Best Secret Santa apps and sites

How we compared them

We care about what an organizer feels: how long setup takes, what guests must do, and what the tool can and cannot do. We do not quote prices, ratings or user counts, because they change and we would rather not guess. As of late 2026, check each service's current plans before you pick.

Hollyhush is ours, so read that entry with that in mind. Where another tool is better, we say so.

Quick comparison

Cells that say check their site mean we are not sure enough to state it.

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Who each one suits

• Hollyhush: organizers who want free, no app, no account, no email, with chat and wishlists. Not for email reminders, shipping or group payments.
• Elfster: a large, well-known gift exchange site with accounts and wishlists. Good for groups who like that setup. See Elfster alternatives.
• DrawNames: a long-running, simple name drawing site. Good if you only want a draw. See DrawNames alternative.
• Giftster: mainly a family wishlist and registry tool. Good for lists all year. See Giftster alternative.
• Secret Santa Organizer: another draw site in the same family. Check its current features and limits.

Decision guide

1. If guests will not install anything or sign up, start with a link-based tool such as the Secret Santa app that works in a browser.
2. If you want long-lived gift lists, add a wishlist tool.
3. If the group is under ten and in one room, names in a hat are fine.
4. If you need email reminders or gift delivery, check each service's current features, because Hollyhush does neither.
5. If privacy matters, look for a tool where the organizer cannot see the matches.

Questions to ask any app before you commit

• Do guests need an account or an app?
• Is email required, and who can see it?
• Does it handle couples and can't-draw rules?
• Can the organizer see the matches?
• What is the group size limit, and what does it cost at that size?
• Are there ads, and how is my data handled after the swap?

Use the free tier of two tools for ten minutes. Setup feel tells you more than a feature list.

1. Hollyhush

   Free for up to 50 people. No app, account or email: guests type a first name from one link. Couples rules, wishlists, anonymous chat and TV mode.

2. Elfster

   A large, well-known gift exchange site built around accounts and wishlists. Check current plans and pricing.

3. DrawNames

   A long-running, simple name-drawing site. A good fit when you only want a draw.

4. Giftster

   Mainly a wishlist and registry tool for families, best for gift lists all year.

5. Secret Santa Organizer

   Another name drawing site in the same family. Check its current features, limits and pricing.