Gift cards might be cliche, but they’re as popular as ever.
They are the most commonly given present for 19 years running, according to WalletHub’s 2025 gift card study.
Some gift cards make better presents than others, though.
For the study, WalletHub analyzed the 50 most popular gift card options based on five factors:
- How popular the gift cards are
- How much of a discount you can buy them for on a gift card exchange
- How much you can sell them for on a gift card exchange
- How much people like the retailer
- Shipping fees
Next, the website gave each card an overall score out of 100 possible points. This year, these scores ranged from a high of 65 to a low of 20.
The best gift cards for 2025
The top-scoring gift cards this year are:
- Sephora: Overall score of 65 out of 100 points
- Target: 60
- Starbucks: 60
- Disney: 56
- Chipotle: 56
- Visa: 55
- Amazon: 55
- Chick-fil-A: 55
- Old Navy: 55
Some favorite retailers are stuck squarely in the middle. Ikea got a score of 46, while Costco ranked with a score of 45. The dubious distinction of being ranked dead last went to Marshalls gift cards, which earned an overall score of 20 out of 100.
Saving money on gift cards
No matter who you might be purchasing gift cards for, there are numerous ways to save money. The best places to buy gift cards for less are:
- Gift card exchanges: These are online marketplaces where you can buy gift cards for less than their face value. GCX is an example of this type of website.
- Wholesale clubs: These chains sell discounted gift cards, for their own businesses as well as many others, though their selection isn’t as large as you would find on a gift card exchange. To see what’s currently available, visit the websites of BJ’s, Costco or Sam's Club.
- Rewards programs: If you can’t find a particular gift card at a discount, you might be able to at least earn something — such as cash back — by buying it through a rewards program. InboxDollars is an example of this type of program.
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