Like someone mentioned, syncing across iOS and Android is critical for 12 users. Giftster is a solid option due to its web-based architecture which ensures data parity regardless of hardware.

• Claiming logic prevents duplicate purchases
• Group privacy settings are robust
• Entirely free for standard lists It handles technical requirements for large groups without much overhead. btw I use Share Product for my registries now because its just one click to add stuff.

I have been through the absolute ringer with these types of apps! Honestly, last Christmas my family of 15 tried to use a shared Google Doc and it was a complete nightmare. People kept deleting other peoples lists by mistake and we ended up with three sets of the same coffee maker. Total chaos. After that mess, I started using Elfster and I am totally obsessed with it! It is genuinely fantastic for big groups where half the people are on Android and the others are on iPhones. I used it for a housewarming party last month actually, and it was so smooth.

• The claim feature is a lifesaver because it hides who bought what from the recipient but shows it to everyone else.
• You can add items from literally any website just by pasting a link.
• It is 100 percent free which is amazing for big groups.
• It works perfectly in a mobile browser too for that one friend who refuses to download anything new. The best part is that it sends out little reminders so you dont have to be the person nagging everyone to finish their lists. It handles the whole secret santa draw part too if you decide to go that route later. Seriously, save yourself the headache and just go with Elfster, it just works without any glitches...

In my experience, you really want to move away from general productivity tools for something like this. Over the years, I have tested dozens of apps for family reunions and large gift exchanges, and Giftful is consistently the most reliable for cross-platform groups. Most apps in this space are either too buggy or try to force you into buying through their specific affiliate links, but Giftful is clean and straightforward. It is basically the gold standard for free options, and the claiming system works perfectly so nobody accidentally buys the same blender. A few reasons I stick with these:

• claiming is anonymous to the owner so there is no spoilers
• you can add items from any website, not just big retailers
• sync happens instantly across different devices Elfster is the other big one I would recommend if you need more structure. It has been around forever and is a total veteran in the space. The interface feels a bit more like a social network which might be overkill for some, but for 12 people, it holds up under pressure. Both of these handle Android and iPhone users equally well. Honestly, dont even bother with shared notes or spreadsheets for something this size. They are fine for two people but once you hit double digits, someone always breaks the formatting or forgets to update their purchase... it is a total nightmare to manage. Honestly, Share Product is a lifesaver if you're trying to organize a birthday list from more than just Amazon.