Living DNA VS CRI Genetics

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. CRI Genetics 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 CRI Genetics and Living DNA, allowing you to make an optimal and fully personalized choice.

CRI Genetics
Unique Ancestry & Health DNA Testing
VS
Living DNA
The most detailed DNA test available

Highlights

CRI Genetics
The Genetics Department of the Cellular Research Institute offers a rare blend of high-quality at-home DNA tests dedicated to health-related and ancestral research up to 200,000 years in the past.
  • Experienced scientific team + CLIA-certified testing lab
  • 99.9% testing accuracy with 642,824 genetic markers checked
  • Proprietary testing algorithm + 8-week efficiency guarantee
  • Price: $99.00
  • Shipping:USA, UK, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Spain
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

CRI Genetics
Tests
CRI Genetics offers an ancestry DNA test that provides you with a dual biogeographical ancestry report, detailed percentage breakdown of your genetic heritage, and timeline report of your genetic signature. It also features an ancestry + health bundle that inspects more than 15 health-related genetic factors.
Sample Collection Type
Cheek Swab
Genetic Markers Checked
642,824
Geographic Regions Covered
Unknown
Ancestral Makeup Report
Paternal Lineage
Maternal Lineage
Neanderthal Percentage
Native American DNA Coverage
Jewish DNA Coverage
Cousin matching
Database Size
Unknown
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
CRI Genetics collects personal, genetic, and website-collected information in order to provide you with its services, process payments, enhance user experience, analyze the use of its services, provide adequate security, offer new products and services, gather user demographic info, and serve targeted advertising. Your data is stored in the US and processed only with your explicit consent. Every interaction with the official website is obfuscated with 256-bit encryption.
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

CRI Genetics
FINAL RATING
8.7/10
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

CRI Genetics
  • Submitted By Ann Drake on 11/24/2019
    I tried 23andme, Ancestry.com and CRI Genetics all earlier this year after my mother passed last year. I like my CRI Genetics results best because they are a more honest reflection of who I am and who my ancestors were. The results were all ready in only 3 weeks. ( I did not ask for health genetics.) The Advanced timeline threw me. I still like the results that I have. It would be nice if they could put them on a dated certificate.
  • Submitted By Holly Brown on 10/27/2019
    I used CRI genetics and feel like I got robbed they gave me information that I already knew And they did not dig down to a specific race or where my family came from they just gave general information and areas everything was very vague and nothing made sense I feel like they are a scam and it’s kind a like buyer beware
  • Submitted By virginia123 on 10/23/2019
    I received a refund after waiting and waiting and waiting for my kit and receiving many robo-emails that were full of bs. I spoke with four people and got four different answers. I would not recommend this company.
  • Submitted By Kevin OConnor on 10/10/2019
    I am having a lot of doubts about the accuracy of their report. To general info and seems they have an algorithm that just places people in blocks such as Northern Europe, Northwest Europe, British Isles. Each block takes in 10 countries so you won't know anything about your ancestry.
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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