I Took 10 DNA Tests and Compared Them | Which One Should You Take?

Matt Baker tested 10 consumer DNA services across two reviews. His original comparison covered 23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA, and CircleDNA. His second review examined CRI Genetics, Living DNA, Nebula Genomics, Helix, and tellmeGen.

Some testing kits were provided free, and Baker disclosed affiliate commissions. He acknowledged receiving complimentary kits for review and earning small commissions through certain purchase links, while stating that he intended to evaluate each service independently.

DNA testing prices vary substantially, and promotional discounts can be significant. Baker noted that several companies had recently advertised discounts approaching 40% for Mother's Day, making sale prices worth checking before purchasing.

Consumer DNA kits generally use either cheek swabs or saliva samples. 23andMe and AncestryDNA use saliva collection, while MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA, and CircleDNA use cheek swabs. Baker considered swabs easier to use.

Sample collection requires preparation and kit registration. Baker advised avoiding food, drinks, and toothbrushing for at least 30 minutes before collecting DNA, and registering the kit before mailing it to the laboratory.

AncestryDNA had the largest customer database among the major services discussed. At the time of the review, Baker reported approximately 20 million users for AncestryDNA, 12 million for 23andMe, and 5 million for MyHeritage. These database sizes matter because they influence the likelihood of finding biological relatives.

AncestryDNA and 23andMe primarily served American customers, while MyHeritage had a stronger European focus. Baker considered these regional differences relevant when choosing a service for genealogical research.

The four major genealogy companies provided ethnicity estimates and biological-relative matching. AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, and FamilyTreeDNA used genetic comparisons to estimate ancestral origins and identify potentially related customers.

Autosomal DNA provides the foundation for ethnicity estimates and relative matching. This DNA is inherited from both parents and allows testing companies to compare genetic similarities across family branches and reference populations.

Mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome DNA trace narrower ancestral lines. Mitochondrial DNA follows the direct maternal line, while Y-chromosome DNA can trace the direct paternal line in people who possess a Y chromosome.

23andMe included maternal and paternal lineage information in its basic offering. Baker identified it as the only one of the four major genealogy companies providing this information without an additional testing charge at the time.

FamilyTreeDNA specialized in detailed maternal and paternal lineage testing. Although its mitochondrial and Y-chromosome analyses cost extra, Baker considered its specialized capabilities particularly valuable for people investigating those ancestral lines.

23andMe offered the broadest combination of genealogy and significant health information among the four major genealogy services. Its additional health reports addressed matters such as genetic disease risks, whereas competitors generally concentrated on ancestry and simpler personal traits.

CircleDNA concentrated primarily on health rather than genealogy. Baker treated it as an alternative for customers more interested in genetic health information than constructing family trees.

Nebula Genomics distinguished itself through whole-genome sequencing. Unlike conventional consumer services that examine selected genetic markers, Nebula offered sequencing across the entire genome, giving customers a much larger body of genetic information to investigate.

Nebula's whole-genome service cost approximately $1,000. Baker described its cheek-swab collection as straightforward but recognized that the substantially higher price placed it outside many consumers' budgets.

Nebula connected customers' genetic variants to published scientific studies. Its reports identified genetic markers associated with health conditions and compared an individual's variants with findings from genetic research.

Nebula's personalized report library expanded as additional research became available. Baker had received 284 reports when he reviewed the service, with new reports being added over time.

A 2021 gallstone study placed Baker near average genetic risk. Nebula's report showed the relevant genes and his individual variants, using green to indicate increased risk and blue to indicate decreased risk. His mixture of higher- and lower-risk variants produced an approximately average overall result.

Nebula allowed users to rank health reports by polygenic score. This made it possible to identify conditions for which their genetic results suggested comparatively elevated predispositions rather than examining hundreds of reports individually.

Nebula placed Baker in the 99th percentile for genetic predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis. He explained that this did not mean a 99% probability of developing the disease; it meant his estimated genetic susceptibility exceeded that of approximately 99% of the comparison group.

Baker already had rheumatoid arthritis, matching Nebula's elevated-risk finding. He considered this a striking example of the service identifying a condition consistent with his personal medical experience.

Nebula also predicted a strong genetic predisposition to insomnia that did not match Baker's experience. He reported never having problems with insomnia, illustrating why genetic susceptibility cannot reliably establish whether someone will develop a particular condition.

Genetic predisposition is not a medical certainty. Baker emphasized that environmental conditions, behavior, and other factors can influence whether genetic risks develop into actual diseases or traits.

CRI Genetics offered ancestry analysis for approximately $100 using a cheek swab. Its basic service resembled the major genealogy platforms by estimating the geographic origins of a customer's ancestors.

CRI Genetics estimated Baker's ancestry as approximately 45% German. This became an important comparison point because other companies produced substantially different estimates of his British and German heritage.

CRI Genetics did not provide biological-relative matching. Customers could explore estimated ancestry but could not use the service to identify genetic relatives, which Baker considered a major disadvantage for family-tree research.

