The vast world of DNA testing could lead you to a lot of things about life.
Did you know there are a variety of choices to pick from? If you’re interested in finding out more about your family’s history and ethnicity there’s a good chance to learn all you can about it. MyHeritage helps you keep track of these things. But they’re certainly not the only ones operating in this business.
Each person has their own personal reasons to choose different options. Namely: privacy, authentic information, and the possibility of meeting potential relatives or friends. In reality it could be the last thing on their bucket list before they can be at peace. Some families even have no problem with having relatives that do not have blood ties. Why? They are family too.
This article will look at MyHeritage’s peers and the ways they can serve people from all walks of life find 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 overview. Afterward, you’ll want to read the rest of our article for a more comprehensive review.
MyHeritage vs. AncestryDNA
Our first competition is Ancestry DNA.
Both companies provide autosomal tests as well as tests kits, which is an essential part of DNA testing. These tests provide you with an estimate of your ethnicity as well as an analysis of the various lines of descent around the globe. The main difference between this and MyHeritage is that AncestryDNA’s database includes 14,500,000 records. The drawback is their reports take longer to produce than MyHeritage. It includes a monthly fee of $99, which provides advantages from their reports.
Another catch is that you can’t upload your own DNA data. Plus you cannot make your personal information private is not possible too. This can be a red flag particularly for those who prefer their privacy over anything else. Fortunately, MyHeritage lets you set the DNA to be private so it would not be sold to unwelcome third-party.
Like other companies, they provide subscription plans. AncestryDNA offers three plans to choose from:
- U.S. Discovery – $24.99/month
- World Explorer – $39.99/month
- All Access – $49.99/month
Certain of them are self-explanatory, like for instance, the U.S Discovery tier. The records are provided by families in any of the fifty states within the U.S. If you do not live in the United States, you can opt for the World Explorer tier as it includes records from every country across the globe. The last option is an expensive plan where you will get exclusive content such as accessibility to Newspaper.com Standard and Fold3.com.
Although the amount of data could seem amazing, AncestryDNA may not cover certain countries, particularly those in Asia. MyHeritage’s database is smaller, which is an advantage as it is split into 42 distinct regions. The regions can then be researched to locate particular communities that aren’t mentioned frequently. Think of any tribe; there’s a possibility that a DNA test result could be related to these tribes.
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MyHeritage and. Family Tree DNA
The next platform we will be discussing is Family Tree DNA.
From the start, Family Tree DNA has the Y-DNA and mtDNA tests not offered by MyHeritage. These tests can help you identify potential relatives from either the father’s or mother’s side only. In case, they do offer the autosomal general test known as”Family Finder. “Family Finder” for any lineage.
Both platforms have active communities and they prioritize your own privacy. Therefore, it is up to you to decide if you would like the information you provide to be used by families who are looking for missing relatives. The problem is that Family Tree DNA does not have as many areas covered compared to MyHeritage. They have 24 areas available on their site. This is an option in the event that neither cater to your needs.
In terms of their offerings, Family Tree DNA has three kits available. They are:
- Family Ancestry: $59
- Maternal test Cost: $159
- Paternal test The cost is $119.
Once you get the results, you cannot actually record it in the form of a family tree electronically regardless of their name. This could be a problem for certain people who want to find out how long their lineage runs. Additionally, it’s impossible to locate health-related information about your ethnicity. MyHeritage makes this work as you can even view common disorders in the 18 carrier status reports. So if you are finding specific information about your family’s history, go for MyHeritage.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
MyHeritage vs 23andMe
Our third one on the list is 23andMe.
The platform was the first company to be granted approval by the FDA as a risk screener for diseases. In addition to it, you can use it either through their website or mobile application. It contains information about your health and ancestry is available. You can create a family tree and learn subjects like genetic risks and the science behind genetics, and genealogy in general.
