Best DNA Testing Companies 2023

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MyHeritage

MyHeritage

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Editor's Take

Discover your ethnic makeup and create a family tree online with MyHeritage. You can search for relatives and also explore historical records to learn more about your ancestors. With 3.4 billion profiles and 4 million family trees, there’s plenty of information to tap into through MyHeritage.

The regular price for the DNA test is $79, though you may be able to find a seasonal sale price or coupon code. The process is quick and easy, involving just a cheek swab. You’ll do two swipes, totaling less than two minutes. Once you mail in your sample, you’ll be able to access your results online after four weeks.

How It Works

  • Cost
    $79
  • Results Timeline
    4 weeks
  • What’s Included
    DNA and Ancestry Research

Details

  • 2 minutes to get sample
  • Free shipping on 2 or more kits
  • Request DNA data deletion at any time

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AncestryDNA

AncestryDNA

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Editor's Take

Ancestry DNA only costs $99, but it delivers a lot of powerful, insightful data about who you are. With a single sample you can find out what percentage of your DNA comes from where (with over 500 hyper specific possibilities around the globe), and how and why your family likely migrated over time.

You’ll even find out why you tend to freckle, hate cilantro, or have a cleft chin; in fact, Ancestry DNA can explain 18 unique traits you may have. Connect with family you never knew you had and the learn the untold story of your ancestors.

How It Works

  • Cost
    $99
  • Results Timeline
    6 to 8 weeks
  • What’s Included
    Ethnicity estimate and DNA matches

Details

  • Free mobile app to view results
  • Both women and men can take test
  • Tests your entire genome

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23AndMe

23AndMe

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Editor's Take

Provide a sample of your saliva, and for only $99 you can learn about not only your ancestry and where your family comes from. For $199, you can also get a complete genetic health analysis to see if you have any genetic health risks or if you are carrier.

How It Works

  • Cost
    $99 to $199
  • Results Timeline
    3 to 5 weeks
  • What’s Included
    Health screening, ancestry, or both

Details

  • Uses saliva collection kit
  • Log in to online account for results
  • Elect to participate in genetic research

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Living DNA

Living DNA

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Editor's Take

With Living DNA, you can track both the ancestry of your maternal ancestors as well as your paternal ancestors. See how and when they moved across the globe and where they specifically lived. It only costs $99, but for an additional $69 you can get a personalized coffee table book of your DNA ancestry.

How It Works

  • Cost
    $99 to $168
  • Results Timeline
    10 to 12 weeks
  • What’s Included
    Maternal and paternal ancestry

Details

  • Cover up to 15 generations
  • Simple cheek swab
  • Delete your information when you want

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Reasons for DNA Testing

People decide to sign up for DNA testing for a variety of reasons. The two primary incentives are for genealogy and health screening purposes. Oftentimes, you can find out about both topics. Here’s what you can find out for each one to get an idea of realistic expectations.

When used for genealogy, DNA testing can help determine ancestral relationships. It’s also possible to estimate your ethnic background, although you might receive different results from each company. Many companies match you with relatives within their database, so you may find immediate family or cousins of varying degrees. Adding your information to the database helps grow your family tree so as more people take the DNA test, you may be connected with more matches in the future. You can also use this information to build out your family tree of ancestors.

In addition to genealogical pursuits, DNA tests may also be used for health screening purposes. You can then find the risk potential for certain diseases based on your genetics. Using this information, health-focused DNA tests can predict your chance of developing diseases such as the following:

  • Breast cancer
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease

While some companies require a doctor’s order to get certain tests, others allow consumers to order their own health screening tests.

How DNA Testing Works

There are a few different ways a DNA testing company can analyze your samples. The most common method is autosomal testing because both men and women can take this test and see results from both their maternal and paternal lines. It’s also possible to determine ethnicity backgrounds using this method.

Y-DNA testing is designed to trace male lines through the y-chromosome. Since Y chromosomes are only passed from father to son, testers won’t be able to view any female ancestors, or male ancestors through the maternal line.

While mitochondrial DNA is passed through maternal lines, this type is passed to all children, both males and females. So DNA can be taken by anyone, but they’ll only see results from their maternal line of ancestors.

Before choosing your DNA testing kit, confirm which type of testing is used to make sure it’ll work based on your gender.

Don’t assume that all popular DNA testing kits are the same. Review each process carefully to make sure you get the results you’re looking for.

Once you receive your kit, you typically supply a sample of saliva and send it off to a lab for analysis. You’ll then receive results within a few weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is it for ancestry?

DNA testing kits are popular, but just how accurate are they? It’s difficult to tell since each company uses different databases to evaluate DNA and the common genetic variations associated with each country.

Can a test tell you your ethnicity?

You can find out genetic markers that match with different geographic areas. Oftentimes, DNA testing companies provide a percentage, but these can vary depending on the information in their separate databases.

How much does DNA testing cost?

Home DNA testing kits are extremely affordable today, especially compared to several years ago. The price you pay for an ancestry kit depends on how much analysis you’ll receive along with your results. A basic kit may cost under $30 while you can pay close to $200 or even more for comprehensive results for both ancestry and health screening.

Find the Best DNA Testing Company to Discover Your Family History

Whatever your personal goals may be with DNA testing, the right company can get you the best results!

Call Now! (800) 987-9000

with our top pick MyHeritage

by Lauren Ward

Personal Finance Writer

Lauren Ward is a personal finance writer with nearly ten years of experience covering topics like loans, credit, and real estate. She lives in Virginia with her husband and three children.

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