23andMe vs Ancestry Based on your ancestry, timing, reviews, and other factors.
The Key Takeaways
- Ancestry and 23andMe, two of the most prominent at-home genetic testing firms, have processed over 30,000,000 DNA samples.
- Both services provide health and ancestry reports that allow you to find out about your family history and to identify any health problems you may have.
- The cost of a service or DNA test kit will vary depending on which one you choose.
- You may be eligible to receive reimbursement for a Flexible Spending Account (FSA/Health Savings Account) if you choose one of the health screening kits.
- Both companies are highly regarded and have positive customer reviews.
Many people choose to find out more about their past and health with DNA testing at home.
A home DNA test can be:
- Answer questions about your family history
- Help you to create a family tree
- Give us the geographical locations where your ancestors lived
- Relish with your relatives
- Find out your genetic risk for developing certain diseases
- Determine if you might be a carrier of inherited diseases
- Provide insight into hereditary traits and health issues
There are many companies that offer home genetic testing. However, 23andMe and Ancestry are the most popular. They have combined to process over 30,000,000 DNA samples and provide customers with detailed information about their genetic characteristics, health, and ancestry.
Although there are many similarities, the services have different expertise. Health has consulted genealogists, geneticists and genetic counselors to help you sort through the information and determine which DNA test kit is right for you. We also read hundreds of customer reviews and did extensive research on each company.
Continue reading to discover what makes each service so special.
23andMe vs. Ancestry DNA Testing – Major Differences
When planning to purchase a DNA testing kit, you might be torn between services. Ancestry and 23andMe, two of the most well-known genetic testing companies in America, offer services that enable you to trace your family tree and find out about your health risks. All you need is a saliva DNA sample. How can you choose which one?
Genealogist Marc McDermott offered Health his advice on how to decide between the two. McDermott says, “In a nutshell it boils down that you need to ask yourself what your goal is with a DNA test.” If you are looking for a basic report on your ethnicity, both 23andMe and Ancestry are great options. If you want to make connections with your family and build your family tree, Ancestry is the best option. 23andMe is the best place to get health testing.
After you have determined what outcome you want to achieve with testing, you should consider the five key differences between these companies’ services:
1. Ancestry Reports
Ancestry and 23andMe both use mitochondrial DNA (the DNA that mothers pass on to their offspring), autosom DNA, and sex DNA to create your ancestry.
Although 23andMe and Ancestry don’t report on the size of their databases often, it is estimated that this number is approximately 5%. Ancestry has more than 18 million sample records, which is significantly greater than 23andMe’s.A total of 12,000,000 samples
Ancestry’s large database has two major benefits:
- Accuracy improved:The number of DNA samples that have been compared by the services will affect how accurate at-home genetic testing of ancestry. Ancestry can provide more accurate and specific information if there are more DNA samples.
- Higher chance of matching with relativesYou have a greater chance of connecting with relatives via DNA matching because Ancestry has more sample than 23andMe.
2. 2. Health Information
An at-home DNA kit can provide detailed information about your health, which is one of the many benefits. Ancestry and 23andMe provide health screening tests that can tell you if you are at risk for developing certain diseases. You can also find out if you may be a carrier of certain conditions that could be passed on to your family.
If you purchase23andMe’s Ancestry+Health Kit gives you access to more than 150 customized reports. Reports from the kit detail how your DNA may affect your chance of developing certain diseases.Type 2 diabetes and celiac disease. You can find out if you have any of the 40 genetic conditions listed in its carrier reports. Cystic Fibrosis.
23andMe offers FDA-authorized Pharmacogenetic Reports that help you understand how your body may react to common medications. The company’s pharmacogenetic reports include clopidogrel (used to treat heart conditions), and citalopram, which is used to treat some forms of depression. Although this feature isn’t yet available for purchase by the company, a small number of customers have received it. It is expected that the feature will be made widely available in the future.
Ancestry offers health testing through its AncestryHealth service. Although it is not as thorough as 23andMe’s health test, its health test is still very useful. Ancestry produces only 25 reports. Although Ancestry uses its health test to determine if you may be a carrier of certain diseases, it only reports on three genetic conditions. Cystic Fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and Tay-Sachs Disease.
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3. 3.Availability of Genetic Professionals
The information in your genetic health report can seem overwhelming. Access to qualified genetic professionals is a great way to better understand your reports, and receive expert advice on the next steps.
23andMe encourages customers who are interested in discussing their results with genetic or other health professionals but doesn’t offer access to them through its services.
By contrast, Ancestry offers many educational resources. The app allows you to get information from board-certified doctors and genetic counselors and also allows you to send questions through the app.
4. Timing
23andMe is the best when it comes to processing your DNA samples.It takes Ancestry six to eight weeks to deliver results once it has received your sample..
23andMe can deliver your results in three to five days. You can receive your results faster if you choose VIP Health+Ancestry. It includes priority lab processing.
RELATED: Although genetics might not be as important as life expectancy, it does.
5. 5.
It can be costly to use Ancestry and 23andMe for information about your family history. You might consider trying the services out before you buy. 23andMe does not offer free trials to new customers. Ancestry allows 14-day free access to its Genealogy Service. This service can be used to find out about your family tree without submitting a DNA sample.
The trial does not give you access to your health information or allow you to connect to family members who share your DNA. It only makes use of the information you provide.
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Customer Reviews
Customers have a good impression of both Ancestry as well as 23andMe. Both companies have received a lot of positive customer reviews. They are known for their great value, outstanding product quality, and exceptional customer service.
Both companies are highly rated on Best Company. However, Ancestry has a higher overall score. It had a score of 9.9 out of 10, based on user reviews and business time.
23andMe scored 8.3 out 10 in November 2020.
Which is best for you?
It’s important to remember that 23andMe and Ancestry specialize in different areas when comparing the two services. The best kit for you will depend on your primary goal, whether it is to learn about your health or trace your heritage.
Similar Items
AncestryDNA
Ancestry is better than 23andMe if you are interested in learning more about your family history and heritage..
You will get a better result with this service because it has a wider sample base. This can help you connect with your relatives and give you a more accurate result. The services can be used to determine your heritage using your maternal and paternal line. They also offer percentage breakdowns of your ethnicity.
Cost:$99 – $119
TO BUY:Ancestry.com
23andMe
You can find out more about your chances of developing certain diseases and the likelihood of your children inheriting these conditions. 23andMe is better than Ancestry.
23andMe tests for more health conditions than Ancestry and also tests for more variants of genes. The Basic package is $99 but you will need the Essential package to obtain the health reports.
CostPrices: $99 to $199
Choose a DNA Testing Service
Ancestry and 23andMe have excellent reputations. Both companies can provide information on your heritage or health.
Keep in mind that DNA testing services are not perfect. This is especially true for health screenings. False positives can occur because they don’t test all genetic variants. It is important to discuss your results with your doctor before you make any changes in your health, such as exercise or altering your medication.
Kat Tretina, a journalist and writer with expertise in personal finance and personal health, is Kat Tretina. Her content has appeared on websites such as Everyday Health and HuffPost. Kat calls Orlando, Florida home.
