Our tested DNA services include AncestryDNA, 23andMe, African Ancestry, Family Tree DNA, and National Geographic. A large databases is the differentiator which contributes to accuracy. According to the experts that we spoke to, most services use the same techniques and offer similar results. We narrowed down our picks from 15 US-based contenders to five by selected services that were under $400, and by identifying the services which had large databases of DNA reference samples. When researching and testing DNA services, we set our focus on the use case which helps to determine where you’re from, and where you can find living relatives. Biomedical DNA tests are used for determining possible hereditary diseases, but are most effective when further information about risks is sought from a doctor. Public records, family documents, and interviews can be used as supplementary resources that will help to answer questions which DNA test results may bring about.ĭNA testing services are useful should you need to solve a paternity dispute, or if you want to gain knowledge about genetic predispositions. Though it’s not the only resource for finding ancestry information, a DNA test provides a solid foundation for those who are looking to create a detailed family tree.
While results come close, recent establishment of national borders, growing reference databases, and mass migrations (which result in mixed ethnicities) can alter results. Generally, the level of certainty which is often advertised with DNA services isn’t always parallel to their underlying science. elegantly, spitting into a tube, depending on the company you’re testing with. Submitting your DNA sample requires either swabbing the inside of your cheeks or, even less.
While Family Tree DNA has more features, each of them come with an individual add-on cost that can result in a high bill. Its testing options are more expansive and the service has genealogy tools that allow you to link your DNA to early human migration, as well as relatives who belong to one particular side of your family tree.
If you’re looking to delve deeper and want to gather data beyond what traced ethnicity offers, our upgrade pick, Family Tree DNA, makes this possible. Aside from having the largest DNA reference pool, AncestryDNA is an affordable resource that efficiently finds living relatives and traces ethnic roots. While every service has its pluses, and areas that could use improvement, our pick showcases data that’s easy to understand. Using a test panel of participants from every major population group, we spent more than 80 hours testing five DNA services and think that AncestryDNA is the best service for most people.