The vast world of DNA testing could lead you to a lot of information about the world.
And did you know that there are numerous possibilities to select from? If you’re looking to learn more about your ethnicity and lineage there’s a good chance to learn everything about it. MyHeritage keeps you on top of these things. But they’re certainly not the only ones working in this line of business.
Every one of us has our own intentions to choose different choices. This includes privacy, authenticity of information and the possibility of meeting prospective relatives or friends. It’s true this may be the last thing on their bucket lists before they’re at peace. Some families even have no problem with having relatives that are not blood-related. Why? They are family too.
This article will review MyHeritage’s competitors and how 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 review. Afterward, you will want to read the rest of our article for a more comprehensive review.
MyHeritage vs. AncestryDNA
Our first rival is Ancestry DNA.
Both companies offer autosomal tests and test kits, which are essential for DNA testing. These tests provide you with an ethnicity estimate along with a breakdown of various lineages across the globe. One difference here compared to MyHeritage is that the database of AncestryDNA includes fourteen million entries. However, their results are slower than MyHeritage. The monthly cost is of $99, which provides advantages from their reports.
Another issue is that you can’t upload your personal DNA data. Additionally it is not possible to keep your personal information private is not possible as well. This can be a red flag particularly for those who value their own privacy above all other things. Luckily, MyHeritage lets you set the DNA you give to confidential so that it won’t be divulged to undesirable third-party.
Like many other companies, they provide an option to subscribe. AncestryDNA has three plans that you can choose from:
- U.S. Discovery – $24.99/month
- World Explorer – $39.99/month
- All Access – $49.99/month
Some are self-explanatory, like for instance, the U.S Discovery tier. There are records of families from one of fifty states of the U.S. If you don’t live in the United States, you can opt for the World Explorer tier as it includes records from every country around the globe. The final option is premium plans in which you will get exclusive content such as accessibility to Newspaper.com Standard and Fold3.com.
Although the amount of data could seem remarkable, AncestryDNA may not cover certain countries, particularly those around Asia. MyHeritage’s database is smaller, which is an advantage as it is split into 42 distinct regions. These regions can be further searched to identify certain communities that are not mentioned 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 that we’ll discuss the next one is Family Tree DNA.
From the start, Family Tree DNA has the Y-DNA and mtDNA tests not offered by MyHeritage. These tests can help you identify potential relatives that are on either the father’s or mother’s side only. In case, they do offer the general autosomal test called the “Family Finder” for any lineage.
Both platforms have active communities, and they are committed to your privacy. So it’s up to you if you want that your genetic information be found by prospective families while searching for missing relatives. The problem is that Family Tree DNA does not have as many areas which are covered as MyHeritage. There are 24 regions on their website. However, this is an option in the event that neither cater to your needs.
In terms of their offerings, Family Tree DNA has three kits to choose from. They are:
- Family Ancestry: $59
- Maternal test Cost: $159
- Test for paternity The cost is $119.
When you have the results, you cannot really record it on an online family tree despite the name. This may be frustrating to some people as they want to see how far their lineage runs. It is also not possible to find any health information regarding your ethnicity. MyHeritage makes this work since you can look up common diseases in the 18-carrier status reports. So if you are finding particular details regarding your family’s history, go to MyHeritage.
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MyHeritage vs 23andMe
Our number three on the list is 23andMe.
This is the first company to receive approval by the FDA as a risk-screener for diseases. In addition to it, you can use it either through their mobile or website. There, you will find information on your health and ancestry is accessible. You can create your family tree and study things like genetic risk and the science behind genealogy, and genetics as a whole.
23andMe has a wide range choices of consent and privacy options that you can choose from. Depending on your needs you can revoke your consent to the company at any time you are unsure. Samples are collected through saliva and the results are available within 3 to 4 weeks.
What 23andMe concentrates on is paternal and maternal Neanderthal as well as autosomal tests. One of the biggest advantages here is they cover more than 1500 regions around the world. This may not be a favorite for all, but if you want to trace back to smaller groups, they will do the trick. More precise results are more beneficial than a general view.
In order to avail their services, there are three types of tests to choose from. Each test comes with customer support and a custom review 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’s pricing, it might not be sufficient for all. For MyHeritage You have the option of availing the tests through kit or through subscriptions. The subscription starts at $79/year, the same price for their base tests. For the kits, for the slightly higher cost of $90, you get the same assistance but with more capability. It is important to note that DNA tests aren’t low-cost; they undergo several steps to arrive at the results and identify potential relatives.
MyHeritage and. FamilySearch
This genealogy service offers a different approach to accessing information.
First and foremost, FamilySearch offers its services for absolutely no cost. This is due to the fact that it’s being a non-profit institution. They’re partnered with powerful platforms such as MyHeritage and AncestryDNA. Their online databases include more than 300,000 digital books, even if they are not properly indexed.
FamilySearch’s database includes family trees that are available for private and public use. If you have family trees that are shared, users are able to look up potential relatives and loved ones and how they are related. Private trees will not be visible on a simple search due to privacy reasons.
They do have physical records such as genealogical records, vital census records and records. The only difference is that when setting up your family tree you are unable to download the tree. In addition, setting up the tree is a long procedure too. Another catch is that they do not provide any type of DNA tests. But if you do not have the budget or resources to determine your family’s lineage, you can start from here and see where it goes.
And if you plan to conduct a thorough genetic test for your DNA, then you could always go to MyHeritage.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
MyHeritage Vs. Xcode Life
The final platform in 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 24 hours a day in PDF format. Despite this, they do not offer any genealogy reporting services. But don’t fret, they have more than what they do not 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 can be utilized in their extensive health reports. The user is the sole judge on what kind of report they would like to receive. The company has its own privacy guidelines However, you need to delete the DNA data manually. To ensure that any personal information is deleted, users must send an email to Xcode Life.
Prices in Xcode Life also have bundles to choose from. This is what they have:
- Best Seller Pack – $49: nutrition, fitness, health, allergy, skin reports
- Super Pack $89: nutrition fitness, health, allergy, skin, precision medicine, and methylation reports
- Mega Pack – $99: Includes each of the 9 individual report packs
The main drawback of this platform is the fact it is not possible to trace your family tree. Although you are able to use your DNA from the past for other purposes, it’s only for you personally. You are still able to visit to find out more about your own DNA, at least.
The Final Verdict
Short story, MyHeritage is the best option for any DNA-related requirements.
You can learn where your family comes from, and it’s traceable into one family tree. The DNA test is autosomal, which is the industry most commonly used test for any genealogical research. When you have your results, you are given the option to contact the ones who match the test you took. This is especially important to people who want to meet their loved ones for one last time.
They are also simple to use, and people who are of any age can utilize them. Results will be revealed within 3-4 weeks and an email will be sent out to you with 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 they also upload them into their database. It will release them if it is 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 any additional details. All in all, it’s the go-to place to find everything related to genealogy.
