AncestryDNA VS Family Tree DNA

UPDATED Dec. 2024
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Family TreeDNA and AncestryDNA both offer exquisite ancestry DNA testing solution built for precision and accuracy. Making the right choice between these two options is largely influenced by your personal expectations from this endeavor.

Family Tree DNA owes a lot of its appeal to its convenient testing bundles and tests separated into different categories. AncestryDNA test, on the other hand, also allows you to inspect billions of genealogical records that can greatly complement the results of your genetic testing.

Our Family TreeDNA vs. AncestryDNA comparison will provide you with all the information necessary to properly gauge both companies and discover which one suits your needs better.

AncestryDNA
Find your complete ethnic origins
VS
Family Tree DNA
The most in-depth ancestry insights

Highlights

AncestryDNA
AncestryDNA is a genetic test developed by Ancestry, the largest genealogical enterprise in the world. The results are backed by various genealogical sources, forming a complete picture of your ancient/recent ancestry.
  • More than 700,000 DNA markers checked for optimal precision
  • Search for potential matches among 7 million DNA signatures
  • Download your raw DNA data file to use with other companies
  • Price: $99.00
  • Shipping:35 Countries
Family Tree DNA
Family Tree DNA is a product of several industry giants aiming to build the ultimate DNA testing enterprise. They offer the greatest number of separate tests alongside cutting-edge technology.
  • The widest array of different DNA tests on the market
  • Free updates of your test results after the initial order
  • Free transfer of raw data from AncestryDNA & 23andME
  • Price: $79.00
  • Shipping:Worldwide

Compare Features

AncestryDNA
Tests
AncestryDNA offers one ancestry DNA test - Ancestry DNA Test. Your final report will provide you with a detailed breakdown of your ancestry. You can also complement your results with billions of genealogical records in the company's database.
Sample Collection Type
Saliva
Genetic Markers Checked
700,000+
Geographic Regions Covered
350 Worldwide Regions
Ancestral Makeup Report
Paternal Lineage
Maternal Lineage
Neanderthal Percentage
Native American DNA Coverage
Jewish DNA Coverage
Cousin matching
Database Size
7,000,000
Family Tree Integration
Chromosome Browser
Health Report
Average Result Time
6-8 Weeks
Research Participation
Raw Data Upload
Raw Data Download
Technology
Illumina OmniExpress
Privacy and Security
With AncestryDNA, you are 100% in charge of your DNA testing kit, your samples, and your personal data from the moment you place your order until you receive your final results. You control who can access your data and the company will never try to interfere with your administration or sell your sensitive info to third parties. You can also transfer your administrator rights to another person if you so choose.
Family Tree DNA
Tests
Family Tree DNA offers the following ancestry DNA testing solutions: - Family Finder - Y-DNA - mtDNA Depending on the test, your final report will include information about your autosomal ancestry as well as direct paternal and maternal lineages.
Sample Collection Type
Mouth Swab
Genetic Markers Checked
690,000
Geographic Regions Covered
22 Worldwide Regions
Ancestral Makeup Report
Paternal Lineage
Maternal Lineage
Neanderthal Percentage
Native American DNA Coverage
Jewish DNA Coverage
Cousin matching
Database Size
500,000
Family Tree Integration
Chromosome Browser
Health Report
Average Result Time
4-10 Weeks
Research Participation
Raw Data Upload
Raw Data Download
Technology
Illumina OmniExpress
Privacy and Security
With each Family Tree DNA test kit, you get a unique ID number you should use to access your final report. This means that not even the company's staff will know your identity while processing your sample and generating your report. Additionally, Family Tree DNA follows the standards set by The European Commission's Directive on Data Protection, so your personal data will never be stored, sold, leased or shared with third parties.

