As the scientific community continues to unlock the mysteries of the human body, more and more people are turning to DNA tests to learn about their health and ancestry. While the price of a DNA test can vary depending on the type of test and the company you choose, this guide will give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay for a DNA test.
Depending on the type and complexity, a DNA test may cost under $99 to more than $2000.
In some cases, additional testing may be required, increasing the cost.
In some states, insurance covers a portion of certain types of genetic tests.
From the date of sample collection, the results may be ready within a few days to a few weeks.
The turnaround time is much quicker if the genetic test is crucial for timely diagnosis (such as prenatal tests).
Different types of genetic tests investigate different things and are priced accordingly.
Let’s have a look at some important types of genetic tests.
Type of Test | Average Cost |
Ancestry Test (direct-to-consumer) | $59-$119 |
Health and Wellness Assessment (direct-to-consumer) | $100-$640 Xcode Life’s Special Price: starting from $30 |
Paternity Test | At home: $130-$200 Legal: $300-$500 |
Molecular Genetic Tests | $100-$2000 |
Genetic ancestry tests, also called genealogy tests, aim to analyze the shared genetic regions between individuals to establish their relationship.
Ancestry testing allows one to learn their ethnicity and information about their ancestors.
It is the cheapest DNA testing option with most companies and can range from as low as $59 to around $119.
*as of 13th March 2024
Also Read: How To Login To AncestryDNA + Health Reports At 55% Off!
Genetic tests can now help healthcare professionals and other consumers understand the risk of developing a health condition.
This enables personalized preventive measures and optimal treatment.
Further, owing to the rising popularity of nutritional supplements, genetic companies are introducing lifestyle and wellness tests (such as nutrition or fitness genetic tests) to promote better health.
Most companies price these tests at $100 to $600.
Many companies also combine health and ancestry tests and price them around $200.
Did You Know? You can use your existing DNA data from ancestry genetic tests to get Xcode Life’s reports within 24 hours!
DNA paternity tests are one of the most common types of DNA tests.
The individual and the alleged father get a genetic test, and a specialist compares the shared DNA regions between them to establish paternity.
At-home DNA paternity tests cost around $130-$200, and legal paternity tests can cost up to $500.
Molecular tests are mostly used for diagnostic purposes.
They look for abnormal changes in one or more genes
Molecular genetic tests employ DNA sequencing, a process that determines the order of the 4 letters (A, T, G, and C) in the human genetic code.
Costs vary depending on the type of test: single variant, targeted gene, gene panel, whole-exome, and whole-genome.
Company | Average Test Cost** |
Xcode Life (DNA kit not provided) | Single tests: $30-$50 Bundles: $160-$199 (850 traits) |
23andMe | $119-$229 |
AncestryDNA | $59-$199 |
MyHeritage DNA | $39 |
Family Tree DNA | $119-$449 |
Living DNA | $90-$180 (+ shipping) |
Vitagene | $89-$169 |
Genomelink | $39-$199 |
SelfDecode | $199-$476 |
CircleDNA | HK2,399-HK4,990 ($307-$638) |
Nebula Genomics | $99-$999 |
Some direct-to-consumer companies, like Sequencing, offer free services that allow you to upload your existing DNA data to get some basic information for free.
Many insurance plans cover most clinical genetic tests recommended by physicians. However, direct-to-consumer tests have poor insurance coverage and only a few companies/insurance plans offer reimbursement.
Dog tests help the owners know the specific breeds to allow better care.
Despite the rising popularity of dog DNA testing, only a few companies offer quality services.
The tests can cost anywhere from $60 to $200, based on the knowledge you’re seeking and how deep you want the analysis to be.
Pregnancy DNA tests cost depending on the nature of the test.
The most common types of pregnancy tests include
The pricing of DNA tests varies depending on the type, use, and the company offering the genetic test.
Basic ancestry tests cost around $99, while health and wellness ones can cost as much as $450.
Molecular diagnostic tests can cost anywhere from $100-$1000.
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.
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.
23andMe offers four kinds of personal genetic services.
Health + Ancestry – Opting for this service will help you access more than 150 reports in the following categories.
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.
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.
AncestryDNA focuses exclusively on a person’s ancestral traits and origin. You can order two kinds of testing services from the Ancestry website.
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!
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.
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.
It was briefly discontinued to focus more on its ancestry services. However, they have been reintroduced as AncestryDNA Traits.
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.
LifeDNA was founded in 2017 by Steve Markowitz. Headquartered in Hawaii, USA, LifeDNA specializes in DNA-based health and wellness services.
Image: LifeDNA Home
LifeDNA’s primary offering is its reports on nutrition, health, and wellness.
