National Geographic Ancestry Test VS African Ancestry

UPDATED Nov. 2024
Table Of Contents+
This website features affiliate links. For purchases made via these links, we earn commissions that allow us to keep producing helpful content. To find out more click here. Close

After making the initial decision to explore your ancestry and genetic origins, you are faced with a multitude of nuances, separating one ancestry DNA testing company from the next. African Ancestry and National Geographic Ancestry Test are both excellent choices for the task at hand, but one will certainly come out on top once you identify your specific needs and expectations. Their services, although high-quality and professional, differ in small but important aspects, even though they seemingly do the same thing. Our comparison will help you spot those differences between African Ancestry and National Geographic Ancestry Test, allowing you to make an optimal and fully personalized choice.

African Ancestry
Learn All About Your African Heritage
VS
National Geographic Ancestry Test
Next Gen Of Genographic DNA Testing

Highlights

African Ancestry
African Ancestry was founded in 2003 in order to help individuals with African origins explore their paternal and maternal lineages and follow their ancestry up to 2,000 years in the past.
  • Experienced team with solid background in genetics/genealogy
  • Company focused on African paternal and maternal heritage
  • The largest database of African lineages on the market
  • Price: $299.00
  • Shipping:Unknown
National Geographic Ancestry Test
Genographic has introduced the next generation of its DNA test. The National Geographic Ancestry Test is vastly superior to its predecessor, offering a much more detailed insight into your DNA ancestry.
  • More than 800,000 participants in over 140 countries
  • 60 reference populations for a complete ancestral layout
  • Neanderthal DNA check and full autosomal, Y, and mt testing
  • Price: $149.95
  • Shipping:Worldwide

Compare Features

African Ancestry
Tests
African Ancestry offers the following ancestry DNA testing solutions: - MatriClan - PatriClan The results explore your potential African heritage through your direct maternal or paternal lineage.
Sample Collection Type
Cheek Swab
Genetic Markers Checked
Unknown
Geographic Regions Covered
40
Ancestral Makeup Report
Paternal Lineage
Maternal Lineage
Neanderthal Percentage
Native American DNA Coverage
Jewish DNA Coverage
Cousin matching
Database Size
33,000
Family Tree Integration
Chromosome Browser
Health Report
Average Result Time
6-8 Weeks
Research Participation
Raw Data Upload
Raw Data Download
Technology
Unknown
Privacy and Security
African Ancestry collects quite a bit of data throughout its testing process and it also logs your IP address, browser type, ISP, and other information.
National Geographic Ancestry Test
Tests
National Geographic offers one ancestry DNA test - Geno 2.0 Next Generation. The results will provide you with a comprehensive overview of your genetic ancestry, including maternal and paternal haplogroups, Neanderthal DNA percentages, and the migration routes of your ancient genetic relatives.
Sample Collection Type
Cheek Swab
Genetic Markers Checked
750,000
Geographic Regions Covered
60 Worldwide Regions
Ancestral Makeup Report
Paternal Lineage
Maternal Lineage
Neanderthal Percentage
Native American DNA Coverage
Jewish DNA Coverage
Cousin matching
Database Size
More Than 900,000
Family Tree Integration
Chromosome Browser
Health Report
Average Result Time
6-12 Weeks
Research Participation
Raw Data Upload
Raw Data Download
Technology
Illumina Exome
Privacy and Security
National Geographic is a world-famous brand with a reputation to uphold. It features a rather strict privacy & security policy, which means your personal data is perfectly safe 100% of the time. National Geographic will never share, sell or lease your information to third parties.

Compare Ratings

African Ancestry
FINAL RATING
8.9/10
Scope Of DNA Test(s)
Test Processing Times
Privacy & Security
Value For Money
Overall Experience
National Geographic Ancestry Test
FINAL RATING
7.0/10
Scope Of DNA Test(s)
Test Processing Times
Privacy & Security
Value For Money
Overall Experience

