The best wishlist app lets you save gift ideas from any shop, share a list with a link and stop people buying the same thing twice. Choose by the occasion: everyday birthday lists, family Christmas lists, a wedding registry or a baby shower. Nine apps follow in no particular order.
Gift giving should be fun, not a guessing game. A wishlist app lets you collect things you'd love as you spot them, then share one link when a birthday, holiday or big event comes round, so friends and family know exactly what to get.
The nine apps below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, from simple personal lists to family groups, gift exchanges and registries for weddings and babies. Each description comes from the app's own App Store listing, re-checked this week. If you're planning festive treats for children too, my Christmas Eve box ideas are full of inspiration.
Wishlist apps compared
In the free plan column, Yes means the app's own listing describes free use or a free download, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated on the pages we read.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babylist | Baby registry | Baby showers | Yes |
| Elfster | Gift exchange app | Wish lists for gift exchanges | Yes |
| Giftful | Wish list app | Saving wishes from any store | Yes |
| GiftList | Wish list app | Holiday lists and draws | Yes |
| Giftster | Family wish lists | Families sharing lists | Yes |
| GoWish | Wish list app | Inspiration and lists | Yes |
| Listful | Wish list maker | Quick birthday lists | Yes |
| MyRegistry.com | Universal registry | Weddings and big events | Yes |
| Wishlists | Wish list app | A simple shared list | Yes |
Nine wishlist and registry apps
Babylist
Best for: Parents-to-be who want one baby registry that pulls in items from any shop for their baby shower.
Elfster
Best for: Office and family groups who want wish lists tied to a gift exchange draw in the same app.
Giftful
Best for: People who want to save wishes from any online shop into lists they can share with a link.
GiftList
Best for: Families who want Christmas lists and a Secret Santa draw in one free app.
Giftster
Best for: Families who want everyone's birthday and Christmas lists kept together in one shared family group.
GoWish
Best for: Browsers who like inspiration as well as a place to collect and share their own wishes.
Listful
Best for: People who want a quick, simple way to make birthday and Christmas wish lists.
MyRegistry.com
Best for: Couples and hosts who want one registry for weddings, showers or housewarmings across many stores.
Wishlists
Best for: Anyone who wants a no-fuss list to share with friends without lots of extra features.
Check what your list shares
Wish lists hold more personal detail than you might think. The FTC notes that websites and shopping apps often ask for personal information like your name, mailing address, phone number and email, and may sell that information to other companies such as data brokers.
What that means for you: before sharing a list, check whether your address is visible to everyone with the link and what the app's privacy policy says about selling data. Share your address only with the people buying, and keep public lists free of personal details.
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Personal lists, family groups or registries?
Personal list apps are for saving ideas from any shop and sharing a link when someone asks. Family group apps keep everyone's lists in one place and let buyers mark gifts as taken, which stops duplicates at Christmas. Registry apps are built for weddings, baby showers and big events, with lists that pull from many stores.
If your family does a gift exchange too, a list app that includes a name draw saves juggling two apps. Think about who'll use the list, too. Grandparents and older relatives often prefer a plain web link they can open without installing anything, while younger family members won't mind an app. Choosing a list that works both ways means nobody's left out, and nobody buys the same gift twice because they couldn't see what's already been taken.
Building a list people will use
- Add items as you spot them, all year round.
- Include a mix of small and bigger ideas.
- Add sizes, colours and notes so buyers get it right.
- Remove things you've bought yourself.
- Share the list a few weeks before the occasion.
- Say thank you; it makes people happy to use your list again.
Mistakes that make lists less useful
- Only adding big-ticket items. Give people options at every level.
- Leaving out sizes. Clothing gifts need the details.
- Sharing too late. People shop early for big holidays.
- Forgetting to update. Old items lead to unwanted duplicates.
Using lists for more than birthdays
Lists aren't just for gifts. Use them to save things you're thinking of buying so you can decide later, to share a list of school supplies with family, or to plan a new home room by room. Keeping ideas in one place stops impulse buys and makes the things you do buy feel more considered.
Do you make a wishlist app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing a wishlist app
For everyday birthdays and holidays, pick a simple app that saves items from any shop and shares with a link. For families, a group app where everyone's lists live together is the easiest way to avoid duplicate gifts.
For weddings and babies, use a registry app built for those events. Whichever you choose, keep your address private until it's needed, and update the list as things change so people aren't buying gifts you already have. For a festive family activity while you plan, try these free Google Christmas games.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best wishlist app?
A simple list app for everyday gifts, a family group app for Christmas or a registry app for weddings and babies.
Are wishlist apps free?
All nine here are listed as free on the App Store.
Can I add items from any store?
Most wishlist apps let you save items from any online shop with a link.
Can people see what's been bought?
Many apps let buyers mark items as bought without the list owner seeing, which stops duplicate gifts.
Is it safe to share my address on a wishlist?
Check who can see it first. The FTC notes shopping apps may collect and sell personal information.
Can I use a wishlist app for Secret Santa?
Some apps include a name draw, so you can run a gift exchange alongside your lists.
