Best DNA Ancestry Testing Kits To Buy Online

Last updated April 07, 2024Written by human, not by AI

The complete sequencing of the human genome in recent years has facilitated public access to DNA tests that can determine your genetic history. This way, we can learn about our ancestors' ethnic origins and their relationships with others who have come to take the same test. Knowing our ancestors can pique our interest. Will we be descended from Vikings? Perhaps Korean? The information about where we came from, as well as locating our family tree on a map, can be very interesting.

Check out these concise comparisons to find the best platform for your specific needs, which include available features, plans, pricing, and more, and learn how much you can expect to pay for each service and how to make the most of your DNA ancestry testing kit. After all, we all want to know who our real ancestors were, don't we?

Index

#123andMe

Pros

  • Large Database
  • Short processing time
  • Provides detailed ancestry reports
  • User-Friendly Reports and Interface

Cons

  • Was disapproved by FDA for a period
  • No Raw Genetic Data Uploading
  • A bit expensive

23andMe offers the ancestry and traits service which helps you understand who you are, where your DNA comes from, and your whole family story. They analyze, organize, and summarise your DNA information into ancestry composition reports, ancestry details, genetic traits, haplogroups, and potential Neanderthal ancestry. They also offer a DNA Relatives tool, which will allow you to connect with relatives who share similar DNA, as well as an automatic Family Tree builder. This leading service also checks for genetic health risks and your carrier status for a variety of conditions.

23andMe has a large database, making it easier for customers to find relatives and people with whom they may have genetic relationships. However, when it comes to uploading raw genetic data, 23andMe won't let you do it. This means that even if they already have a genetic file with data, potential customers must purchase another DNA testing kit, provide a sample, wait, and finally see the results. This is inconvenient because the service is considered rather expensive in comparison to other DNA testing services.

Purchasing the Ancestry + Traits kit costs $99, and that's for the ancestry test only. This price is considered expensive when compared to other services, however, the kit will help you see how your DNA breaks out across 2000+ regions worldwide, discover DNA relatives from around the world, share your reports with family and friends, and learn how your DNA influences your facial features, taste, smell, and other traits. Plus, the processing time is short, the results are accurate, and there are also great interactive features. Plus, You can order the kits as a gift and add a message. In this regard, 23andMe's ancestry testing kit is definitely worth its price.

Specifications

Comparison
Processing time:3-4 Weeks

Types of tests

FamilyTreeDNA Test:
Y-DNA Test:
mtDNA Test:
Health Testing:

How DNA sample is obtained

Saliva Sample:
Cheek swab Sample:
Feces Sample:
Family Tree Software:
Imports From Other Software:
Export Results:

DNA Kits

Ancestry kit
Ancestry Test
Price:
$ 99.00
Shipping:
$9.95
Health + Ancestry
Ancestry and Health Test
Price:
$ 199.00
Shipping:
$9.95
23andMe+
1 Year Subscription
Price:
$ 29.00
Shipping:
-

#2FamilyTreeDNA

FamilyTreeDNA

Pros

  • Compares your DNA to your autosomal matches
  • Multiple testing options
  • Accurate test results
  • Cheapest ancestry test kit

Cons

  • Long processing time
  • Can be difficult to have your data deleted
  • Ethnicity results can be quite broad

If you're just starting out with your family tree, FamilyTreeDNA is a great place to start. Some features include the ability to connect with relatives from your last five generations and a percentage breakdown of your origin, such as ancient European groups. Another fantastic feature of FamilyTreeDNA is that it provides paternal and maternal ancestry kits, which can be extremely useful for tracking migration patterns. FamilyTreeDNA also investigates health insights such as fitness, nutrition, bone and heart health, and sleep schedule, providing you with meal and workout plans based on your DNA.

But when it comes to building a family tree and doing historical research, FamilyTreeDNA is by far one of the best sites out there. The site is known for helping people find out where they came from, but it also offers a complete DNA test kit, simply called the Family Finder kit, that can aid in your family's historical research. They also offer the option to get a comprehensive breakdown of your ancestry and connect with your DNA relatives, while presenting you where each DNA segment comes from.

