AncestryDNA vs MyHeritage DNA: Which Test Is Better in 2026?

If you've decided to take a DNA test for family history, you've probably narrowed it down to two names: AncestryDNA and MyHeritage DNA. Both are excellent. Both will give you an ethnicity estimate and a list of relatives who share your DNA. But they are built around different strengths, and choosing the wrong one for your goals can mean months of frustration.

In this guide we compare the two tests head to head on the things that actually matter to family historians: how many people you'll match with, the quality of the matching tools, the ethnicity estimates, access to historical records, privacy, and overall value. By the end you'll know which one to buy, and when it makes sense to use both.

The short answer

If your main goal is finding living relatives and building out your family tree, and most of your ancestors came from the UK, Ireland, the United States, Canada or Australia, choose AncestryDNA. Its database is far larger than any competitor's, and more testers means more matches.

If your roots are mainly in continental Europe, Scandinavia or Israel, if you have Jewish ancestry, or if you've already tested elsewhere and want extra matches cheaply, MyHeritage DNA is the better pick. Its international user base and its willingness to accept uploads from other companies give it a real edge in those situations.

⚖️ Compare AncestryDNA vs MyHeritage DNA side by side →

Database size: why it matters more than anything else

A DNA test on its own tells you surprisingly little. The magic happens when your DNA is compared against everyone else in the company's database. Every person who shares a meaningful amount of DNA with you appears as a "match", and those matches are the clues you use to confirm relationships, break through brick walls and discover branches you never knew existed.

That's why database size is the single most important factor for genealogy. Independent estimates published in early 2026 put AncestryDNA at roughly 30 million kits sold, which is larger than all the other major genealogy databases combined. MyHeritage was estimated at around 9.6 million kits available for matching.

In practical terms, a typical tester with British or Irish heritage might see several times more matches on AncestryDNA than on MyHeritage. More matches doesn't just mean a longer list. It means a better chance that a close cousin, a half-sibling or a birth parent has tested, and a better chance of confirming which branch a mystery match belongs to.

The picture changes with geography, though. MyHeritage has historically been particularly popular in Europe and Israel. If your grandparents emigrated from Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Scandinavia or Eastern Europe, you may find that MyHeritage connects you with relatives who still live there, people who would never have bought an Ancestry kit.

Matching tools compared

Both companies give you the basics: a list of matches sorted by how much DNA you share, an estimated relationship, and the ability to message other testers. Where they differ is in the tools that help you work out how you are related.

AncestryDNA's strengths

• ThruLines. If you link your DNA to a family tree, ThruLines suggests how you might be connected to each match through a common ancestor, using both of your trees. It isn't perfect, because it relies on other people's trees, but it's a superb starting point.
• Shared matches. You can see which of your matches also match each other, which is the foundation of the "clustering" technique serious researchers use to sort matches into family lines.
• Groups and colour coding. You can label matches by family line, which is invaluable once your list runs into the thousands.
• Parental split. If neither parent has tested, Ancestry can still estimate which of your matches and ethnicity regions come from each parent.

MyHeritage's strengths

• Chromosome browser. MyHeritage shows exactly which segments of DNA you share with a match. Ancestry doesn't offer this, and many genetic genealogists consider it essential for advanced work.
• Theory of Family Relativity. Similar in spirit to ThruLines, it uses trees and records to propose how you and a match are related.
• AutoClusters. This automatically groups your matches into colour-coded clusters that usually correspond to different ancestral couples. It saves hours of manual sorting.
• Triangulation indicators. These help you confirm that three or more people share the same segment from a common ancestor.

The verdict on tools is roughly a draw. Ancestry wins on simplicity and on the sheer volume of linked family trees. MyHeritage wins for people who want to dig into the raw data with chromosome-level tools.

Ethnicity estimates

For many people the ethnicity estimate is the fun part: the pie chart that tells you you're 42% Scottish and 18% Norwegian. It's worth being clear about what these numbers are. They are estimates, produced by comparing your DNA with reference panels of people whose families have lived in one area for generations. They're useful at the continental level and often surprisingly good at the regional level, but they're not precise measurements, and they change as companies improve their reference panels.

AncestryDNA divides the world into thousands of regions and "communities", and its communities feature is particularly strong for people with British, Irish and North American ancestry. It can sometimes pinpoint the county or region an ancestor came from, based on clusters of testers who share DNA.

MyHeritage uses a large set of ethnicity regions and "genetic groups". Its estimates are generally well regarded for European and Jewish ancestry, where its reference data is strong.

