Best Genealogy Sites: Top Sites For Family History Research

‍Introduction

Genealogy has blossomed into a worldwide passion, enabling millions to trace their lineage and build detailed family trees. Today’s best genealogy sites offer quick access to vital records and modern DNA tools, all from the comfort of your home.

We recently conducted the “Landscape of Genealogy Sites 2025” survey. Between February 10 and 17, 2025, 737 respondents shared which websites they trust most for tasks like building a family tree, searching historical documents, or exploring DNA matches. This post blends those survey insights with an overview of the major platforms, from well-known names like Ancestry and MyHeritage to specialized sites like Findmypast.

Online research matters because it brings census records and official documents to your fingertips. It also connects you with active communities where you can share tips, break down “brick walls,” and uncover new branches of your heritage. Let’s explore how each site fits specific research needs.

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Top Best Genealogy Sites

Below, we combine highlights from our internal survey (737 respondents) with concise summaries of each website. The satisfaction scores below are calculated based on % of users who answered either Very Useful or Useful in each survey (% of Very Useful * 10 + % of Useful * 5).

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1. Ancestry

Why It Stands Out

Our survey found Ancestry leads in multiple categories. It scored highest for building & managing family trees (6.8), finding DNA matches (6.7), and searching historical records (7.2).
83% of respondents have used it, making it the most popular overall.

Core Features

Holds billions of records, including U.S., UK, and other international archives.
Offers AncestryDNA, the largest autosomal DNA database in our survey.
Hosts a massive user community, with over 130 million family trees.

Drawbacks

Subscription can be costly.
Lacks advanced DNA segment analyzing tools (no chromosome browser).

Users praised Ancestry’s easy-to-use hints and broad record coverage, especially for American research. If you need DNA matching, it’s also the top pick in our poll.

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2. MyHeritage

Why It Stands Out

Great for global and multilingual research, especially in Europe.
Second-most popular (57% usage). Some found it best for bridging language barriers.

Core Features

Nearly 20 billion records worldwide, with strong European archives.
MyHeritage DNA includes a chromosome browser, letting you see exact DNA segments you share with matches.
Freemium model: basic trees are free, with paid tiers for records and advanced DNA tools.

Drawbacks

Subscription tiers can be confusing.
Its DNA database is extensive but still smaller than Ancestry’s.

Survey respondents often praised MyHeritage for overseas ancestry. Its DNA upload feature also appeals to those who tested elsewhere but want extra matches.

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3. FamilySearch

Why It Stands Out

Completely free, it operates under the LDS Church.
40% of our survey participants use it, often as a supplement to other paid sites.

Core Features

Over 16.8 billion global records. Many genealogists start here because of zero cost.
A unified Family Tree encourages collaboration on single ancestor profiles.

Drawbacks

No DNA test integration.
Some record images are restricted to Family History Centers.

FamilySearch remains a standout choice for budget-minded researchers and those looking for broad coverage across continents.

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4. Findmypast

Why It Stands Out

Specializes in British and Irish records, including the exclusive 1921 Census of England & Wales.
12% of our survey respondents use it, though UK-based genealogists rate it highly.

Core Features

Strong coverage of parish records, newspapers, and local archives.
Various subscription plans or pay-per-view credits, offering flexibility.

Drawbacks

Limited content outside Britain and Ireland.
DNA is an afterthought (minor partnership with Living DNA).

If your ancestry roots lie in the UK or Ireland, Findmypast holds many unique sources that can unlock extensive historical detail.

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5. 23andMe

Why It Stands Out

It focuses on personal DNA insights rather than genealogy records.
The second-favorite DNA testing service, with 19% of our respondents selecting it as best for genealogy.

Core Features

Detailed autosomal DNA results, including haplogroups, traits, and a chromosome browser.
A large global database of test-takers.

Drawbacks

Provides no historical records or built-in tree function.
Many users are health-focused, not genealogy-focused.

23andMe is ideal if you value robust DNA ethnicity estimates and advanced segment-based details. You’ll still need a records-oriented site to assemble your family history.

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6. FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA)

Why It Stands Out

Known for Y-DNA and mtDNA testing.
A good choice for deep paternal/maternal lineage studies.

Core Features

You can transfer raw DNA from other platforms.
Community-driven “projects” help connect people with shared surnames or haplogroups.

Drawbacks

No genealogical records.
Smaller autosomal database than Ancestry or MyHeritage.

If you’re a serious genetic genealogist, FTDNA helps you verify paternal lines or join relevant Y-DNA groups. Survey respondents only ranked it at 3% for best test overall, but it shines for specialized DNA research.

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7. Geni

Why It Stands Out

A “one world tree” model. Users merge profiles to create a collaborative, giant tree.
17% have tried it, but many found the process of merging trees tricky.

Core Features

No in-house records. It integrates with MyHeritage for searches.
Geni Pro subscriptions let you see overlapping profiles and advanced searches.

Drawbacks

Public merges can cause confusion if incorrect data gets introduced.
Free users face feature limitations.

Despite these challenges, Geni excels for those looking to join a massive collaboration. Just verify sources carefully.

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8. WikiTree

Why It Stands Out

Entirely free and community-driven.
Encourages rigorous sourcing, akin to a wiki format.

Core Features

Open collaboration on a single global tree.
Users can link external documents, but WikiTree doesn’t host record sets.

Drawbacks

Editing can feel complex.
Some genealogists dislike letting others change data on shared ancestors.

Many appreciate WikiTree’s emphasis on accuracy and detailed biographies, though it’s best combined with official record sites.

