Amazon List vs Registry: What’s the Difference?
Feb 17, 2025
Amazon lists and registries can both make gifting and keeping track of your favorite items so much easier. But what’s the difference between the two?
Here, we’ll explore all you need to know about an Amazon list vs registry – from the key differences to when you should use each of them.
What is an Amazon list, and how does it work?
An Amazon list (not to be confused with an Amazon gift list!) is one central place where you can collate, track and save items for later.
Essentially, you just create a list and give it a name.
After that, you can add item ideas – for instance, ‘headphones,’ ‘coffee,’ or ‘chocolate.’
Or, you can browse Amazon to find actual products you want to add.
All Amazon lists are private, which makes them great for personal use – whether you’re renovating a room of your home or putting together a regular shopping list.
However, you can also share them with others, allowing you to collaborate on a project together or even share gift ideas with loved ones.
What is an Amazon registry, and how does it work?
An Amazon registry (also known as a gift list) is a place where you can share items you’d like to receive as gifts with family and friends.
Just like an Amazon list, the first step is to create your registry and give it a name.
However, as registries are designed for gifting, you’ll also need to add the date of your event – whether you’re creating your registry for a baby shower, wedding or birthday.
Then, all that’s left is to add products from Amazon to your registry and share it with loved ones, so that they can buy you gifts from your registry and have them sent to you in time for your big day.
What are the key differences between an Amazon list and a registry?
The main difference between Amazon lists and registries is their purpose.
Amazon lists are primarily designed for personal use – making them a great place to keep track of items you need before ticking them off by pressing ‘purchase.’
Yes, you can share your Amazon list with friends and family – and they can purchase gifts directly from your list if they want to. But this isn’t its primary purpose.
On the other hand, registries are designed especially for gifting ahead of an event or occasion – whether that’s a wedding, new baby, birthday or holiday.
With that in mind, they’re more aesthetically pleasing – you’ll be able to edit the cover photo, for instance, making your registry a fun destination for your guests to browse for gifts.
Plus, a registry will often be more intuitive for your friends and family. Usually, they’ll just need to choose what they want to buy you and checkout – your gift will automatically be sent to your address in time for your occasion.
Pros and cons of Amazon lists and registries
Wondering what the pros and cons are of Amazon lists vs registries?
Well, it all depends on what you want to use them for. But here are the key considerations.
Amazon list pros
Quick to set up
Save items for later
Add ideas or specific items
Browse products without leaving your list
Invite contributors to edit your list
Share with friends and family
Put items in priority order
Add notes to items
Automatically removes purchased items from list
Manage list with Alexa
Amazon list cons
Not as aesthetically pleasing
Hard to view purchased items (unless you change list settings)
Amazon registry pros
Designed for gifting
Easy to navigate
Customize and add a cover photo
Group products under gift tags
Large selection of gift items
Tracking for checklist progress and thank you notes
Easy to share with family and friends
Add notes to items
Free returns on gifted items up to a year
Group gifting options
Discounts on items not purchased
Perks for Amazon Prime members – such as a welcome box if you create a baby registry
Amazon registry cons
Can only add items found on Amazon
Can’t add experiences or cash funds
When to use an Amazon list vs registry
As a general rule, an Amazon list is the better option if you’re hoping to collate a selection of items for personal use.
Perhaps you want to create a weekly shopping list of items to purchase from Amazon.
Or, perhaps you’re eyeing up a range of items that you want to save for later.
Either way, an Amazon list should be your go-to.
On the other hand, if you’re hoping to put together a selection of gift ideas to share with guests or loved ones ahead of a special occasion, a registry should be your first port of call.
Amazon list vs registry for gifts
When it comes to gifting, it’s better to create an Amazon registry as opposed to an Amazon list.
This is because registries come with extra features designed to make gifting extra easy.
For instance, you can update the cover photo with something personal to give your loved ones something to smile at.
Plus, you can easily check who’s bought you what, ideal for writing thank you notes!