LifeDNA has 3 offerings:
This service covers 40 unique traits about your nutritional profile and vitamin needs.
Everything in Diet And Wellness Pack +
Everything in the Wellness Report Bundle +
A typical LifeDNA report contains:
The nutrition report contains information on about 18 traits, which includes:
Gives you information on 26 vitamins and other micronutrients. The recommendations included tell you whether to maintain normal intake or increase/decrease it.
You May Also Be Interested In Xcode Life’s Gene Nutrition Report – 48 traits – $40
The LifeDNA Fitness report includes a genetic analysis of 19 fitness-related traits:
You May Also Be Interested In Xcode Life’s Gene Fitness Report – 27 traits – $30
The LifeDNA wellness report includes 16 traits concerning your wellbeing:
You May Also Be Interested In Xcode Life’s Gene Health Report – 48 traits – $50
The Personality and Cognition report provides information about how your genetic makeup is likely to affect your personality and cognition. Includes 27 traits.
You May Also Be Interested In Xcode Life’s Traits and Personality Report – 25+ traits – $30
The Skincare Report contains genetic information and active recommendations on 15 skin-related traits such as:
You May Also Be Interested In Xcode Life’s Gene Skin Report – 24 traits – $30
How To Download Your Raw Data From FTDNA
Download Your Raw Data From AncestryDNA
How To Download Your Raw Data From 23andMe
Download Raw Data From MyHeritage DNA
LifeDNA claims 100% security and privacy of data. According to LifeDNA, they do not hold any ownership of raw data upon upload. Instead, ownership remains 100% with the client.
LifeDNA does not share or leak genetic data without the permission of the client. In addition, LifeDNA guarantees the protection and safety of genetic data through encryption.
Even for utilization of genetic data for research, LifeDNA leaves the choice to the clients.
Clients may choose to delete data at any point in time.
They can do this by just writing a mail to the company’s support team.
Clients are given a choice between deleting genetic data (though their LifeDNA account remains active) or deleting the entire account along with genetic data permanently.
For more information on LifeDNA’s privacy policy, click here.
In April 2020, LifeDNA joined the University of Hawai’i to study why COVID-19 hits specific populations harder than others.
In January 2021, LifeDNA launched its DNA test kits, in collab with Health First Network, across 130 stores in Canada.
knowyourDNA reviews LifeDNA as a $99 pricey testing that generates in-depth reports about nutrition and beauty.
Trustpilot reviews on LifeDNA have an average of 4 out of 5 stars
**Please Note: All the images included in this review articles were sourced from LifeDNA’s website. LifeDNA doesn’t provide sample reports anymore.
LifeDNA | Xcode Life | |
Type of genetic testing | DNA kit and analysis | DNA raw data analysis |
Health report | Nit offered | Offered |
Pharmacogenomic report | Not offered | Offered |
Raw data upload | Available but only from 23andMe, MyHeritage, Living DNA, Ancestry, and Family Tree DNA | DNA raw data from all major providers accepted. Comprehensive list |
Number of traits analyzed | 150+ | 850+ |
Report updates | No | Yes |
Price | $59-$199 | Reports: $30-$50 Bundles: $110-$149 Price details |
Sample reports | Unavailable | Available as detailed report walkthrough videos |
It is always interesting to know more about your own history and ancestors. Learning about your past can be a fascinating and soul-stirring journey.
Your geographical origin pertaining to specific populations is referred to as ethnicity.
AncestryDNA offers an in-depth analysis of your DNA and helps you understand more about your family tree, and origins or find lost relatives.
So far, ancestry DNA has limited samples that have helped people determine where they belong.
In the latest update, AncestryDNA has announced its ethnicity update and added new regions in Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
Their vast collection of family trees also helps improve results with family histories spanning various regions worldwide.
This makes ancestry DNA’s ethnicity tests more precise.
This is for people who already have an AncestryDNA kit. This feature allows you to explore your family history using all features that are included in the subscription.
After two weeks, you will be charged a monthly fee according to the plan you have chosen:
Asia
Europe
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.
According to the AncestryDNA website, “Storymaker Studio is a collection of tools to help you create, share, enhance, and preserve audio, images, and family stories.” It includes the following tools:
Here’s what changed with AncestryDNA’s August 2022 update:
By adding more regions in Asia and Africa and splitting Oceania into Eastern Polynesia and New Zealand Maori, eight new areas were added, namely:
At AncestryDNA, their goal is to represent the world as fairly as possible.
Since people have always been and continue to move from one place to another, representing ethnic regions becomes crucial to determining where your ancestors lived and belonged.
AncestryDNA has divided the Oceana region into Eastern Polynesia and New Zealand Maori regions to make ethnicity results more accurate and precise.