FamilyTreeDNA has a great Learning Center with all the details about the services, the shipping & handling, account settings, and other important information about your privacy. This page will be found after scrolling down to the bottom of the homepage and looking for the link. Doing so will teach you everything you need to know about the process or about uploading data from another source, which is another great feature that the site offers. The Family Finder kit costs only $79, and that's a reasonable and affordable price. If you wish to purchase the kit along with other plans will cost you more but that's a small price considering the information you'll get concerning your health.

Specifications

Comparison
Processing time:2-8 Weeks

Types of tests

FamilyTreeDNA Test:
Y-DNA Test:
mtDNA Test:
Health Testing:

How DNA sample is obtained

Saliva Sample:
Cheek swab Sample:
Feces Sample:
Family Tree Software:
Imports From Other Software:
Export Results:

DNA Kits

Family Finder
Ancestry only
Price:
$ 79.00
Shipping:
$9.95
Family Finder + myDNA Wellness
Ancestry + Wellbeing kit
Price:
$ 119.00
Shipping:
$9.95
Paternal Ancestry
Y-37 DNA kit
Price:
$ 119.00
Shipping:
$9.95
Maternal Ancestry
mtDNA kit
Price:
$ 159.00
Shipping:
$9.95
Paternal Ancestry
Y-11 DNA kit
Price:
$ 249.00
Shipping:
$9.95
Paternal Ancestry
Big Y-700 DNA kit
Price:
$ 449.00
Shipping:
$9.95

#3LivingDNA

LivingDNA

Pros

  • In-depth geographic reporting
  • Covers 150 worldwide regions
  • Paternal & maternal ancestry
  • Easy to understand results

Cons

  • Long wait time
  • Ancestry data is limited to 500 years ago
  • Small pool of gene data outside of Europe

LivingDNA is one of the several companies that offer genealogical DNA testing. From the three different types of DNA testing that can be used for genealogy, this one offers all three bundled into one single test. Living DNA provides unrivaled worldwide ancestry results that can pinpoint your DNA, spanning over 150 regions across the globe. Within particular regions, they can go look even further at your ancestry and display sub-regional breakdowns (African, British, and European) that show you that extra level of detail about you.

The Living DNA test can be especially useful for performing research in the British Isles. Most companies lump the British Isles together into one or two regions, but Living DNA breaks it down into 80 (in-depth for the UK) distinct regions. One of the biggest drawbacks to testing through Living DNA is that they do not currently offer any way to contact your relatives, plus, the information you'll get is only within the last 500 years, unlike other companies, where you can track your family history much further in the past.

LivingDNA's price for the Full Ancestry kit is $119, but pricing tends to fluctuate and might even cost less. Shipping is $9.95 for standard delivery and $39.95 for express delivery. The cost of the kit, shipping to you, shipping from you to the lab, and processing are all included in the kit's fee. Subscription fees and maintenance fees are not included in this one-time fee, and you can access your results as long and as frequently as you like. Compared to other DNA testing companies, this price isn't considered cheap, plus, the processing time is way too long and it often takes longer than it claims, which is rather disappointing.

Specifications

Comparison
Processing time:6-8 Weeks

Types of tests

FamilyTreeDNA Test:
Y-DNA Test:
mtDNA Test:
Health Testing:

How DNA sample is obtained

Saliva Sample:
Cheek swab Sample:
Feces Sample:
Family Tree Software:
Imports From Other Software:
Export Results:

DNA Kits

Full Ancestry Kit
Ancestry only
Price:
$ 199.00
Shipping:
$24.95
Wellbeing Kit
Wellbeing only
Price:
$ 149.00
Shipping:
$24.95
Wellbeing+Ancestry Kit
Wellbeing and Ancestry
Price:
$ 199.00
Shipping:
$24.95

#4MyHeritage

MyHeritage

Pros

  • Extensive historical records database
  • Large database of European populations
  • Offers free MyHeritage DNA upload to find matches
  • Includes family tree software and resources

