DNA Genealogy Test: MyHeritage, Ancestry, 23andMe (2026)
Honest comparison of the 3 DNA kits for genealogy: European database, real prices, data privacy, and our verdict by profile. Plus a strategy to double your matches without paying twice.
Genealogy Editor, Incarn
In short
After comparing the 3 genealogy DNA kits: AncestryDNA has the largest global database (15 million), MyHeritage® is most effective for European profiles, and 23andMe® has filed for bankruptcy. Our optimal strategy: order from Ancestry, then transfer your data free to MyHeritage® to double your matches. Once you have found your ancestors, their photos can be animated in under 2 minutes on Incarn.
TL;DR: After comparing the 3 genealogy DNA kits: AncestryDNA has the largest global database (15 million kits), MyHeritage® leads on European profiles, and 23andMe® has filed for bankruptcy. Our strategy: order from Ancestry, then transfer your data free to MyHeritage® to double your matches. Once you have found your ancestors, their photos can be animated in under 2 minutes on Incarn.
Three services. Two genuinely recommended. One in bankruptcy.
If you are looking to take a DNA test for genealogy in 2026, here is what has changed and what it means for you.
How a Genealogy DNA Test Works
The principle is the same across all three services. You order a kit, collect a saliva sample with a swab, and mail the sample to the laboratory. A few weeks later, you receive two types of results.
Your estimated ethnic origins. A percentage breakdown of ancestry by region: France, Brittany, Northern Europe, Mediterranean, etc. Accuracy depends on the density of the reference database used for comparison.
Your DNA matches. Strangers who share genetic sequences with you. A 2nd-degree cousin shares an average of 1,800 cM (centimorgans). That figure is enough to estimate the degree of relationship. This is where real genealogy begins: these matches often have family trees that fill in gaps in yours.
The factor that changes everything from one service to another: the size and composition of their database.
MyHeritage®, AncestryDNA, 23andMe®: The Real Differences
| Criterion | MyHeritage® | AncestryDNA | 23andMe® |
|---|---|---|---|
| Database | ~7 million kits | ~15 million kits | ~5 million kits |
| Direct delivery | Yes (ships internationally) | No (reshipping required) | Yes |
| Results timeline | 3-4 weeks | 6-8 weeks | 3-4 weeks |
| Integrated family tree | Yes | Yes | No |
| Status in 2026 | Active | Active | In restructuring |
| Subscription for advanced features | Yes | Yes | Partial |
AncestryDNA dominates in raw volume. But 23andMe®'s database of 5 million kits is losing value given the uncertainty around the service's future (see below).
The European Database: The Number One Criterion
Total database size does not tell the whole story. Composition matters just as much.
AncestryDNA has 15 million kits, but they are predominantly North American. Ancestry was born in the United States and first grew there. For someone with ancestors from France, Belgium, Poland, or the Mediterranean, the relevant matches are proportionally fewer.
MyHeritage® has around 7 million kits, but with a significantly higher proportion of European users: approximately 40% European according to published data. The platform was founded in Israel, expanded across Europe before growing in the United States. Its European corpus is dense where Ancestry's remains thin.
In practice: for French, Belgian, Polish, or Mediterranean ancestors, MyHeritage® often produces more actionable matches. For mixed origins with a Canadian or American branch, AncestryDNA wins.
Real Prices in 2026, Including Hidden Costs
Kit prices vary by promotion (Black Friday, Christmas). Typical price ranges, to verify on official sites before ordering:
MyHeritage® DNA: roughly €79-89 per kit, with direct international shipping. The subscription for advanced features (detailed matches, archive access, chromosome analysis) is sold separately. According to MyHeritage®, the Complete plan is €258/year (€149 for the first year): this plan unlocks LiveMemory and the full genealogy tools.
AncestryDNA: around €99 per kit, but Ancestry does not ship directly to many countries outside the US and UK. You will need a reshipping service (Ship7, Stackry, US2UK): add €10-20 and a week of delay. An Ancestry subscription for archives is extra if you want to cross-reference DNA matches with historical records.
23andMe®: kit around €119, but the company's financial situation creates real uncertainty about the service's long-term viability (see next section).
The total cost of a DNA test almost always exceeds the kit price alone. The most useful genealogy features (full match browsing, chromosome segmentation tool, access to matches' trees) are reserved for subscribers.