Compare User Reviews

African Ancestry
  • Submitted By Claudester Stephens on 07/14/2019
    Both I and my brother took the test at the same time. I took the MartiClan and my brother took the PatriClan. My mother's maternal genetic ancestry is from Guinea-Bissau. My brother's paternal genetic ancestry said he is from Korea. How can that be. I wish that had explained that more. How does Korean and African ancestry combine.? Were some Koreans brought to Africa?
  • Submitted By Michael Henderson on 05/11/2019
    I think African Ancestry is still a work in progress. First of all I wanted to use this co. Because I’m a person of African decent. I found the process initially to be pretty routine. But because of the cost of the test I had very high expectation. I received the kit within a week or so of ordering the test. I returned the test kit around a day or so after receiving the kit. To my surprise it took around two months or more for me to get the results. I received my kit. In the mail on 2/13/19 and sent it in again in about two to three day turn around. I didn’t receive my results in the mail until 5/11/19. To say the least I was extremely disappointed in the turn around time! When I got the result I did learn I received Maternal lineage and I was looking for paternal lineage info.? i didn’t seem to have a choice on this.! Overall I didn’t see the value in this investment of almost $300. In my opinion although I gain some knowledge it was not what I expected!!! Thank You! MLH
  • Submitted By Natasha on 03/08/2019
    Negative Five stars for African Ancestry. (I have also used two other Ancestry/dna testing companies.) I began the process with the company in September 2018. I was told they needed to do a recollection in December 2018. It is March 2019 and I still have NOTHING from this company... NOTHING. Upon making a call for the status of my results, I was met with rude, condescending laughter and sarcasm. African Ancestry needs to do better. The company wants the business, but opts to treat it’s African descended clientele like garbage. This is not the way to advance and claim distinction as an African focused business.
  • Submitted By Tequilla Brown on 11/07/2018
    This has be an overwhelming experience for me and my family. My husband had his DNA tested before me. We found out that we share the same results for our Matriclan which is 100% Native American. I look forward to finding out more information on my Native side of the family. I really wish that there was more information as to which tribe I belong to. Big thanks to African Ancestry for making this site available.
National Geographic Ancestry Test
  • Submitted By Arthur Starr on 04/27/2019
    This company needs major improvement. I have been waiting since February 2019 after I paid and send a saliva sample. I have not received results nor have i been able to access the site. I have spoken to numerous individuals who supposedly represent Helix and each time was promised that the problems would be taken care of. None of this has helped. I am not recognized on the site after resending my information many times. I would avoid this program and warn others to do the same. At this point I am wondering if this is a scam. I subscribe toNational Geographic and trusted that they were involved with this company. I would give them a zero for a rating if it were allowed.
  • Submitted By SZ on 09/03/2018
    I read some negative reviews online, and almost decided against buying the test. Fortunately, I changed my mind and did the test. I waited 10 weeks for my report to be ready and I learned a lot of things about my maternal and paternal ancestry. I was not disappointed and I recommend going with National Geographic if you want to find out more about your ancestors. The test is worth every penny, if you understand what you are getting out of it.
  • Submitted By Tanya on 08/13/2018
    I waited a long time to receive my results. While I was not disappointed with my report, I did expect a bit more from National Geographic.
  • Submitted By Cynthia on 07/30/2018
    I am utterly flabbergasted by this product. It has been a year since I submitted by samples and until now I have yet to receive my results. I wrote several emails and in the beginning the first reason was ‘some delays due to change of labs’ then when I asked again ‘delays due to IT issues of uploading results’ and then when I asked again recently it was met with silence and just simply no reply. I have now asked them for a refund but again no reply. I really recommend that you do not purchase this at all. It is really a very annoying situation and I regret getting this - they basically took the money and gave me nothing. Reading some of the reviews here make it sound like some people actually received results - how? Why did I not receive mine? It makes me so disappointed. Is there a board I can complain to formally? It really is a scam with the Nat Geo name ! If I could give zero I would but this system’s minimum is 1 star

Winner

African Ancestry is a DNA testing provider that enables its users to explore their potential African heritage by following their paternal and maternal lineages up to 2,000 years in the past. Read our dedicated African Ancestry review to learn more about the testing solutions the company has to offer and the overall quality of its ancestry testing service.

* All the prices on this website are subject to change without notice. While we put a great deal of effort into making sure that all the prices are accurate, one or more products may have outdated prices. Please visit the specific product’s official website for exact prices.
Join our mailing list to receive exclusive updates, giveaways and coupon codes directly to your inbox.