Compare Ratings

AncestryDNA
FINAL RATING
9.8/10
Scope Of DNA Test(s)
Test Processing Times
Privacy & Security
Value For Money
Overall Experience
Family Tree DNA
FINAL RATING
9.6/10
Scope Of DNA Test(s)
Test Processing Times
Privacy & Security
Value For Money
Overall Experience

Compare User Reviews

AncestryDNA
  • Submitted By Alan on 04/27/2019
    Interesting results that align closely with the likes of Gedcom/gedmatch. When you think about that many people constantly migrate from one region to another (or historic invations and conquests) everyone's bloodline gets pretty much mixed up so no test will be able to guess where our ancestors decided to locate. Despite this, I was shown to have 25% French. We always thought it was Germanic, but then, there was a lot of migration across the ages through this area. It accurately showed our dna from 3 continents, though there was much discussion in my family of the countries selected. Only downside is that Ancestry won't accept results from other testers (eg, Myheritage etc) but accuracy is probably about as good as it could get.
  • Submitted By STEVEN WOOTEN on 04/13/2019
    AncestryDNA is a complete rip off. Everything they told us, we knew from googling our last name (which I had done). They did not include anything outside of that information. They did not include anything from my Native American ancestry at all. A person can look at me and tell it's there. I certainly do not look like I am completely Irish and British considering my dark skin, hair, and eyes. What a total waste of time and money. I do not recommend ever using them. There has to be more reputable companies out there.
  • Submitted By Sofia on 19/02/2019
    I have been really disappointed with my results!!!! I am 100% sure I am half Russian and half Italian but the results showed that I am 0% Russian an 27% Italian. Even my Native American results (which were 1%) were higher than Russian! I can not believe it, because my mums side is fully Russian. I hope the company will improve in the future.
  • Submitted By Abigail Hunt on 10/15/2018
    After testing with Family Tree DNA, my husband and I decided to expand our list of relatives and explore the database offered by Ancestry. We found so many new relatives, some of which were located in Europe, out of all places. If you’re adamant about researching your genetic past in-depth, doing a single test is not enough, not by a long shot. Ancestry gave us much more information than FTDNA, but we still have to do the 23andMe test and check their database as well.
Family Tree DNA
  • Submitted By tonni chinn on 11/11/2019
    I had My mother my aunt and Me, I have found this site is very difficult to navigate and get any use ful information form the test we have done ( $+ 1,000.00) an constant up selling. of Which I would Neved use this sit again. There are Much better sites easy to use and with more information
  • Submitted By Lisa Rollins on 04/02/2019
    My boyfriend and I mailed in our Family Tree DNA results together on same day. My boyfriend rec'd notice from FT DNA about 1 week later that his kit was rec'd and he got his test results back in about 3 weeks. It took about 3 or 4 weeks for FTDNA just to send me notice that my kit was received and after two (2) months, I still have not gotten any results back. I had to contact them as I received no word or any explanation. I asked for a refund as I do not trust results at this point and I was told that my kit was just caught up in a "general delay" and they "don't do refunds". Why it took my boyfriend 3 weeks and here I am 9 weeks later... still waiting in SC.
  • Submitted By Laurie Bates on 04/02/2019
    I sent my DNA in which was received on Feb. 25, the timetable for my results was March, then their was a delay posting and they would not get to my DNA for processing until April 1-15. Now today, April 2, there is a posting that there is another delay with dates to get to my DNA for processing is April 15 - April 30. What is up with these delays? I tried their chat at 11:30am, and found them off line. I have never seen such run around for DNA testing, this is not my first time. With their chat off and these delays, I'm thinking I got taken to the cleaners with this one. No legit company comes up with such delays going out past 60 days and turns off their chat during listed business hours. So from my experience, don't spend money for something that will just be delayed over and over. I am extremely disappointed. I have to list at least 1 star in order to post, otherwise, there would be minus stars.
  • Submitted By ARCADIO DE JESUS on 01/25/2019
    I have done testing with 23andMe, Ancestry an and FTDNA, and believe me, there isn't any way, that 23andMe and Ancestry can compare, with FTDNA. If you test your DNA with FTDNA, and you give them the ok, they will send it to National Geographic for more testing.

Winner

AncestryDNA offers one of the best and most precise ancestry DNA tests on the market, paired with an active online community and billions of historical records to complement your exploration. Learn more about its complete offer in our objective AncestryDNA review.

* 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.
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