5 Best Wheel of Names Alternatives in 2026 (Free)
Published February 24, 2026
Wheel of Names is the most popular online wheel spinner, but it's not the only option. Whether you want more engagement, better features, or a completely different experience, here are the best Wheel of Names alternatives in 2026.
Why Look for Wheel of Names Alternatives?
- Low engagement — the spinning wheel animation is predictable and lasts only 3-5 seconds
- Ads on free version — Wheel of Names shows ads unless you pay for Pro ($3/month)
- Same experience every time — no variety in the selection process
- RNG-based — the result is determined by a random number the moment you click spin; the animation is just for show
1. Roulette Rush — Best Overall Alternative
Roulette Rush replaces the boring spinning wheel with physics-based marble racing. Instead of watching a wheel slow down for 3 seconds, your audience watches marbles bounce through obstacle courses for 30-60 seconds of genuine suspense.
Why switch from Wheel of Names:
- 10x more entertainment value (marble racing vs spinning wheel)
- 6 unique maps with different obstacles — variety every time
- Real physics engine (not just cosmetic animation)
- Up to 500 entries (Wheel of Names handles more, but 500 covers most use cases)
- Completely free with no premium tier
- No sign-up, no ads (yet), no cookies wall
- Weighted entries with name*count syntax
Best for: Twitch streamers, teachers, event organizers — anyone who wants the selection process to be entertaining, not just functional.
2. Picker Wheel — Best Customizable Wheel
If you want to stick with the wheel format but want more features than Wheel of Names, Picker Wheel offers custom colors, sound effects, confetti animations, and the ability to remove winners from subsequent spins. It also has specialized modes for Yes/No, Number, and Letter picking.
- Price: Free (ads) / Pro from $4/mo
- Specialty: Multiple tool modes (name, number, letter, yes/no)
- Engagement: Moderate (still a wheel, but more polished)
3. Random Name Picker by ClassTools
ClassTools offers a simple slot-machine style name picker designed for classrooms. It's no-frills and works well on interactive whiteboards. Less visually exciting than marble racing but very simple to use.
- Price: Free
- Best for: Quick classroom picks with minimal setup
- Engagement: Low
4. Flippity Random Name Picker
Flippity connects directly to Google Sheets, making it ideal for teachers who already manage class rosters in Sheets. The visual presentation is basic, but the Sheets integration is a genuine time-saver.
- Price: Free
- Requires: Google account
- Best for: Teachers using Google Sheets for rosters
5. Random.org Lists
Random.org uses atmospheric noise for true randomness. Their list randomizer can shuffle any list of names. It's the most scientifically rigorous option, but offers zero visual entertainment — just a reshuffled text list.
- Price: Free
- Best for: When provable randomness matters more than entertainment
- Engagement: None
Comparison Table
| Tool | Type | Price | Engagement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roulette Rush | Marble race | Free | Very high |
| Picker Wheel | Wheel spinner | Free / $4/mo | Moderate |
| ClassTools | Slot machine | Free | Low |
| Flippity | Google Sheets | Free | Low |
| Random.org | Text list | Free | None |
The Verdict
If you're looking for a Wheel of Names alternative because the wheel format feels stale, Roulette Rush is the most exciting upgrade — marble racing delivers 10x the entertainment of a spinning wheel. If you want a better wheel specifically, Picker Wheel has the most features. For teachers using Google Sheets, Flippity is the most convenient. And for pure randomness without any frills, Random.org is unbeatable.