drawnames | Secret Santa app icon
Drawnames App Takes the Stress Out of Secret Santa Planning

by drawnames

4.8
ANDROIDTools
This app simplifies organizing gift exchanges for groups of all sizes. For anyone coordinating office parties, family gatherings, or friend groups, Drawnames provides a structured approach to random name drawing. The platform handles participant management and wish list sharing while maintaining the surprise element.

Detailed Review

Drawnames positions itself as a dedicated solution for Secret Santa organizers seeking to replace manual drawing methods. The app serves a specific niche in the event planning category, focusing exclusively on gift exchange coordination rather than broader party planning functionalities. Its specialized approach distinguishes it from general event apps that attempt to cover multiple celebration aspects without deep gift exchange features. The core functionality revolves around creating gift exchange events where organizers input participant emails or phone numbers. The system automatically randomizes assignments while ensuring no one draws their own name. A notable feature includes wish list management, where participants can create and share gift preferences through integrated platforms like Amazon. Event settings allow customization of spending limits, event dates, and shipping requirements for remote participants. The app also provides automated reminder emails as the exchange date approaches and maintains a complete history of past exchanges. In practical use, the interface proves straightforward for both organizers and participants. Setting up an office exchange for 20 colleagues takes approximately five minutes, with the system handling invitation delivery and assignment tracking. Family groups appreciate the ability to exclude certain pairings (like spouses drawing each other) through the exclusion feature. Remote functionality works particularly well for distributed teams, with participants receiving clean assignment emails containing wish list links and event details. The dashboard provides organizers with real-time visibility into who has viewed their assignments. User feedback consistently highlights reliability in assignment distribution and appreciation for the wish list integration. Some reviews mention occasional synchronization delays when using Amazon wish lists during peak shopping periods. The automatic reminder system receives positive comments for reducing the need for manual follow-ups. First-time users note the learning curve for advanced features like exclusion settings, though the basic drawing functionality remains accessible to all technical levels. The app delivers solid performance for its specialized purpose, though it lacks broader party planning tools that some competitors offer. Its focused approach makes it ideal for groups wanting a dedicated gift exchange solution without extraneous features. The free version covers most basic needs, while premium features cater to organizations requiring more customization and administrative control. Minor interface quirks exist, such as occasional navigation inconsistencies between web and mobile versions, but these don't significantly impact core functionality.

Key Features

  • Automated random name drawing with exclusion settings to prevent specific matchups between participants
  • Wish list integration with Amazon and other retailers for easy gift idea sharing
  • Email and notification system sending assignment alerts and automatic event reminders
  • Spending limit enforcement and date tracking to maintain event parameters
  • Cross-platform accessibility through web interface and mobile applications
  • Event history archive maintaining records of past exchanges and participant lists

Why Users Love It

Eliminates manual drawing errors
Simplifies remote participant coordination

Perfect for: Perfect for office managers, family organizers, and social group leaders planning gift exchanges

Screenshots

drawnames | Secret Santa app screenshot 1drawnames | Secret Santa app screenshot 2drawnames | Secret Santa app screenshot 3drawnames | Secret Santa app screenshot 4drawnames | Secret Santa app screenshot 5

Ranking History

Track drawnames | Secret Santa app's performance in Tools over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#16

+33 from last week

Best Rank

#16

All-time high

Average Rank

#41

30-day average

User Reviews

Cyndi Mills
Nov 4, 2025

This is a fun way to buy exactly what your "drawn name" really wants, it's a secret til' you exchange gifts & a money saver. (We still all buy gifts for the little ones!)

Tyrone King
Nov 2, 2025

very simple to use and the wish list is very extensive so you have plenty of potential gifts to choose from.😀

Christie Cruz
Nov 13, 2025

who ever thought of this brilliant 👏 no need to wait for everyone to get together to draw names and you can make a wish list as well no guessing what they want they can actually tell you i love it and it's anonymous

f r e n c h y
Nov 12, 2025

super easy and fun to use ive used this w my family twice already for this christmas and last christmas. its genuinely so easy to find gifts and leaving it to draw the names for u is nice!! I wish it includes temu and other shopping sites tho LOLLLL

Isaac Lutterodt
Nov 6, 2025

me and my friends have used this for years, no problems so far and the wishlist feature makes it more pleasant, great idea

App Details

Developer

drawnames

Platform

android

Rating

4.8

Last Updated

11/15/2025