How to Choose the Right Wish List App in 2025

If you’re like me, you’ve probably been stuck trying to remember a gift idea you had weeks ago—or worse, received a present that wasn’t quite right and wished you could have shared your actual wishlist. That’s exactly why wish list apps exist But with so many options out there, how do you pick the right one?

I’ve spent years working in the gifting space, running Giftwhale, and I know that the best wish list app isn’t just about saving links—it’s about making gift-giving smoother, smarter, and actually enjoyable. Whether you want something for personal use, family gifting, or event planning, here’s what you should consider when choosing a wish list app.

How do we define a wish list

At its core, a wish list is just a way to keep track of the things you’d love to receive—whether it’s for a birthday, Christmas, or just stuff you don’t want to forget. It’s like a digital version of scribbling ideas on a bit of paper, only smarter. You can add links, write notes, prioritise things, and—if you’re using the right app—share it easily with friends or family so they know exactly what you’d actually like, without any awkward guesswork.

The features we want to review when choosing the right app

1. Ease of Use & Accessibility

A good wish list app should be simple and intuitive. If it takes more than a few seconds to add an item or share your list, it’s probably not the best choice. I'd recommend to look for features like:

• A clean, user-friendly interface which loads and operates quickly

• Browser extensions for quick saving

• Guest access (so friends and family don’t have to create an account just to see your list)

📌 Example: Some apps require both the sender and recipient to have an account, which can be a hassle. Giftwhale, for instance, allows anyone to view and reserve gifts without signing up.

2. Sharing & Collaboration

A wishlist isn’t useful if no one can see it. The best apps make sharing seamless:

• Private & public lists allow you to decide who sees your list

• Group gifting options, or being able to split an item into multiple chunks is perfect for big-ticket items

• Multiple ways to share your list via links, QR codes, or even physical invitations make sure you can reach everyone easily

🔗 Comparison: Giftster offers family groups for shared wish lists, while Giftwhale makes it easy to create individual or event-based lists without requiring a group setup.

3. Gift Reservation & Secret Santa Features

Ever had a situation where two people buy you the same gift? A proper wish list app should prevent this by allowing reservations. If you’re planning a gift exchange, look for:

• A built-in Secret Santa generator

• Gift reservation without revealing who’s buying it

• Budget settings for fair gift exchanges

🎁 Best for Secret Santa: Some apps focus heavily on this, like Elfster, but others, like Giftwhale, integrate Secret Santa within your existing wish lists, without having to leave the app.

An extra advantage of Giftwhale's reservation's system is that, because we know who got an item, you are able to send them a beautiful thank you letter in a few clicks, without leaving Giftwhale.

4. Flexibility & Customisation

Different people use wish lists in different ways. Whether it’s for Christmas, birthdays, baby showers, or weddings, the best app should let you:

• Create multiple lists for different occasions

• Add custom notes (like size, colour preferences, or store alternatives)

• Prioritise gifts so people know what you really want most

📋 Tip: Look for an app that doesn’t lock you into a specific store. Some, like Amazon’s wishlist, only work within their ecosystem, limiting your options.

5. Family and child account management

If you’re like me, and you’ve got kids, this one’s a biggie. A lot of the wish list apps out there are clearly built for adults, but families have totally different needs. Sometimes you’re building a list for your child, sometimes you want them involved, but with a bit of control over what they’re adding.

Look for an app that lets you:

• Create and manage child accounts from your main account

• Share children’s lists with grandparents, aunties and uncles—without needing them to sign up

• Hide or approve items your child adds (because nobody needs 14 versions of the same toy on the list...)

• Combine family wish lists under one roof without it turning into a mess

👨‍👩‍👧 What makes Giftwhale stand out here? We have spent a long time refining the ability to create fully managed lists for your children under your account, share them easily, and still keep control. It’s one of the few platforms that actually feels designed with families specifically in mind.

6. Privacy & Trustworthiness

Your wishlist contains personal preferences and sometimes sensitive information. A trustworthy app should:

• Offer clear privacy controls over who can see your list, giving you the option to keep certain lists or items completely private to yourself or only the people you want to have access to them

• Not sell your data or spam your email

• Use secure item links if they allow direct purchases

✅ Security Tip: Always check if the company behind the app is transparent about its data policies. (At Giftwhale, we never sell user data—your wishlist is yours alone.)

7. Additional Features That Matter

Depending on how you use your wishlist, extra features might be a game-changer:

• AI-powered recommendations – Smart suggestions based on your preferences

• Price tracking & alerts – Know when an item goes on sale

• Donation options – Some wish lists let you ask for charity donations instead of gifts

📌 Who does it best? Many apps offer basic wishlist functionality, but the best choice depends on what you value most—flexibility, privacy, ease of use, or extra features.

🔗 Want to try Giftwhale out? Sign up here

The Best Wish List App for You?

🎁 In the end, the best wish list app is the one that actually gets used—and makes gift-giving less stressful and more joyful. Giftwhale was built to do just that, and we’d love for you to give it a try.