The vast world of DNA testing may provide you with a wealth of things about life.
And did you know there are a variety of possibilities to select from? Whether you want to know about your ethnicity and lineage there’s a good chance to learn all you can 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 one of us has our own intentions to choose different choices. This includes privacy, authenticity of information as well as the possibility of meeting potential relatives or family. Believe it or not, this could be the very last thing on their list of priorities before they’re 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 look at MyHeritage’s competitors and how they assist people from all walks of life find their roots. Let’s go!
Before you continue, you may want to check out 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.
MyHeritage Vs. AncestryDNA
Our first competition is Ancestry DNA.
Both companies offer autosomal tests as well as tests kits, which is an essential part of DNA testing. The tests give you an estimate of ethnicity, as well as the breakdown of different lines of descent around the globe. A difference in comparison to MyHeritage is that AncestryDNA’s database includes 14 million records. However, their results are slower than MyHeritage. It includes a monthly fee of $99 that allows for benefits from their reports.
Another catch is that you can’t upload your own DNA data. Additionally you cannot make your own information confidential is not available as well. This can be a red flag, especially for people who are concerned about their privacy above everything other things. Luckily, MyHeritage lets you set the DNA you give to remain private, so that it will not be sold to unwelcome third parties.
Like other businesses, they also offer subscription plans. AncestryDNA offers three plans for customers to select from:
- U.S. Discovery – $24.99/month
- World Explorer – $39.99/month
- All Access – $49.99/month
Some are self-explanatory, like the U.S Discovery tier. You get records from families from any of the fifty states of the U.S. If you don’t live there, you may opt for the World Explorer tier as it contains records from all countries all over the world. The last tier is more of an expensive plan where you can access additional content, such as accessibility to Newspaper.com Standard and Fold3.com.
Despite the volume of records might appear amazing, AncestryDNA may not cover certain countries, particularly those in Asia. MyHeritage’s smaller database has an advantage since it is broken down into 42 areas. The regions can then be researched to locate specific communities not heard of all the time. Think of any tribal society; there’s a possibility that a DNA test result could be related to them.
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MyHeritage Vs. Family Tree DNA
The next platform we will discuss is Family Tree DNA.
From the get-go, Family Tree DNA has mtDNA and Y-DNA tests that are not provided by MyHeritage. These tests are specifically designed to identify possible relatives that are on either the mother’s or father’s side exclusively. In case, they do offer the autosomal general 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 to decide if you would like the information you provide to be matched by potential families when searching for lost relatives. But, Family Tree DNA does not have the same number of regions covered compared to MyHeritage. There are 24 regions that are listed on their web site. Nonetheless, this can be an option when either cannot cater to your needs.
To offer their services, Family Tree DNA has three kits to choose from. These are:
- Family Ancestry: $59
- Maternal test Cost: $159
- Test for paternity Test for paternity: $119
After you’ve gotten the results, it is not possible to simply record them in the form of a family tree electronically despite their name. This can be bothersome to those who wish to see how far their lineage goes. Additionally, it’s not possible to find details about your health status regarding your ethnicity. MyHeritage helps with this because you can also look up common diseases in the 18 carrier status reports. If you’re looking for specific information about your family’s history, go to MyHeritage.
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MyHeritage vs 23andMe
The third option on our list is 23andMe.
The platform was the first company to receive approval by the FDA as a risk screener for diseases. In addition the platform, you can access the platform via their mobile or website. There, you will find information on your health and your ancestry is available. You can build an ancestral tree of your family and explore things like genetic risk, the science of genealogy, and genetics in general.
23andMe provides a range in privacy options and preferences to select from. Based on your preferences, you can retract or withdraw your agreement to 23andMe if you are unsure. The saliva samples are collected, and results come within 3 to 4 weeks.
What 23andMe concentrates on is paternal and maternal Neanderthal as well as autosomal tests. The most significant advantage in this is that they cover more than 1500 regions around the world. This might not be appealing to all people, but if are looking to trace your roots to lesser-known groups, they can accomplish the task. More precise results are more beneficial than a more general outlook.
If you are interested in their services, there are three types of tests you can choose from. All tests come with customer service and a customized report of your DNA test results. You have the option of choosing:
- 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 sufficient for all. For MyHeritage You have the choice of availing of the tests either through kits or subscriptions. The subscription starts at $79/year and is the same cost for their basic tests. For the kits, for a slightly higher price of $90, you will receive the same tests at a more efficient approach. It is important to note that DNA tests aren’t cheap; they go through many processes to get the results and identify potential relatives.
MyHeritage Vs. FamilySearch
This genealogy service takes a distinct method of access to information.
First of all, FamilySearch offers its services at absolutely no cost. It is because the fact that it’s being a non-profit organization. They have a strong partnership with platforms such as MyHeritage as well as AncestryDNA. Their online records include more than 300,000 digital books even if they’re not correctly indexed.
FamilySearch’s database contains family trees for both the public as well as for private use. In the case of family trees that are shared, users will be able to view potential relatives as well as loved ones and the ways they’re related. Private trees won’t be seen through a simple search due to privacy reasons.
They do have physical records like genealogical documents, including vital documents and census records. However, when you are setting up your family tree it is not possible to download it. In addition, setting up the tree can be a lengthy process too. Another catch is that they don’t offer any kind of DNA testing. But if you do not have the funds or the time to trace your lineage it is possible to start here and then discover where it goes.
And if you plan 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 we list will be Xcode Life, a platform located in India.
Xcode Life has various reports to avail of. Most of them are health-related such as fitness, nutrition, and of course, health. These general reports give results within 24 hours with PDF formats. Despite this they do not provide any kind of ancestry report. But don’t fret, they have more services than they don’t have.
They accept raw DNA information which has been obtained from their partners. This includes:
- 23andMe
- Family Tree DNA (FTNDA)
- Ancestry DNA
- MyHeritage
These DNA files are then used to create their huge health reports. The user is the sole judge on the kind of report they want to obtain. It is the company’s privacy policies, but you have to delete the DNA data manually. If any personal data will be deleted, users need to contact Xcode Life.
The prices are available in Xcode Life also have bundles that you can pick from. This is what they have:
- Best Seller Pack – $49: nutrition, fitness, health, allergy, skin reports
- Super Pack – $89: nutrition, health, fitness, allergy and skin care precision medicine, as well as methylation reports
- Mega Pack for $99: contains each of the 9 individual report packs
The main drawback of this platform is the fact you cannot trace your own lineage. While you can utilize your existing DNA for different purposes, it’s only for the individual you are. You are still able to visit to find out more about your DNA, or at the very least.
The Final Verdict
The short version is that MyHeritage is the best choice for all your DNA needs.
You can find out the origins of your family, and it’s traceable into one family tree. This test for DNA is autosomal that is the norm for all genealogical tests. When you have the results, you will have the option to contact those who are in line with the test you took. This is crucial for those who wish to visit their loved ones one last time.
They are also simple to use, and people of any age can use these kits. Results will come within 3-4 weeks, with an email sent to you containing the results.
For privacy reasons, MyHeritage never sells personal information to third parties. This is to ensure the security of the DNA samples that are provided to the company as they also upload them into their database. They will release them when expressly requested by their owner of the DNA.
There isn’t any information regarding health-related issues found in the DNA results, you’ll need to charge a fee for extra details. Overall, it’s the go-to place for everything genealogical.