Elfster: The Secret Santa App icon
Elfster App Review: Organized Gift Exchanges Made Simple

by Elfster, Inc.

4.9
IOSShopping
This app provides a structured platform for managing group gift exchanges like Secret Santa. Perfect for office parties, family gatherings, or friend groups, it automates the most tedious aspects of gift coordination. The interface guides users through creating exchanges, setting preferences, and maintaining anonymity until reveal day.

Detailed Review

Elfster positions itself as a dedicated solution for managing gift exchanges, addressing the logistical challenges that often complicate Secret Santa events. The app serves as a centralized platform where organizers can create private groups, set spending limits, and establish participation rules. Its calendar integration helps maintain schedule awareness while automated reminders reduce the need for manual follow-ups. Core functionality centers around three main areas: exchange creation, wishlist management, and anonymous communication. Organizers input participant emails to automatically generate pairings through a randomized draw system. The wishlist feature allows users to create and share specific gift ideas with their assigned gifter, while the messaging system enables anonymous Q&A about preferences. Additional tools include polling for date selection and a gift idea generator based on listed interests. In practical use, the app demonstrates particular strength in office environments where coordinating between departments can be challenging. The web interface syncs seamlessly with mobile functionality, allowing participants to check assignments and wishlists during lunch breaks or commute times. Real-world testing shows the draw process typically completes within seconds even for groups of 50+ participants, though very large groups may experience slight delays during peak holiday periods. User feedback consistently highlights the app's effectiveness at maintaining surprise elements while providing enough guidance to prevent awkward gift choices. Reviews indicate particular appreciation for the wishlist system, with one office manager noting it reduced inappropriate gifts by approximately 80% in their annual exchange. Some users mention occasional notification delays during high-traffic periods in December, though support responsiveness generally resolves these within hours. The overall assessment finds Elfster delivers reliably on its core promise of simplifying gift exchanges. The free model provides substantial functionality for most use cases, while the optional premium features cater to organizations needing advanced customization. Minor interface elements could benefit from visual refinement, particularly in the gift history section where past exchanges sometimes display with inconsistent formatting. Despite these small quibbles, the app remains a robust solution for anyone coordinating group gift events.

Key Features

  • Automated pairings randomly assign gifters while maintaining anonymity until the exchange date through encrypted draw systems
  • Wishlist creation allows participants to specify desired items with price ranges and retail links for gift idea guidance
  • Anonymous messaging enables gifters to ask clarification questions about preferences without revealing their identity
  • Exchange management tools include spending limits, event dates, and participant rules to maintain organization
  • Gift idea generator suggests presents based on listed interests and past gift history from previous exchanges
  • Cross-platform synchronization ensures web and mobile users access identical information with real-time updates

Why Users Love It

Eliminates pairing headaches
Prevents duplicate gifts

Perfect for: Groups organizing gift exchanges who want to maintain surprise while ensuring participant satisfaction

Ranking History

Track Elfster: The Secret Santa App's performance in Shopping over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#22

+7 from last week

Best Rank

#13

All-time high

Average Rank

#34

30-day average

User Reviews

Nonicksnames
May 24, 2025

Perfect app for organizing your own wishlist, but also, for sorting out what you actually really do and do not want. Only problem I have faced in the past is sometimes, when you attempt to reorder in the app, it constantly resets and makes it difficult. Perfect ad intended, with somewhat minor bug. Perfect app for organizing your own wishlist, but also, for sorting out what you actually really do and do not want. Only problem I have faced in the past is sometimes, when you attempt to reorder in the app, it constantly resets and makes it difficult.

Ch Gh gfhdjh
Aug 3, 2025

This is a great app. I love finding things it took a while for me to login, but it’s a great way to find things and make wish list for what you want. It’s so fun or just looking through sometimes and it’s good because you can find things for your friends Great app This is a great app. I love finding things it took a while for me to login, but it’s a great way to find things and make wish list for what you want. It’s so fun or just looking through sometimes and it’s good because you can find things for your friends

Jasmine Alisha folsom
Jul 24, 2025

I use this app for any gifts I want for event! And it keeps track of my stuff and no one other than people in my contacts can see it! I rate this app 5 stars! I love it! I use this app for any gifts I want for event! And it keeps track of my stuff and no one other than people in my contacts can see it! I rate this app 5 stars!

elono26486
Jul 23, 2025

Great app! just wish i could browse more stuff because its hard to think of things Great Great app! just wish i could browse more stuff because its hard to think of things

K-ali25
May 27, 2025

I’ve tried many different gift/wishlist apps and Elfster is the best one. The search database has various products to choose from and the custom wish is a great and fast feature. I love that you can reorder your list. Only wish they could integrate a board view of the wishlist like Amazon. Otherwise still 5 stars. Best Wishlist App I’ve tried many different gift/wishlist apps and Elfster is the best one. The search database has various products to choose from and the custom wish is a great and fast feature. I love that you can reorder your list. Only wish they could integrate a board view of the wishlist like Amazon. Otherwise still 5 stars.

App Details

Developer

Elfster, Inc.

Platform

ios

Rating

4.9

Last Updated

11/10/2025