Every app below will draw names fairly and for free. The differences are in what happens around the draw: whether everyone has to sign up, how wishlists work, and how many emails you get afterwards. We make Gift Huddle, so weigh our view accordingly — we've stuck to features each app states on its own website, checked in October 2026.
Short answer: for a quick draw with no sign-ups, use an instant generator such as Gift Huddle's or DrawNames. For a family that swaps wishlists all year, Giftster and Gift Huddle are built for it. Elfster suits groups who want gift guides and shopping ideas built in.
At a glance
| Gift Huddle | DrawNames | Elfster | Giftster | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draw without an account | Yes — instant draw in the browser | Yes — “no account needed” | Organiser starts with name and friends' details | Account needed to start a group |
| Exclusions (e.g. couples) | Yes | Yes | Not stated on homepage | Not stated on homepage |
| Wishlists | Yes, from any shop | Yes | Yes | Yes, from any shop |
| Invites | Link (WhatsApp, email, text) | Email, text, WhatsApp | Email or text | Group invites |
| Phone apps | Web app (works in any phone browser) | iPhone and Android | iOS and Android | iOS and Android |
| How it's funded | Affiliate links; never sells data | Not stated; uses marketing cookies | Affiliate links; has an “Advertise with us” page | Not stated |
Gift Huddle — best for a no-sign-up draw that grows into a full event
Gift Huddle's Secret Santa generator runs the draw in your browser. Add names, set exclusions and a budget, and you get a private reveal link for each person to send on WhatsApp. Nothing is saved, and nobody needs an account.
If you want more, a free account adds email reveals, linked wishlists and re-draws when someone drops out. Wishlists take items from any UK shop, and claimed gifts stay hidden from the list owner. It's free, funded by affiliate links, and the unsubscribe link works first time.
- Good for: offices, friend groups and families who want one place for the draw and the wishlists.
- Watch out for: there's no native phone app yet — it's a web app.
DrawNames — best for a quick, app-based draw
DrawNames is a long-standing UK option. You can draw names without an account, add exclusions, share wish lists and invite people by email, text or WhatsApp. Its iPhone and Android app is rated 4.8 from over 300,000 ratings.
- Good for: groups who all prefer using an app.
- Watch out for: the site uses cookies for marketing purposes.
Elfster — best if you want gift ideas built in
Elfster is the best-known US gift exchange app. You invite people by email or text, Elfster draws the names, and everyone keeps wishlists. It adds curated gift guides, birthday reminders and the ability to follow friends' wishlists, with iOS and Android apps.
- Good for: groups who like browsing gift guides together.
- Watch out for: it's built around shopping — its homepage features affiliate gift links. See our Elfster alternative page.
Giftster — best for families who share wishlists all year
Giftster describes itself as a free, private gift registry with over three million members. Families create a group, everyone keeps lists, and purchases are hidden from the list maker. You can add a Secret Santa draw to any group, and there are apps and browser extensions for adding items from any shop.
- Good for: families who swap wishlists for birthdays as well as Christmas.
- Watch out for: it's group-first, so a one-off office draw is more set-up than you need.
How to choose
- One-off office Secret Santa: an instant generator. Nobody wants to create an account for a £10 gift.
- Family Christmas with wishlists: Gift Huddle or Giftster, so lists carry on into birthdays.
- Remote team: any app with private reveal links and a clear budget. Set a posting deadline at least five days before the reveal.
- Privacy-conscious group: check how each app is funded and how easy it is to stop the emails.
Questions people ask
Are Secret Santa apps free? All four apps here are free to draw names. Some fund themselves through affiliate shopping links or advertising.
Does everyone need to download an app? No. Gift Huddle and DrawNames both draw names without accounts, and Gift Huddle runs in any phone browser.
Can I stop couples drawing each other? Yes — use exclusions. Gift Huddle and DrawNames both support them.
Try the instant draw
Names, exclusions and budget in under a minute. No sign-up, nothing saved.
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