23andMe has a wide range of privacy and consent choices to choose from. Depending on your needs you can revoke or withdraw your agreement to 23andMe at any time you decide to change your mind. The samples are taken via saliva, and results come 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 factor may not please all, but if you want to trace back to less well-known groups, they could accomplish the task. Precise results may be better than a more general outlook.
In order to avail their services There are three types of tests to choose from. All tests come with customer support and a custom report of your DNA test results. You can choose:
- Basic Ancestry and Traits – $79
- DNA Health Test – $129
- VIP Health and Ancestry – $429
Although you may receive improved DNA results through 23andMe, the price may not be enough for everyone. For MyHeritage You have the option of availing the tests either through kits or subscriptions. The subscription starts at $79/year which is the same as the basic tests. For the kits, for an additional $90, you will get the same assistance at a more efficient approach. It is important to note that DNA tests aren’t affordable; they must go through numerous procedures to obtain the result and also identify possible relatives.
MyHeritage and. FamilySearch
This genealogy service has another approach to information access.
First and foremost, FamilySearch offers its services for free of charge. This is due to the fact that it’s being a non-profit entity. They have a strong partnership with platforms like MyHeritage or AncestryDNA. Their online records contain more than 300,000 digital books, even if they’re not properly indexed.
FamilySearch’s database has family trees for both public and private use. If you have shared trees, you are able to see potential relatives and loved ones , and how they are related. Private trees won’t be seen through a simple search due to privacy reasons.
There are physical reports such as genealogical records, vital records and census records. However, when you are setting up the tree of your families, it is not possible to download the tree. In addition, setting up the tree can be a lengthy procedure too. Another issue is that they don’t provide any type of DNA tests. If you don’t have the money or resources to trace your lineage it is possible to start here and then discover what happens.
If you’re planning to take a genetic test for your DNA, then you could always go to MyHeritage.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
MyHeritage Vs. Xcode Life
The final platform in our evaluation is Xcode Life, a platform located in India.
Xcode Life has various reports that users can access. The majority of them are related to health such as fitness, nutrition, and of course, health. These general reports give results in 24 hours and in the format of PDF. But they do not provide any ancestry reporting services. Don’t worry; they do offer more than they lack.
They are able to accept raw DNA information that has already been provided by their partners. They can also accept:
- 23andMe
- Family Tree DNA (FTNDA)
- Ancestry DNA
- MyHeritage
These DNA files are then utilized in their extensive health reports. It’s up to the user on the kind of report they would like to obtain. This company’s own privacy policy, but you have to erase the DNA information by hand. To ensure that any personal information will be deleted, users have to send an email to Xcode Life.
The prices are available in Xcode Life also have bundles to select from. What they offer is:
- Best Seller Pack – $49: nutrition, fitness, health, allergy, skin reports
- Super Pack – $89: nutrition, health, fitness, allergy and skin care, precision medicine, and methylation reports
- Mega Pack – $99: Includes each of the 9 individual report packs
The most significant drawback to this system is that it is not possible to trace your family tree. Although you are able to use your existing DNA for different applications, it’s for your own personal benefit. You are still able to visit for information if you’re interested in learning more about your own DNA, at least.
The Final Verdict
Long story short, MyHeritage is the most suitable choice for any DNA-related requirements.
You can find out which family ethnic lineage you have, and it’s traceable into the family tree. It is autosomal that is the most commonly used test for any genealogical research. Once you get the results, you will have the option of calling those who match the test you took. This is crucial for people who want to meet their loved ones the last time.
The kits are easy to use and anyone who are of any age can utilize the kits. The results will be available within 3-4 weeks after which an email is sent to you containing the results.
In the case of privacy, MyHeritage never sells personal information to any third party. This is to protect the DNA samples provided to the company since it is uploaded to their database. It will supply the DNA samples if they are specifically requested by its owner of the DNA.
While there are no data about any health-related issues in the DNA results, you need to charge for any additional information. All in all, it’s the go-to place for everything genealogical.
