Ancestry vs. 23andMe: Which is the best DNA testing kit for you?
If you’re looking for a unique, last-minute holiday gift for the person who has everything, consider one of the best dna tests available. They can allow anyone to learn more about their heritage, family history and even medical predispositions. Two of the most popular brands are Ancestry and 23andMe. To learn more, we’ve outlined the pros, cons and factors to consider. However, since this comparison was first published, 23andMe has undergone a data breach and financial issues that may affect your decision.
Ancestry vs. 23andMe
I tried the AncestryDNA kit, which comes with a saliva collection tube and cap, a return bag, and a prepaid return label box. To register the kit, I downloaded the Ancestry app and scanned the barcode on the side of the collection tube. You can also register your kit online and simply enter the number manually.
When you create an account, the app asks for your consent to several items, including consent to process your sample, to store the sample if you want future testing, and to participate in research. The research includes surveys and questionnaires that AncestryDNA says it will use to try to better understand human history and health.
I refused to agree to store my sample or participate in research. AncestryDNA asks several questions about your health history. You can edit what information becomes public or private on the site and how you want it to appear to other users if your DNA matches someone else’s. You will have the opportunity to review all information before proceeding.
Read more: In the future, not even your DNA will be sacred
Ancestry doesn’t use the standard Y-chromosome and/or mitochondrial DNA methodologies that most others use – so we know less about how it actually analyzes DNA.
After spitting in the tube, I mailed the kit and confirmed it was sent in the app. The app “tracked” the kit from receipt at the lab to processing and beyond before telling me the results were ready.
Your results will include an AncestryHealth report and an Ethnicity Score report. AncestryDNA also tells you which other users your DNA closely matches. It tagged my aunt, who also used the site, as close family. The app allowed me to compare our ethnicity scores and allowed me to message her.
Read more: What AncestryDNA taught me about DNA, privacy, and the complicated world of genetic testing
Pros:
- You can refuse to have your sample stored or participate in research.
- The AncestryHealth report was divided into Notable Health Scores, Health Scores, and Wellness Scores. The reports include information about your cancer risks, carrier status for diseases such as cystic fibrosis, and your blood health.
- Wellness reports give you information about your vitamin levels, among other things.
- AncestryHealth can flag potential health conditions based on the family history you’ve shared or through variants found in your DNA sample.
- You receive Ethnicity Assessment Reportwhich indicates which regions of the world your ancestors were most likely associated with. This area of ​​the map was color coded along with the others that my DNA was linked to. AncestryDNA’s region list contains over 1,000 regions that your sample is tested against, so you’ll also see where your DNA failed.
Cons:
- The family tree aspect and the DNA aspect required two separate applications. The desktop version keeps everything in one place if you’re using a browser.
- The health screening does not have Food and Drug Administration approval.
I tried the Health and Ancestry kit, which came with a saliva collection tube and cap, a return bag, and a prepaid box with a return label. Like AncestryDNA, 23andMe also requires kit registration (in-app or online) prior to testing. I downloaded the app and scanned the barcode on the side of the manifold. You can also enter the code manually.
The 23andMe suite asked for consent for several items when I created an account, as did AncestryDNA. I could store my sample for future testing, participate in research, receive health reports, and had the ability to share my step data from a fitness app for a more comprehensive view of my activity. I refused everything except the health reports.
Unlike Ancestry, 23andMe does have FDA approval as a risk screener for a handful of genetic conditions and diseases. If you’re primarily interested in DNA testing for this purpose, 23andMe is the better choice.
The app tracked my sample’s journey to the lab and the DNA extraction process. The app tested 216 populations to generate the report.
23andMe can display the results in a timeline, so you can see roughly how many generations ago your most recent ancestor came from each region. For example, my results showed a small trace of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, but my chronology showed that the relative would have lived five to eight generations ago. You can also view your results as a chromosome map that shows where in your chromosomes a particular region matches and how widespread it is.
There were many aspects to explore in the results. For example, 23andMe gave me more information about each region that my DNA matched. If I tapped the icon for each country, 23andMe told me about the region’s history and people’s migration patterns over time, and also provided resources for learning about the culture, ways to book an Airbnb to visit, and other features. I could also search for possible relatives among 23andMe users and found my mother’s cousin.
Pros:
- 23andMe is FDA approved as a risk screener.
