier and no credit card is required.

Verdict: Even, as both are free.

No ads

A wishlist that pushes trending products competes with the gifts you actually asked for. Promoted suggestions can distract visitors from the items you chose.

Things To Have. Lists carry no adverts, sponsored products or product recommendations. There is also no algorithmic feed displaying extra items to visitors.

Elfster. The app shows advertising, according to its App Store listing. It also includes trending gifts, curated gift guides and a shop section alongside lists.

Verdict: Things To Have is ahead.

Any store

Good gift ideas come from small shops, independent websites and large retailers. A list should be able to accept items from anywhere.

Things To Have. A list accepts links from any online shop.

Elfster. A free browser extension lets you add items from any online store in one click. You can also write a custom wish from scratch if an item has no link.

Verdict: Even, as both accept items from any shop.

Autofill

Typing a title, price and photo by hand for each item is slow. It is often why people stop adding things to a list.

Things To Have. Pasting a link fills in the title, photo and price without needing a browser extension. It also offers a bookmarklet, an iOS Shortcut, and an embeddable save button for shop owners.

Elfster. Its free Wish It! browser extension adds an item from an online shop in one click.

Verdict: Even, as both can add an item from a shop without typing it out.

Works on any device

An exchange group usually mixes iPhones, Android phones and laptops. Everyone needs to be able to open the list, whichever device they use.

Things To Have. It runs as a website and an installable web app. Any phone or computer can view and manage lists directly in a browser without installing software.

Elfster. Elfster offers apps for iOS and Android alongside its main website.

Verdict: Even, with both covering phones and computers.

Sort & filter

Browsing someone's list is quicker when you can search it or sort it within your budget. Exchanges with a spending limit make sorting by price particularly helpful.

Things To Have. Any visitor can search a list, set a maximum price and sort by price either way. This works without signing in. Prices in different currencies are converted so they compare.

Elfster. Owners can reorder items by hand and mark favourites. There is no search, price filter or sort for the people shopping.

Verdict: Things To Have is ahead.

Export your data

A list kept for years should not depend on one company staying in business. You should be able to take your saved items with you if you decide to change tools.

Things To Have. Under Settings → Data, you can export your lists as a JSON file at any time. The app also lets you import items using pasted links or a text, Markdown or JSON file. A preview appears before you save the imported data.

Elfster. A list can be printed from your account. A copy of your data is only available by request. There is no self-serve export file for your lists.

Verdict: Things To Have is ahead.

MCP

The Model Context Protocol lets an AI assistant read and update your wishlists. This allows you to add items or plan gifts by talking directly to Claude or ChatGPT.

Things To Have. You can connect Claude, ChatGPT or your own agent to add items, tidy lists and choose gifts for friends you follow. You decide which permissions the assistant receives and can revoke access at any time.

Elfster. Elfster publishes no MCP server, ChatGPT app or Claude connector. Its website and help documentation do not mention one.

Verdict: Things To Have is ahead, as Elfster has no MCP support.

Final verdict

• You want a free list to send to family who will not sign up: Things To Have allows anyone with the link to view your list in a browser without an account or an app. It is free, and when you turn reservations on, signed-in visitors can reserve items without spoiling the surprise.
• You want what Elfster is best at (drawing names for a group exchange with rules and a budget): stay with Elfster. It organises Secret Santa draws with exclusion rules so partners do not draw each other, alongside set spending limits for the group.

Elfster, Things To Have and the runners-up

Frequently asked questions

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