Amazon list or registry for events
Similarly, an Amazon list should be your go-to ahead of big events like weddings or baby showers.
Again, this is because it’s designed for gifting. You can add your event date (or your due date if you’re creating a baby registry) and make sure that all the gifts purchased are sent to your home ahead of time.
Of course, an Amazon list can be used for this purpose too. But the experience would be more clunky for your loved ones, while a registry is designed to make the whole process of gifting ahead of an event totally seamless.
Amazon list vs registry for shared projects
In contrast, if you’re hoping to collaborate on a collection of items, an Amazon list might be your preferred option.
With Amazon lists, you can share your list with contributors who can add and remove items, making it a great shout if you’re working on a joint project – like a house renovation.
It’s also easy to tick items off the list by purchasing them or marking them as purchased.
Amazon gift list vs registry
It’s easy to confuse Amazon lists with Amazon gift lists – but they’re not the same thing.
Rather, an Amazon gift list is the same thing as a registry.
The two terms can be used interchangeably – the only difference is the occasion you’re creating your registry for.
For instance, if you’re gearing up for a wedding or the arrival of a new baby, Amazon will ask you to create a wedding or baby registry.
But if you’re preparing for another type of occasion – like a birthday, a holiday or a housewarming, you’ll create a gift list.
The process of creating a registry or gift list will vary slightly depending on your occasion – mainly just because Amazon will ask for relevant information (for instance, if you’re getting married, you’ll enter your partner’s name as well as your own).
But once created, your registry or gift list will function pretty much identically!
So, which is better: an Amazon list or registry?
As you can see, Amazon lists and registries (also known as gift lists) are pretty similar. However, there are a few key differences.
The best one for you will depend on your situation and what you want to use your list or registry for.
If you want to create a central place with all your favorite items in and it’s primarily for personal use, an Amazon list will be better.
But if the idea is to make gifting easier ahead of an occasion or event, a registry should be your go-to.
Just remember that neither Amazon lists or registries will allow you to add items from anywhere other than the Amazon website.
On the other hand, a universal registry and wishlist provider like Moonsift will let you add items from any store in the world – including Amazon if that’s where your favorite items happen to be!
Which brings us onto…
What are the best Amazon list and registry alternatives?
If you’re looking for an Amazon list or registry alternative, Moonsift will be right up your alley.
Moonsift is free, easy to use, available on both mobile and desktop, and will even let you add cash funds so that loved ones can contribute towards bigger-ticket items.
Better still, you can add items to your wishlist or registry from any store in the world – making it the perfect place to gather all your favorite products in one easy-to-manage place.
Why not give it a try? Get started today.
Things people also ask about Amazon lists and registries
Can an Amazon list be converted into a registry?
No. You can’t convert an Amazon list into a registry, but you can still share it with friends and family to give them gift ideas. Plus, there are still some features to make gifting easier, such as the option not to find out who’s bought you what until you want to know.
Are there any limitations or benefits unique to registries or lists?
Creating an Amazon registry does come with some unique benefits – for instance, if some items haven’t been bought from your registry by your event date, you may be eligible for a discount on those items.
In some instances, there are also perks for Amazon Prime members – for instance, if you create a baby registry, you could be eligible for a free welcome box.
How can you share your list or registry with others?
To share an Amazon list, you’ll need to click the ‘invite’ button at the top of your list and find the shareable link (you can select different links depending on whether you want an individual to be able to edit your list or just view the items on it).
Meanwhile, to share your Amazon registry with others, you’ll need to update your privacy settings in the righthand corner of your registry and choose how to share it with friends and family.
Do Amazon registries or lists come with perks or discounts?
Yes, Amazon registries typically offer a discount on items that haven’t been bought by the time your event date has arrived (although there are eligibility requirements).
You may also be able to access perks if you’re an Amazon Prime member – for instance, you could get a free welcome box when you create a baby registry.
How do privacy and visibility settings differ for lists and registries?
Both Amazon lists and registries have similar privacy and visibility options. You can choose whether to keep your list or registry private, shared or public.
