MyHeritage review : the best affordable and reliable DNA test?

Launched in 2003, MyHeritage DNA is a genealogy laboratory that offers the possibility of analyzing one’s DNA using a genuine autosomal DNA kit for $ 89, as well as a health DNA kit. The company also provides its customers with high-performance software to build a family tree to complement dna test results , a service that not all laboratories systematically offer.

MyHeritage: the key facts

Informations
🌐 Website	➤ Visit
🗓️ Year of creation	2003
🧬Type of DNA test offered	Autosomal DNA test
🌏 Geographical coverage	More than 2,100 regions
🧪 Type of sampling	Sampling inside the cheek
📈 Results reports	Detailed ancestry DNA matches Identification of family relationships
💾Database	14 billion historical and genealogical documents
🔍 Search tools	✅
🔬Reliability and precision	99 %
📲 Mobile application	✅
⏳Processing time	About 3 weeks
📞 Customer support	0 805 08 00 98
💵  Price	€ 89
🗂 Data compatibility	GEDCOM format
💪 Highlights	European and American DNA data Ability to bring old images back to life Family tree creation tool AI avatar creation tool

Take a MyHeritage DNA test to discover your ancestral origins

DNA testing refers to a genetic test analyzing gene, DNA parentage transmitted by a father and mother.

There are 3 types of DNA test analyzing the genome:

• The mitochondria DNA testl, mt chromosome analysis: It enables maternal lineage to be analyzed and traced. Both men and women can undergo this type of test;
• Y-DNA test (Y chromosome) : Reserved for men only, Y-chromosome analysis enables paternal lineage to be traced, and it is this DNA sample that is taken to perform a paternity test;
• The genealogical DNA test : This test is the most frequent of the 3, (this DNA test is offered in by all laboratories, discover our various advice on DNA tests). In addition to identifying genetic cousins sharing the same DNA segments, it allows you to trace ethnic origins and discover your ancestors your grandparents and their great-grandparents;

This is the genealogical DNA test that MyHeritage offers with its autosomal DNA kit to discover the mapping of your ancestors and ethnic origins. To carry out this deoxyribonucleic acid study and tag the genome, researchers will analyze your genetic markers,either a gene or a DNA sequencedetectable on one of your chromosomes.

This genetic analysis allows you to find out more about your ancestors, the geographical regions where they lived and also uncovers your family ties. Thanks to this test sent in the form of a kit, Myheritage reveals your genetic heritage by sharing with you the ethnic groups and regions of your origins.

We have taken the genealogical DNA test to verify the veracity of the results obtained.

Easy to use, the DNA kit contains:

• 2 vials ;
• 2 swabs ;
• 1 plastic bag ;
• 1 instruction manual ;
• 1 return envelope ;
• 1 activation card.

Results provided on ethnic origins

The results transmitted on our origins are complete and detailed, MyHeritage has a large collection of ethnic groups. Indeed, with an analysis of our DNA sample across 2114 ethnicities, the laboratory has enabled us to find out more about the geographical areas where our ancestors evolved, but also how they migrated.

We were also able to discover the origins of our ancestors in order to understand which ethnic populations we descend from.

To identify unique founding populations, MyHeritage has set up the “Founding Populations” project. This project involving over 5,000 individuals worldwide has enabled the laboratory to identify unique founder populations.

Recently, the laboratory has integrated a new module to its platform: The map of ethnic origins. This interactive map offers an overview of the most common ethnic origins based on the country selected. Thanks to an enriched database, MyHeritage is the only laboratory to offer this feature.

Results on its DNA matches

With the MyHeritage DNA test, the laboratory provided us with a report on our DNA matches. This unique technology reveals to us the DNA percentage we share with other people who have set up a DNA test at

Myheritage and who have agreed to share their genetic data in MyHeritage DNA’s databases. It is in part thanks to its “Founding Populations” project that MyHeritage is in a position to share this data with you.

This tool has enabled us to obtain detailed information on our DNA matches:

• Our kinship links: MyHeritage has shared with us a diagram of our DNA matches. On it is shown the degree of kinship we share with our DNA marches (Close family, extended family, distant relatives;
• Location: A map allowed us to find out more about the geographical areas from which our kinship links originated;
• Ethnic origine: A table detailing the ethnic origin of each of our matches is included in the analysis report.

