WantThis vs Elfster: wishlists and Secret Santa
Elfster is a long-running, US-focused app best known for organising Secret Santa gift exchanges, with wishlists attached.
Elfster built its name on Secret Santa and group gift exchanges. It does that job well, but its wishlist and pricing features are geared to the US market.
WantThis gives you a free Secret Santa draw too — plus a full UK gift-list platform around it: add from any UK shop, track prices across retailers, and let people reserve gifts with no account while you stay surprised.
WantThis vs Elfster: side by side
| Feature | WantThis | Elfster |
|---|---|---|
| Secret Santa draw | Built-in Secret Santa with a random draw | Yes — its core feature |
| UK focus | UK-focused — UK retailers, £ prices | US-focused |
| Add from any shop | Add items from any UK shop by pasting a link | Yes |
| Price tracking & drop alerts | Tracks prices across UK retailers and alerts you on drops | Not a core feature |
| Surprise-safe reservations | Surprise-safe: owners never see who reserved or bought what | Gift status hidden from the owner |
| Buying without an account | No account needed for the people buying gifts | Participants usually sign up |
| Two people editing one list | Invite anyone by email to co-own and edit the list with you | Each participant keeps their own wishlist |
| Price | Free | Free |
Features change — check Elfster's current site for the latest. Last reviewed 2026.
Choose WantThis when…
- You want Secret Santa AND a proper UK wishlist with price tracking in one place.
- You want gifters to reserve without creating an account.
- You shop at UK retailers and care about £ prices and price drops.
- You want a household or couple list that more than one person can edit.
Elfster might suit you if…
- You only need a Secret Santa organiser and your group is already on Elfster.
- Your participants are mostly US-based.
The verdict
If all you need is a Secret Santa draw, both work. If you want that draw wrapped in a UK-first wishlist — any shop, price tracking, no-signup reservations — WantThis does more for UK users in one free tool.
Try WantThis free
Create a gift list from any UK shop, share one link, and track prices — free.
Create your free listWantThis vs Elfster: FAQs
Is WantThis a free Elfster alternative for Secret Santa?
Yes. WantThis runs a free random Secret Santa draw, lets each person link a wishlist, and sends reminders — with no cost.
Can I use WantThis for a work Secret Santa?
Yes. Create a group, invite colleagues by link, set a budget, and run the draw. Everyone can add a wishlist so their Santa knows what to buy.
Does WantThis track UK prices?
Yes. Add items from UK shops and WantThis monitors their prices, alerting you when they drop — useful for buying gifts at the best time.