5 Best Secret Santa Apps to Download This Christmas

Traditionally, Secret Santa is played with a hat, but using an app is much more convenient. With online generators, you can draw names with a click, set exceptions so that certain people don’t give to each other, and create wishlists. Below, you will find a detailed review of the most popular Secret Santa apps to choose the most suitable option. 

Top Secret Santa apps for gift exchange games 

MySanta

MySanta is an easy-to-use Secret Santa organizer and generator. It has all the features you need for a seamless gift exchange, including inviting players via the link, drawing names with a click, and creating wishlists. 

To get started, sign up and invite players to the game. You can send the invite link to any messenger or share a QR code. The game organizer can monitor game progress and send notifications, ensuring that everyone buys a gift on time, and even add/remove players after the draw.

MySanta allows unlimited players – even if it’s a companywide gift exchange for 150 participants, you can draw names and manage the game easily. There is also an option to set exceptions so that some people don't give to each other. Players can make a wishlist to get exactly what they want from a friend or coworker. 

You can create multiple games for different groups and play next year with the same participants, which makes it easier to establish a tradition. 

Key Features:

1. Plain and minimalist design with no ads or distractions – only useful features
2. Unlimited players – perfectly suited for corporate gift exchanges with 100+ participants 
3. Create wishlists with links to favorite items from online stores 
4. Anonymous chats with your Santa or recipient 
5. Quick Draw feature to assign names with a click with no email 
6. The game is free for students and educators 

Price: Free; PRO plans with advanced features

Try our MySanta app

You can create wishlists, add exclusions, and communicate with your gifree secretly. Moreover, there is an option to track gifts and ensure that everyone buys a present on time.

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Elfster

Elfster is an established gift exchange app with a wide audience. Its features include sending invitations via text or email, group chats, anonymous messaging, and shareable wishlists where you can add links to online stores. The app also offers curated lists of gift ideas if you’re feeling stuck. 

To get started, an organizer sets up a new game and invites players. The host can also set game rules, such as gift budget and theme, and block some participants from giving to each other (to exclude couples, for example). After that, you can draw names, and the participants study each other’s wishlists to get a gift their recipient will like. 

Just like in the MySanta app, Elfster supports multiple games and saves old games so you can play with the same group of friends or coworkers next year. The app’s functions make it a universal solution for a gift exchange with every group, yet ads and too many add-ons might feel overwhelming. 

Key features: 

1. A popular Secret Santa app with a long history 
2. Easy game setup; the possibility to invite the same players from the last year 
3. Create wishlists with links to online stores
4. Curated guides with gift ideas for any budget 
5. Automated pairing with the possibility to set exceptions

Price: Free

DrawNames 

DrawNames is a simple, convenient app that manages name drawing for Secret Santa with exceptions. Using the app is simple: enter the names of participants, set exceptions if you need, and establish the gift budget. After you verify your email, you can send invites via WhatsApp, email, or text. 

The platform also has wishlists, and you can explore in-app gift suggestions for your age and gender, or manually enter links to gifts from online retailers. 

DrawNames lets you eliminate manual drawing and keeps the exchange fair, while allowing you to set exclusions and manage the exchange. However, to invite participants, you have to enter their names manually, which may not be convenient for large groups. The app also doesn’t handle the logistics of gifts, making it more suitable for in-person gift exchanges with family or friends. 

Key features:

1. Plain, simple app design with no ads
2. Set up the game and invite players in minutes 
3. On-platform wishlists with gift suggestions 
4. Focuses on basic features, such as managing the draw and setting exceptions
5. Great for smaller groups 

Price: Free

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Giftster

Giftster is a popular wishlist platform with the Secret Santa functionality. If your friends or family already use the platform for wishlists, you can draw names there so that you don’t have to move to another platform. 

To play, you need to create a group of at least 3 participants. Invite people and ask everyone to complete their wishlist. After that, you can draw names, and everyone will receive an email notification with their giftee’s name and their wishlist with gift ideas.

The app has basic Secret Santa features, so the organizer will need to coordinate the game elsewhere to communicate the gift budget, deadlines, rules, and game details. Due to limited game management options, it’s more suitable for small groups.

Key features: 

1. A popular wishlist platform with a Secret Santa feature
2. Suitable for gift exchanges year-round
3. The possibility to set exclusions 
4. Wishlist personalization options

Price: Free

SecretSantaOrganizer

Secret Santa Organizer is another platform where anyone can set up a fun gift exchange. It has a festive design and focuses on Secret Santa exchanges precisely. The app works as usual: you enter your contact details and the recipients’ names and email addresses (or send everyone a link to join). When everyone joins the exchange, you can draw names and players will see their match. 

The app has some additional features, such as adding participants after the draw has been made or sending notifications to players. You can also set a gift budget and rules when creating a party. 

While the website has all the necessary features and a fun, festive design, it doesn’t have any wishlists to tell Secret Santa what to give. So, you’ll need to manage wishlists or gift ideas separately. 

Key Features: 

1. Easy game setup and player invitation via the link 
2. Set exceptions and manage the game 
3. The organizer can see who gives a gift to whom
4. It’s possible to add or remove a player after the draw 

Price: Free

There’s a variety of Secret Santa apps for every gift exchange. Some are better suited for cozy games with extended family or close friends, while others work better for large gatherings or remote games. 

To top it off, the MySanta app is a universal solution for every situation. Whether it’s a large office party, a virtual gift exchange with extended family, or a friendly gathering, the app manages invitations, wishlists, and sends reminders to ensure that everyone receives their gift on time. 

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