DNA testing kits are becoming increasingly popular as a way to learn more about your ancestry and genetic makeup. With the introduction of services such as AncestryDNA and 23andMe, users can gain insight into their unique genetic history. Both companies offer comprehensive DNA testing services, allowing customers to discover their family history, living relatives, and health information. But which one is better? In this article, we’ll do a detailed review and comparison of AncestryDNA vs 23andMe.
Overview of 23andMe
23andMe is a personal genomics company founded in 2006 in California.
The company has sold more than 12.5 million DNA kits to date.
23andMe’s mission is to help people access, understand, and benefit from the information present in the human genome.
What Can You Discover with 23andMe?
23andMe offers four kinds of personal genetic services.
- Ancestry
- Health + Ancestry
- 23andMe+ Premium
- 23andMe+ Total Health
Health + Ancestry – Opting for this service will help you access more than 150 reports in the following categories.
Pros of 23andMe
- Reports extend beyond ancestry to other categories, like health predisposition, carrier status, and personalized medicine
- FDA-approved
- The user interface is very friendly, displaying your results in a comparative format
Cons of 23andMe
- A smaller pool of customers compared to AncestryDNA – so, less likely to connect with DNA matches
- Even though the company boasts of its advanced security measures, a recent massive hack has put the data of millions at risk
Did You Know? You can use your AncestryDNA test data to get up to 11 additional health and wellness reports from as low as $30. No new DNA test required. Reports within 24 hours.
Overview of AncestryDNA
AncestryDNA is a part of Ancestry LLC, founded in 1996. The parent company is based out of Utah.
As of date, the company has sold 26 million testing kits.
What Can You Discover with AncestryDNA?
AncestryDNA focuses exclusively on a person’s ancestral traits and origin. You can order two kinds of testing services from the Ancestry website.
- AncestryDNA
- AncestryDNA+ World Explorer Membership
- AncestryDNA+ All Access Membership
Pros of AncestryDNA
- The best ancestry analysis in the market
- Interactive and color-coded ethnicity estimate report
- Newly launched Ancestry health and wellness traits
- Option up free 14-day membership for AncestryDNA kit holders
Cons of AncestryDNA
- Health and wellness reports are inferior compared to 23andMe’s
- No FDA approval
Ancestry vs 23andMe: The Similarities And Differences
Ancestry vs 23andMe: Which Company Protects Your Privacy Better?
Privacy is always a concern when you let any company access your personal information.
As a user, you need to be aware of what information these companies collect and store and what they share with third parties.
When you compare privacy promises between the two companies, both have similar terms and conditions.
AncestryDNA stores DNA details and samples without using your name or other personal details.
You can choose to download or delete the reports anytime you want.
The company will not share your information with third parties unless you opt for it.
With 23andMe, the privacy terms are very similar too. You can choose to save your samples or destroy them after use.
Unless you choose to participate in their sharing features, 23andMe will not share your information with third parties.
You can also delete your account permanently anytime you wish to.
Note: Recently, 23andMe faced a massive hack that put the data of millions of people in jeopardy. Please review their policy in detail and talk to the customer care representatives for more clarity.
To get your 23andMe raw data, follow the instructions in this video:
To access your AncestryDNA account, follow the instructions on this page:
How To Login To Your Ancestry DNA Account + Get Health Reports At 70% Off!
Ancestry vs. 23andMe FAQs
Which Is More Accurate, AncestryDNA Or 23andMe?
Due to the larger database, AncestryDNA’s ancestry results are more accurate. For health information, 23andMe is better. The latter also has a better layout.
Do AncestryDNA And 23andMe Give The Same Results?
Ancestry results can vary between the two companies. This is because each company uses its own reference database and algorithm for report generation. Further, the populations included in each service can also affect your results.
Why Was Ancestry Health Discontinued?
It was briefly discontinued to focus more on its ancestry services. However, they have been reintroduced as AncestryDNA Traits.
Bottomline: Ancestry vs 23andMe – Which Is Better?
Both AncestryDNA and 23andMe come with their strengths.
The choice between them depends on what you want from genetic testing.
If you are interested in learning more about your ancestry, lineage, and possible family connections, then Ancestry may have a larger data pool to compare your DNA.
If you want to understand health risks or carrier status data, 23andMe will offer detailed reports that may help.
Cost-wise, both companies may charge you similarly depending on your chosen service.
Explore the available packages and see which fits your requirements better before making a choice.