Neither is "more accurate" across the board. If you have mostly British and Irish ancestry, Ancestry's communities are often more informative. For continental European heritage, MyHeritage is frequently the more satisfying read. Our guide to why ethnicity estimates change explains how to interpret them sensibly.

Historical records and family trees

Both companies own huge collections of historical records, and both want you to build your tree on their platform. This is where the long-term cost comes in, because neither DNA test includes full records access. You'll need a separate subscription if you want to search census returns, parish registers, passenger lists and military records.

Ancestry has the largest commercial collection of indexed records, and it's especially strong for England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Canada and Australia. Its record "hints" automatically suggest documents for people in your tree, which can make the early stages of research feel effortless.

MyHeritage has a large and growing collection with notable strengths in European records, plus useful automatic translation for foreign-language documents. Its photo tools, which enhance, colourise and even animate old family photos, are a genuine highlight and a lot of fun.

Before committing to either subscription, remember that a huge amount of research can be done free. FamilySearch, national archives and digitised newspapers are all worth exhausting first. See our guide to historical record archives for the options.

Uploading your DNA elsewhere

This is one of the most important practical differences, and it's often overlooked.

AncestryDNA does not accept uploads from other companies. If you want your DNA in Ancestry's database, you need to buy an Ancestry kit. You can, however, download your raw data from Ancestry and upload it to other services.

MyHeritage does accept uploads from most major testing companies. You can upload your raw data and see your matches, though some of the advanced features may require a small unlock fee or a subscription.

This creates a popular, cost-effective strategy: test with AncestryDNA, then upload your raw data to MyHeritage. That way you're in both of the two biggest genealogy databases for the price of one kit, plus a modest unlock fee if you want the advanced tools.

Privacy and data control

Your DNA is uniquely personal, so privacy deserves careful thought before you test with any company. Both Ancestry and MyHeritage state that they do not sell your DNA data, that you control whether it's used for research, and that you can delete your data and request destruction of your sample.

Before testing, we recommend you:

• Read the current privacy statement and terms of service for the company you choose.
• Decide whether to opt in or out of research participation. You can usually change this later.
• Choose your match visibility settings. You can typically hide your profile from matching if you only want the ethnicity results.
• Use a strong, unique password and turn on two-factor authentication.

It's also worth remembering that testing affects your relatives as well as you, because you share DNA with them. A quick conversation with close family before you test is a kindness, particularly if there's any chance of unexpected discoveries.

Price and value

Both tests have similar list prices, and both are regularly discounted, sometimes heavily. The largest sales usually fall around Black Friday, Christmas, Mother's Day and Father's Day. Unless you're in a hurry, it rarely makes sense to pay full price. Check our current deals page, or ask us to email you when your preferred kit goes on sale.

When you compare value, think about the total cost of your research rather than just the kit. If you'll want records access, factor in the subscription. If you're outside the US, check shipping costs too, because they can add a surprising amount.

Side-by-side summary

• Bigger database: AncestryDNA, by a wide margin.
• Best for British, Irish, US and Australian roots: AncestryDNA.
• Best for continental European and Jewish roots: MyHeritage DNA.
• Chromosome browser: MyHeritage only.
• Accepts DNA uploads: MyHeritage only.
• Linked family trees and record hints: AncestryDNA has the edge.
• Photo tools: MyHeritage.
• Ease of use for beginners: both are good. Ancestry is slightly simpler.

Our recommendation

For most family historians in Australia, the UK, Ireland and North America, AncestryDNA is the best first test. Its enormous database gives you the most matches and the best chance of solving family mysteries.

Choose MyHeritage DNA first if your family tree leads mainly to continental Europe or you have Jewish heritage. Its international reach and chromosome-level tools will serve you better.

And if you're serious about genetic genealogy, the best answer is often both: test with Ancestry, then upload your raw data to MyHeritage. You'll get the largest possible pool of matches without buying two kits.

Still not sure? Our 60-second DNA quiz gives you a personalised recommendation, and our full DNA kit reviews cover every option in more depth.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use both AncestryDNA and MyHeritage?

Yes. The most cost-effective way is to test with AncestryDNA, download your raw data, and upload it to MyHeritage. You can't upload in the other direction, because Ancestry doesn't accept uploads.

Which test is more accurate?

Both read your DNA with very high technical accuracy. Differences come from the size of each database and the reference panels used for ethnicity estimates, not from the quality of the lab work.

Do I need a subscription to see my DNA matches?

No. Both companies show your ethnicity estimate and match list without a subscription. Some advanced features, and access to other people's full trees and historical records, require a paid membership.

How long do results take?

Typically four to eight weeks after the lab receives your sample, though it can take longer during busy periods such as the weeks after Christmas.