Cons

  • Only autosomal DNA testing
  • Access to historical records requires subscription
  • Tricky sample collection process

MyHeritage offers a DNA testing kit that will help you collect your own DNA to reveal where your ancestors came from, and it can also help you create your own family tree of up to 250 family members completely for free. The DNA that you carry in your genes can help you understand more about your family, including where they started out and which regions they lived in throughout history. The MyHeritage DNA testing kit will allow you to see what ethnicity you are and whether you share chromosomes with more than one ethnic group. You can then compare your results to others who used the service and find relatives via the site.

The results are usually ready within a few weeks, which makes MyHeritage's processing time one of the shortest. However, it would be nice to see more information about the regions where your ancestors lived and what may have caused them to migrate. Instead, once you get your MyHeritage DNA results, it almost feels like some sort of a stopping point—unless you decide to create a family tree. Another thing about MyHeritage that might be found annoying is that access to historical records requires a subscription to their Premium plan.

When it comes to pricing, this is where MyHeritage really distinguishes itself. The price of a DNA testing kit costs $89 + shipping, which is considered comparatively affordable. Moreover, to access the company's huge database of historical records and other premium records, you'll need to sign up for a paid subscription, which can also be pricey. However, having a premium membership will afford you some special features like the Family Tree Builder Premium, including Smart Match Merge, and interactive maps. You'll also get access to the MyHeritage family sites and members' collections.

Specifications

Comparison
Processing time:3-4 Weeks

Types of tests

FamilyTreeDNA Test:
Y-DNA Test:
mtDNA Test:
Health Testing:

How DNA sample is obtained

Saliva Sample:
Cheek swab Sample:
Feces Sample:
Family Tree Software:
Imports From Other Software:
Export Results:

DNA Kits

MyHeritage DNA kit
Ancestry only
Price:
$ 89.00
Shipping:
$12.00
MyHeritage DNA Health Upgrade
Genetic risk and carrier status reports
Price:
$ 120.00
Shipping:
$12.00
A Comparison of DNA Testing Kits
23andMeFamilyTreeDNALivingDNAMyHeritage
Processing time3-4 Weeks2-8 Weeks6-8 Weeks3-4 Weeks
Types of tests
FamilyTreeDNA Test
Y-DNA Test
mtDNA Test
Health Testing
How DNA sample is obtained
Saliva Sample
Cheek swab Sample
Feces Sample
Family Tree Software
Imports From Other Software
Export Results

How DNA Ancestry Testing Works

Ancestral tests, DNA tests based on maternal/paternal lineage, and genealogical tests, in general, are ways to learn more about one's ancestors. Their ancestors left an indelible mark on their DNA, and specific regions linked to their DNA have been found to encode the origin.

The following is how the package that offers to reveal who your ancestors were works. Essentially, you purchase the kit and follow the instructions. In some cases, you will need to fill a tube with saliva or simply rub the inside of your cheek with a cotton swab before inserting it into the tube. Then you send it to one of the companies listed above, and they will extract the DNA, which will then be inserted into their database and compared to the genomes of other clients. The similarities and differences between customers can be used to create an ethnic map.

This test is performed differently by each DNA company. These methods typically differ depending on the geographic regions studied, the method used to identify DNA variations and patterns within them, and the size of the database managed. They will be able to identify your ancestral roots using the company's algorithms, database, and tests with a greater or lesser number of genetic markers. This is why results may differ from one lab to the next, or some may be more accurate (identifying the exact region of your ancestors) than others (indicating an entire country or continent).

Even if you only want to know your ancestry, many DNA genetic testing companies can analyze biomedical markers. And it is obvious that your decisions about what information to share may have consequences for your relatives, no matter where they are in the world.

Predicting who will and will not be able to see and use that information in the future is impossible, and this is why every DNA testing comparison on 9Ranks will meet or exceed the bare minimum of basic security requirements for inclusion in our thorough rankings.