- 23andMe health reports include predispositions, carrier status, health, characteristics and a health action plan. Tested for predispositions to Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, celiac disease and more. The lab will test for certain genetic variants.
- The wellness report included interesting things like whether or not you sleep deeply, how likely you are to move in your sleep, genetic weight, and other factors.
- The reported traits are particularly interesting. They detail how likely I am to have a certain eye color, hate cilantro, have freckles, hate eating sounds, get bitten by more mosquitoes, and more.
Cons:
- Like AncestryDNA, 23andMe clarified that test results are not a diagnosis or a guarantee that you won’t be diagnosed with a disease later.
AncestryDNA vs. 23andMe Cost Comparison
The best DNA kits will have different services that come at different prices. Let’s break down the services and costs of AncestryDNA and 23andMe.
AncestryDNA Price
I’ve added the usual price below, but Ancestry often has decent sales on its DNA services.
- AncestryDNA ($99): Ancestry’s core offering lets you search its US database for family connections.
- AncestryDNA + Family Tree ($100): Includes access to international records to trace your family ancestry.
- Features of AncestryDNA + All Access ($199): In addition to other services, you can access historical records and 35 genetic traits with this level.
23andMe price
23andMe offers four different DNA test kits. All four products include ancestry reports, options for finding relatives, trait reports and family tree building. Some of these are also on sale right now, but are listed below at their retail price.
- Legacy Service ($119): Includes ancestry reports, options to find relatives, trait reports and family tree building.
- Office of Health and Heritage ($199): Includes wearer status reports, health predispositions, and wellness reports.
- 23andMe Plus Premium Membership ($268): Only 23andMe Plus membership comes with enhanced provenance features, pharmacogenetic reports, and consistent updates to existing reports.
- 23andMe Plus Total Health Membership ($999, $499/year after first year): Upgrades 23andMe Plus premium membership reports and adds blood tests, biological age identification and clinical care based on genetic information.
The bottom line
Ancestry is best known for its family tree feature. When you use its DNA testing service and integrate those results, you can see everything in one browser. The information is split into two different mobile apps, which is less useful. Overall, Ancestry’s tools, including the ability to build a tree and link your health and DNA insights, definitely help paint a bigger picture of one’s ancestry and can help facilitate conversation with newly discovered family members.
23andMe has a more user-friendly layout and presents its findings in a way that encourages you to dive into your (probably newfound) heritage. It lacks the power that Ancestry has when it comes to building your family tree. I could see a predicted tree, but it was sparse and only included other 23andMe users.
Since I was already familiar with my family’s ancestry, I can say that both kits seemed to give accurate results.
Who should choose AncestryDNA:
- If you are working on a family history project, AncestryDNA is the best choice for you. Remember that the family tree and DNA information are in two separate applications.
Who Should Choose 23andMe:
- If you want to learn more about your genetics or health information, I would go with 23andMe. You’ll love the easy-to-read format.
For more, find out how I used technology to uncover more about my own family tree. You can also order a DNA test from other services for your petif you really want to.
Watch this: Here’s how genetic genealogist CeCe Moore finds potential crime suspects
Ancestry vs 23andMe FAQ
Which is more accurate, AncestryDNA or 23andMe?
Both AncestryDNA and 23andMe seemed to give accurate results. Ancestry has a larger DNA database, but 23andMe has a more user-friendly layout. They are two of the best options you can get.
What is the difference between 23andMe and Ancestry?
23andMe and Ancestry are two of the best DNA kits you can use. When deciding who you want to choose, it all comes down to what you want to get out of your search. If you’re looking for comprehensive health information, go with 23andMe. Ancestry is the better option if you are looking for family members or tracing your genealogy.
Which DNA site is most accurate for ethnicity?
Thanks to its extensive DNA database, AncestryDNA is one of the best DNA tests to accurately estimate ethnicity. The results you get will be broken down into an AncestryHealth report and an Ethnicity Score report. The Ethnicity Report is an in-depth look at which regions your ancestors are connected to.
If you want to learn more about your genetics and health information, you’ll love 23andMe. This is one of the most popular DNA kits you can get. The website and app do a great job of breaking down all the information provided about your health, background, and traits. In addition, 23andMe has FDA approval as a risk screener for a handful of genetic conditions and diseases.
Correction, July 3: A previous version of this story transposed the “who should choose” sections. The error has been corrected.