The at-home DNA testing market is crowded, with many companies competing for your attention. Two major contenders are MyHeritage and 23andMe, both offering valuable genetic insights but with unique strengths and pricing. This guide will dive into both services to help you make the right choice for your specific needs.
Let’s start with 23andMe. Known for providing insights into both ancestry and health, 23andMe stands out for its health screening reports. These reports give you a look into potential genetic predispositions to certain conditions, along with fun trait reports that explain how your genes influence preferences, like taste in foods or sleep patterns. It’s a comprehensive option for those wanting more than just ancestry data.
On the other hand, MyHeritage shines when it comes to family history research. With a vast range of genealogical tools and data, MyHeritage helps you explore your lineage and connect with relatives. They offer a detailed breakdown of ethnic origins by region, giving you a more specific understanding of your ancestry. Additionally, MyHeritage is one of the more affordable options, making it ideal for those looking to explore their roots without breaking the bank. Their free family tree builder is another great feature, allowing you to dive into your family history without any upfront costs.
When comparing overall features, user experience, and pricing, MyHeritage takes the lead. In the next part of this comparison, we’ll go deeper into the specifics of why MyHeritage comes out on top, so you’ll have a full understanding of what each service offers and how they stack up against each other.
| Feature | MyHeritage | 23andMe |
|---|---|---|
| ⚙ Types of DNA Tests | Ancestry DNA test | Ancestry DNA test; Health DNA test |
| 🤑 Pricing | Starts at $89 | Starts at $119 |
| 💉 Sample Collection | Cheek swab | Cheek swab |
| ⌛ Turnaround Time | Within 4 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks |
| 📚 Database Size | 6.5 million DNA samples; 19 billion historical records | 15+ million DNA samples; |
| 🌍 Geographical Coverage | 42 ethnicities and 2,114 regions | 2000+ geographical regions |
| ❓ Allows free raw DNA upload? | Yes | No |
| 💰 Free trial | Yes (14 days, full access) | No |
| 📜 Subscription service | Yes (4 tiers, starts at $79) | Yes |
| ⭐ Review (Updated 2024) | MyHeritage DNA Full Review | 23andMe Full Review |
Build an Extensive Family Tree with MyHeritage – At a Cost
If you are fascinated by building a family tree, and if you want to populate it with as many living and deceased relatives as you can, then MyHeritage DNA is the clear winner.
This is because MyHeritage DNA is part of the MyHeritage global genealogy company, which specializes in helping people build an online family tree from its database of 11 billion historical records. Here’s what the search engine looks like:
MyHeritage enhances your family tree building by suggesting potential relatives based on your submitted family details. These suggestions draw from a large database of historical documents and DNA comparisons with other MyHeritage users. You can collaborate with these matches upon their approval. Access to MyHeritage’s full services requires a monthly subscription, which is standard for genealogy platforms.
Additionally, 23andMe offers a beta version of its family tree builder that functions similarly to MyHeritage’s. Users can input details of known relatives, and the system identifies genetic connections within the 23andMe user base, facilitating contact with these matches with their consent.
However, it’s important to note that 23andMe does not offer as extensive genealogical resources as MyHeritage DNA, primarily because it does not provide access to historical records. While 23andMe is proficient in DNA matching, its genealogical features are somewhat narrower in scope. Despite this, 23andMe provides its service for free, which is a significant advantage.
DNA Database Size Does Matter! And Both Vendors Have Something to Offer
Speaking of these companies’ databases, there are two key ways of seeing how they measure up:
- MyHeritage DNA boats an impressive 11 billion historical records, whereas 23andMe has none.
- 23andMe has more than ten million DNA-tested customers, whereas MyHeritage DNA only has around two million.
When it comes to genealogy, MyHeritage’s historical records may be more important, especially when it comes to finding relatives: MyHeritage DNA found 14,177 distant DNA matches for me, compared with 23andMe’s 1,239 DNA database matches.
However, to trace your ancient ancestors’ migrations, to assess your ancestry, and to compare your health-related genes with a wider population, 23andMe’s DNA database size could matter more.
Get More Ancestry Features and Detail with 23andMe
Like all companies that offer ancestry testing, MyHeritage DNA and 23andMe will both tell your ethnic composition and where your ancient ancestors lived. But there’s a big difference:
- MyHeritage DNA only tests your autosomal DNA, which you inherit equally from both parents.
- 23andMe also tests your mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA, which only comes from your mother, her mother, and so on) and your Y-chromosomal DNA (Y-DNA, which only comes from your father, his father, and so on).
This means that 23andMe can determine your maternal (mother’s side) and paternal (father’s side) haplogroups, which identify major populations of people who originated in – and migrated between – various parts of the world. One caveat is that only biological males can have their Y-DNA tested, so a female would have to ask her father or brother to take 23andMe’s test for the paternal haplogroup information.
Here’s a look at my maternal haplogroup results:
It’s not surprising that I found 23andMe’s ethnicity estimate to be more precise. 23andMe breaks the world into 1,500+ geographical regions compared to MyHeritage DNA’s breakdown of only 42 regions.