CRI Genetics included extensive personal-trait reports in its basic price. Unlike AncestryDNA, which charged extra for certain trait information, CRI offered numerous predictions without requiring an initial upgrade.

CRI Genetics examined traits such as bitter-taste sensitivity and alcohol flushing. Its reports also covered potential differences in vitamin absorption and genetic predispositions associated with allergies.

CRI Genetics did not provide extensive serious-disease risk reporting. Baker distinguished its lifestyle and personal-trait information from the more medically oriented reports available through Nebula, CircleDNA, and certain 23andMe packages.

CRI Genetics charged separately for some advanced genetic information. Mitochondrial and Y-chromosome results were among the features requiring additional purchases.

CRI Genetics used a credit-based system for premium reports. Customers could purchase individual credits for specific information or subscribe to a membership that provided additional credits each month.

Living DNA cost approximately $100 and used cheek-swab collection. Like several competing services, it provided estimates of the geographic origins of relatively recent ancestors.

Living DNA specialized in British ancestry. Baker attributed its more detailed British regional analysis to the company's United Kingdom base and considered it especially relevant to people with substantial British family histories.

Living DNA estimated Baker's ancestry as 62% British and Irish. This contrasted with CRI Genetics' estimate of 45% German ancestry, demonstrating how different services could characterize the same person's genetic background differently.

Living DNA divided British ancestry into specific geographic regions. Baker's results attributed 17.5% of his DNA to southeastern England and 1.4% to North Wales, providing greater regional detail than the broad British and Irish estimate alone.

Living DNA provided genetic-relative matching. It identified one first cousin and several relatives classified as second or third cousins in Baker's results.

Living DNA offered additional trait reports for approximately $50. Baker considered the available trait information less extensive than CRI Genetics' included reports, making the upgrade comparatively less attractive.

Living DNA offered a Viking ancestry upgrade for less than $20. The feature estimated genetic connections to populations associated with Viking ancestry and attempted to distinguish regional origins.

The Viking report separated several geographic categories. These included Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Eastern European, and Viking-associated populations from Great Britain, Ireland, and Iceland.

Baker's Viking results were concentrated in the British Isles and Iceland category. He noted that the feature would primarily interest customers with some European ancestry.

Helix had previously been associated with National Geographic's Genographic Project. The partnership helped make Helix a recognizable name during an earlier period of consumer genetic testing.

The Genographic Project ended in 2020, leaving Baker uncertain about Helix's remaining genealogy services. He specifically tested Helix to discover whether it still offered anything comparable to its former National Geographic-associated product.

Helix's ancestry results were considerably simpler than Baker expected. The service provided only a basic ancestry breakdown and a small selection of personal-trait predictions.

Baker could no longer locate a way to order a Helix kit when revisiting its website. He suspected the consumer testing option he had used might no longer be available, although he did not establish that it had formally been discontinued.

tellmeGen was a Spain-based company that Baker discovered through Amazon. He had not previously known the brand and selected it as another less-established competitor to test.

tellmeGen used saliva collection and was priced similarly to other approximately $100 services. Its ancestry report estimated ethnic origins while incorporating additional lineage information.

tellmeGen included mitochondrial and Y-chromosome results without additional charges. Baker regarded this as a useful distinction from services that required separate purchases for those analyses.

tellmeGen offered genetic-relative matching but produced no matches for Baker. He attributed the lack of results to what appeared to be a relatively small customer database. Later, his overall recommendations grouped tellmeGen with services lacking useful relative matching, although its matching feature technically existed.

tellmeGen included numerous personal-trait predictions in its base package. Baker's results suggested a lower likelihood of baldness, a greater likelihood of good memory, normal cholesterol levels, and some predisposition toward sweet foods.

Baker continued to recommend AncestryDNA and MyHeritage for conventional family-tree research. After reviewing all 10 services, he concluded that their genealogical capabilities and relative-matching databases remained more useful than those of most smaller competitors.

AncestryDNA was Baker's preferred genealogy service for the United States and Canada. He considered its large customer database particularly valuable for identifying relatives and reconstructing family connections in North America.

MyHeritage was Baker's preferred genealogy service for European customers. He considered its geographic focus and user community better suited to many people researching European family histories.

Baker particularly recommended MyHeritage for Jewish genealogy. He believed the service offered advantages for people researching Jewish ancestry, regardless of where they currently lived.

CRI Genetics and tellmeGen offered attractive trait reports but weaker genealogical utility. Baker acknowledged their included personal-trait information but generally preferred AncestryDNA or MyHeritage when family relationships were the primary objective.

Nebula Genomics became Baker's leading recommendation for detailed genetic health research. Its whole-genome sequencing and connections to published scientific studies gave him greater confidence in its scientific depth.

CircleDNA had a more accessible interface than Nebula Genomics. Baker considered CircleDNA easier to navigate but ultimately favored Nebula for the breadth and scientific presentation of its genetic information.

23andMe remained Baker's budget recommendation for combining ancestry and health information. He considered it the practical choice for customers who wanted both categories of information without paying Nebula's substantially higher price.