These two regions were made to provide more precise results of both the Hawaiian and New Zealand Maori heritages.
However, it is essential to remember that since Eastern Polynesian indigenous populations (who descended from West Polynesia), people with Hawaiin and Maori heritage have some percentage of other East Polynesian regions in their results.
This update aims to increase precision and provide information about different ethnicities.
The update saw more addition of samples to the reference panel to expand the number and diversity of populations for comparing users’ DNA.
Further, AncestryDNA updated the DNA algorithm to provide more precise ethnicity estimate results.
This can result in new regions or changes in your percentages.
AncestryDNA’s latest update has added more unique profiles and different regions of the world to differentiate neighboring regions better and improve existing ones.
With the latest update, people with Indigenous roots in Cuba, Haiti, or the Dominican Republic will notice more improvements.
Similar improvements will also be seen in people from the following regions:
Source: AncestryDNA YouTube Channel
Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with AncestryDNA and do not have partnerships with them of any nature. This article is intended for informational purposes only.
Existing customers who already have their AncestryDNA ethnicity profiles may see changes or updates in their ethnicity percentage with this new update.
This is because their recent update expands the number and diversity of populations they compare your DNA to during the test.
Fascinated by what your ancestry tests have revealed? But what if, alongside your results, certain physical traits could add more pieces to your ancestral puzzle? Whether or not Vikings appeared in your DNA report, you might be intrigued to discover which physical signs have historically been associated with these legendary seafarers. Let’s delve into 7 fascinating traits that might hint at a Viking connection somewhere in the vast branches of your family tree.
Genetic ancestry tests are becoming increasingly popular. While your DNA can be used to learn about your roots, did you know that it can also reveal important things about your health risks and wellness aspects? This allows you to take proactive measures for health conditions, even before the symptoms appear, thereby preventing it. You can upload your DNA data to learn 1,500+ things about your health. Learn more.
Here’s how people like you have used their ancestry data to explore Xcode Life
The Vikings were a group of maritime warriors from Scandinavia.
They flourished from the 8th to 11th centuries.
They have left an indelible mark on European history and are known for their expedition to unknown lands.
The Vikings traveled through North America and the Mediterranean in search of fortune.
They established trade connections with European countries like Britain and Ireland.
They also looted monasteries and took whatever money or goods they could.
At the same time, they were accomplished craftsmen and produced jewelry and metalwork renowned throughout Europe.
There is some dispute as to where the Vikings were initially from.
However, evidence shows they came from the Scandinavian countries, specifically Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
One famous instance was when the Vikings attacked the Lindisfarne monastery in Northumbria, England, in 793 CE.
However, Roman scholars referenced warrior groups with similar features as the Vikings before this date.
It means the Vikings were there before 793 CE and probably originated from Scandinavia.
They later emigrated to Britain, Ireland, Greenland, and Iceland.
The Scandinavian peninsula is the area shared by Norway, Sweden, and a part of northern Finland
Nordic countries refer to all five of the northern European countries.
Vikings as a group don’t exist anymore.
However, they have descendants all over Europe and the Scandinavian countries.
In many Scandinavian countries, many people dedicate their lives to living like the Vikings did long ago.
There are Viking villages in Norway and Sweden where people recreate the Viking way of life.
In a recent study, scientists examined 300 ancient human genomes from Scandinavia that spanned over 2000 years.
They compared these to modern human genomes and found that nearly 10 percent of Scandinavians had Viking DNA.
In the UK, around 6 percent of people possibly had Viking ancestry.
Many people share their DNA with the Vikings, and a Viking DNA test can help you understand your specific Scandinavian ancestry traits!
These tests look at your DNA and compare it to those of Viking ancestors to see how many common segments you share with them; the more the segments, the closer you are to the Vikings.
Some companies that offer Viking DNA test include:
The mutations in the Y chromosome in males indicate the changes that have happened in the direct male lineage.
The two types of mutations are STR and SNP, of which STR is more common.
STRs define the haplogroup as a group of similar haplotypes with a common ancestor.
Among the 20 major Y chromosome haplogroups associated with Vikings are |1, R1a, R1b, G2, and N.
Xcode Life’s health and wellness panel includes 10 important reports covering thousands of health aspects.
If you have done an ancestry genetic test with companies like 23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, etc., you can dig deep into your health in 3 simple steps.
Not yet tested?
If you’re new to the world of genetic testing, we’ve got you covered!
You can now get your ancestry DNA kits at an additional discount!
By following the link provided in this article, you can purchase a DNA kit at 10% OFF (the discount will be reflected when you add the product).
This will ensure that you have everything you need to embark on your genetic journey.
Once you receive your kits, you can follow the instructions given by the respective service providers to collect your sample and ship it.
