The vast world of DNA testing may provide you with a wealth of interesting facts about your life.
And did you know that there are a variety of choices to pick from? If you’re interested in finding out more about your lineage and ethnicity you’ll be able to find all you can about it. MyHeritage helps you keep track of these aspects. However, they’re in no way the only one working in this line of business.
Each one of us has our own personal reasons that lead them to other alternatives. For instance, privacy, genuine information, and the possibility of getting to meet potential relatives or family. It’s true, this could be the last thing on their list of priorities before they can be at peace. Some families are even okay with having relatives that are not blood-related. Why? They’re also chosen family members.
This article will discuss MyHeritage’s rivals and how they assist people from all walks of life find 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 of MyHeritage.
MyHeritage Vs. AncestryDNA
Our first competition is Ancestry DNA.
Both companies provide autosomal tests and test kits, which is a must in DNA testing. These tests provide you with an estimate of your ethnicity as well as a breakdown of various lines of descent around the globe. One difference here compared to MyHeritage is that AncestryDNA’s database has fourteen million entries. The drawback is their reports take longer to produce than MyHeritage. The monthly cost is of $99 which allows for benefits from their reports.
Another problem is that you cannot upload your own DNA data. Additionally you cannot make your personal information private is not possible too. This can be a sign, especially for people who are concerned about their privacy above anything other considerations. Luckily, MyHeritage lets you set the DNA given to remain private, so that it will not be given away to unwanted third parties.
As with many companies, they provide subscription plans. AncestryDNA offers 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 easy to understand, such as those of the U.S Discovery tier. The records are provided by families in all fifty states within the U.S. If you do not live there, you can choose the World Explorer tier as it includes data from every country all over the world. The final option is an expensive plan where you get extra content like accessibility to Newspaper.com Standard and Fold3.com.
Despite the volume of records could appear remarkable, AncestryDNA may not cover specific countries, specifically those located in Asia. MyHeritage’s database is smaller, which is an advantage as it is divided into 42 regions. These regions can be further researched to locate particular communities that aren’t mentioned all the time. Think of any tribal society and there’s a chance that a DNA test result may be related to them.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
MyHeritage vs. Family Tree DNA
The next platform we’ll discuss will be Family Tree DNA.
From the get-go, Family Tree DNA has mtDNA and Y-DNA tests that are not offered by MyHeritage. These tests are specifically designed to identify possible relatives from either the father’s or mother’s side exclusively. They do have the standard autosomal test, known as the “Family Finder” for any lineage.
Both platforms are active in their communities, and they prioritize your own privacy. Therefore, it is up to you whether you’d like the information you provide to be found by families who are looking for lost relatives. But, Family Tree DNA does not have as many regions that are covered as MyHeritage. They offer 24 areas available on their site. This is an option when either cannot satisfy your needs.
In terms of their offerings, Family Tree DNA has three kits that are available. They include:
- Family Ancestry: $59
- Maternal test Cost: $159
- Paternal test The cost is $119.
After you’ve gotten the results, you cannot actually record it in the form of a family tree electronically despite the name. This can be bothersome to certain people who want to know how far their family tree goes. It is also not possible to obtain health-related information about your ethnicity. MyHeritage helps with this since you can examine common illnesses in 18 carrier status reports. If you’re seeking specific information about your family’s genealogy, look to MyHeritage.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
MyHeritage vs 23andMe
The third option on our list is 23andMe.
This platform is the first company to be granted approval from the FDA as a risk screening tool for diseases. As a complement, you can access it either through their mobile or website. In it, information about your health and your ancestry is available. You can build an ancestral tree of your family and explore topics such as genetic risks, the science of genealogy, and genetics as a whole.
23andMe provides a range in privacy options and preferences to select from. Depending on your needs you can revoke your consent to the company at any time you decide to change your mind. Samples are collected through saliva and the results are available within 3 to four weeks.
What 23andMe concentrates on is paternal and maternal Neanderthal as well as autosomal tests. The most significant advantage here is they cover more than 1500 locations across the globe. This might not be appealing to everyone, but if you are looking to trace your roots to smaller groups, they will accomplish the task. Precise results may be better than an overall view.
If you are interested in their services There are three types of tests you can choose from. Each test comes with customer service and a customized review of your DNA results. You can choose:
- Basic Ancestry and Traits – $79
- DNA Health Test – $129
- VIP Health and Ancestry – $429
If you are able to obtain enhanced DNA results using 23andMe, it may not be sufficient for all. For MyHeritage customers, there is the option of taking advantage of the tests through the kits, or by subscriptions. The subscription starts at $79/year and is the same cost for their base tests. As for the kits, for the slightly higher cost of $90, you will get the same assistance but with more capability. It is important to note that DNA tests aren’t affordable; they must go through several steps to arrive at the result and also identify possible relatives.
MyHeritage Vs. FamilySearch
This genealogy service has another approach to information access.
First of all, FamilySearch offers its services at free of charge. It is because the organization being a non-profit institution. They have a strong partnership with platforms like MyHeritage and AncestryDNA. Their online records include more than 300,000 books in digital format, even if they’re not properly indexed.
FamilySearch’s database has family trees available for the public as well as for private use. If you have shared trees, you are able to see potential relatives and family members and the ways they’re related. Private trees will not be visible on a simple search because of privacy concerns.
They do have physical records such as genealogical records, vital records and census records. However, when you are making the family tree, you cannot download it. Additionally, setting up the tree is a long process as well. Another issue is that they don’t provide any type of DNA tests. But if you do not have the budget or resources to track your family tree You can start here and then discover where it goes.
If you’re planning to conduct a thorough testing for DNA you could always go to MyHeritage.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
MyHeritage vs. Xcode Life
The last platform on our list includes Xcode Life, a platform based in India.
Xcode Life has various reports that you can use. Most of them are health-related such as fitness, nutrition, and of course, health. These reports are general and provide results in 24 hours with PDF formats. However they don’t offer any genealogy reporting services. However, they have more than what 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. The user is the sole judge to decide what type of report they wish to receive. This company’s own privacy policy However, you need to delete the DNA data manually. To ensure that any personal information is deleted, users need to send an email to Xcode Life.
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, skin 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 are not able to trace your ethnicity. Although you are able to use your existing DNA for other uses, it only benefits the individual you are. You can still go here for information if you’re interested in learning more about your personal DNA, but at a minimum.
The Final Verdict
The short version is that MyHeritage is the most suitable choice for all your DNA needs.
You can find out which family ethnic lineage you have, and it’s traceable into the family tree. It is autosomal which is the industry norm for all genealogical tests. When you have the results, you will have the option of contacting those who match your test. This is crucial for people who want to meet their loved ones one last time.
The kits are also easy to use, and anyone of all ages can benefit from them. The results will be available within 3-4 weeks, after which an email is sent to you containing the results.
In the context of privacy, MyHeritage never sells personal information to third parties. This is to safeguard the DNA samples that are provided to the company since it is uploaded to their database. It will supply them when specifically requested by the owner.
While there are no data regarding health-related issues found in the DNA results, you’ll need to charge for any additional details. Overall, it’s the go-to place for everything genealogical.