Key Takeaways:
📊 AncestryDNA has a database size of 18 million, while 23andMe has 10 million, MyHeritage has 2.4 million, FTDNA has 1 million, and LivingDNA’s data size is not provided.
📅 AncestryDNA was launched in 2012, 23andMe in 2007, MyHeritage in 2016, FTDNA in 2010, and LivingDNA in 2016.
💧 The methods of collecting DNA samples vary: AncestryDNA and 23andMe use saliva, MyHeritage and FTDNA use cheek swabs, and LivingDNA uses cheek swabs as well.
📝 AncestryDNA has 44,703 reference panel samples, 23andMe has 14,344, MyHeritage has no data provided, FTDNA has 2,943, and LivingDNA has 12,000.
🔍 The accuracy of the tests is rated as follows: AncestryDNA is excellent, 23andMe and MyHeritage are good, FTDNA is mediocre, and LivingDNA is low.
👥 AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, and FTDNA offer autosomal DNA tests, while LivingDNA’s test type is not specified.
⚠️ AncestryDNA and 23andMe offer mtDNA tests, MyHeritage does not, and FTDNA and LivingDNA allow customers to order mtDNA tests separately.
⚠️ AncestryDNA does not offer Y-DNA tests, 23andMe and LivingDNA allow customers to order them separately, and MyHeritage does not specify the availability.
👨👩👧 AncestryDNA has a close relative match of 30, while the values for 23andMe, MyHeritage, FTDNA, and LivingDNA are not provided.
📲 The responsiveness of matches is rated as medium for AncestryDNA and low for 23andMe and MyHeritage. FTDNA has a high responsiveness of matches, while LivingDNA’s value is not specified.
📞 AncestryDNA has great customer support, 23andMe and MyHeritage have OK support, FTDNA has good support, and LivingDNA has very slow support.
🌍 AncestryDNA offers over 1,000 ethnic regions, 23andMe offers 1,500, MyHeritage offers 42, FTDNA offers 24, and LivingDNA offers 156.
💊 AncestryDNA has a good health test, 23andMe has the best health test, MyHeritage has a good health test, FTDNA’s test is expensive and focused on wellness, and LivingDNA does not specify.
📥 AncestryDNA and 23andMe do not allow raw data upload, while MyHeritage and FTDNA do. LivingDNA’s raw data upload option is not specified.
| AncestryDNA | 23andMe | MyHeritage | FTDNA | LivingDNA | |
| Best for | Health, genealogy, ethnicity, matches | Health, matches | Cheap | Advance genetic tools | – |
| Database size | 18 million | 10 million | 2.4 million | 1 million | no data provided |
| Product launched | 2012 | 2007 | 2016 | 2010 | 2016 |
| Method of collecting DNA | Saliva | Saliva | Cheek Swab | Cheek Swab | Cheek Swab |
| Reference panel samples | 44,703 | 14,344 | – | 2,943 | 12000 |
| Accuracy | Excellent | Good | Good | Mediocre | Low |
| Autosomal DNA test | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| mtDNA test | Not available | Yes | Not available | You can order separately | Yes, included |
| Y-DNA test | Not available | Yes | Not available | You can order separately | Yes, included |
| Close relative match | 30 | – | – | – | – |
| Relative match | 13,129 | 1,321 | 1,508 | 1,150 | 0 |
| Responsiveness of matches | Medium | Low | Low | High | – |
| Customer support | Great | OK | OK | Good | Very slow |
| Ethnic regions | 1000+ | 1500 | 42 | 24 | 156 |
| Health test | Good | Best | Good | Expensive | Only wellness |
| Raw data upload | No | No | Available | Available | No |
| How long does it take (in EU)? | 35 days | 47 days | 38 days | 31 days | 87 days |
| Privacy policy | Check here | Check here | Check here | Check here | Check here |
| Ownership | Permira Holdings Limited | Privately held by various investors | Gilad Japhet | Gene by Gene | David and Hannah Nicholson |
| Phone Number | 1-801-705-7000 | 1-800-239-5230 | 1-844-994-1888 | 713-868-1438 | 0203 424 3482 |
| E-mail address | ancestrysupport@ ancestry.com | customercare@ 23andme.com | support@ myheritage.com | helpdesk@ familytreedna.com | help@ livingdna.com |
| Address | 1300 West Traverse Parkway; Lehi, UT 84043 | 899 West Evelyn Avenue Mountain View, CA 94041 United States | 3 Ariel Sharon Blvd., Or Yehuda, Israel | 1445 N Loop W Fwy, Houston, TX 77008 | 1445 N Loop W Fwy, Houston, TX 77008 |
| Price | Check the latest price | $99 | $79 | Autosomal: $79; Y-DNA: $119; mtDNA: $159 | $99 |
| Price/value | A | B | C | D | E |
If you need a 23andme vs ancestry DNA comparison check this article.
And this is the best DNA test according to my study.
Throughout his career, Andras Kovacs has developed a deep understanding of DNA and its applications in genealogy and genetic testing. He has helped thousands of individuals uncover their ancestral heritage, using cutting-edge DNA analysis to trace family lineages and reveal connections across generations.