The vast universe of DNA testing could lead you to a lot of things about life.
Did you know that there are many choices to pick from? Whether you want to know about your family’s history and ethnicity you’ll be able to find everything about it. MyHeritage keeps you on top of these things. But they’re certainly far from being the sole ones operating in this business.
Every person has their own intentions why they go for other alternatives. Namely: privacy, authentic information and the possibility of meeting prospective family members or relatives. Believe it or not, this could be the final item on their list of priorities before they’re at peace. Some families even have no problem with having relatives who are not blood-related. Why? They’re also chosen family members.
This article will discuss MyHeritage’s competitors and how they help people from all walks of life discover their roots. Let’s get going!
Before you continue, you may want to watch this video by Family History Fanatics on YouTube that gives a quick review. After, you’ll want to read the rest of our article for a more comprehensive review of MyHeritage.
MyHeritage and. AncestryDNA
Our first opponent is Ancestry DNA.
Both companies provide autosomal tests and test kits, which are an essential part of DNA testing. These tests provide you with an estimate of ethnicity, as well as a breakdown of various lineages across the globe. The main difference between this and MyHeritage is that the AncestryDNA database has 14,500,000 records. Their results take longer than MyHeritage. It includes a monthly fee of $99, which provides advantages from their reports.
Another issue is that you cannot upload your personal DNA data. Plus you cannot make your personal data private is not possible too. This can be a sign particularly for those who prefer their privacy over everything other considerations. Luckily, MyHeritage lets you set the DNA given to remain private, so that it will not be sold to unwelcome third parties.
As with many companies, they show an option to subscribe. AncestryDNA has three plans that you can choose from:
- U.S. Discovery – $24.99/month
- World Explorer – $39.99/month
- All Access – $49.99/month
Some of them are easily explained, such as those of the U.S Discovery tier. There are records of families from all fifty states in the U.S. If you are not a resident in the United States, you can opt for the World Explorer tier as it includes records from every country across the globe. The final option is an expensive plan where you will get exclusive content such as the access of Newspaper.com basic and Fold3.com.
Although the amount of data could be remarkable, AncestryDNA may not cover certain countries, particularly those located in Asia. MyHeritage’s smaller database is an advantage since it is split into 42 distinct regions. These regions can be further studied to find specific communities not heard of too often. Consider any tribe and there’s a chance that the DNA test results may be related to the tribes.
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MyHeritage vs. Family Tree DNA
The next platform that we’ll discuss will be Family Tree DNA.
From the get-go, Family Tree DNA has Y-DNA and mtDNA tests, which are not available through MyHeritage. These specific tests find potential relatives on either the mother’s or father’s side only. There is also the general autosomal test called the “Family Finder” for any lineage.
Both platforms have active communities, and they place a high value on your personal privacy. So it’s up to you to decide if you would like the information you provide to be used by potential families when searching for lost relatives. However, Family Tree DNA does not have as many regions that are covered as MyHeritage. They have 24 areas that are listed on their web site. However, this is an option when either cannot meet your requirements.
To offer their services, Family Tree DNA has three kits to choose from. These are:
- Family Ancestry: $59
- Maternal test: $159
- Test for paternity: $119
After you’ve gotten the results, you can’t simply record them in an online family tree regardless of their name. This could be a problem for those who wish to find out how long their family tree goes. It is also impossible to locate health-related information about your ethnicity. MyHeritage makes this work because you can also view common disorders in 18 carrier status reports. If you’re looking for precise details about your family’s genealogy, look to MyHeritage.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
MyHeritage vs 23andMe
Our third one on the list is 23andMe.
This platform is the first to have received approval from the FDA as a risk screening tool for diseases. As a complement, you can access it via their website or mobile app. There, you will find information on your health and ancestry is accessible. It is possible to build an ancestral tree of your family and explore subjects like genetic risks and the science behind genetics, and genealogy as a whole.
23andMe provides a range choices of consent and privacy options that you can choose from. Depending on your needs you are able to revoke or withdraw your agreement to 23andMe at any time you change your mind. The saliva samples are collected and the results are available within 3 to four weeks.
