This post has been updated.

“Which DNA test should I do? And which company should I use?”

I hear those questions a lot! There are now five main companies that offer genealogically useful DNA tests, there are three “types” of DNA tests, some of those tests are offered at different levels, and some companies will let you transfer your data from their competitors, so it’s no surprise that someone new to testing might feel completely overwhelmed!  

But in almost all cases, one answer to “which type of test” is what’s called an autosomal test. Autosomal DNA (atDNA) is inherited from both sides of your family, so it’s useful for genealogy research on any branch of your tree. atDNA tests are the ones that give the popular ethnicity estimates, with ancestral origins broken down by percentage (e.g., Senegalese, Southeast Asian, Spanish), as well as medical and trait reports. They also “match” you to genetic relatives based on how much DNA they share with you. The down side is that atDNA gets diluted each generation, so using it for genealogy becomes more difficult the further back in time you go. This fan chart below shows that atDNA in you (the central blue circle) is inherited from your father (left) and mother (right), all four grandparents, all eight great grandparents, and so on. Every one of your 3rd great grandparents contributed DNA to you. By the time you get to 5th great grandparents, however, there’s a chance you won’t have inherited any DNA from that ancestor, and the likelihood increases with each generation back beyond that.

 

The other “types” of DNA tests examine Y-chromosome DNA (yDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Each type tracks a single line of your family tree: the direct male line (son to father to grandfather, etc.) in the case of yDNA and the direct female line (child to mother to grandmother, etc.) in the case of mtDNA. Only men can do a yDNA test; everyone can do an mtDNA test. Although each tracks only a single line of your family, yDNA and mtDNA aren’t diluted over generations the way atDNA is, so these tests can be used to address research questions much further back in genealogical time than atDNA tests can.

In 2018, there are five main companies that do genealogical DNA testing – AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, Family Tree DNA (FTDNA), and Living DNA – and which is best for you depends on your goals and family history. I personally use all of them, and I spend a lot of time on their websites as part of my work. Ultimately, a serious genealogist will want to be in all five databases, but you have to start somewhere! For basic genealogy and for unknown parentage searches, I recommend that most people test at the companies in order that the are reviewed below. Where a specialized strength at one company might alter that recommendation, I note that. I’ve also included a quick-reference table for convenience.

Database Size	10+ million	5+ million	1.9+ million	890,000+	Unknown
Availability	36 countries	50 countries	most countries	most countries	most countries
Regular Price	$99	$99/$199	$79	$79	$99
Collection Method	Saliva	Saliva	Swab	Swab	Swab
Ethnicity Estimates	Very reliable	Very reliable	Least reliable	Reliable	Reliable for Brits
Ethnicity Regions	43, plus 349 communities	27 + 150 recent ancestor locations	42	24	80 (21 in UK and Ireland)
Tree–DNA Integration	Excellent	None	Good	Some	TBD
Shared Matches	Yes, basic	Yes, advanced	Yes, advanced	Yes, basic	TBD
Medical/Trait Reports	Yes, a few (extra charge)	Yes, many (extra charge)	No	No	No
Additional Membership ($)	Recommended	No	Available	No	No
Chromosome Browser	No	Yes, with triangulation	Yes, with triangulation	Yes, no triangulation	TBD
Accepts Raw Data Files	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Contact with Matches	Internal messaging	Internal messaging	Internal messaging	Email	TBD
Percent Users with Trees	75.1%	2.9%	88.4%	40.0%	TBD
Test Types Available	atDNA only	atDNA with haplogroups	atDNA only	atDNA, yDNA, mtDNA	atDNA with haplogroups
DNA Collaboration Tools	Yes, sharing invitations	No	No	Yes, projects	TBD
Allows Law Enforcement Access to Database	Not without a warrant	Not without a warrant	Not without a warrant	Yes	Not without a warrant
Top Reason to Test Here First	General genealogy, unknown parentage	Ethnicity estimates, medical reports	Recent European ancestry	yDNA and mtDNA tests, projects	Recent British ancestry

 

Company Reviews

Ancestry.com is an American company that began as a genealogy magazine publisher in 1983. It has since expanded to offer online tree-building, subscriptions to genealogy records, and autosomal DNA testing.

