23andMe review
Ancestry test with optional health and trait reports and opt-in relative matching. People who want ancestry results and the option of health and trait reports from one sample. We rank it #2 of 7 in our dna tests comparison, with an editorial score of 8.9 out of 10.
23andMe leads on Health reports & clarity because its optional health reports come with explanations of what a result does and does not mean. It scores well on Ancestry detail & tools too. It sits lower on Privacy & data control in our scoring because it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025 and its consumer business was sold to a nonprofit in July 2025, so customers should review the current privacy policy and their data settings.
Visit site (23andMe, opens in a new tab)Quick facts
Overview
23andMe offers an ancestry service with an ancestry composition report and maternal and paternal haplogroups (the paternal haplogroup is only available for people who inherited a Y chromosome), plus an optional tier that adds health and trait reports. Relative matching through its DNA Relatives feature is opt-in.
23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025. In July 2025, TTAM Research Institute, a nonprofit founded and led by co-founder Anne Wojcicki, completed its purchase of 23andMe's Personal Genome Service and research business, and the service now runs as the nonprofit 23andMe Research Institute at 23andme.org. If you are a current or new customer, review the current privacy policy, your research consent choices and your data settings, including the options to download or delete your data.
Health reports are not a diagnosis. Discuss any result that concerns you with a doctor or genetic counselor.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Combines ancestry and optional health reports in one test
- Health reports explain limitations in plain language
- Relative matching is opt-in
- Haplogroup reports add lineage context
Cons
- Filed for bankruptcy in March 2025 and is now run by a nonprofit; review the current privacy policy
- No family tree record tools on the scale of Ancestry or MyHeritage
- Health reports cover selected variants only and are not a diagnosis
Key features
- Ancestry composition report
- Maternal and paternal haplogroups
- Optional health and trait reports (check current tiers)
- Opt-in DNA Relatives matching
Who 23andMe is for
A good fit if
People who want ancestry results and the option of health and trait reports from one sample.
Look elsewhere if
Anyone whose main goal is building a detailed family tree from historical records.
How we scored 23andMe
23andMe leads on Health reports & clarity because its optional health reports come with explanations of what a result does and does not mean. It scores well on Ancestry detail & tools too. It sits lower on Privacy & data control in our scoring because it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025 and its consumer business was sold to a nonprofit in July 2025, so customers should review the current privacy policy and their data settings.
Our dna tests score weighs ancestry detail & tools (25%), relative matching & family tree tools (25%), privacy & data control (20%), health reports & clarity (15%), value transparency (15%). See the methodology.
23andMe alternatives
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#1
AncestryDNA
Best overallAutosomal ancestry test with relative matching and Ancestry's family tree tools.
- Autosomal DNA test with ethnicity estimate
- DNA matches with relatives who also tested
- Links to Ancestry family trees and historical records
- Privacy settings for matching visibility and research consent
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#3
MyHeritage DNA
Best for family tree buildersAutosomal DNA test paired with MyHeritage's family tree and record tools.
- Autosomal DNA test with ethnicity estimate
- DNA matches linked to family trees
- Family tree builder and record search (some features need a subscription)
- Optional health upgrade in some markets (check availability)
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#4
FamilyTreeDNA
Best for paternal and maternal linesSpecialist in Y-DNA and mtDNA tests for direct paternal and maternal lines.
- Y-DNA tests for the direct paternal line
- mtDNA tests for the direct maternal line
- Family Finder autosomal test with relative matching
- Surname and regional group projects
Head-to-head
23andMe FAQ
Who owns 23andMe now?
23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025. In July 2025, TTAM Research Institute, a nonprofit founded and led by co-founder Anne Wojcicki, completed its purchase of 23andMe's consumer DNA and research business, which now runs as the 23andMe Research Institute. Review the current privacy policy and your data settings.
Are 23andMe health reports a medical diagnosis?
No. Consumer health reports look at selected genetic variants and cannot rule a condition in or out. Discuss any result that worries you with a doctor or genetic counselor.
Can I delete my 23andMe data?
23andMe provides account settings for downloading and deleting your data. Check the current help pages for how deletion and sample storage work today.
Sources and fact check
We checked the facts on this page against 23andMe's own website on .