The wide range of DNA testing can provide you with a wealth of interesting facts about your life.
Did you know there are numerous choices to pick from? If you’re looking to learn more about your lineage and ethnicity, there’s sure to discover everything about it. MyHeritage keeps you on top of these aspects. However, they’re not the only ones working in this line of business.
Each one of us has our own intentions that lead them to other alternatives. This includes privacy, authenticity of information as well as the possibility of meeting potential relatives or friends. It’s true, this could be the very last thing on their bucket lists before they are at peace. Some families even have no problem with having relatives who do not have blood ties. Why? They are family too.
This article will review MyHeritage’s peers and the ways they help 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 our article for a more comprehensive review.
MyHeritage vs. AncestryDNA
Our first rival is Ancestry DNA.
Both companies provide autosomal tests and test kits, which is essential for DNA testing. Tests give an ethnicity estimate along with a breakdown of various lines of descent around the globe. One difference here compared to MyHeritage is that the database of AncestryDNA contains fourteen million entries. The drawback is their results take longer than MyHeritage. They charge a monthly fee of $99 which allows for benefits from their reports.
Another problem is that you cannot upload your own DNA information. Additionally you cannot make your personal information confidential is not available too. This can be a sign particularly for those who value their own privacy above all other considerations. Luckily, MyHeritage lets you set the DNA given to confidential so that it won’t be sold to unwelcome third parties.
As with many companies, they provide subscription plans. AncestryDNA offers three plans to select 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. The records are provided by families in all fifty states of the U.S. If you do not live there, you may choose the World Explorer tier as it includes records from every country all over the world. The final level is a premium plan in which you can access additional content, such as accessibility to Newspaper.com Standard and Fold3.com.
Although the amount of data may seem remarkable, AncestryDNA may not cover specific countries, specifically those located in Asia. MyHeritage’s database is smaller, which is an advantage since it is split into 42 distinct regions. The regions can then be searched to identify specific communities not heard of too often. Think of any tribal society and there’s a chance that a DNA test result may be related to these tribes.
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MyHeritage Vs. Family Tree DNA
The next platform we’ll be discussing is Family Tree DNA.
From the get-go, Family Tree DNA has Y-DNA and mtDNA tests, which are not available through MyHeritage. These tests can help you identify potential relatives on either the father’s or mother’s side exclusively. In case, they do offer the standard autosomal test, known as”FamilyFinder” “Family Finder” for any lineage.
Both platforms have active communities and they place a high value on your personal privacy. It’s your choice if you want the information you provide to be used by potential families when searching for missing relatives. But, Family Tree DNA does not have as many areas which are covered as MyHeritage. There are 24 regions that are listed on their web site. This is an option in the event that neither meet your requirements.
To offer their services, Family Tree DNA has three kits that are available. They include:
- Family Ancestry: $59
- Maternal test Test for pregnancy: $159
- Paternal test The cost is $119.
Once you get the results, you can’t actually record it in the form of a family tree electronically despite the name. This may be frustrating to those who wish to find out how long their lineage goes. It is also 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 precise details about your family’s history, go for 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 from the FDA as a risk screener for diseases. As a complement to it, you can use it either through their website or mobile app. There, you will find information on your health and ancestry are accessible. You can create an ancestral tree of your family and explore subjects like genetic risks, the science of genetics, as well as genealogy in general.
23andMe has a wide range in privacy options and choices to choose from. Based on your preferences, you can retract any consent you have given to the business if you are unsure. The saliva samples are collected and results are reported within 3 to 4 weeks.
What 23andMe concentrates on is maternal and paternal, Neanderthal, and autosomal tests. One of the biggest advantages in this is that they cover more than 1500 regions around the world. This factor may not please everyone, but if you would like to trace back less well-known groups, they could do the trick. Precise results may be better than a more general outlook.
If you are interested in their services There are three kinds of tests to choose from. 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
Even if you can obtain enhanced DNA results using 23andMe, it may not be affordable for everyone. For MyHeritage customers, there is the option of taking advantage of the tests either through the kits, or by subscriptions. The annual subscription costs $79 which is the same as the basic tests. As for the kits, at an additional $90, you will get the same assistance at a more efficient approach. Do note that DNA tests aren’t low-cost; they undergo many processes to get the results and identify potential relatives.
MyHeritage Vs. FamilySearch
This genealogy service has another method of information access.
First and foremost, FamilySearch offers its services for absolutely no cost. The reason for this is the company being a non-profit entity. They have a strong partnership with platforms like MyHeritage as well as AncestryDNA. Their online records contain more than 300,000 digital books even if they’re not correctly indexed.
FamilySearch’s database includes family trees that are available for public and private use. For the shared tree, one can look up potential relatives and loved ones , and the way they’re connected. Private trees will not be visible in a search engine due to privacy reasons.
They do have physical documents such as genealogical reports, vital records and census records. However, when you are making your family tree it is not possible to download the tree. Additionally, setting up the tree is a long process too. Another issue is that they do not offer any DNA testing. But if you do not have the funds or the time to determine your family’s lineage it is possible to start here and find out where it goes.
If you are planning to take a DNA test, you can always go to MyHeritage.
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MyHeritage Vs. Xcode Life
The last platform on our list includes Xcode Life, a platform located in India.
Xcode Life has various reports that you can use. Most of them are health-related that include fitness, nutrition and, of course, health. These reports are general and provide results 24 hours a day with PDF formats. However they do not provide any ancestry reporting services. However, they offer more than they lack.
They are able to accept raw DNA information which has been obtained from their partners. They can also accept:
- 23andMe
- Family Tree DNA (FTNDA)
- Ancestry DNA
- MyHeritage
The DNA files are used in their vast health reports. The user is the sole judge to decide what type of report they wish to get. This company’s own privacy guidelines However, you need to remove the DNA information manually. For any personal information that will be deleted, users must send an email to Xcode Life.
Pricing are available in Xcode Life also have bundles to select from. Here’s what they offer:
- Best Seller Pack – $49: nutrition, fitness, health, allergy, skin reports
- Super Pack $89: nutrition, health, fitness, allergy, skin, precision medicine, and reports on methylation
- Mega Pack – $99: Includes each of the 9 individual report packs
The main drawback of 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 your own personal benefit. You can still go here to find out more about your own DNA, but at a minimum.
The Final Verdict
Short story, MyHeritage is the best choice for all your DNA requirements.
You can find out the origins of your family and can be traced back into one family tree. It is autosomal, which is the industry most commonly used test for any genealogical research. Once you get your results, you are given the option of contacting those who are in line with the test you took. This is crucial for those who want to see their loved ones for one last time.
The kits are easy to use, and people of any age can use them. Results will be revealed in 3-4 weeks, after which an email is sent to you containing the results.
For privacy reasons, MyHeritage never sells personal information to any third party. This is to safeguard the DNA samples that are provided to the company, as it is also uploaded in their database. The company will only supply them when specifically requested by its owner.
While there are no data regarding health-related issues found in the DNA test results, you’ll have to charge for supplemental details. In the end, it’s the go-to place for all things genealogical.