"Three kids means three birthday lists plus Christmas. Before this, my family would text each other asking 'did you already get the LEGO set?' Now they just check the list. Problem solved."
Jenny M.
Mother of 3
WishApp
CheckedTwice vs WishApp
CheckedTwice launched in 2009 and has been free ever since. It's family-focused, has child accounts, and surprise gifts. But the mobile app last updated around 2014 still has buttons that do nothing. WishApp is newer, modern, and built for everyone. Here's the honest comparison.
We built WishApp, so we're biased. But we'll be honest.
Last updated: February 2026
The quick version
CheckedTwice
Family gift registry that's been free since 2009
- Child accounts managed by parents (rare among wishlist apps)
- Surprise gifts visible to family but hidden from the recipient
- Gift claiming to prevent duplicate purchases
- Completely free, and has been since launch
WishApp
Modern wishlist app that works with every store
- Works with any online store, not just preset options
- Hidden reservations keep gifts a surprise
- Browser extension for adding items while you shop
- Free forever with no ads and no trackers
Feature-by-feature comparison
How CheckedTwice and WishApp stack up on the things that actually matter.
| Feature | CheckedTwice | WishApp |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | ||
| Modern mobile app | ||
| Browser extension | ||
| Bookmarklet | ||
| Works with any store | ||
| Hidden reservations | ||
| Child accounts | ||
| Surprise gifts | ||
| Group gifting | ||
| Secret Santa | ||
| No account to view lists | ||
| Free (no ads) | ||
| Collaborative wishlists |
What actually sets them apart
A mobile app from 2014 vs. one that works today
CheckedTwice's iOS app is version 1.0.10, last updated around 2014. We're talking buttons that do nothing, pages that load behind dropdown menus, and a search bar you can't paste into. Problems reported 5-6 years ago remain unfixed. That's not a knock on the concept, which is genuinely good. But a wishlist app with a broken mobile experience is hard to recommend today. WishApp's app is current, maintained, and does what you'd expect.
A bookmarklet vs. a real browser extension
CheckedTwice uses a "Want It!" bookmarklet you drag to your browser toolbar. It works on desktop. On iOS, the setup is genuinely painful. WishApp has a proper browser extension. One click, item added. And if you're on a device without extensions, you can paste any product URL directly into WishApp and it pulls the title, image, and price automatically. That's something CheckedTwice's bookmarklet can't do.
Family-focused vs. works for everyone
CheckedTwice is genuinely built for families. Child accounts, surprise gifts only visible to non-recipients, gift claiming so nobody buys the same thing twice. Those are real features that solve real problems. WishApp doesn't have child accounts or surprise gifts. But WishApp has group gifting, Secret Santa, collaborative lists, and friends can see your wishlist without creating an account. Different tools for different situations.
Active development vs. maintenance mode
CheckedTwice has 1-10 employees and no significant updates or blog posts in recent years. The platform appears to be in maintenance mode. That's a real risk for something you'll rely on every birthday and Christmas. WishApp is actively developed. New features ship. Bugs get fixed. And if you hit a problem, someone is actually there to help.
When to pick each one
Pick CheckedTwice if you...
- Manage wish lists for children and want child accounts with parental control
- Want to add surprise gifts that only other family members can see
- Do all your gift coordination on desktop and don't need a mobile app
- Only need the basics: make a list, share with family, claim gifts
Pick WishApp if you...
- Want a mobile app that actually works today
- Shop across multiple stores and need a browser extension
- Need friends to view your wishlist without creating an account
- Want group gifting, Secret Santa, or collaborative wishlists
52,000+ wishlists and 150,000+ gifts reserved for birthdays, weddings, and every occasion worth celebrating
"My girlfriend and I share lists with each other. I can reserve stuff without her knowing, which makes birthdays way less stressful. The hidden reservation thing is actually clutch."
Theo P.
College Student
"We used this instead of a traditional registry. Added items from 11 different stores. Stuff we actually wanted, not just whatever one store had. Our guests said it was easier too."
Leila R.
Recent Bride
Frequently asked questions
CheckedTwice vs WishApp: the full picture
What CheckedTwice actually is
CheckedTwice launched in 2009, founded by Rebecca Hyatt and Andrew Swick out of Houston, Texas. It's a small independent company, 1-10 employees, and raised around $130,000 at some point, though no formal VC rounds appear on Crunchbase or PitchBook. The idea was solid: a family gift registry where everyone can see each other's wishlists, claim gifts before buying them, and even add surprise gifts that only appear to non-recipients. Lifehacker, Apartment Therapy, and Cool Mom Tech all covered it favorably. But those reviews are old, and the platform hasn't moved much since.
Why the mobile app problem matters
Look, the concept behind CheckedTwice is genuinely good. Families have real problems around gift-giving: duplicate presents, blown surprises, not knowing what to buy. CheckedTwice was solving that in 2009. The issue is the mobile app. Version 1.0.10, last updated around 2014, has buttons that do nothing, pages that load behind menus, and a search bar you can't paste into. On a product category where mobile is everything, a broken app is a dealbreaker. WishApp works on mobile. Full stop.
Which one should you actually pick?
Honestly, these two apps are for different people. CheckedTwice is for families who want child accounts and surprise gifts and are comfortable doing most of it on desktop. WishApp is for anyone who wants a modern app, works with any store, and needs friends to view lists without signing up. You might even check out both: CheckedTwice on desktop for your family Christmas list, WishApp when someone asks what you want for your birthday. Neither costs a thing.
40,000+ people already making wishlists
Start your free wishlist from any store
Create your first wishlist in under 60 seconds. Free forever, no ads.
Create my wishlist → No duplicate gifts Friends reserve in secret Works with any store