What 23andMe focuses on are paternal and maternal, Neanderthal tests, and autosomal tests. One of the biggest advantages of this test is that it covers more than 1500 regions around the globe. This may not be a favorite for everyone, but if you are looking to trace your roots to lesser-known groups, they can help. Precise results may be better than a more general outlook.
If you are interested in their services, there are three types of tests you can choose from. Each test comes with the customer service and a personalized walkthrough of your DNA results. You have the option of choosing:
- Basic Ancestry and Traits – $79
- DNA Health Test – $129
- VIP Health and Ancestry – $429
Even if you can obtain enhanced DNA results using 23andMe, the price may not be affordable for everyone. For MyHeritage, you have the choice of availing of the tests through the kits, or by subscriptions. The subscription starts at $79/year which is the same as their basic tests. As for the kits, for a slightly higher price of $90, you basically receive the same tests at a more efficient approach. It is important to note that DNA tests aren’t low-cost; they undergo many processes to get the result and also identify possible relatives.
MyHeritage and. FamilySearch
This genealogy service offers a different approach to information access.
First and foremost, FamilySearch offers its services for absolutely no cost. This is due to the company being a non-profit entity. They’re partnered with powerful platforms such as MyHeritage as well as AncestryDNA. Their online records contain more than 300,000 books in digital format, even if they’re not correctly indexed.
FamilySearch’s database has family trees that are available for the public as well as for private use. For family trees that are shared, users will be able to view potential relatives as well as loved ones and the way they’re connected. Private trees will not be visible in a search engine because of privacy concerns.
They do have physical records such as genealogical records, vital records and census records. However, when you are making the tree of your families, you are unable to download it. Additionally, setting up the tree can be a lengthy process as well. Another issue is that they won’t provide any type of DNA testing. If you don’t have the budget or resources to trace your lineage it is possible to start here and then discover the direction it takes.
And if you plan to take a genetic test for your DNA, then you could always visit MyHeritage.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
MyHeritage vs. Xcode Life
The last platform on our review includes Xcode Life, a platform that is based in India.
Xcode Life has various reports that users can access. Many of them relate to health that include fitness, nutrition and, of course health. The general reports provide results within 24 hours in PDF format. Despite this they do not provide any genealogy reporting services. However, they have more services than they do not have.
They are able to accept raw DNA information that’s already been given from their partners. This includes:
- 23andMe
- Family Tree DNA (FTNDA)
- Ancestry DNA
- MyHeritage
The DNA files are utilized in their extensive health reports. It is up to the individual to decide what type of report they wish to get. It is the company’s privacy policies however, you must erase the DNA information by hand. If any personal data is deleted, users need to contact Xcode Life.
The prices in Xcode Life also have bundles that you can pick from. What they offer is:
- Best Seller Pack – $49: nutrition, fitness, health, allergy, skin reports
- Super Pack $89: nutrition fitness, health, allergies and skin care precision medicine, as well as reports on methylation
- Mega Pack for $99: contains each of the 9 individual report packs
The most significant drawback to this platform is the fact you cannot trace your own lineage. While you can utilize your existing DNA for other purposes, it’s only for you personally. It is still possible to go here if you want to learn more about your personal DNA, at least.
The Final Verdict
Long story short, MyHeritage is the best option for all DNA needs.
You can learn the origins of your family and can be traced back into an entire family tree. It is also autosomal that is the most commonly used test for any genealogical research. When you have the results, you will have the option of contacting the ones who match your test. This is especially important to those who want to see their loved ones the last time.
They are also simple to use, and anyone who are of any age can utilize them. Results will be revealed within 3-4 weeks with an email sent to you with the results.
In the context of privacy, MyHeritage never sells personal information to third-party companies. This is to ensure the security of the DNA samples provided to the company, as they also upload them into their database. They will supply them when specifically requested by the owner.
Although there is no information on health-related issues that are included in the DNA results, you need to charge a bit for any additional details. In the end this is the best place for everything genealogical.