Pros:

• AncestryDNA has by far the largest autosomal database of the “big five” companies, larger than those of its four competitors combined. As of September 2018, their database included more than 10 million people. This means the average tester is likely to find both more DNA relatives and closer ones there. This is especially important for adoptees, whose success at finding their birth parents is directly correlated to how close their DNA matches are.

• Their ethnicity estimates are coupled with a more refined feature called Genetic Communities or Migrations. They add precision to your ethnicity estimates, which are based on larger geographic regions. For example, if your ethnicity is part Ireland/Scotland/Wales, you might be placed in a Genetic Community for Central Ireland and then further localized to Roscommon. Alternately, if your Genetic Community is based on a unique population that settled somewhere other than the originating ethnic group(s), it will be called a Migration. Southwestern Louisiana Acadians, for example, are a mixture of French, Irish, German, and Spanish who occupied southern Louisiana starting in the mid-1700s. You can tell “ethnicity estimates” from “Genetic Communities” because the former are depicted with solid colored circles while the latter have dashed lines around the circles.
• Seventy-five percent of their DNA users have family trees in their accounts, meaning that you can often figure out the connection and advance your own research even if the other person is not active in genealogy.
• When you link your DNA test results to your family tree, Ancestry’s computers will automatically suggest possible connections between you and your DNA relatives who also have trees. These “Shared Ancestor Hints” show the probable lines of descent for both parties. They can then be targeted for additional paper-trail or DNA-based work to confirm the relationship.
• Even without Shared Ancestor Hints, the system will identify surnames that you share with your matches.
• A “Map and Locations” tab maps geographic locations for your ancestors and for those of your DNA matches.
• The “Shared Matches” tool allows you to find groups of matches who are all related to one another. This can allow you to hone in on a biological connection.
• Ancestry’s computers can use clusters of people who share both DNA and ancestors in their linked trees to create “DNA Circles” of people who are likely descended from a common ancestor. They can also suggest possible ancestors who aren’t already in your tree. These DNA Circles can then be investigated further to confirm or refute them.
• AncestryDNA is the only company that allows you to grant other people access to your DNA results without having to share your login information. They will be able to see your results from within their own account, and you can control how much access they have. This feature is especially important for adoptees who need help and for those working closely with relatives to solve genealogical puzzles.
• Reports for 18 appearance and sensory traits are available for an extra fee. The traits can be compared to DNA matches who have also purchased the reports.
• The data file from AncestryDNA can be transferred to the most other databases, so if you can only afford one test, this one will give you the most versatility for the least cost.
• Messages sent within the AncestryDNA system are private. They are not read by Ancestry employees without your consent.
• Finally, AncestryDNA has the fastest website, although all of the companies can be glitchy at times.

Cons:

• AncestryDNA is available in the fewest number of countries (36), so people who live outside their market-or whose heritage is predominantly from countries outside their market-may consider testing with one of the other companies first.
• They also lack a chromosome browser, which lets you see the specific segments you share with your matches. Many experienced genetic genealogists consider a chromosome browser to be essential. Without one, the matching system is a “black box” that can impede advanced DNA work.
• Their shared matches feature shows you whether two of your matches also match one another, but not how much DNA they share with one another.
• They only offer autosomal testing and don’t provide haplogroup information for either mitochondrial DNA or the Y chromosome.
• Some of the testing companies will allow you to upload your data file from a competitor’s lab into their system for free, with a fee for additional features. AncestryDNA is not one of them. They do not accept so-called “raw data file transfers”. The only way to get into their database is to buy a test from them.
• Although the test price includes the ethnicity estimate and a list of matching people, additional tools are only available to subscribers (US$49/year and up).

