MyDNA Ancestry Services Compared
The three services people most often compare for ancestry DNA testing are MyHeritage, AncestryDNA, and 23andMe. Each uses the same basic method — a saliva or cheek-swab sample read on a genotyping chip — but differs in reference panel size, regional resolution, and whether ancient-population comparisons are offered at all.
At a glance
| Service | Modern ethnicity estimate | Ancient-origins comparison | DNA matching / relatives | Best known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyHeritage | Regional percentage breakdown | Yes — Ancient Origins compares DNA to 150+ ancient civilizations back ~10,000 years (Complete/Omni subscription required) | Yes, integrated with genealogy records and family trees | Genealogy records + the only mainstream ancient-DNA feature at this scale |
| AncestryDNA | Regional breakdown across 146+ regions, built from a large reference panel of documented family histories | Not offered as a dedicated consumer feature | Yes, one of the largest match databases | Match database size and depth of genealogical records |
| 23andMe | Highly granular — reference panel with over 1,400 populations, precision down to about 0.1%, recent ancestry traceable to roughly the last 200 years / county level | Not offered as a dedicated consumer feature | Yes, plus health and trait reports (separate from ancestry) | Granularity of recent/modern ancestry breakdown and health reports |
If ancient ancestry is your main interest
As of 2026, MyHeritage is the only one of the three offering a dedicated, large-scale ancient-population comparison feature (Ancient Origins) directly inside a mainstream consumer platform. If tracing deep-time population history — Bronze Age steppe ancestry, Roman-era populations, Viking-era Scandinavia — is your primary goal, it's currently the most direct route without relying on third-party tools built for genetic-genealogy hobbyists.
If recent genealogy and finding relatives is your main interest
AncestryDNA's larger match database (particularly strong in the US) tends to be the most cited advantage for connecting with living relatives and building out a family tree with documentary evidence. MyHeritage's matching is also strong, especially for users with European ancestry, given its origins as a genealogy records company — see our full MyHeritage DNA review for a closer look at that side of the platform.
If modern ethnicity precision is your main interest
23andMe's reference panel size and granularity are generally regarded as the most detailed for recent (last few hundred years) ethnicity breakdowns, plus it offers separate health and trait reports not directly comparable to the other two.
Uploading between services
All three generally allow you to download your raw DNA data and upload it to other platforms (sometimes with restrictions), which means you don't necessarily need to buy multiple kits to access multiple services' analysis tools — check each provider's current upload policy, as terms change.
Pricing structure at a glance
All three providers separate the base DNA kit (a one-time cost) from ongoing subscription tiers that unlock deeper features:
| Service | Base kit | Premium tier unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| MyHeritage | One-time DNA kit purchase | Complete/Omni subscription unlocks Ancient Origins, advanced record matching, and SmartGuide tools |
| AncestryDNA | One-time DNA kit purchase | Ancestry subscription unlocks full historical record access and enhanced search across billions of records |
| 23andMe | One-time DNA kit purchase (Ancestry or Ancestry+Health) | 23andMe+ membership unlocks expanded reports, deeper ancestry timeline tools, and periodic updates |
Exact prices change frequently and vary by region and ongoing promotions — check each provider's site directly rather than relying on a fixed number here.
Which one should you actually pick?
There's no single best answer — the right choice depends on what you're optimizing for. If you want the deepest possible dive into thousands of years of population history, MyHeritage's Ancient Origins is currently unmatched among mainstream providers — see our full review and walkthrough of where to find it. If your priority is finding and connecting with living relatives, AncestryDNA's larger database gives you better odds of a match. If you want the most granular modern ethnicity breakdown plus optional health insights, 23andMe is generally the strongest fit. Many genetic-genealogy enthusiasts eventually test with one provider and upload their raw data to a second or third to get the best of each — see our testing guide for how that upload process works.