Which Gift Registry Is Right for You?

Choosing the right gift registry can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options out there. Whether you’re planning a wedding, baby shower, holiday exchange, or birthday celebration, the right registry can make life easier for both you and your gift-givers.

To help you decide, we’ve explored a range of popular registry platforms, including Moonsift, to help you compare features, flexibility, and ease of use. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the most common types of registries so you can choose the one that fits your needs best.

Why Create a Gift Registry

No matter the occasion: baby shower, wedding, birthday, or holiday, a gift registry helps take the guesswork out of giving.

Here’s why it’s a smart choice:

☑️ Stay organized
Keep track of everything you’ve requested and what’s already been purchased.

☑️ Guide your guests
Let friends and family know exactly what you need or would love to receive.

☑️ Avoid duplicates
Purchased items are marked off automatically, so you don’t end up with multiples.

Different Registries for Different Occasions

Gift registries are a valuable tool for planning all kinds of events, but not all registries are created equal. Some platforms offer more flexibility, while others are tailored to specific occasions or limited to certain retailers.

➜ Occasion-Specific Registries Many popular platforms are designed with a specific purpose in mind, like weddings and honeymoons (e.g. Zola, The Knot, Honeyfund) or baby showers (e.g. Babylist). These often come with features tailored to that event, but can be limiting if you're looking to mix and match.

➜ Retailer-Only Registries Traditional registries tied to specific stores (like Amazon, Anthropologie, or Target) only allow you to add products from their own site, making it difficult, or impossible, to include third-party items.

➜ Universal Registries Platforms like Moonsift offer total flexibility by letting you add gifts from any store, anywhere in the world. This is ideal for mixing big-name brands with local shops or niche finds, all in one place.

Where can I make a gift registry for free?

The Wedding Shop ★★★☆☆

Pros	Cons
Free to use	Limited number of retailers and brands
Group gifting available	Items are often more expensive than similar products on other websites
Honeymoon and cash fund options	Only for wedding registries
Tracks who bought what

Babylist ★★★☆☆

Pros	Cons
Add any gift from any baby store	Can’t integrate third-party wish lists
15% discount on items from the Babylist Store	9-month return policy
Available on both iOS and Android apps	Only for baby registries
	Shipping costs may apply

Zola ★★☆☆☆

Pros	Cons
Large selection of curated, recommended gifts	Handling fees may apply
Combines third-party wish lists	Third-party purchases can be difficult to complete
Group gifting available

Amazon’s Registry ★★☆☆☆

Pros	Cons
Wide selection of products on Amazon	No option for cash gifts
Tracks who purchases each gift	Only allows items from Amazon.com
Easy and reliable shipping	Can’t integrate third-party wish lists
	180-day return policy (shorter than some competitors)

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	Cons
Free to use with no limits	Cannot schedule all gifts for delivery on a specific date
Add gifts from any retailer worldwide
Clean, aesthetically designed layout
Add items via desktop or iOS
Cash fund option with no fees
Guests clearly see what’s already been purchased
Tracks who bought which items
Simple to use and intuitive for both hosts and guests

MyRegistry.com ★★★☆☆

Pros	Cons
No fees for guests purchasing gifts	Clunky, outdated interface that can be hard to navigate
Barcode scanner for adding in-store items	2.9% fee applies to cash gifts
Syncs existing registries from major retailers	Return policy for third-party purchases is unclear

Gift Whale ★★★☆☆

Pros	Cons
Works for any occasion—not just weddings or baby showers	Outdated user interface that can be difficult to navigate
Add items from any retailer	No option for cash funds or cash gifting
Free to use with no limits	Unclear return policy for third-party purchases
Send thank-you notes directly through the platform	Cannot schedule all gifts to arrive 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’re not limited to the one listed on the registry

Gift registries are a powerful way to ensure you receive the things you truly want or need while making life easier for the people who want to treat you. With all your picks in one place, it simplifies the gifting process for everyone involved.

Every registry platform comes with its own strengths and limitations, so it’s worth thinking about what matters most to you, whether that’s flexibility, design, or ease of use. While some registries are tied to specific retailers or occasions, universal platforms like Moonsift offer the freedom to create one beautifully organized list for any event, from any store in the world.

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.