Autosomal DNA testing process

Realized in less than 5 minutes, MyHeritage’s autosomal DNA test is easy to perform alone at home. Its process is as follows (a guide to DNA sampling is provided in the kit):

1. Rub the inside of your cheeks for 10 seconds to pick up the swab;
2. Open the vial ;
3. Drop in the swab;
4. Repeat the operation with the second swab;
5. Drop the samples into the plastic bag;
6. Insert the plastic bag into the envelope;
7. Attach a world stamp ;
8. Send your Myheritage envelope.

The results of the DNA analysis were communicated to us 4 weeks after the sample was received at the laboratory. We were able to get our results online, directly on our personal space.

To help you carry out your DNA tests, MyHeritage provides a video tutorial. A plus from the laboratory, which is the only one to offer visual content detailing the process of its autosomal DNA test:

How much does a DNA test with MyHeritage cost?

MyHeritage offers two kits. On the one hand, the autosomal DNA kit which will give you access to your ethnic origins and kinship links. On the other hand, the Health DNA kit, which, in addition to providing you with the autosomal test analyses provides you with a complete health report.

Myheritage Price:

• Autosomal DNA kit : $ 89 excluding shipping costs ;
• Health DNA Kit: $ 199 excluding shipping.

The purchase of the DNA kit does not include shipping costs which amount to $ 12 nor the purchase of the international stamp worth $ 3.

To give you access to all these tools, MyHeritage offers six subscription plans:

1. The Basic plan, which is free, allows you to build a family tree (up to 250 people);
2. The Premium plan, at $79/year (first year at $49);
3. The Premium Plus plan at $129/year (first year at $89);
4. The Data plan, which unlocks full access to the archives at $129/year (first year at $89);
5. The complete offer at $189/year (first year at $119);
6. The Omni offer, for professionals, unlocks all services and access to international conferences at $259/year (first year at $149);

Making a family tree: MyHeritage Family Tree Builder

MyHeritage offers a new, free service in addition to its DNA test. Because your family history begins with your family tree, MyHeritage offers you the chance to create your own.

The lab allows its users to set up a family tree, which MyHeritage will complete for you. To build your family tree, the company draws on the billions of documents in its database.

File Gedcom with MyHeritage

GEDCOM, acronym for “Genealogical Data Communication” is a file dedicated to the exchange of genealogical data between different genealogy software” – MyHeritage

In other words, the GEDCOM file is a file containing coded text containing your family tree.

In order to feed your sructure, MyHeritage offers you the possibility of importing your GEDCOM data directly into the process of creating your family tree.

It is possible to transfer GEDCOM from one genealogy software to another. The vast majority of genealogy programs and websites accept the GEDCOM format. It is therefore entirely possible to use your GEDCOM on different platforms in order to find complementary data.

Genealogy archives

Free of charge, MyHeritage’s family tree builder lets you search billions of documents from its database: birth registers, death notices, census records and many other genealogical resources are at your disposal to help you find out more about your family.

Contribute to the enrichment of the MyHeritage Wiki encyclopedia

You can consult the MyHeritage Wiki, a collaborative encyclopedia available online for free.

You’ll be able to create an account, become a contributor to highlight your various research and/ archives. But also consult certain information to help you in your research such as:

1. Do genealogical research by country (by regions, on its history, geography, family history, ethnicities, popular family names and consult specific references) ;
2. Consult traditions in surnames by country ;
3. Discover historical archives ;
4. Access practical guides to genealogy ;
5. Consult lexicons on genetic origins.

Animating photos with historical AI avatars

MyHeritage also offers you to create avatars of yourself or one of your family members to animate your family tree using their tool, AI Time Machine. This complementary service is also free but limited without subscription.

Restoring an old family photo

You also have the option of restoring an old family photo, its colors, its sharpness with the Reimagine mobile app.

This one will simply digitize old printed photos (in a photo album, for example).

The application also offers the possibility of creating short animations on faces.

