The wide range of DNA testing can reveal a variety of information about the world.
And did you know that there are numerous possibilities to select from? Whether you want to know about your family’s history and ethnicity, there’s sure to discover everything you need to know about it. MyHeritage helps you keep track of these aspects. Despite this, they’re not the only ones operating in this field of business.
Every person has their own reasons why they go for other alternatives. For instance, privacy, genuine information as well as the possibility of meeting potential relatives or friends. Believe it or not, this could be the final item on their bucket list before they can be at peace. Some families are even okay with having relatives who are not blood-related. Why? They’re family too.
This article will discuss MyHeritage’s peers and the ways they can serve people from all walks of life find their roots. Let’s go!
Before you go on, 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 the 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. The tests give you an ethnicity estimate along with an analysis of the various lineages across the globe. A difference in comparison to MyHeritage is that the AncestryDNA database has 14,500,000 records. The drawback is their reports take longer to produce than MyHeritage. The monthly cost is of $99 which allows the benefits of their reports.
Another problem is that you are unable to upload your own DNA data. Additionally it is not possible to keep your personal data private is not possible also. This could be a warning that you value their own privacy above anything other things. Luckily, MyHeritage lets you set the DNA given to remain private, so that it will not be sold to unwelcome third parties.
As with many companies, they show 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
Certain of them are easily explained, such as those of the U.S Discovery tier. You get records from families from all fifty states in the U.S. If you are not a resident there, you can go with the World Explorer tier as it includes data from every country around the globe. The third level is an expensive plan where you get extra content like the access of Newspaper.com Standard and Fold3.com.
Although the amount of data might be remarkable, AncestryDNA may not cover certain countries, particularly those around Asia. MyHeritage’s smaller database has an advantage because it’s split into 42 distinct regions. These regions can be further searched to identify certain communities that are not mentioned frequently. Think of any tribe and there’s a chance that the DNA test results might be related to one of the tribes.
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MyHeritage vs. Family Tree DNA
The next platform that we’ll be discussing the next one is Family Tree DNA.
From the start, Family Tree DNA has the Y-DNA and mtDNA tests which are not available through MyHeritage. These specific tests find potential relatives from either the father’s or mother’s side exclusively. There is also the autosomal general test known as”Family Finder. “Family Finder” for any lineage.
Both platforms have active communities and they are committed to your privacy. It’s your choice if you want the information you provide to be matched by potential families when searching for missing relatives. The problem is that Family Tree DNA does not have the same number of regions which are covered as MyHeritage. They offer 24 areas on their website. However, this is an option in the event that neither satisfy your needs.
For their offerings, Family Tree DNA has three kits to choose from. They include:
- Family Ancestry: $59
- Maternal test: $159
- Test for paternity Test for paternity: $119
After you’ve gotten the results, it is not possible to really record it on a family tree digitally despite their name. This could be a problem for certain people who want to know how far their family tree goes. Also, it is not possible to find any health information regarding your ethnicity. MyHeritage can help with this, since you can examine common illnesses in the 18-carrier status reports. So if you are finding particular details regarding the family’s history, search 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 be granted approval from the FDA as a risk screening tool for diseases. As a complement, you can access the platform via their website or mobile application. It contains information about your health and ancestry are accessible. It is possible to build your family tree and study things like genetic risk as well as the science of genetics, and genealogy as a whole.
23andMe provides a range choices of consent and privacy options to choose from. Depending on your needs you can revoke any consent you have given to the business if you are unsure. The samples are taken via saliva and the results are available within 3 to 4 weeks.
What 23andMe is focused on are paternal and maternal Neanderthal as well as autosomal tests. The most significant advantage here is they cover more than 1500 regions around the globe. This factor may not please everyone, but if you want to trace back to less well-known groups, they could do the trick. More precise results are more beneficial than a general view.
If you are interested in their services There are three kinds of tests you can choose from. All tests include customer service and a customized walkthrough 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 get added DNA results from 23andMe, the price may not be enough for everyone. For MyHeritage customers, there is the choice of availing of the tests through kits or subscriptions. The annual subscription costs $79, the same price for the basic tests. For the kits, at the slightly higher cost of $90, you will get the same services with a better efficiency. It is important to 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 offers a different approach when it comes to access to information.
First and foremost, FamilySearch offers its services for absolutely no cost. The reason for this is the organization being a non-profit entity. They have a strong partnership with platforms like MyHeritage and AncestryDNA. Their online records include more than 300,000 digital books, even if they are not properly indexed.
FamilySearch’s database includes family trees that are available for the public as well as for private use. For the shared tree, one are able to look up potential relatives and loved ones and the way they’re connected. Private trees will not be visible on a simple search due to privacy reasons.
There are physical reports such as genealogical records, vital documents and census records. The only difference is that when creating your family tree it is not possible to download the tree. In addition, setting up the tree can be a lengthy process as well. Another problem is that they don’t provide any type of DNA tests. But if you do not have the money or resources to determine your family’s lineage, you can start from here and then discover the direction it takes.
If you are planning to get a proper DNA test, you could always go to MyHeritage.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
MyHeritage vs. Xcode Life
The last platform on our review includes Xcode Life, a platform located in India.
Xcode Life has various reports that users can access. Most of them are health-related, including nutrition, fitness, and of course, health. These general reports give results within 24 hours with PDF formats. But they don’t offer any ancestry reporting services. Don’t worry; they do have more services than they do not have.
They accept raw DNA information that has already been provided by their partners. These include:
- 23andMe
- Family Tree DNA (FTNDA)
- Ancestry DNA
- MyHeritage
The DNA files are utilized in their extensive health reports. It is up to the individual on what kind of report they would like to obtain. This company’s own privacy policies, but you have to delete the DNA data manually. If any personal data is to be removed, customers must contact Xcode Life.
Prices are available in Xcode Life also have bundles to select from. This is what they have:
- Best Seller Pack – $49: nutrition, fitness, health, allergy, skin reports
- Super Pack – $89: nutrition, fitness, health, allergy and skin care precision medicine, as well as methylation reports
- Mega Pack – $99: includes all 9 individual report packages
The biggest downside to this platform is that you are not able to trace your ethnicity. Although you are able to use your DNA from the past for other uses, it only benefits the individual you are. You can still go here if you want to learn more about your DNA, but at a minimum.
The Final Verdict
Short story, MyHeritage is the most suitable choice for all your DNA requirements.
It is possible to discover the origins of your family and can be traced back into an entire family tree. It is also autosomal which is the industry standard for every genealogical test. Once you get your results, you are given the option of calling the ones who match the test you took. This is particularly important for those who wish to visit their loved ones the last time.
The kits are easy to use and anyone of all ages can benefit from these kits. Results will be revealed within 3-4 weeks with an email sent to you containing the results.
In the case of privacy, MyHeritage never sells personal information to third parties. This is to protect the DNA samples that are provided to the company, as they also upload them into their database. It will release them when specifically requested by its owner of the DNA.
While there are no data regarding health-related issues found in the DNA results, you need to charge for supplemental details. Overall this is the best place for everything genealogical.