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9. Geneanet

Why It Stands Out

Strong for Continental Europe, especially France.
Freemium approach, with a premium tier (~€45/year) for advanced searching.

Core Features

User-contributed trees, digitized parish registers, and extensive cemetery photos.
Supports multiple languages, beneficial for cross-border research.

Drawbacks

Not many U.S. or UK records.
Discontinued DNA matching service.

If you have French or other European roots, Geneanet can reveal local records unavailable on English-centric sites.

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Our Internal Survey Results

We also asked participants to identify their favorite specialized resources. Some highlights:

Best for Cemetery Records: Find a Grave (63%)
Best for Newspapers: Newspapers.com (35%)
Best for Adoption Research: Adoption.com (6%)
Best for Non-US Record Sites: ScotlandsPeople & Irish Genealogy (both 7%)
Best Immigration: Ellis Island (17%)
Best Military Records: Fold3 (20%)

DNA Test Picks

Ancestry DNA (55%) took first place, followed by 23andMe (19%), MyHeritage (12%), and FamilyTreeDNA (3%).

DNA Upload Sites

Genomelink (58%) topped the poll, with GEDmatch second at 18%.

Ancestry dominated many categories, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for every user. If you seek a global angle or prefer a free solution, consider MyHeritage, FamilySearch, or smaller niche platforms.

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Comparison Overview

Website	Historical Records	DNA Testing	Community Features	Pricing Model	Regional Focus
Ancestry.com	~40+ billion records (global; strong in US & UK)	Yes – AncestryDNA (autosomal test). Largest DNA database (20–25 million tested). Ethnicity reports (~77 regions) and DNA matching with ThruLines tool.	130 million user-created family trees; tree hints and matches, member messaging, public boards. Family tree search lets users find and copy public tree profiles.	Paid subscriptions (14-day free trial available). U.S.-only plan ~$25/month; World plan ~$40/month; All Access ~$60/month.	Strong in USA records; also country-specific collections for UK, Canada, Australia, Europe. Essential for U.S. research.
MyHeritage	~19–20 billion records (global; strong in Europe). Extensive international collections, including exclusive European archives.	Yes – MyHeritage DNA (autosomal). ~7–9 million in DNA database. Ethnicity reports (~42 regions) and unique Genetic Groups (2,114 populations).	90 million family trees (5.5 billion individuals). Smart Matching compares your tree with others. Available in 42 languages.	Freemium model. Free basic plan (up to 250 people in tree); paid tiers from ~$129/year to ~$299/year.	Strong in Europe & international records. Excellent for non-English research.
FamilySearch	~16.8 billion free records. Extensive global archives, including microfilm images. Continuously growing.	No DNA testing services.	One unified Family Tree with ~1.5 billion person profiles. Collaborative one-world tree.	Completely free. Some record images have access restrictions.	Global focus with unparalleled geographic diversity.
Findmypast	~3.6 billion records, specializing in UK and Ireland. Exclusive host for the 1921 Census of England & Wales.	No proprietary DNA service (offers Living DNA kits via partnership).	Family tree tools and UK-centric community forums. Smaller member tree database.	Paid subscriptions. Essential British & Irish plan ~$240/year; Ultimate plan ~$359/year.	Strong UK & Ireland focus.
23andMe	None – DNA-focused service.	Yes – DNA testing only (~14 million tested). Ethnicity estimates, health trait reports, haplogroups, DNA relative matching.	DNA relatives feature. No built-in family tree builder.	One-time test purchase ($99 for Ancestry, $199 with Health). Optional $29/year membership.	Global DNA database, strongest in U.S.
FamilyTreeDNA	No archival records database.	Yes – Autosomal, Y-DNA, and mtDNA tests. Largest Y-DNA & mtDNA databases.	Community focuses on DNA projects (surname, lineage, geographic). Active user forums.	Pay-per-test model. Autosomal ~$79; Y-DNA tests range higher.	International user base, ideal for deep ancestry research.
Geni.com	No historical records (tree data only).	No in-house DNA tests; allows linking DNA from other services.	One World Tree model (~340 million profiles). Emphasizes collaboration.	Freemium. Basic use is free; Geni Pro ~$120/year.	Global; strong in Jewish, European aristocratic, and early American trees.
WikiTree	No proprietary records – collaborative tree.	No DNA tests; users can enter DNA test IDs.	Completely free global family tree (~20 million profiles). Strong community focus.	Free (no paid tier).	Best for English-speaking genealogy; growing international content.
Geneanet	Billions of records, strong focus on Europe. User-contributed trees (over 1 billion individuals).	No internal DNA testing service (previously discontinued).	Large European genealogy community. Supports multiple languages.	Freemium. Free tree-building; Premium membership (~€45/year) unlocks advanced search.	Excellent for France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Germany. Less useful for U.S. genealogy.

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Conclusion

Choosing the best genealogy site depends on your roots, budget, and research style. Our survey confirmed Ancestry’s strong appeal, especially for those who want an all-in-one experience. MyHeritage stands out for European records and a user-friendly DNA browser. FamilySearch draws in genealogists at every level with its free global records and collaborative features. Meanwhile, Findmypast remains unparalleled for British and Irish data, while 23andMe and FamilyTreeDNA cater to those who place genetic insights at the forefront.

No single site covers everything. Many genealogists combine multiple platforms: one for document research, another for DNA, and yet another for building or merging a large family tree.

Ready to begin? Dive in with a site that resonates with your heritage goals, sign up for a free account or a trial, and start exploring. You’ll soon discover surprising connections, uncover your ancestors’ stories, and preserve them for future generations.

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