The vast world of DNA testing may provide you with a wealth of things about life.
And did you know that there are numerous choices to pick from? Whether you want to know about your lineage and ethnicity, there’s sure to discover everything you need to know about it. MyHeritage keeps you on top of these aspects. However, they’re not the only ones operating in this line of business.
Every one of us has our own reasons to choose different alternatives. For instance, privacy, genuine information and the possibility of getting to meet potential relatives or family. In reality it could be the final item on their bucket lists before they are at peace. Certain families are okay with having relatives that do not have blood ties. Why? They’re family too.
This article will look at MyHeritage’s competitors and how they assist people from all walks of life discover their roots. Let’s get going!
Before you continue, you may want to check out this video by Family History Fanatics on YouTube that gives a quick overview. Afterward, you’ll want to read the rest of the article for a more comprehensive review.
MyHeritage Vs. AncestryDNA
Our first rival is Ancestry DNA.
Both companies offer autosomal tests as well as tests kits, which is a must in DNA testing. The tests give you an estimate of your ethnicity as well as a breakdown of various lineages across the globe. The main difference between this and MyHeritage is that the AncestryDNA database includes 14,500,000 records. Their results take longer than MyHeritage. It includes a monthly fee of $99, which provides the benefits of their reports.
Another issue is that you cannot upload your own DNA information. Additionally, the option to make your personal data private isn’t possible too. This can be a red flag particularly for those who are concerned about their privacy above anything other things. Fortunately, MyHeritage lets you set the DNA given to remain private, so that it will not be given away to unwanted third-party.
Like many other businesses, they also offer an option to subscribe. AncestryDNA has three plans to choose from:
- U.S. Discovery – $24.99/month
- World Explorer – $39.99/month
- All Access – $49.99/month
Some are easily explained, such as those of the U.S Discovery tier. You get records from families in all fifty states of the U.S. If you do not live there, you can go with the World Explorer tier as it contains records from all countries around the globe. The final tier is more of premium plans in which you will get exclusive content such as accessibility to Newspaper.com Basic and Fold3.com.
Although the amount of data could be impressive, AncestryDNA may not cover specific countries, specifically those located in Asia. MyHeritage’s database is smaller, which is an advantage because it’s broken down into 42 areas. The regions can then be searched to identify certain communities that are not mentioned too often. Consider any tribe; there’s a possibility that the DNA test results could be related to the tribes.
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MyHeritage vs. Family Tree DNA
The next platform we’ll talk about will be Family Tree DNA.
From the start, Family Tree DNA has the Y-DNA and mtDNA tests not provided by MyHeritage. These specific tests find potential relatives on either the father’s or mother’s side exclusively. In case, they do offer the standard autosomal test, known as 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 that your genetic information be found by potential families when searching for lost relatives. However, Family Tree DNA does not have the same number of regions that are covered as MyHeritage. There are 24 regions available on their site. Nonetheless, this can be an option if they are unable to cater to your needs.
To offer their services, Family Tree DNA has three kits available. They are:
- Family Ancestry: $59
- Maternal test Test for pregnancy: $159
- Paternal test The cost is $119.
After you’ve gotten the results, it is not possible to actually record it in an online family tree despite their name. This could be a problem for those who wish to know how far their lineage runs. Additionally, it’s impossible to locate health-related information about your ethnicity. MyHeritage helps with this as you can even view common disorders in the 18-carrier status reports. If you’re seeking 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.
This platform is the first company to receive approval by the FDA as a risk-screener for diseases. To complement it the platform, you can access the platform via their website or mobile application. In it, information about your health and ancestry are accessible. It is possible to build an ancestral tree of your family and explore things like genetic risk, the science of genetics, and genealogy in general.
23andMe has a wide range in privacy options and preferences to select from. Based on your preferences you are able to revoke any consent you have given to the business when you decide to change your mind. The samples are taken via saliva and results are reported within 3 to 4 weeks.
What 23andMe is focused on are maternal and paternal, Neanderthal tests, and autosomal tests. The biggest benefit here is they cover more than 1500 locations across the world. This factor may not please everyone, but if you are looking to trace your roots to less well-known groups, they could accomplish the task. More precise results are more beneficial than a more general outlook.
In order to avail their services There are three kinds of tests available. Each test comes with customer support and a custom walkthrough of your DNA results. You can choose:
- Basic Ancestry and Traits – $79
- DNA Health Test – $129
- VIP Health and Ancestry – $429
Although you may get added DNA results from 23andMe, it may not be enough for everyone. For MyHeritage customers, there is the option of taking advantage of the tests via the kits, or by subscriptions. The subscription starts at $79/year and is the same cost for their basic tests. In terms of the kits, at the slightly higher cost of $90, you will receive the same tests at a more efficient approach. Do note that DNA tests aren’t low-cost; they undergo several steps to arrive at the result and also identify possible relatives.
MyHeritage vs. FamilySearch
This genealogy service takes a distinct approach to access to information.
The first and most important thing is that FamilySearch offers its services for no cost. The reason for this is the organization being a non-profit organization. They are partnered with powerful platforms such as MyHeritage and AncestryDNA. Their online records contain more than 300,000 digital books even if they are not indexed correctly.
FamilySearch’s database has family trees available for the public as well as for private use. In the case of family trees that are shared, users are able to view potential relatives as well as family members and the ways they’re related. Private trees won’t be seen through a simple search due to privacy reasons.
There are physical reports such as genealogical records, vital census records and records. The only difference is that when setting up the tree of your families, it is not possible to download it. Plus, the setup of the tree is a tedious process as well. Another issue is that they do not offer any kind of DNA tests. However, if you don’t have the money or resources to trace your lineage it is possible to start here and then discover the direction it takes.
If you’re planning to get a proper testing for DNA you can always visit MyHeritage.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
MyHeritage Vs. Xcode Life
The last platform on our review will be Xcode Life, a platform based in India.
Xcode Life has various reports to avail of. Most of them are health-related, including nutrition, fitness and, of course health. These reports are general and provide results within 24 hours and in the format of PDF. Despite this they don’t offer any genealogy reporting services. Don’t worry; they do offer more than they don’t have.
They 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 can be used in their vast health reports. It is up to the individual on the kind of report they wish to receive. It is the company’s privacy guidelines however, you must erase the DNA information by hand. For any personal information that is to be removed, customers need to contact Xcode Life.
The prices 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 reports on methylation
- Mega Pack – $99: Includes all 9 individual report packages
The most significant drawback to this system is that it is not possible to trace your family tree. While you can utilize your DNA from the past for other purposes, it’s only for the individual you are. You can still go here for information if you’re interested in learning more about your own DNA, or at the very least.
The Final Verdict
Short story, MyHeritage is the most suitable choice for any DNA-related requirements.
You can learn the origins of your family, and it’s traceable into one family tree. This test for DNA is also autosomal which is the industry norm for all genealogical tests. When you have the results, you have the option to contact those who match the test you took. This is particularly important for those who want to see their loved ones for the last time.
The kits are easy to use, and anyone of any age can use these kits. Results will be revealed within 3-4 weeks, after which an email is sent to you with the results.
For privacy reasons, MyHeritage never sells personal information to third parties. This is to ensure the security of the DNA samples given to the company as they also upload them into their database. The company will only release the DNA samples if they are specifically requested by the owner.
While there are no data regarding health-related issues found in the DNA results, you’ll need to charge a fee for supplemental details. All in all this is the best place for all things genealogical.