The vast world of DNA testing may reveal a variety of information about the world.
And did you know that there are many possibilities to select from? Whether you want to know about your family’s history and ethnicity there’s a good chance to learn everything about it. MyHeritage keeps you on top of these things. Despite this, they’re far from being the sole ones in this business.
Every person has their own personal reasons why they go for other alternatives. Namely: privacy, authentic information and the possibility of getting to meet potential relatives or friends. Believe it or not it could be the very last thing on their bucket list before they are at peace. Certain families are okay with relatives who do not have blood ties. Why? They’re family too.
This article will look at MyHeritage’s peers and the ways they assist people from all walks of life find their roots. Let’s get going!
Before you continue, you may want to watch 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 opponent is Ancestry DNA.
Both companies offer autosomal tests and test kits, which are an essential part of DNA testing. Tests give an estimate of ethnicity, as well as an analysis of the various lineages around the world. One difference here compared to MyHeritage is that AncestryDNA’s database includes 14,500,000 records. However, their results take longer than MyHeritage. It includes a monthly fee of $99 which allows the benefits of their reports.
Another issue is that you can’t upload your own DNA information. In addition you cannot make your own information private is not possible also. This can be a sign, especially for people who value their own privacy above all other considerations. Luckily, MyHeritage lets you set the DNA to be confidential so that it won’t be sold to unwelcome third parties.
Like many other companies, they show an option to subscribe. 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 are self-explanatory, like those of the U.S Discovery tier. The records are provided by families in all fifty states of the U.S. If you are not a resident there, you may go with the World Explorer tier as it includes records from every country all over the world. The last level is an expensive plan where you can access additional content, such as access to Newspaper.com basic and Fold3.com.
Despite the volume of records could be impressive, AncestryDNA may not cover certain countries, particularly 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 studied to find certain communities that are not mentioned frequently. Consider any tribe and there’s a chance that the DNA test results may be related to them.
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MyHeritage and. Family Tree DNA
The next platform we’ll talk about the next one is Family Tree DNA.
From the beginning, Family Tree DNA has mtDNA and Y-DNA tests that are not provided by MyHeritage. These tests are specifically designed to identify possible relatives on either the father’s or mother’s side only. There is also the standard autosomal test, known as the “Family Finder” for any lineage.
Both platforms have active communities and they place a high value on your personal privacy. So it’s up to you to decide if you would like the information you provide to be used by prospective families while searching for missing relatives. However, Family Tree DNA does not have as many areas covered compared to MyHeritage. They have 24 areas available on their site. This is an option in the event that neither meet your requirements.
To offer their services, Family Tree DNA has three kits available. They include:
- Family Ancestry: $59
- Maternal test Test for pregnancy: $159
- Paternal test: $119
Once you get the results, you cannot actually record it in a family tree digitally despite their name. This could be a problem for certain people who want to see how far their lineage goes. Also, it is impossible to locate health-related information about your ethnicity. MyHeritage helps with this because you can also look up common diseases in the 18-carrier status reports. So if you are finding particular details regarding your family’s genealogy, look for MyHeritage.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
MyHeritage vs 23andMe
Our number three on the list is 23andMe.
The platform was the first to have received approval from the FDA as a risk screener for diseases. In addition, you can access the platform via their website or mobile application. 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 and the science behind genetics, and genealogy as a whole.
23andMe has a wide range of privacy and consent choices to choose from. Depending on your needs, you can retract any consent you have given to the business when you are unsure. The samples are taken via saliva and results are reported within 3 to four weeks.
What 23andMe focuses on are paternal and maternal, Neanderthal tests, and autosomal tests. The biggest benefit in this is that they cover more than 1500 areas across the globe. This might not be appealing to all people, but if are looking to trace your roots to less well-known groups, they could help. The results that are precise may be more effective than a more general outlook.
When availing of their services, there are three types of tests available. Each test comes with the customer service and a personalized 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
Even if you can receive improved DNA results through 23andMe, it may not be enough for everyone. For MyHeritage customers, there is the option of taking advantage of the tests either through kit or through subscriptions. The subscription starts at $79/year and is the same cost for the basic tests. In terms of the kits, at an additional $90, you basically get the same services but with more capability. Be aware that DNA tests aren’t cheap; they go through numerous procedures to obtain the result and also identify possible relatives.
MyHeritage Vs. FamilySearch
This genealogy service offers a different approach to access to information.
First of all, FamilySearch offers its services for free of charge. It is because the organization being a non-profit organization. They have a strong partnership with platforms such as MyHeritage and AncestryDNA. Their online records include more than 300,000 digital books even if they’re not correctly indexed.
FamilySearch’s database includes family trees available for the public as well as for private use. In the case of shared trees, you will be able to see potential relatives and loved ones and how they are related. Private trees won’t be seen on a simple search because of privacy concerns.
There are physical reports like genealogical documents, including vital census records and records. The only difference is that when setting up your family tree you are unable to download it. Plus, the setup of the tree is a tedious process too. Another issue is that they do not offer any DNA tests. But if you do not have the money or resources to track your family tree, you can start from here and see what happens.
And if you plan to get a proper 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 evaluation includes Xcode Life, a platform based in India.
Xcode Life has various reports that users can access. The majority of them are related to health such as fitness, nutrition and, of course health. These reports are general and provide results in 24 hours in PDF format. However they do not provide any genealogy reporting services. But don’t fret, they have more than what they don’t have.
They will accept DNA data in raw form that has already been provided by their partners. These include:
- 23andMe
- Family Tree DNA (FTNDA)
- Ancestry DNA
- MyHeritage
The DNA files are used to create their huge health reports. The user is the sole judge on the kind of report they want to obtain. This company’s own privacy policies, but you have to remove the DNA information manually. To ensure that any personal information is deleted, users have to send an email to Xcode Life.
The prices are available in Xcode Life also have bundles that you can pick from. Here’s what they offer:
- 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 for $99: contains the individual report packages for all nine
The most significant drawback to this platform is the fact it is not possible to trace your family tree. Although you are able to use your existing DNA for different uses, it only benefits you personally. It is still possible to go here if you want to learn more about your DNA, or at the very least.
The Final Verdict
Long story short, MyHeritage is the best choice for any DNA-related requirements.
You can find out which family ethnic lineage you have and can be traced back into an entire family tree. This test for DNA is autosomal which is the industry norm for all genealogical tests. After you’ve received the results, you will have the option to contact those who match your test. This is crucial for those who wish to visit their loved ones one last time.
The kits are easy to use and anyone of all ages can benefit from them. The results will be available within 3-4 weeks, and an email will be sent to you containing the results.
In the context of privacy, MyHeritage never sells personal information to any third party. This is to protect the DNA samples that are provided to the company since it is uploaded to their database. They will supply them if it is expressly requested by their owner.
Although there is no information about any health-related issues in the DNA results, you need to charge a bit for supplemental information. In the end this is the best place for all things genealogical.
