The 5 Best Secret Santa Apps for 2022

Do name draws and more with these top gift exchange apps

By
Brad Stephenson
Brad Stephenson - Lifewire Writer
Brad Stephenson
Freelance Contributor
  • Western Sydney University
Brad Stephenson is a freelance tech and geek culture writer with 12+ years' experience. He writes about Windows 10, Xbox One, and cryptocurrency.
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Updated on January 3, 2022
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
Ryan Perian headshot
Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

There are a variety of free and paid Secret Santa organizer apps for both iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, each with its unique take on the Kris Kringle gift-giving tradition and different interpretation of the Christmas aesthetic. Here are some of the best Secret Santa apps worth checking out this holiday season.

01
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Elfster App
What We Like

  • Invite friends from Facebook or phone contacts.

  • Wishlist feature.

  • Budget, location, and date options.

What We Don't Like

  • Account required

  • Won't work on older devices.

  • No option for sharing wishlists via social media.

Elfster is by far the best Secret Santa app on iOS and Android. In addition to creating a Secret Santa event with a custom name, time, and date, Elfster also lets organizers set a gift budget and offer gift suggestions to their mystery Kris Kringle through a built-in wish list feature.

The Elfster Secret Santa generator is available on both iOS and Android devices. There is also a web version for family and friends who prefer to use a computer.

Elfster's features are entirely free, though an account is needed either by signing up for a free Elfster account or by logging in with Facebook.

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02
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Most Functional Secret Santa App: Simple Secret Santa Generator

Simple Secret Santa Generator App
What We Like

  • Easy to navigate.

  • No ads.

  • Built-in share options.

What We Don't Like

  • Very simplistic.

  • No options for gift budget.

  • No way to customize list.

Simple Secret Santa Generator is an app that lives up to its name. This Kris Kringle organizer features almost no graphics in its design and is purely focused on functionality and organization.

To make a Secret Santa list, all you need to do is enter a name and description, then send all participants an invite. Friends and family members can be sent an invite link via an email or text message, but what's impressive is the built-in share options which allow you to send an invite via pretty much every messaging app on your iPhone or Android smartphone.

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03
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Most Customizable Secret Santa App: Secret Santa Gift Exchange

Secret Santa Gift Exchange app on iPhone
What We Like

  • A variety of themes.

  • Option to export lists as PDF files.

  • Easy to set a budget for gifts.

What We Don't Like

  • Free version is limited to six participants and one event.

  • Can only view list on one device per user.

  • Not available for Android.

Secret Santa Gift Exchange is another fully-featured Kris Kringle organizer app worth checking out. Like most others, it lets you create and manage a Secret Santa event and invite guests. It also boasts an excellent budget setting that's easy to use and can export the generated list as a PDF file, which can be helpful when you need to print the list out.

However, what sets this Secret Santa app apart is how it lets you customize its appearance when you first start the app. In addition to the expected Santa themes, you can also choose to use this as a generic gift exchange app or for a Hanukkah celebration.

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04
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Coolest Secret Santa Organizer App: Secret Santa Service

Secret Santa Service app on iPhone
What We Like

  • Streamlined interface.

  • Ability to resend invitations through your email.

  • App emails all participants.

What We Don't Like


  • No ability to change pairings.

  • Not available for Android devices.

Secret Santa Service is a Secret Santa generator with a very cool design aesthetic that will appeal to those who aren't really into the whole cute cartoon Santa and elf look used by almost every other Christmas app out there.

The focus here is on productivity and functionality, with the ability to enter participants' names, assign roles, and email targets taking less than a minute.

That said, a $0.99 upgrade is required to generate a Secret Santa activity with more than four people, which is a bit of a downer.

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05
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Best Secret Santa App for Families: Santa's Secret Keeper

Santa's Secret Keeper app on Android
What We Like

  • No limitations on number of groups or participants.

  • Ability to prevent certain pairings.

  • Add details, such as price range and instructions.

What We Don't Like

  • Learning curve.

  • No texting or messaging support.

  • No wish list.

Santa's Secret Keeper is one of the best free Secret Santa apps on iOS and Android that lets you create as many groups as you like and places no limitations on the number of people you can add to each event.

Event creations let you set a minimum and maximum gift price, as well as custom instructions for everyone to read. Still, the feature that sets this app apart is the ability to prevent specific participants from matching with each other. This is fantastic for groups of friends or families who want to avoid drama over the holiday season between mutuals who may have unresolved issues with one another.

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