Regular Price for U.S. customers: US$99 + shipping for ethnicity results and a list of DNA matches; additional charge to subscribe; occasional sale prices or other discounts available Pricing outside the U.S.: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia (click on the country) Summary: Test at AncestryDNA first if you have unknown parentage or are mainly interested in confirming and expanding your family tree.

 

23andMe was founded in 2006 as a direct-to-consumer genetic testing service for health traits and to simultaneously advance biomedical research. Genealogy is not a primary focus of their business model, although their service is nonetheless valuable to many genealogists.

Pros:

• 23andMe has the second largest database, reported at about 5 million people in February 2018.
• Their autosomal test includes basic mitochondrial and (for men) Y-chromosome haplogroup information at no extra charge.
• Of the five main companies, they are widely acknowledged to have the most accurate ethnicity estimates.
• The “Ancestry Composition” (ethnicity estimates) include a chromosome map, showing which segments are assigned to which ethnic groups.
• Like MyHeritage and FTDNA, 23andMe has a chromosome browser that lets you see the specific segments you share with your matches.
• Better yet, if you can find two people who match you in the same place, 23andMe’s chromosome browser allows you to directly compare them to see whether they match one another on the same segment or other segments (a process called “triangulation”). This information can help you categorize your DNA relatives into the family branches through which they relate.
• Their “Relatives in Common” feature (equivalent to “Shared Matches” at AncestryDNA) shows you not only whether two of your matches also match one another, but how much DNA they share with one another.
• 23andMe is the only one of the five companies that provides both medical and trait reports. While not useful for genealogy, these reports can be fun (now I know why I drink so much caffeine) and valuable for family planning. For example, one friend found out he’s a carrier for cystic fibrosis, despite being about 75% of African descent. Cystic fibrosis is most prevalent in Europeans, so it’s unlikely that a genetic counselor would have recommended testing for that trait.
• No additional subscription is required to access the DNA matching or ethnicity reports.
• They estimate how much Neanderthal you have in your genome.
• Messages sent within the 23andMe system are private. They are not read by 23andMe employees without your consent.

Cons:

• 23andMe is not primarily a genealogy company; it’s a medical one. Most of their users aren’t interested in family history and either opt out of relative matching entirely or are not willing to share information.
• They sell two “tests”, which differ only in price and in which features are offered. Medical and trait reports are only available for the higher priced test.
• To protect the medical privacy of their customers, the company has instituted a multi-tiered “sharing” system for viewing DNA segments. Users can opt in to “Open Sharing”, can participate in segment sharing on a case-by-case basis, can participate in relative matching but never segment sharing, or can opt out of relative matching entirely. The system protects genetic privacy (a good thing) but is confusing and limits the utility of the database.
• The relative list is capped at 2,000 matches, and the cap is applied regardless of whether your DNA relatives have opted in or out of the matching program. That means a close match who has opted out of DNA Relatives can displace a more distant match who has opted in. Most users at 23andMe report seeing around 1,200 matches of the possible 2,000.
• There are no family trees within the 23andMe system. Instead, 23andMe allows user to link a tree from another site to their 23andMe account. Very few of their customers-about 3%-use this feature.
• Without trees, there are obviously no tree-based genealogy tools, such as automated common-ancestor identification, geographic overlap, etc.
• Some of the testing companies will allow you to upload your data file from a competitor’s lab into their system for free, with a fee for additional features. 23andMe is not one of them. They do not accept so-called “raw data file transfers”. The only way to get into their database is to buy a test from them.

Regular Price for U.S. customers: US$99 + shipping for ethnicity results, haplogroup assignments, and a list of DNA matches; US$199 + shipping if you also want medical and trait reports; sale prices are rare Summary: Test at 23andMe first if medical reports are important to you, or if you are only interested in an ethnicity estimate.