FamilyTreeDNA remained Baker's preferred service for specialized maternal and paternal lineage research. He regarded it as the strongest choice when detailed mitochondrial or Y-chromosome ancestry was the main objective.

Baker identified privacy, accuracy, and non-European ancestry as three issues extending beyond individual company comparisons. He considered these important qualifications for anyone deciding whether to purchase a consumer DNA test.

Baker rejected sensational claims that consumer DNA companies were secretly collecting genetic material for governments or cloning programs. He described encountering such allegations in comments on his earlier review but did not present evidence supporting them.

Baker argued that DNA is not inherently difficult to obtain outside commercial testing services. People routinely leave biological material in everyday environments, so he considered commercial testing an unnecessary route for someone determined to collect another person's DNA illicitly.

Baker described the major DNA companies' privacy policies as restricting disclosure of identifiable customer information. His review stated that personal information was generally protected from routine third-party sharing, although he acknowledged exceptions for certain research uses.

Some companies permitted anonymized or randomized genetic data to be used in research. Baker said this information could be shared without directly identifying customers and that certain services allowed users to opt out.

Baker maintained that DNA results would not ordinarily be used for individually targeted advertising. He based this reassurance on his interpretation of the companies' privacy policies rather than independent testing of their data practices.

The US Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 provided legal protection against certain uses of genetic information. Baker explained that health insurers could not require genetic test results or deny health insurance coverage based on those results under the law. His discussion concerned health insurance, not every form of insurance.

Baker distinguished ordinary genetic-relative matching from law-enforcement access. He stated that customer results were not automatically shared with police at most major services, while identifying FamilyTreeDNA as an exception to the general arrangements he described.

Baker characterized police access to most private DNA accounts as requiring legal authorization. He referred to warrants and argued that information obtained through such access would be comparable to genetic relationship information already visible to permitted matches. These were his descriptions of the policies and procedures at the time of the review.

Customers could generally opt out of relative matching. Baker explained that someone interested in ancestry or health reports could prevent potential genetic relatives from discovering their profile through matching features.

Baker said customers could request deletion of stored genetic data and destruction of biological samples. He presented these controls as important privacy safeguards for people uncomfortable with long-term retention.

Corporate ownership and changing privacy policies remained important risks. Baker acknowledged that testing companies could be sold and their terms of service could change, potentially altering how genetic information was managed.

Baker ultimately considered consumer DNA testing generally safe but advised monitoring privacy policies. His reassurance was conditional on the policies he had reviewed, rather than a guarantee that every company would maintain identical protections indefinitely.

Seven of Baker's 10 tests produced detailed ancestry-composition estimates. He compared those seven results side by side to investigate how consistently the companies interpreted his genetic background.

The ancestry tests disagreed substantially about Baker's German versus British and Irish origins. Some services emphasized Germany, while others assigned larger proportions to Britain and Ireland.

The tests also disagreed about ancestry from other European regions. Certain services identified meaningful percentages from additional parts of Europe that others did not detect or separately report.

Ethnicity percentages are estimates generated through statistical comparisons. Baker explained that companies compare customers' genetic information against reference data and use their own algorithms to assign likely geographic origins.

Different algorithms and reference populations help explain conflicting ancestry results. Because each company analyzes genetic similarities differently, the same DNA can produce different percentages and regional classifications.

Broad geographic ancestry estimates were more consistent than fine regional distinctions. Baker said his results clearly indicated predominantly Western European ancestry, while estimates distinguishing closely related Western European populations were less reliable.

British Anglo-Saxon ancestry and mainland German ancestry were particularly difficult to separate. Baker highlighted their close historical and genetic relationships as an explanation for the disagreement between companies.

Baker advised treating detailed ethnicity percentages cautiously. He considered them useful approximations rather than precise measurements of historical ancestry.

Ancestry estimates could change after customers received their original results. Baker noted that companies periodically updated their algorithms and reference databases, potentially changing previously reported ethnic percentages without requiring another DNA sample.

Larger reference databases could improve future ancestry estimates. Baker expected results to become more accurate as companies accumulated additional genetic information from more diverse populations.

Consumer DNA testing historically overrepresented people of European ancestry. Baker explained that early customers were predominantly white, leaving companies with larger European reference datasets.

European ancestry was consequently easier to classify in detail than many non-European ancestries. Baker identified unequal reference-population coverage as a reason some customers received less precise regional information.

The quality of non-European ancestry estimates was gradually improving. Baker attributed this to increasing participation by people from more diverse ancestral backgrounds, which expanded the genetic information available for comparison.

Baker recommended larger testing companies for customers with predominantly non-European ancestry. He suggested AncestryDNA or 23andMe because their larger databases offered a reasonable starting point, although he did not claim they were definitively the best for every population.

Baker planned a separate investigation into DNA testing for African Americans. He announced an intended collaboration with Jabari, creator of the YouTube channel From Nothing, to compare which services were most useful for African American ancestry research.

The overall comparison established that no single DNA test was best for every purpose. Baker's recommendations depended on whether the customer prioritized finding relatives, tracing specific ancestral lines, examining British regional ancestry, exploring personal traits, or investigating genetic health risks.