Other genealogy tools at MyHeritage DNA

Cousin Finder: the feature to discover your cousins without DNA testing

Cousin Finder is an exclusive feature of MyHeritage that allows you to discover distant relatives without the need for a DNA test. It uses data from Smart Matches to identify MyHeritage members with whom you share common ancestors. The results are sorted by closeness of relationship to provide clear information about each potential cousin, including their genealogical connection, activity on the platform, and the size of their tree.

You can then contact potential cousins and enrich your family tree. Available on the MyHeritage website (and soon on the mobile app), this feature is free, but requires a subscription to contact users.

Photodater: the exclusive tool for estimating the date of your old photos

With PhotoDater™, MyHeritage offers you an exclusive and free tool to estimate the year your old photos were taken using artificial intelligence. If you have undated family photos, this feature analyzes visual details such as clothing, hairstyles, and furniture to provide you with an accurate estimate.

PhotoDater™ works on photos taken between 1860 and 1990, with an average margin of error of only 5 years for 60% of the images tested. You can access this feature via the MyHeritage website, where estimates appear automatically for undated photos. A histogram also allows you to view the confidence level and error range of the estimate. PhotoDater respects your privacy and the photos you upload are not used to train the AI model.

DeepStory: The ultimate tool for turning your memories into animated masterpieces 

DeepStory is an innovative feature from MyHeritage that turns a simple photo into an animated video. Using cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology, you can see a deceased ancestor or loved one come to life and tell you their story. To create a DeepStory, simply upload a photo and write a short autobiographical story in the first person, which will serve as the basis for the narration.

You can customize every detail, including choosing from 152 different voices available in 31 languages, to give your character an authentic and moving voice. Sophisticated algorithms, developed in collaboration with D-ID, ensure perfect lip-syncing and make the animation realistic and captivating.

You can preview and adjust every detail as many times as necessary until you are completely satisfied with the result. If you already have a family tree on MyHeritage, the platform automatically generates an enriched DeepStory based on the available information.

Once finalized, you can share your creation with your loved ones via social media or directly with your family.

LiveMemory™: The tool to give a new dimension to your family memories

The LiveMemory feature from MyHeritage lets you bring your old photos back to life by turning them into animated videos using artificial intelligence. This AI technology recreates realistic gestures and now offers ten customizable animation options. You can choose touching gestures such as a smile, a hug, or a kiss, or opt for more playful effects such as zero gravity or an underwater atmosphere.

The tool can be used directly from the website with a premium subscription. Once the animation has been selected, the AI automatically generates the scene, creating unique clips that bring your most cherished memories back to life. All your LiveMemory™ videos are stored in your MyHeritage account and accessible from the mobile app gallery. They can then be shared with your loved ones in one click on social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky or WhatsApp, or downloaded to your device.

MyHeritage DNA mobile app

With the MyHeritage mobile app, it’s possible to build your family tree and consult genealogical archives to research your ancestors.

Thanks to various features, MyHeritage DNA lets you “matcher” your DNA with other users or directly with ancestors:

• Smart Matches:Drawing from its database of over 1.5 billion profiles, MyHeritage compares family trees and lists your kinship links;
• Record Matches : Instantly comparing thousands of records worldwide, MyHeritage provides you with data to advance your genealogical research ;
• SuperSearch : MyHeritage has created a search engine that makes it easy to find your ancestors in its database.

A closer look at subscription prices

To give you access to all these tools, MyHeritage offers 6 subscription packages:

1. The Basic offer, free, allows you to create a family tree (maximum 250 people);
2. The Premium offer, for $109 per year (first year for $69);
3. The Premium Plus offer for $189 per year (first year for $129);
4. The Data offer, which unlocks full access to the archives for $169 per year (first year for $109);
5. The Complete offer for $269 per year (first year for $159);
6. The Omni offer, for professionals who unlock all services and access to international conferences for $359 per year (first year for $199);

MyHeritage DNA : Advantages and disadvantages

Our genealogists’ conclusion on MyHeritage DNA

The genetic tests offered by MyHeritage DNA are reliable and allow you to playfully trace your ancestors and ethnic origins . Simple to perform, millions of genealogists have already carried out DNA tests with this laboratory, a sure sign of its quality and reliability. Also, we liked the fact that we received our results in video form, to facilitate understanding of the ethnic results received allowing everyone to easily understand the analysis.