 

MyHeritage is an Israeli company that was founded in 2003 as an online genealogy resource. They began offering autosomal DNA testing in late 2016, and their database has grown rapidly to nearly 2 million today. MyHeritage currently has the third largest atDNA database, as well as subscription-based access to genealogical records.

Pros:

• MyHeritage has the highest percentage of customers with trees associated with their DNA tests: 88%. That means you can often figure out the connection and advance your own research even if the other person is not active in genealogy.
• Their chromosome browser lets you visualize where in your genome you match other people. It also highlights DNA segments where two or more of your matches also match one another (called “triangulating”), which is evidence that you all inherited that particular segment of DNA from a common ancestor.
• Their Shared Matches feature shows you not only whether two of your matches also match one another, but how much DNA they share with one another.
  
• “Smart Matches” show possible common ancestors present in your tree and that of a match.
• The MyHeritage test uses a cheek swab, which may be easier for people who have trouble producing saliva.
• The MyHeritage DNA test is available in most countries. The only countries it is not available in are Israel, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, North Korea, Lebanon, and Syria.
• Their market penetrance in Europe is good, so those with European ancestry may find DNA relatives there who have not tested elsewhere.
• Their website is available in 42 languages.
• If you have already done an autosomal DNA test with AncestryDNA, 23andMe, Family Tree DNA, or Living DNA, you can transfer the “raw DNA data file” from your original testing company to MyHeritage to get into their matching database for free. Some features will require an additional subscription.

Cons:

• For most users, their ethnicity estimates are the least accurate of the competition. An update is expected in the near future that should bring improvement.
• The “Smart Matches” algorithm is not as effective as the “Shared Ancestor Hints” at AncestryDNA, nor does it show the lines of descent.
• The website is very slow.
• They only offer autosomal testing and don’t provide haplogroup information for either mitochondrial DNA or the Y chromosome.
• The company has been inconsistent in which features are available to which customers. For example, people who transferred their DNA files there for free sometimes have more tools available than people who purchased tests directly from MyHeritage.
• Messages sent within the MyHeritage system are not private. The company reserves the right to read them.
• Although the test price includes the ethnicity estimate and a list of matching people, additional tools are only available to subscribers (US$99/year and up).
• As of 16 December, 2018, the pricing scheme at MyHeritage is not fully set. It’s possible that it will be more cost effective to transfer a data file there and pay a one-time fee for all tools than to test directly with them and have to purchase a subscription.

Regular Price for U.S. customers: US$79 + shipping; sales are frequent Summary: Test with MyHeritage first if your recent ancestry is from European countries where English is not the primary language.

 

FTDNA is an American company that offers atDNA, yDNA, and mtDNA testing. Their website also allows basic tree building.

Pros:

• FTDNA is the only one of the five companies that offers advanced yDNA and mtDNA testing in addition to their autosomal “Family Finder” test. These specialized tests trace specific lines of your family tree (your father’s father’s father’s, etc. and your mother’s mother’s mother’s, etc., respectively).
• Both the yDNA and mtDNA tests are offered at different levels of specificity, allowing customers to select entry-level to advanced testing, depending on their budget and research needs.
• Group projects allow you to collaborate with other descendants of the same lineage and get advice from the group administrators, who are generally experts on that family or family group. Group projects are particularly useful for yDNA and mtDNA tests, less so for autosomal testing.
• Their autosomal chromosome browser lets you visualize where in your genome you match other people. When you find two people who both match you in the same place, you can work with them to determine whether they also match one another, which would be evidence that you all inherited that one segment of DNA from a common ancestor.
• Their unique “phasing” tool allows you to link known relatives to your tree; other matches are then automatically sorted to your paternal and maternal sides if they match the known relatives.
• Their “ICW” (In Common With) tool works similarly to AncestryDNA’s “Shared Matches”.
• Perhaps because of the availability of projects and of different types of DNA testing there, FTDNA’s customer base is especially ardent about genetic genealogy. Overall, their responsiveness and willingness to help reflect well on the company.
• FTDNA will ship test kits to all countries except Iran and Sudan, and the company is especially popular in certain regions, like The Netherlands and the Middle East. Thus, if your recent ancestry is from those areas, you will probably find more and closer matches at FTDNA, despite their smaller database overall.
• The FTDNA test uses a cheek swab, which may be easier for people who have trouble producing saliva.
• They will store samples for 25 years so you can order additional tests later, even if the person you want to test has passed away.
• No additional subscription is needed to use their tools.
• Contact with your matches is via email, so you are not restricted to a company’s internal messaging system. (Of course, if you don’t want to share your email address, this might be a drawback.)
• If you have already done an autosomal DNA test with AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, and the older versions of 23andMe, you can transfer the “raw DNA data file” from your original testing company to Family Tree DNA to get into their matching database for free. Some features require an additional fee of $19.

