Which gift registry is best?

Finding the best gift registry for your needs can be overwhelming. From weddings and baby showers to holidays and birthdays, gift registries can make your life, and your shoppers’ lives, easier.

To help you decide, we’ve tested gift registries of all kinds so you can find the one that suits you best. Below, we’ll look at some of the most popular types of registries, including Moonsift, so you can weigh the pros and cons of each allowing you to make the best decision possible.

Why create a gift registry

Gift registries allow you to streamline the gift-giving process.

No matter the occasion, registries help you:

1. Keep track of all requested gifts and if they have been purchased

2. Inform loved ones and guests which items they should buy

3. Avoid duplicate gifting by showing guests which items have already been purchased.

Types of gift registries

Gift registries are a helpful tool for planning different events. While some registry options give more freedom, many of the most popular options cater to specific occasions like weddings & honeymoons (Zola, The Knot, Honeyfund) or baby showers (babylist.com). Other more traditional registries only work for specific retailers (Anthropologie, Amazon) and make adding third-party gifts impossible.

Where can I make a gift registry for free?

The Wedding Shop

Only for wedding registries

Pros:

• Free to use

• Group gifting

• Honeymoon and cash fund options

• Keeps track of who buys what

Cons:

• Limited number of retailers and brands

• Items are ofter more expensive than comparative items on other stores

Babylist

Only for baby registries

Pros:

• Add any gift from any baby store

• 15% discount on items in the Babylist's own Store

• iOS and Android app offerings

Cons

• Can’t integrate third-party wish lists

• 9-month return policy

• Shipping costs

Zola

Pros

• You can choose from a large selection of recommended gifts

• Combines third-party wish lists

• Group gifting

Cons

• Handling fees

• Difficult to make third-party purchases

Amazon’s Registry

Pros

• You can choose from a large selection of items on Amazon

• Tracks who purchases each gift

• Easy shipping

Cons

• No cash gift function

• Only allows items from Amazon.com

• Can’t integrate third-party wish lists

• 180-day return policy

An alternative to these limited registry options is a universal registry. A universal registry allows you to add gifts from any third-party site in one place. Some of the most popular universal options are Moonsift.com, MyRegistry.com, and GiftWhale.com.

Moonsift Registry & Gift list

Pros:

• Free & unlimited

• Add items from any retailer in the world

• Aesthetically designed with a clean layout

• Add items via desktop and iOS

• Add a cash fund with no fees

• Clear to visitors which gifts have already been purchased

• Tracks who has bought which items

• Easy to use and navigate

Cons:

• Cannot currently save items on Android devices

• Cannot choose to have everything delivered on a specific date

Pros & Cons of MyRegistry.com

Pros:

• Guests are not charged fees for purchasing gifts

• Barcode scanner allows you to add items in-person

• Syncs existing gift lists from major retailers

Cons:

• Clunky design that’s difficult to navigate

• Cash gifts incur a 2.9% fee

• Unclear return policy for third-party purchases

Pros & Cons of Gift Whale

Pros

• Registries for any occasion

• Add items from any retailer of your choice

• Free & unlimited

• Send thank you notes directly from GiftWhale site

Cons

• Clunky user interface that can be hard to use

• No cash fund or cash gifts

• Unclear return policy for third-party purchases

• Cannot choose to have everything delivered on a specific date

Making a registry on Moonsift

Highlights of the Moonsift registry offering:

• 100% free!

• No fees or product mark-ups ever

• Adaptable program lets you curate your registry to your specific needs

• Flexibility to add products from any store in the world directly from the retailer’s website

• Desktop plug-in and iOS app allow you to access Moonsift at home and on the go

• One shareable link for sending your registry anywhere it needs to go

• The ability to add your payment and delivery info

• Sleek design that is easy to navigate and nice to look at!

Visitors to your registry can:

• View the requested gifts and details like price, images, and retailer in one place

• See which gifts have already been purchased

• Send money instead of a gift

• Purchase gifts from any retailer they choose, they are not limited to the retailer listed on the registry

Conclusion

Registries are a great tool for getting you the gifts you want or need. They are also much more convenient for gift buyers who can access your wish list in one place. All registries have their own strengths and limitations and it is important that you consider your individual needs when selecting a registry service. While some only operate for individual retailers and others focus on specific events, universal registry services like Moonsift allow you to create a comprehensive list for any occasion.