iGENEA VS Living DNA

UPDATED Dec. 2024
Table Of Contents+
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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. iGENEA and Living DNA 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 iGENEA and Living DNA, allowing you to make an optimal and fully personalized choice.

iGENEA
European version of AncestryDNA
VS
Living DNA
The most detailed DNA test available

Highlights

iGENEA
iGENEA is a Swiss DNA testing company launched in 2006. It was born out of its founder's aspirations to unlock her Polish/Jewish origins by using historical and genetic scientific breakthroughs.
  • Usage of Family Tree DNA testing facility and user database
  • 3 DNA testing solutions with highly detailed and accurate results
  • Free consultations with experts and competent user support
  • Price: $213.99
  • Shipping:Unknown
Living DNA
Living DNA provides the most precise ethnic estimates on the market. Its ancestry test covers the biggest number of genetic populations, which translates to the most accurate genetic percentages.
  • 80 world regions covered, including 21 in the British Isles
  • 15-fold analysis of 650,000 genetic markers in your genome
  • Free shipping and result updates; raw DNA data download
  • Price: $156.00
  • Shipping:Worldwide

Compare Features

iGENEA
Tests
iGENEA offers the following ancestry DNA testing solutions: - iGENEA Basic - iGENEA Premium - iGENEA Expert Depending on your chosen test, iGeneal will provide you with knowledge about your ancient genetic ancestry, a variety of geographic maps indicating relevant places for your genetic signature, and exhaustive information about your direct maternal and paternal lineages.
Sample Collection Type
Cheek Swab
Genetic Markers Checked
500,000; 710,000
Geographic Regions Covered
Unknown
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
6-8 Weeks
Research Participation
Raw Data Upload
Raw Data Download
Technology
Affymetrix
Privacy and Security
With iGenea, you don't have to worry about your privacy and the security of your personal information or test results. The company adheres to Swiss law on data protection and the Federal Act on Data Protection when it comes to the collection and usage of your personal data.
Living DNA
Tests
Living DNA offers one ancestry DNA test - Ancestry. The final report provides you with a thorough breakdown of your maternal and paternal ancestry, your haplogroup/subclade, and the migration map of your ancestors.
Sample Collection Type
Mouth Swab
Genetic Markers Checked
650,000
Geographic Regions Covered
80 Worldwide Regions
Ancestral Makeup Report
Paternal Lineage
Maternal Lineage
Neanderthal Percentage
Native American DNA Coverage
Jewish DNA Coverage
Cousin matching
Database Size
New, Still Growing
Family Tree Integration
Chromosome Browser
Health Report
Average Result Time
10-12 Weeks
Research Participation
Raw Data Upload
Raw Data Download
Technology
Custom Illumina OmniExpress
Privacy and Security
Living DNA is a holder of ISO:27001 certification, which signalizes optimal protection and security for your personal and genetic data. As your DNA sample is only connected to your unique ID number, not even its staff members will know your identity. Living DNA doesn't allow individuals under the age of 18 to get tested without the explicit consent of their parents or guardians.

Compare Ratings

iGENEA
FINAL RATING
8.0/10
Scope Of DNA Test(s)
Test Processing Times
Privacy & Security
Value For Money
Overall Experience
Living DNA
FINAL RATING
9.7/10
Scope Of DNA Test(s)
Test Processing Times
Privacy & Security
Value For Money
Overall Experience

Compare User Reviews

iGENEA
  • Submitted By Paul Anderson on 08/22/2017
    I definitely discovered a lot about my jewish ancestors but the test was so damn expensive.
  • Submitted By Josh O'Neal on 07/13/2017
    The whole procedure was pretty quick and I even got the hard copy of the results.
  • Submitted By Kim Reeves on 06/05/2017
    The site is just a mess I couldn't find anything I wanted to know so I had to call the support guys to help me out.
  • Submitted By Thomas Wilkinson on 04/21/2017
    Excellent tests! It's all I imagined it would be and I'm thinking about starting a Wilkinson surname project as well.
Living DNA
  • Submitted By Sandra on 08/15/2019
    I ordered two tests in December 2017. I did get results for the mitochondrial and Y DNA. To date only one match to my father which is me. My husband's test has no matches. He has a ton of matches on other sites. I have not had any other communications from this company. I uploaded a test from Ancestry in January 2018. It was my test and I did match my father. It is the only match out of three tests. I guess if I want more matches I will need to upload more tests from Ancestry? Does anyone have matches from this site? Am I doing something wrong or is this site a dead-end?
  • Submitted By Joseph Flores on 07/08/2019
    The best DNA company ever...accurate...on everything...my haplogroups ..im glad i tested with living DNA....23andme lousy always waiting for updates on what my ethnicity might turn out to be!same with all the other sites....not living DNA it gives me every thing on what i am ethnicity wise...thankyou living DNA
  • Submitted By Paul Dove on 05/24/2019
    I uploaded my DNA file, from Ancestry, and my wife's, from 23andme, and then waited and waited. A month later, after progressing through various stages of "testing", the status for both went back to Uploaded and hasn't changed since. No idea why but might be related to me deciding not to continue my membership of their partnering company Find my Past; without the DNA analysis I didn't see any point in continuing with Find my Past but I did expect to get DNA results eventually from Living DNA.
  • Submitted By RCCCCcweraer on 05/11/2019
    You do not want to use LivingDNA. They have operational and lab issues. They are disorganized, unable to respond even within a week to a question. They apparently outsource to two different labs in different countries and yet their business is in England. We started the process in January as as of today, no results. It doesn't matter if their testing is good, we can't get our results and how much confidence can we have when they are not operationally sound?

Winner

Living DNA provides the broadest geographical coverage of matching ancestry and ethnicity, with the English Isles represented with 21 regions. Raw DNA results are also offered for potential matching with different databases and genealogy research websites. Read all about the company's testing options in our detailed Living DNA 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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