Cons:

• A weakness of FTDNA is the size of its autosomal database, which is estimated at about 900,000 people (late 2018).
• The FTDNA matching system includes small DNA segments, down to 1 cM. Such segments are probably false positives and don’t reflect recent shared ancestry. As a result, FTDNA generally overestimates how closely related your DNA relatives are.
• Their chromosome browser does not show triangulations.
• Their ICW feature (equivalent to Shared Matches) shows you whether two of your matches also match one another, but not how much DNA they share with one another.
• They do not have an automated system to compare trees for potential shared ancestors.
• Only about half of their users have family trees in their accounts.
• They do not accept raw data file transfers of the latest version of 23andMe’s test, and some test versions from other companies are not matched to distant relatives.
• FTDNA claims ownership of your DNA if you do not specify a beneficiary in their system. They are the only testing company with this policy.
• They have a mixed track record on customer privacy.
• On 31 January, 2019, the public learned that FTDNA had changed their Terms of Service-without notifying their customers-to allow law enforcement to search their database without a warrant. Gene-by-Gene, the parent company of FTDNA, is also selling lab services to the FBI and possibly other agencies.

Regular Price for U.S. customers: US$79 + shipping Summary: Test at FTDNA first if yDNA and/or mtDNA are critical to your research, or if you want to participate in formal group projects.

 

Living DNA is the newest entry into the genetic genealogy market. Based in England, they began offering a combined atDNA test in 2017 that includes yDNA and mtDNA haplogroup assignments.

Pros:

• Living DNA advertises the most detailed ethnicity estimates available, with 80 reference populations.
• They are able to assign ancestral origins to 21 regions within the UK and Ireland.
• Their autosomal test includes basic mitochondrial and (for men) Y-chromosome haplogroup information at no extra charge.
• They ship worldwide, with no country restrictions listed on their web page.
• The Living DNA test uses a cheek swab, which may be easier for people who have trouble producing saliva.
• If you have already done an autosomal DNA test with AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, or Family Tree DNA, you can transfer the “raw DNA data file” from your original testing company to get into their matching database for free. Ethnicity estimates are not available for transfer kits.

Cons:

• The matching database at Living DNA is not fully functional yet. In December, 2018, most users surveyed had no matches at all.
• To participate in their “Family Networks” matching program, you must agree to share your data with a third party company called Find My Past. If you do not consent, you will not be matched to other Living DNA users. This policy seems to apply even to customers who purchase a test directly from Living DNA.
• Many users are assigned to very specific regions within England even though they have little to no British ancestry.
• Messages sent within the Living DNA system are not private. The company reserves the right to read them.
• Their website is slow.

Regular Price for U.S. customers: US$99 + shipping Summary: Test with Living DNA first if regional breakdowns within the UK are important to you.

 

Updates to This Post

• 16 December 2018 – added information on new pricing and subscription policy at MyHeritage
• 2 February 2019 – noted that FTDNA is now allowing law enforcement agencies to access their database