Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of them, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend kits we’ve actually researched and would suggest to a friend.
Two of the Biggest Names, One Decision to Make
If you’ve narrowed your search down to these two, you’re not alone. AncestryDNA and MyHeritage DNA are two of the most recommended kits in the genealogy space, and on the surface, they look like they do the same thing — ethnicity estimates, DNA matches, family tree tools. Look closer, though, and they’re built for genuinely different strengths.
Here’s how they actually compare, side by side.
Who Should Skip This Comparison Entirely
If health insights are your main goal, neither of these is really built for that — you’d get more value from a dedicated health-focused kit or a combo option like 23andMe.
If you already know your ancestry is heavily concentrated outside the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or Europe, both of these databases will feel comparatively thin for your background, and it’s worth researching region-specific alternatives instead.
Otherwise, let’s get into the actual comparison.
Database Size: AncestryDNA Wins by a Wide Margin
This is the single biggest differentiator between the two. AncestryDNA has the largest consumer DNA database of any company on the market. MyHeritage’s database is substantial, but noticeably smaller overall.
What this means practically: if your main goal is finding new relatives — second cousins, distant branches of the family you never knew existed — AncestryDNA gives you meaningfully better odds simply because more people have tested there.
The exception is regional strength. MyHeritage’s database, while smaller overall, is unusually deep for specific populations — particularly European and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry — where it can actually out-perform AncestryDNA in terms of match relevance and regional detail.
Ethnicity Estimate Detail
Both companies provide a percentage-based ethnicity breakdown, but the regional granularity differs depending on your background.
For users with predominantly US, UK, or broadly Western European ancestry, AncestryDNA’s estimate tends to be reliable and reasonably detailed, backed by its larger reference panel.
For users with Jewish, Italian, Polish, or other specific European backgrounds, MyHeritage frequently provides sharper regional detail, a direct result of where the company built its early user base.
Neither company is more “accurate” in some universal sense — they’re each strongest where their reference data is deepest.
Historical Records: AncestryDNA’s Clear Advantage
If you plan to actually build out a family tree using historical documentation — census records, immigration papers, military records — AncestryDNA is significantly ahead here. Its records integration is one of the most extensive in the industry, and DNA matches connect directly to documented family trees, surfacing research “hints” automatically.
MyHeritage also offers historical records access through its own subscription, and it’s genuinely useful, particularly for European records. But in terms of sheer volume and depth, especially for US-based research, AncestryDNA has the stronger archive.
Price Comparison
MyHeritage DNA is consistently the more affordable option for the base kit, and it goes on sale frequently, often dropping well below its already competitive starting price.
AncestryDNA’s base kit is also regularly discounted, particularly during major sale periods, and can end up similarly priced to MyHeritage during a promotion. Where AncestryDNA tends to cost more overall is the historical records subscription, which unlocks its most powerful features but isn’t included in the base kit price.
If budget is the deciding factor and you don’t plan to subscribe to records access, MyHeritage is generally the cheaper path to a solid ancestry test.
Family Tree Tools
Both platforms let you build a family tree and connect DNA matches to it, but the experience feels slightly different.
MyHeritage integrates the tree-building experience tightly with DNA matching — Smart Matches and Record Matches surface automatically as your tree grows, creating a fairly seamless research flow.
AncestryDNA’s tree tools are also strong, and the “hints” system (leaf icons suggesting possible record matches) is one of the more well-known features in the genealogy space. Both are genuinely well-built; the choice here often comes down to personal preference for interface style rather than one being objectively better.
Turnaround Time
Both companies report similar processing windows, typically three to four weeks from when the lab receives your sample. Neither is notably faster than the other in normal circumstances, though both can slow down during peak gifting seasons like December and January.
So, Which One Should You Choose?
Choose AncestryDNA if:
- Finding as many potential relatives as possible is your top priority
- Your ancestry is primarily US, UK, Canadian, or broadly Western European
- You want to do serious historical research using original documents
Choose MyHeritage DNA if:
- Your background is European, Jewish, Italian, or Eastern European specifically
- You’re working with a tighter budget and want strong value on the base kit
- You want a more affordable entry point with solid family tree tools included
Can You Just Test With Both?
Yes, and it’s a genuinely common approach among more experienced genealogy researchers. Since each company only matches you against its own database, testing with both — or uploading your raw data from one company to the other — can surface a wider set of relatives than either company alone.
MyHeritage in particular accepts raw DNA data uploads from AncestryDNA and other major competitors, which is a budget-friendly way to access their matching database without paying for a second full test.
See How They Compare to the Rest of the Field
If you’re not fully set on either of these two, our full comparison of the major DNA testing kits covers how they stack up against Living DNA, FamilyTreeDNA, and other options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AncestryDNA or MyHeritage DNA more accurate? Neither is universally more accurate — each performs best where its reference database is deepest. AncestryDNA tends to be stronger for US, UK, and broadly Western European ancestry, while MyHeritage often provides sharper detail for European and Jewish ancestry specifically.
Can I upload my AncestryDNA results to MyHeritage? Yes. MyHeritage accepts raw DNA data uploads from AncestryDNA and several other major testing companies, letting you access its match database without buying a second kit.
Which one is cheaper? MyHeritage DNA’s base kit is typically the more affordable option and goes on sale frequently. AncestryDNA’s base kit is also often discounted, though its historical records subscription adds to the overall cost if you use it.
The Bottom Line
There’s no single winner here — the right choice depends on where your ancestry actually traces back to, and whether database size or regional precision matters more for your specific research goals. If in doubt, MyHeritage’s lower cost makes it a reasonable low-risk starting point, with AncestryDNA as a strong second test if you want to expand your match pool later.