After you receive your DNA test results from the kit, you can upload your DNA data to our secure platform.
The Vikings hailed from modern-day Scandinavia.
They were also called Norsemen.
People from the Nordic region of Europe are usually considered the closest relatives of Vikings.
The Nordic region consists of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
Since the Vikings were seafarers, they traveled to foreign lands across Europe.
As a result, some Viking DNA can also be found among the British, Scottish, and Irish people.
Around 10 percent of people in Sweden and 6 percent in the UK are said to have Viking DNA.
Vikings originally hail from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
However, they did travel extensively and conquered the British Isles, including Ireland and Scotland.
It led to cultural exchange and intermingling with the local population.
As a result, Viking DNA can be found in many modern-day Scottish and Irish people.
Having the R1a, R1b, or |1 genetic variation does not confirm that you are a Viking, but you could be related to them.
R1a is commonly found in Eastern Europe, while R1b can be found in Ireland, Wales, France, and Spain.
|1 variation is found in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
Outside of these countries, Viking heritage can be found in Britain.
The Vikings colonized and settled in Britain.
If you have any of the above genetic variations with a Norse paternal name, chances are you are related to the Vikings.
Genetic tests usually don’t have the word Viking written in the test reports.
The people who take these tests refer to the word “Scandinavia” in the report to claim they are related to the Vikings.
Having Viking DNA can mean that you had a Scandinavian ancestor.
However, people use the results of these genetic tests to explain away specific problematic behavior.
One man in the US claimed that his Viking ancestry explains why he is so angry all the time.
It is a type of genetic determinism where a person’s life results from his genes and is not controlled by him.
The Vikings have long been associated with notions of whiteness and Nordic nationalism.
They have long been used as symbols by prominent fascist movements in Europe.
These genetic ancestry tests can fuel a potential new wave of racism and ethnic chauvinism.
The Vikings were a group of maritime explorers from Scandinavia.
They conquered and settled in many European regions, leading to cultural intermingling.
Today, their influences can be seen in European art and culture.
Although the original Vikings have long become extinct, their genes can still be found today.
People from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are said to be most closely related to the Vikings.
Some physical signs like fair skin and tall stature can be linked to having a possible Viking ancestor.
However, claiming a Viking ancestor does not mean anything scientific.
In reality, it can lead to more racial discrimination and ethnic chauvinism.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2013/feb/25/viking-ancestors-astrology
https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(22)01468-4
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200916113544.htm
To login to your 23andMe account, follow the steps given below:
To get access to your raw DNA file, you first need to log in to your 23andMe account.
Head over to the 23andMe website, and look for the sign-in button on the top right corner, as shown below.
After you click that button, you should be redirected to the 23andMe login page.
Once you get to the login page, you can enter the email and password that you used to set up your 23andMe account.
Once you enter that information, you will gain access to your account and your 23andMe dashboard.
If you’ve forgotten your password, you can request a reset by clicking “Forgot your Password?”
You will need to enter the email you used to set up your 23andMe account.
Then, instructions will be sent to your email that will provide you with a guide on how to reset your password.
From there, you can follow the instructions, head back to the 23andMe login page, and input your email and password to access your account.
If you are unable to access your account this way, 23andMe now allows you to sign in via Google or Apple even if you haven’t originally registered this way.
Did You Know?
Your 23andMe raw data (v5 chip) contains around 650,000 genetic markers? Ancestry reports only use 0.01% of this information. Your raw data has details your health, nutrition, fitness, allergy, methylation, and specific genes like COMT and APOE. After discovering your ancestry information on the 23andMe site, you can download your raw data and use it to learn more about yourself.
Useful and easy to understand health reports from DNA data
I received my xlife reports within the timeframe promised using my 23andme data and got useful new information from the reports to inform nutrition and supplemental strategies. Thank you!
– Ash Goodwin
To sign out of your 23andMe account, follow the steps given below:
1: Move your cursor to the top right-hand corner of the screen, where you can see your username.
2: Click on the drop-down arrow
3: From the drop-down menu, choose “Sign out”
You have now successfully logged out of your 23andMe account
23andMe has a mobile application available both on Android and iOS devices. It can be downloaded from the Google Play Store/ App Store.
Once you download the app, you can sign in to your account using the same way as you did for the website.
If your 23andMe account is linked to Google, you can choose the “Sign in with Google” option and enter your Google email and password to access your account.
To update your email/password, open your account menu and click on Settings.
You can edit your email here and your password here.
Please note that for security purposes, you’ll be asked to enter your date of birth to proceed – it must match the one you entered during account registration for successful verification.
Upload the file to Xcode Life for insights into 3000+ health-related traits at a 55% discount!