"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
Wishlists vs WishApp
Wishlists is a mobile-first app from a solo developer in Nurnberg with 1.5 million users and a genuinely excellent Secret Santa feature. WishApp is built for every device, has a browser extension, and keeps the web app fully functional. Here's how they actually compare.
We built WishApp, so we're biased. But we'll be honest.
Last updated: February 2026
The quick version
Wishlists
Mobile-first wishlist app with 1.5 million users and no ads
- iOS and Android apps with 4.59/5 on Google Play from ~2,700 ratings
- No account required to use the app
- Permanently ad-free, with a freemium premium tier
- Best-in-class Secret Santa feature (frequently praised in reviews)
WishApp
Wishlist platform that works on every device, including the web
- Full web app plus iOS and Android apps
- Browser extension to add items from any website in seconds
- Hidden reservations keep gifts a surprise
- Free forever with no premium tier
Feature-by-feature comparison
How Wishlists and WishApp stack up on the things that actually matter.
| Feature | Wishlists | WishApp |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | ||
| Mobile app | ||
| Web app | ||
| Browser extension | ||
| Works with any store | ||
| No account to view lists | ||
| Hidden reservations | ||
| Secret Santa | ||
| Group gifting | ||
| No ads | ||
| Free (no premium tier) | Freemium | |
| Price tracking | ||
| Solo developer risk | Bus factor of 1 |
What actually sets them apart
Wishlists is app-only. No web version exists.
This is the biggest practical difference. Wishlists runs on iOS and Android only. There's no browser app, no desktop view, no way to manage your list from a laptop. If you're shopping on a computer and want to add something, you're stuck. WishApp works on every device. The full web app is there when you need it, and the browser extension makes adding items from any website a one-click action.
The Secret Santa implementation in Wishlists is genuinely good
Look, credit where it's due. Wishlists built a Secret Santa feature that reviewers consistently call out as one of the best they've used. It handles the draw, the notifications, and the list sharing cleanly. WishApp also has Secret Santa. But if that feature is the single most important thing to you and you only use your phone, Wishlists delivers it well.
One is built by a solo developer. That matters.
Wishlists is the work of Christian Konnerth, a solo developer based in Nurnberg. 1.5 million users and he built it alone. That's genuinely impressive. But it also means the whole thing depends on one person's continued availability. A solo developer can stop updating, burn out, or move on. WishApp is a product with a team behind it. That's not a knock on Wishlists, just a real consideration for something you'll rely on for years.
Free means different things here
Wishlists is free with some features sitting behind a premium in-app purchase. The exact pricing isn't publicly listed, and it's not clear which features require it. WishApp has no premium tier at all. Everything is free. No paywalled features, no upgrade prompts. What you see is what you get.
When to pick each one
Pick Wishlists if you...
- Only ever manage wishlists from your phone
- Want the best-reviewed Secret Santa draw experience
- Prefer a German-made app with a strong track record
- Are fine with some features behind a premium paywall
Pick WishApp if you...
- Want a full web app in addition to mobile apps
- Need a browser extension to add items while shopping on desktop
- Want everything free with no premium tier or upgrade prompts
- Care about the long-term stability of a team-backed product
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
Wishlists vs WishApp: the full picture
What Wishlists actually is
Wishlists is a mobile wishlist app built by Christian Konnerth, a solo developer in Nurnberg, Germany. It launched around 2020 and has grown to 1.5 million users across iOS and Android. It holds a 4.59/5 on Google Play from ~2,700 ratings. The app is permanently ad-free, works with any online store via the native share sheet, and requires no account to use. Some features sit behind a premium in-app purchase, though the exact pricing isn't publicly disclosed. There is no web version and no browser extension.
Why WishApp is built differently
WishApp was designed from the start to work on every device. The web app is fully functional, the mobile apps cover iOS and Android, and the browser extension lets you add items from any website without leaving the page. There's no premium tier. Every feature is free. Group gifting, Secret Santa, hidden reservations, and collaborative wishlists are all included. And unlike a solo-developer product, WishApp is maintained by a team, which matters if you're planning to rely on it for years.
Which one should you actually pick?
Honestly, if you do everything from your phone and the Secret Santa draw is your priority, Wishlists is a solid choice with a great track record. But if you shop on a laptop, want to add items with a browser extension, or want a guarantee that all features stay free without a paywall, WishApp is the better fit. Try both for free. Your friends don't need accounts to see your WishApp list, and it takes about two minutes to set up.
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