23andMe® Has Filed for Bankruptcy: What This Means
In 2024, 23andMe® initiated bankruptcy proceedings (Chapter 11 in the United States) and entered restructuring. Kits continue to be processed and data remains accessible, but the future of the service is uncertain.
For users who already have a 23andMe® kit, the action is simple: download your raw data now. In your account, go to Settings > Personal Data > Download. You get a file of raw genetic data (text format) that you can import for free into MyHeritage® or GEDmatch to keep finding matches, even if 23andMe® shuts down tomorrow.
For those who have not yet ordered: in 2026, 23andMe® is not the first choice for starting genealogy research. Too much uncertainty.
Data Privacy: Where Your DNA Data Goes
All three services store their data in the United States. Your genetic data is not stored in Europe, which implies potential exposure to the US CLOUD Act.
MyHeritage® and Ancestry comply with GDPR for European users within the limits of what their infrastructure allows. You can request complete deletion of your genetic data at any time.
The first thing to check after receiving your results: data sharing settings. By default, some services share your anonymized data for medical research purposes. That may be fine with you, but check. The setting is in your account's privacy preferences.
If privacy is your top priority, all three services present the same structural risks. The difference lies in the details of their third-party sharing policies.
The Optimal Strategy: Test and Transfer
The most cost-effective strategy for matches per euro spent:
- Order an AncestryDNA kit via a reshipping service. You access the largest global database, useful if you have non-European branches in your tree.
- Download your raw DNA data once results arrive.
- Import them free into MyHeritage® via their DNA upload tool. You access European matches without paying for another kit.
- Optionally, also import into GEDmatch (free, aggregates data from multiple services and opens it to the independent genealogy community).
Result: access to two databases for the price of one kit.
If you prefer simplicity (one account, no file transfers), order directly from MyHeritage® DNA. Shipping is easier, and European matches will be better than with Ancestry alone.
Our Verdict by Profile
| Profile | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Primarily French or European ancestors | MyHeritage® DNA directly |
| Mixed origins (Europe + Americas) | AncestryDNA + free MyHeritage® transfer |
| Tight budget | MyHeritage® DNA (direct shipping, no reshipping) |
| Already have a 23andMe® kit | Download your raw data, import into MyHeritage® |
| Unsure between the two | Start with MyHeritage®: simpler, solid European database |
A DNA test opens doors. Distant cousins with built family trees, matches that let you trace back to a common ancestor three or four generations ago. And sometimes, at the end of the thread, an old photo in a shoebox.
To go further once your tree is built, AI can also accelerate records research and transcription: see our guide on building a family tree with AI and genealogy archives and records online.
And when you finally put a face to an ancestor, Incarn can animate that photo in under 2 minutes, for €1.99. The first animation is free at signup. It is a way to see someone breathe who you never got to meet.
FAQ
Is genealogy DNA testing legal?
Yes, in most countries. Personal genealogy DNA tests are permitted for adults without a medical prescription. You can order a kit and mail the sample to the laboratory. Check local regulations if you are outside Europe or the United States.
How long does it take to receive results?
3 to 4 weeks with MyHeritage® and 23andMe®, 6 to 8 weeks with AncestryDNA (add reshipping delays if routing through a third-party service).
Does AncestryDNA ship directly everywhere?
Ancestry ships directly within the US and UK, but not to most other countries. International customers need a reshipping service, adding roughly €10-20 and one week of delay.
What should I do if I already have a 23andMe® kit?
Go to your 23andMe® account > Settings > Personal Data > Download your data. You get a raw data file. Import it free at MyHeritage® DNA to access their matches without paying for a new kit.
Can an ancestor's photo be animated?
Yes, even a sepia, damaged, or black-and-white photo. Incarn handles old portraits. Animation takes under 2 minutes, with no traditional sign-up: just your email address. Try it free.
Genealogy Editor, Incarn
Claire is a certified genealogist with 12 years of experience in family history research. She specializes in European archives and photo preservation techniques.
Deep Nostalgia® and MyHeritage® are trademarks of MyHeritage Ltd. Incarn is not affiliated with MyHeritage. Comparisons (features, pricing) are provided for information only and reflect publicly available offerings at the time of publication; they are subject to change.