Sunday, February 5th
2023 DNA Testing Kit Reviews
Family Tree DNA
- Tests available for family, paternal and maternal ancestry, along with DNA wellness insights
- 2 million people in the DNA network
- Upload your raw DNA data from three other services to get matches here
- "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
Family Tree DNA is owned by parent company Gene by Gene and is based in Texas. Created in 2000, this service was one of the first to offer direct-to-consumer DNA testing kits.
New partnership with myDNA
There was a huge sale going on when we visited the Family Tree DNA site most recently. The biggest "score" was the Family Ancestry + myDNA Wellness kit for just $59. You may already have seen that myDNA is one of our favorite picks for getting gene-customized diet and fitness recommendations, and their service alone is regularly priced at $99. Why not get everything they have to offer PLUS your ancestry results - for $40 less? You can read more in our myDNA review to see how that part of the service works (and pay close attention to the monthly membership component).
Several tests focused on ancestry alone
Not looking for health and wellness info? No problem. Family Tree DNA also has several ancestry-only options:
- Family Ancestry: normally priced at $79, this kit was on sale for $49 at the time of this review. You can connect with up to five generations of relatives (up through fourth cousins) among the 2+ million people in the Family Tree DNA database. Their newest enhancement is ancientOrigins, which will compare your DNA with samples found on archeological dig sites throughout Europe.
- Paternal Ancestry: on sale for $99 and typically priced at $119, this test is available for biological males who want to explore their paternal line, connect with relatives in their Y-DNA database, trace their surname to its roots, and follow the migration paths of male ancestors.
- Maternal Ancestry: for $159 (not on sale at the time of this evaluation), you can see your maternal-line relatives and explore your female ancestors' migration paths.
You can also transfer your data from AncestryDNA, 23andMe or MyHeritage to Family Tree DNA and get your matches at no cost.
Smaller DNA database, no family tree tool
How many matches might you find here? This is one of the smaller testing databases among the ancestry-based DNA services we evaluated, with just two million people included so far. Also, despite the name, Family Tree DNA doesn't have a tree-building function and you'd need to use a different platform if you're trying to create and research your family tree.
Costs
- $79 for Family Ancestry kit
- $119 for Family Ancestry + myDNA Wellness kit
- $119 for Paternal Ancestry kit
- $159 for Maternal Ancestry kit
- $9.95 shipping fee on the first kit, $4.95 for every additional kit
Customer reviews aren't always positive
The Better Business Bureau gives Family Tree DNA their highest rating and accreditation, so we're not overly concerned about how the company handles problems or operates in general. Customer reviews are a little less consistent: in some places, they average less than 2 out of 5 stars, while in others the average skyrockets to 4.2 out of 5. In all of those places, though, the recent feedback is almost entirely negative. Clients report that tests take months to return results, that information is vague or inaccurate, and that customer service is hard to work with.
Some room for improvement
We give Family Tree DNA a slight bump in our ratings over their last evaluation here, almost entirely because it may give you a way to access the health and wellness features of a higher-rated service for less money. But, if you're primarily interested in DNA test kits for exploring your ancestry, you'll almost certainly get more accurate and detailed reports from a different provider.
More DNA Testing Kit Reviews
The 10 Best DNA Testing Kits
Where Can You Get the Best DNA Testing Kits?
Direct-to-consumer DNA testing has exploded over the last decade. From popular TV shows that document the ancestry of celebrities to clickbait articles describing the latest "she almost married her long-lost brother!" scandal prevented by a DNA test, it seems like everyone is pretty familiar with the appeal and power of these kits.
There are three main reasons why people buy a DNA test these days. The most common is to explore their heritage. Am I really related to royalty? Did my great-great-grandparents actually come from a small town in Italy? DNA tests can often reveal the answers to such questions. These tests also help people connect with living relatives, from distant cousins overseas to half-siblings and even previously-unknown parents.
DNA Testing Kit FAQ
Continued from above...
Most DNA testing services allow you to keep that information private, though, if you just want to see your ethnicity breakdown without disclosing yourself to any relatives who might be in their database.
The second reason many individuals choose to buy a DNA testing kit is to get information on health and wellness. Depending on the provider you choose, your results may include basic traits like cleft chin or sensitivity to caffeine, or they may go so far as to tell you if you're a carrier for certain hereditary diseases. These tests can help you be proactive with your health, give your physician more details to guide your treatment, and maybe even prolong your life.
If you've ever watched The Jerry Springer Show, you already know the third reason people buy DNA tests: to prove paternity. That's easier to do when the alleged father is a willing participant in the test, but some companies also offer sibling, half-sibling, grandparent and avuncular (such as aunt/uncle) options that can give you a percentage of likelihood that the individual is related.
You've got lots of options for DNA testing kids. Which one should you buy? These are the factors you should keep in mind as you decide:
- Purpose. Why do you want to test your DNA: ancestry, health, or paternity? The answer to that question will automatically narrow down your choices.
- Value. What will you get for what you spend? Will your results come in a detailed report or just a vague summary? Are there any other services included with your purchase, like a family tree builder, dietary recommendations, or other guidance?
- Additional Costs. Some DNA testing kits have ongoing membership or subscription fees. Be sure you understand what you're getting when you click the "order now" button: many people are angry when they find "unexpected" charges on their credit cards because they didn't read the part that explained the monthly or annual service fees.
- Reputation. What do other customers say about their experience with using the DNA test provider? Did they have any issues with getting results in a timely fashion? Does the test deliver what the company promises?
To help you choose the right service to learn more about your health and heritage, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the most popular providers of DNA testing kits on the market today. We're confident that through these tests, you can discover everything you've wanted to know about your genetics!
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