The vast universe of DNA testing could provide you with a wealth of things about life.
Did you know that there are many options to choose from? If you’re interested in finding out more about your family’s history and ethnicity, there’s sure to discover everything about it. MyHeritage keeps you on top of these things. Despite this, they’re in no way the only one working in this field of business.
Each one of us has our own intentions that lead them to other alternatives. For instance, privacy, genuine information, and the possibility of meeting prospective family members or relatives. In reality it could be the last thing on their bucket lists before they are at peace. Some families are even okay with relatives who aren’t 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 discover 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’ll want to read the rest of the article for a more comprehensive review.
MyHeritage vs. AncestryDNA
Our first rival is Ancestry DNA.
Both companies provide autosomal tests as well as test kits, which are a must in DNA testing. Tests give an estimate of ethnicity, as well as the breakdown of different lineages around the world. A difference in comparison to MyHeritage is that the database of AncestryDNA has fourteen million entries. Their reports take longer to produce than MyHeritage. They charge a monthly fee of $99 which allows advantages from their reports.
Another catch is that you can’t upload your personal DNA data. Additionally you cannot make your personal data confidential is not available as well. This can be a red flag, especially for people who are concerned about their privacy above everything other considerations. Luckily, MyHeritage lets you set the DNA to be remain private, so that it will not be given away to unwanted third parties.
As with many companies, they show subscription plans. AncestryDNA has three plans to select from:
- U.S. Discovery – $24.99/month
- World Explorer – $39.99/month
- All Access – $49.99/month
Some of them are easy to understand, such as for instance, the U.S Discovery tier. The records are provided by families from any of the fifty states within the U.S. If you do not live in the United States, you can opt for the World Explorer tier as it contains records from all countries around the globe. The last level is an expensive plan where you will get exclusive content such as access to Newspaper.com Basic and Fold3.com.
Despite the volume of records could be amazing, AncestryDNA may not cover specific countries, especially those located in Asia. MyHeritage’s database is smaller, which is an advantage as it is split into 42 distinct regions. These regions can be further researched to locate specific communities not heard of frequently. Think of any tribe; there’s a possibility that the DNA test results could be related to them.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
MyHeritage Vs. Family Tree DNA
The next platform we will be discussing will be Family Tree DNA.
From the start, Family Tree DNA has the Y-DNA and mtDNA tests which are not available through 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 are active in their communities, and they prioritize your own privacy. So it’s up to you to decide if you would like your DNA to be used by families who are looking for lost relatives. But, Family Tree DNA does not have as many areas covered compared to MyHeritage. They offer 24 areas that are listed on their web site. Nonetheless, this can be an option in the event that neither satisfy your needs.
In terms of their offerings, Family Tree DNA has three kits available. These are:
- Family Ancestry: $59
- Maternal test: $159
- Test for paternity: $119
After you’ve gotten the results, you cannot actually record it in the form of a family tree electronically regardless of their name. This can be bothersome to some people as they want to see how far their family tree goes. Additionally, it’s not possible to find details about your health status regarding your ethnicity. MyHeritage can help with this, because you can also look up common diseases in 18 carrier status reports. If you’re looking for precise details about your family’s history, go to MyHeritage.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
MyHeritage vs 23andMe
Our third one on the list is 23andMe.
This platform is the first to have received approval from the FDA as a risk-screener for diseases. As a complement to it, you can use the platform via their mobile or website. In it, information about your health and ancestry are available. You can build a family tree and learn subjects like genetic risks and the science behind genetics, and genealogy in general.
23andMe provides a range in privacy options and preferences that you can choose from. Based on your personal preferences you are able to revoke your consent to the company if you decide to change your mind. Samples are collected through saliva and results are reported within 3 to four weeks.
What 23andMe focuses on are paternal and maternal Neanderthal, and autosomal tests. The most significant advantage of this test is that it covers more than 1500 regions around the world. This might not be appealing to all, but if you want to trace back to smaller groups, they will accomplish the task. More precise results are more beneficial than an overall view.
In order to avail their services, there are three types of tests available. Each test comes with customer service and a customized review 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 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, the same price for their basic tests. As for the kits, at a slightly higher price of $90, you will get the same services with a better efficiency. Do note that DNA tests aren’t cheap; they go through many processes to get that result and find potential relatives.
MyHeritage and. FamilySearch
This genealogy service takes a distinct approach to access to information.
First and foremost, FamilySearch offers its services at no cost. This is due to the fact that it’s being a non-profit entity. They are partnered with powerful platforms such as MyHeritage or AncestryDNA. Their online databases include more than 300,000 digital books, even if they’re not properly indexed.
FamilySearch’s database includes family trees that are available for the public as well as for private use. For shared trees, you will be able to see potential relatives and family members and how they are related. Private trees will not be visible in a search engine due to privacy reasons.
They do have physical records such as genealogical reports, vital census records and records. The only difference is that when making your family tree you are unable to download the tree. In addition, setting up the tree is a long procedure too. Another issue is that they don’t offer any kind of DNA tests. However, if you don’t have the money or resources to determine your family’s lineage, you can start from here and then discover where it goes.
If you are planning to conduct a thorough testing for DNA you could always visit MyHeritage.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
MyHeritage Vs. Xcode Life
The last platform on our evaluation is Xcode Life, a platform located in India.
Xcode Life has various reports that users can access. The majority of them are related to health that include fitness, nutrition and, of course, health. These general reports give results within 24 hours with PDF formats. However they don’t offer any genealogy reporting services. However, they have more than what they do not have.
They are able to accept raw DNA information that’s already been given from their partners. These include:
- 23andMe
- Family Tree DNA (FTNDA)
- Ancestry DNA
- MyHeritage
These DNA files are then used in their vast health reports. The user is the sole judge on the kind of report they want to get. This company’s own privacy guidelines however, you must remove the DNA information manually. If any personal data is deleted, users have to contact Xcode Life.
Prices are available in Xcode Life also have bundles to choose 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, 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 it is not possible to trace your family tree. While you can utilize your existing DNA for different uses, it only benefits your own personal benefit. It is still possible to go here if you want to learn more about your DNA, or at the very least.
The Final Verdict
The short version is that MyHeritage is the best option for any DNA-related requirements.
You can find out where your family comes from, and it’s traceable into the family tree. The DNA test is also autosomal that is the most commonly used test for any genealogical research. After you’ve received the results, you will have the option to contact those who are in line with your trial. This is crucial for people who want to meet their loved ones an end-of-life visit.
The kits are also easy to use, and people who are of any age can utilize the kits. The results will be available in 3-4 weeks, after which an email is sent to you with the results.
In the context of privacy, MyHeritage never sells personal information to third parties. This is to protect the DNA samples given to the company since they also upload them into their database. They will release them if it is specifically requested by its owner.
There isn’t any information about any health-related issues in the DNA results, you’ll need to charge a bit for extra details. In the end it’s the place to go for everything genealogical.
