--- title: "Elfster Alternative With No Account" description: "Compare GiftMyCrew and Elfster for Secret Santa: accounts, ads, wishlists, group size and apps. Sourced, dated, and clear about where Elfster is stronger." url: "https://www.giftmycrew.com/guides/elfster-alternative" published: 2026-09-23 updated: 2026-09-23 --- # An Elfster alternative that doesn't need an account GiftMyCrew is a free Secret Santa and wishlist tool that works without accounts, emails or ads. Elfster is a bigger free service with phone apps, anonymous messages and room for over 300 people, but everyone who joins needs an Elfster account. Choose GiftMyCrew for a quick, private draw; choose Elfster for those extra features. ## GiftMyCrew and Elfster compared | | GiftMyCrew | Elfster | | --- | --- | --- | | Account needed to join | No: open the link and tap your name | Yes: people without an account must create one to RSVP | | Price | Free | Free, with no premium upgrades | | Ads | None | Its iOS and Android apps contain ads | | Group size | 2 to 100 people | 3 to 300+ people | | Exclusions | Block any pair, both ways or one way | Couples, kids from adults, last year's matches | | Wishlists from any store | Yes, up to 30 ideas per person | Yes | | Anonymous messages to your match | No | Yes | | Phone apps | No, runs in the browser | iOS and Android | | Data kept | Deleted after 90 days without activity, or 30 days after the event date, if that's later | Saved to your Elfster account | Competitor details checked on 2026-09-23 from: [Elfster Help Center: How do I join an Elfster Gift Exchange?](https://help.elfster.com/en/articles/11500547-how-do-i-join-an-elfster-gift-exchange); [Elfster on the Apple App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/elfster-the-secret-santa-app/id751594890); [Elfster on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elfster.elfdroid). Elfster is a trademark of Elfster, Inc. GiftMyCrew is independent and not affiliated with Elfster. ## When is Elfster the better choice? Elfster does more, and for some groups that matters. If your exchange has more than 100 people, if you want your match to be able to ask you questions anonymously, or if your group would rather use a phone app than a link, Elfster covers those and we don't. It also suits groups that run the same exchange every year and want an account to keep their history, such as avoiding last year's matches automatically. ## When is GiftMyCrew the better choice? When getting everyone signed up is the hard part. Many groups lose a week chasing the last few people to create an account; with a link there's nothing to chase. People tap their name, set a PIN and they're in. It's also the better fit when privacy matters, such as an office exchange where you'd rather not gather personal email addresses, or a family with members who won't install another app. There are no ads, and each exchange deletes itself after it goes quiet. ## What does joining look like in each? In GiftMyCrew, the organizer sends one link to the group. Each person opens it, taps their name and sets a 4-digit PIN, and sees who they're buying for straight away. Then they can add up to 30 gift ideas for their own Secret Santa. The whole thing takes about a minute, and nothing is asked of them beyond picking a PIN. In Elfster, according to its own help center, people join from an email invitation or an invitation link. Anyone without an Elfster account creates one to RSVP. If the organizer chose to have gifts shipped to each person, the RSVP also asks for a delivery address, so whoever draws them knows where to send the gift. Neither approach is wrong. Accounts make it easy to keep a gift history, and shipping addresses help groups that live far apart. A link is faster to get everyone through, and it means nobody hands over contact details to take part. ## What do you give up without accounts? Going account-free has real trade-offs, and it's worth knowing them before you choose. - No anonymous messaging: item notes carry sizes and colors, but your match can't message you. - Your links are your access. The browser you used remembers them, but on a new device you'll need the link again. - Wishlists hold up to 30 ideas each, and a draw holds up to 100 people. - Exchanges are deleted after 90 days without activity (or 30 days after the event date, if that's later), so there's no history from year to year. ## How do I move a group from Elfster to GiftMyCrew? There's no import, but there's little to move. Copy your group's names into a new draw, add the same exclusions, and share the new link. Wishlists are added by each person when they reveal their match. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is GiftMyCrew part of Elfster? No. GiftMyCrew is an independent tool with no connection to Elfster, Inc. ### Is Elfster free? Its App Store listing describes it as free with no premium upgrades. Its iOS and Android apps list ads. ### Do people I invite need an account on GiftMyCrew? No. Nobody needs an account or an email address. Everyone joins from the same link and reveals their match on their own device. ### Which is better for a large office exchange? Up to 100 people, either works; GiftMyCrew saves you collecting everyone's email addresses and getting them to sign up. Above 100 people in one draw, use Elfster, or run a separate GiftMyCrew draw for each team or floor so people buy for someone they know. ### Can I send anonymous messages on GiftMyCrew? No. If that matters to your group, Elfster is the better fit. Wishlist notes cover sizes, colors and preferences instead. ## Related guides - [DrawNames alternative](https://www.giftmycrew.com/guides/drawnames-alternative): Compare GiftMyCrew and DrawNames for Secret Santa: email, accounts, who can see the draw, wishlists and apps. Sourced, dated, and clear on where DrawNames wins. - [Secret Santa generator](https://www.giftmycrew.com/guides/secret-santa-generator-no-email): Draw Secret Santa names in your browser and share one link. Each person reveals their match privately and adds a wishlist. Free, with no email and no ads. - [Wishlist maker](https://www.giftmycrew.com/guides/wishlist-maker): Make a wishlist from any store and share it with one link. Friends mark what they've bought, and you never see it. Free, with no account or email needed. - [Office gift exchange](https://www.giftmycrew.com/guides/office-gift-exchange-tool): The fastest way to run an office Secret Santa. Share one link in Slack or Teams, with no sign-ups, no email collection and no ads. Private by design. --- Start a Secret Santa draw: https://www.giftmycrew.com/?mode=exchange#create Source: https://www.giftmycrew.com/guides/elfster-alternative Published by GiftMyCrew (https://www.giftmycrew.com/).