AncestryDNA vs 23andMe

Different goals

AncestryDNA and 23andMe are the two names most people know, but they are built for different jobs. AncestryDNA is a family history tool first: its DNA matches connect to Ancestry's family tree builder and historical records, so it suits people who want to identify relatives and document how they are connected. 23andMe pairs ancestry results with an optional tier of health and trait reports.

Ancestry and matching

Both tests are autosomal and give you an ethnicity estimate and relative matches. 23andMe also reports maternal and paternal haplogroups, which add context about deep lineage. AncestryDNA's advantage is what you can do with matches: link them to a tree, compare shared matches and use records to confirm connections. Many of those tree and record features need a separate Ancestry subscription.

Health reports

If health information matters to you, 23andMe is the only one of the two built for it. Its reports look at selected genetic variants and explain what a result can and cannot tell you. They are not a diagnosis, and any result that worries you should be discussed with a doctor or genetic counselor.

Privacy

With either company, read the privacy policy before you test and set your matching and research consent preferences. 23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025, and 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. If you use 23andMe, review the current policy and your settings, including data download and deletion options.

Value and ongoing costs

Both kits are one-time purchases for the core results, but each company offers extras. Ancestry ties many record-search and tree features to a separate subscription, while 23andMe has offered optional membership tiers for health and ongoing updates. Before checkout, check what the kit alone includes, whether a trial turns into a paid plan and how to cancel. Kit prices change often, especially around holidays, so check the current price on each site.

The bottom line

For family history, AncestryDNA is the stronger choice. For a single test that covers ancestry and optional health reports, 23andMe fits better, as long as you are comfortable with its current privacy terms.