AncestryDNA vs MyHeritage

Sample Process (Winner: MyHeritage) 

Ancestry utilizes a spit test in its DNA testing kit. Some individuals find it difficult to produce enough saliva to fill up a vial — especially older generations. However, a spit DNA test is not a major hurdle for most people. 

MyHeritage DNA test kit requires a cheek swab. Many consumers find cheek swabs to be easier to use than spit tests. This is a minor advantage that MyHeritage has over Ancestry. However, MyHeritage requires users to pay for return postage for their DNA test kits. This may cause a minor inconvenience when trying to figure out the right amount of postage. 

MyHeritage is the winner in the sample process category because it offers an easier DNA collection process. 

DNA Testing Options (Tie) 

Both companies offer an autosomal DNA test. This test is sufficient to give consumers accurate genetic information. However, companies that offer Y-DNA and mitochondrial DNA testing can explore further into the male and female haplogroups.

Companies tie for DNA testing options.  

Ancestry Results (Winner: Ancestry) 

With over 16 million DNA tests, Ancestry has the largest consumer DNA database out of all the DNA testing companies. This advantage positions Ancestry as the top company for ethnicity estimates. Ancestry gives you an ethnicity estimate and matches your DNA with relatives. Ancestry has over 27 billion family history records to compare with your DNA. 

With your DNA data, Ancestry can trace your ancestor’s origin in up to 500 different regions. This gives you a lot of information about migration patterns and ethnicity. You can use a map feature to locate your relatives. 

My heritage has 4 million DNA test samples in its database. My Heritage has not been in the DNA testing industry as long as Ancestry has; however, this company continues to grow in size and capability as it acquires other databases. 

MyHeritage supplies information on 42 regions. With this information, you can track your ancestor’s migration route. MyHeritage also provides information on your Neanderthal ancestors, a feature Ancestry DNA does not offer. 

Ancestry DNA has more information and a better user interface for ancestry information. 

Family Tree Builders (Winner: MyHeritage) 

Ancestry DNA and MyHeritage are known for their family tree builders. Once you take a DNA test, you will have access to a personal family tree where you can link with your relatives and ancestors. 

Ancestry has four options when linking your family tree. You can look for private, public, and unlinked trees that share a common ancestor. You can also look for common ancestors through connected trees. Ancestry’s tree function is easy to use with horizontal and vertical viewing options. 

MyHeritage has five search options on its family tree function. Filtered searches include have a theory of family relativity, has smart matches, shared surname, shared place, and has a family tree. These additional family tree filters can be useful for building out your family tree. 

MyHeritage has a superior family tree filtering function. 

Relative Finders (Winner: Ancestry) 

Using your DNA results, you can search for common relatives with a DNA match. Both Ancestry and MyHeritage offer ways to search for these relatives. 

On Ancestry, you can filter your results in three ways: close matches (4th cousin or closer), distant matches, and custom centimorgan range. Ancestry displays the number of projected results before clicking forward. Ancestry’s custom centimorgan range identifies specific relatives that share a significant amount of DNA similarity. 

MyHeritage allows you to search by close family, extended family, and distant relatives. These categories break down the DNA proximity, but they do not allow for customization. MyHeritage does not show you how many results you will have before clicking.

Ancestry offers better tools and filters for a relative matching. 

Health and Wellness Testing (Tie) 

Ancestry provides health reports on cancer risk, heart and blood health, wellness, carrier status, and connective tissue disorders. Ancestry offers a carrier status report containing information on Sickle-cell Anemia, Cystic Fibrosis, and Tay-Sachs Disorder. MyHeritage provides carrier status on these three diseases as well as 15 other genetic disorders. 

Ancestry partners with PWNHealth, a network of physician and genetic counselor, to provide insight in navigating your DNA results. MyHeritage also teams up with a network of physicians who review your health results before sending them back to you. Both companies provide expert resources for health and wellness testing. 

Both of these companies allow you to download your raw DNA data and take it to other companies. If you are looking for a particular health report, you can still use your raw data to find the answers you need. Ancestry and MyHeritage can help you get started on finding out new health information with DNA download options. 

While MyHeritage offers more carrier status reports, both companies are limited in their health testing experience. Other DNA testing companies such as 23andMe offer reputable health testing services. 

Companies tie for health and wellness testing. 

Processing/Wait Time for Results (Winner: MyHeritage) 

For an Ancestry DNA test, you will receive your results within six to eight weeks of sending back your kit. MyHeritage returns your test results within three to four weeks of returning the sample. This is a much faster turnaround time than Ancestry. 

MyHeritage has a faster processing time than Ancestry. 

Price (Winner: MyHeritage)

The Ancestry DNA kit costs $99 for a basic ancestry DNA test. MyHeritage costs $79 for a similar service. However, you can often find deals on the Ancestry DNA test during the holiday season and on Amazon Prime Day. 

MyHeritage wins in the price category. 

The Bottom Line 

Your final choice of Ancestry vs MyHeritage ultimately depends on your heritage. If your ancestors recently immigrated from Europe or Africa, MyHeritage might have more information on your family history. However, Ancestry has the largest genealogical and family history database. This means that you have a better chance of getting more relative information from Ancestry. If your ancestors have been in North America for a few generations, Ancestry is the obvious choice. Ancestry DNA has an overall advantage in industry reputation and database size.