Also, MyHeritage is one of the only genealogical laboratories to offer a complementary service to its DNA kits:The free creation of an online family tree via Family Tree Builder software. Today renowned throughout the world, this laboratory is one of the market leaders in autosomal DNA analysis.

To conclude, MyHeritage today therefore deserves its success. Our opinion of the Myheritage laboratory is positive. It’s a laboratory with an experienced scientific team offering DNA tests with reliable, detailed results on ethnicity. With an enriched database and free software for building your own family tree, MyHeritage is an ideal choice. For those wishing to begin genealogical research on ethnicity and DNA matches, MyHeritage is an excellent opportunity to discover your family history! After taking a DNA test, we can only recommend that you take a DNA test with this laboratory.

A team of genealogy experts

One of MyHeritage’s main assets:its geneticists. In fact, the laboratory has CLIA certification, allowing us to affirm that the researchers employed by the laboratory all have recognized degrees and the necessary qualifications to enable quality DNA analysis.

Using the highest technological standards with biotechnology (PCR) that enable concrete analysis of the polyphormism of your DNA sequencing. And thus provide you with reliable DNA results, on your ethnic origin through a genetic map of your genes. A geneticist at MyHeritage will help you interpret your DNA results.

Professional, attentive customer service

To ensure a professional and responsive follow-up for its users, MyHeritage provides a customer service team ready to answer the slightest doubts on a wide range of media.

In fact, in the event of problems or if you need help, it’s possible to contact the laboratory’s customer support via several communication media:

• From the mobile application ;
• By mail,on the MyHeritage website ;
• By telephone on 0 805 08 00 98.

When we wrote them an email to understand a little more about our autosomal DNA kit results, we appreciated how quickly they got back to us. Yes, we sent an email in the morning and received an answer to our questions in the afternoon, half a day.

Encrypted and protected data

MyHeritage deploys technical, administrative and physical security measures to protect its users’ data. In order to guarantee maximum security, MyHeritage carries out penetration tests on its system to verify the robustness of its programs.

Furthermore, you have total control over your DNA results and the management of your personal data on your personal space. You may or may not share your results with other genealogists who have performed a DNA test.

A tight-knit genealogy community

With4 billion profiles created and nearly 78 million users, MyHeritage DNA holds one of the best (if not the best) community dedicated to exchange, advice as to the world of genealogy.

It’s partly thanks to this community that, every day, dozens of individuals find distant cousins and living close relatives.

More about MyHeritage

Developed in 2016, MyHeritage DNA lab testing has quickly become a must-have genealogy service. With over 430 researchers spread across the globe, the Israeli company allows you to discover your family history via a DNA test that analyzes your autosome while also having the option of accessing valuable information about your health.

Proof of its reliability, MyHeritage DNA has already enabled a hundred million users to take a DNA test to discover their ethnic origins. To meet international demand, the platform is available in nearly 40 languages.

MyHeritage vs FamilyTree DNA

While Family Tree DNA offers the 3 different types of DNA tests in existence (mitochondrial, Y chromosome and autosomal), MyHeritage DNA offers only the Autosomal DNA test.

This specialization on the part of the laboratory enables it to offer more reliable results about your ethnic origins.

With regard to the database, both laboratories offer a very broad register of documents. It is entirely possible to search both laboratories’ databases.

MyHeritage DNA vs AncestryDNA

Ancestry DNA and MyHeritage are both genetic genealogy labs and they offer an autosomal DNA kit.

However, thanks to its “Founding Populations” project, MyHeritage now has a more comprehensive database of ethnic origins than Ancestry DNA. As a result, scientists are able to provide you with more reliable and accurate results on the ethnic origin of your ancestry. What’s more, access to MyHeritage DNA’s genealogy archives is free of charge.

Myheritage vs 23andme

Like FamilyTree DNA, 23andMe offers all 3 types of DNA testing (yDNA mtDNA and autosomal). However, compared to MyHeritage DNA, the results offered by 23andme are less precise on ethnic origins.

Contrary to MyHeritage, 23andMe offers no access to genealogical archives. It is therefore not possible to search for historical data that could help you understand your family history in order to accurately complete your family tree.