Looking further back, 23andMe’s report will tell you what percentage of your ancestry comes from Neanderthals (which were a separate hominid species that interbred with humans until about 40,000 years ago). MyHeritage DNA’s ancestry report doesn’t include this information.
Let’s cut to the chase. Although MyHeritage DNA has some plus points, 23andMe’s ancestry report is better value for the money since it includes more information at a greater level of detail.
Health
Shifting our focus from ancestry to health, let’s explore what 23andMe brings to the table. It’s worth noting that MyHeritage no longer offers health reports, which makes direct comparisons challenging. However, we can concentrate on the health-related features provided by 23andMe.
With 23andMe, you gain access to extensive health reports that unveil your genetic predispositions to specific conditions and evaluate the likelihood of passing on genetic diseases to your offspring if you carry unfavorable gene variants.
When it comes to genetic predispositions, 23andMe takes a comprehensive approach. They assess 13 health risks and provide polygenic reports for numerous conditions. This means they consider multiple genetic markers instead of solely examining individual genes, resulting in a more thorough analysis.
Regarding carrier status, 23andMe offers an impressive selection of 44 carrier status checks. If you have concerns about potentially transmitting genetic risks to your children, 23andMe may be your top choice.
But it doesn’t stop there. 23andMe also delves into fascinating aspects like physical traits, such as body hair, eye color, and even motion sickness. Additionally, they examine how your DNA influences your body’s responses to diet, exercise, and sleep. They provide a comprehensive Health Action Plan, making their offering more substantial and valuable.
In summary, 23andMe truly stands out when it comes to exploring your health. With their wide range of genetic predisposition tests, extensive carrier status checks, and insightful analysis of physical traits and DNA interactions, they offer a comprehensive package that you shouldn’t overlook.
Here’s a look at one of 23andMe’s Health Action Plan recommendations:
Get More On-Sale Deals with MyHeritage
It’s not easy to directly compare the cost of MyHeritage DNA vs. 23andMe on a like-for-like basis, because the similar-sounding offerings are not identical.
Both companies’ ancestry-only tests are the cheapest options and are very similarly priced. But these are not like-for-like tests because the 23andMe report includes maternal and paternal haplogroups and Neanderthal ancestry. Therefore, 23andMe gives you more for your money.
You have to pay an extra annual subscription for the MyHeritage DNA genealogy service, but with 23andMe you don’t even have this option.
It All Comes Down to You
Although 23andMe is the clear winner in many respects, it doesn’t matter if you’re interested in taking a DNA test for other reasons. It all depends on what you want.
Yes, 23andMe better pinpoints your ethnic origins (including maternal and paternal lines) and tells you more about your carrier status for genetic diseases.
But MyHeritage DNA gives you the ability to build a better family tree. And its tests are cheaper when they’re on offer.
Only you can decide which one wins for what you want, but you can’t really go wrong with either of these top two DNA testing companies.
How does MyHeritage and 23andMe stack up against fellow DNA testing powerhouse, AncestryDNA? Read our triple comparison here.
FAQ
Which test is more accurate, 23andMe or MyHeritage?
In order to make give you an ethnicity estimate, MyHeritage compares your DNA samples to 42 different global populations. This doesn’t allow your ethnicity results to be as precise and accurate as the ones you get from 23andMe, which compares your samples to more than 1,000 global populations.
Which provides more value, 23andMe or MyHeritage?
“Value” is subjective. But while MyHeritage DNA’s test kits are usually more affordable (starting at $89.00) than the ones from 23andMe (starting at $119.00), the reports you receive from MyHeritage DNA include considerably less information and are less accurate than the ones available from 23andMe. Also, 23andMe updates your DNA results to reflect the company’s ongoing refinements to its ancestry and health testing, whereas MyHeritage charges an annual fee to do this.
Which company provides better health reports, 23andMe or MyHeritage?
It’s not clear if there’s any difference in the accuracy of the two company’s health results. But 23andMe tests your risk for more diseases, and your carrier status for more congenital disorders, than MyHeritage DNA does. And while a MyHeritage health test only addresses your disease risk and carrier status, 23andMe’s health test also includes additional information such as how your DNA may affect wellness traits like diet, exercise, and sleep, and physical traits like eye color and finger length. 23andMe also gives you a customized health action plan.
Which company provides better ancestry reports, 23andMe or MyHeritage?
MyHeritage DNA’s ancestry reports are limited to providing you with an ethnicity estimate and identifying your likely DNA relatives around the world. 23andMe also tells you about your maternal and paternal haplogroups and how much of your DNA came from Neanderthals. 23andMe’s ancestry reports are more detailed and substantive, and its ethnicity estimates are more accurate, than the ones from MyHeritage DNA.
How do 23andMe and MyHeritage compare on price?
MyHeritage’s DNA tests are usually less expensive in their list price than 23andMe’s tests, and are more likely to be on sale at any given time.
