WishGiven vs Elfster (2025)
Elfster built its reputation on Secret Santa gift exchange organisation, and it does that job well. But if you need a proper wishlist platform — one where you add items from any store, share your list year-round, and let anyone buy for you without friction — Elfster isn't designed for that use case. WishGiven is a dedicated wishlist platform with a browser extension and anonymous claiming built in from day one.
Best full-featured wishlist for any occasion all year round
Best for Secret Santa and gift exchange organisation
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Feature comparison
Browser extension (add from any website)
WishGiven has a Chrome extension for one-click saving from any product page. Elfster has no browser extension.
Anonymous claiming (no account for gift-givers)
WishGiven buyers need no account. Elfster requires participants to join the exchange/create an account.
Year-round wishlist (not event-specific)
WishGiven works for any occasion any time. Elfster is structured around gift exchanges and events.
Add items from any store
Both support wishlists with items from external stores.
Public shareable wishlist link
Share a WishGiven link with anyone. Elfster lists are typically scoped to event participants.
Social friend layer
Follow friends and see wishlist activity outside of organised exchanges.
Why the differences matter
A wishlist platform, not just a gift exchange organiser
Elfster is excellent at what it does: organising a Secret Santa or holiday gift exchange between a defined group of people. But that's a narrow use case. If you want to maintain a birthday wishlist, a running wish list for your kids, a wedding registry, or just a list you share with family anytime — Elfster's event-centric structure gets in the way. WishGiven is designed for exactly these everyday wishlist scenarios.
No barriers for people buying outside an event
Elfster's wishlist feature works within the context of an organised exchange — participants see each other's lists after joining the event. For one-off gifting outside an exchange (a birthday, a baby shower, just sending a link to family), the setup friction is high. WishGiven's anonymous claiming lets you share a simple link — anyone can open it, claim an item, and go buy it, with no exchange setup or group membership required.
Which should you choose?
Choose WishGiven if…
- You want a year-round wishlist, not just a seasonal exchange
- You want a browser extension to save items from any website
- You want to share your list with anyone via a simple link
- Your gift-givers shouldn't need to create an account
- You want the same wishlist to work for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions
Choose Elfster if…
- You're organising a Secret Santa or anonymous gift exchange
- You want built-in budget controls and matching for group exchanges
- Your use case is specifically a holiday or seasonal gift exchange
Frequently asked questions
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Add items from any store, share with anyone, and let gift-givers claim without creating an account.
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