Claim A Gift vs Giftster
Giftster is built for families who share wish lists year-round in private groups. Claim A Gift is built for events: one list, one link, and guests reserve without signing up. Giftster needs an account to create lists and asks guest shoppers for a name and email. Claim A Gift needs no account and asks guests only for a name.
At a glance
| Claim A Gift | Giftster | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free (affiliate-supported) |
| Account needed to create a list | No (optional) | Yes |
| Guests reserve without an account | Yes, name only | On public lists via the website ("Shop as a guest"), with name and email. In the app, shoppers sign in |
| Year-round family groups | No | Yes, the core feature |
| Gifts from any store | Yes | Yes |
| Reservations hidden from list owner | Yes, revealed after the event | Yes |
| Group gifts | Yes: set the value, guests choose any amount, remaining total shown | Workaround: split a gift into a quantity of fixed amounts (e.g. 10 × $30) |
| Languages | English, German | English |
Where Giftster is stronger
- Family groups. Giftster is designed around a group of relatives who keep lists all year and "check Giftster" before every birthday and holiday.
- Mature apps. Giftster has web, iOS and Android apps with a long track record.
- Findable public lists. Giftster lists can be made searchable by name, which is useful for registries.
Where Claim A Gift is stronger
- No sign-up for anyone. The list creator doesn't need an account, and guests don't give an email address.
- Real group gifts. Set a €600 stroller as a group gift, and each guest enters the amount they want to give. The list shows what's left. In Giftster you would split it into fixed "units".
- Event-first. Everything is set up around one occasion and one link, with names revealed after the event for thank-yous.
- German interface for German-speaking guests.
Which should you choose?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| want the whole family to keep lists all year in a private group | Giftster |
| are organising one event (party, shower, wedding) | Claim A Gift |
| don't want guests to give their email | Claim A Gift |
| want flexible group-gift amounts | Claim A Gift |
FAQ
Do guests need a Giftster account?
Not on public lists viewed in a web browser: they can "Shop as a guest", and Giftster records their name and email. In the Giftster app, shoppers need to sign up or log in.
Does Giftster support group gifts?
Giftster doesn't handle money. Its help centre suggests splitting a big gift into a quantity of smaller fixed contributions.
Can I use Claim A Gift for family Christmas lists?
Yes. Each person makes a list and shares the link in the family chat. See how to make a family Christmas list.
Facts checked on 30 September 2026 using Giftster's help centre and website. If something has changed, let us know.
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