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MyHeritage DNA Review (2024)

By Nicky LowneyBy Nicky Lowney -
Last Updated: Nov 29, 2023
45,180 reviews
by
logo-MYHERITAGE DNA
Visit Site
Price
$36 (normally $89) + shipping
Results in
3-4 weeks
Collection method
Cheek swabs

Our Verdict

Is MyHeritage DNA Worth It?

MyHeritage is one of the most popular ancestry DNA services,and with good reason. For $59, you can discover your ethnic roots across 2,114 regions. and connect with people who share your DNA. This kit, which comes with 30-day access to fun and useful family tree tools and a vast library of historical records, is a great choice if you don’t want to commit to a long-term research package.


Price
$36 (normally $89) + shipping
Results in
3-4 weeks
Collection method
Cheek swabs

MyHeritage DNA at a Glance

9.6
Editorial Score

Services Offered

Cheek swab DNA matching, pinpoints ethnic origins across 2,114 regions, billions of historical records, photo colorization
10.0

Brand Reputation

Founded in 2003, listed 6th among the list of 50 most promising startups in Israel by Calcalist, 531 employees
10.0

Speed of Results

Four weeks to receive results
10.0

Cost

$89 plus shipping, 1-year subscription is $300, 50% off the first year
9.0

Customer Support

Visit help center or call +1 385 334 3981, Mon 11:00-20:00, Tue–Sat, 08:00–20:00 GMT
9.0

MyHeritage DNA Pros & Cons

PROS

Huge database of DNA and historical records
Provides list of likely relatives
Basic family tree and photo features available for free

CONS

Yearly subscriptions for family tree services can get pricey
Autosomal tests only go back 6-8 generations

Top MyHeritage DNA Reviews

NP
Nicola Parker
Great customer service
Although I found the initial purchase daunting as one screen said that I’d purchased one thing and another screen something different, however, when I contacted customer services Dean was very helpful and put my mind at rest.
JD
Julien D.
Tests faciles à effectuer
Tests faciles à effectuer. Données concrètes et passionnantes.
ML
Monica Löthman
Det var enkelt att beställa.
Det var enkelt att beställa.
See all MyHeritage DNA reviews

How do I know I can trust this MyHeritage DNA review?

Top10.com authors, contributors, and editors are serious about research. We combine our own experience with the services we recommend, with reviews that come from verified users–just like you! Together, with reviews from industry experts, we find the Top 10 best products and services to make sure you can choose with confidence and ease.

MyHeritage DNA MyHeritage DNA Visit Site

Overview

MyHeritage’s Available Kits

MyHeritage offers a DNA kit that reveals your genetic origins across 2,114 regions of the world. This test requires a cheek swab. It is best for people who want to pinpoint their ethnic origins and find new relatives. In four weeks, you will receive a report which includes:

  • Origins: Where in the world your ancestors came from, listed by  geographic region. The report is broken out by the percentage of your DNA from each region.

  • Relatives: Your report will include a list of “matches”—people who share DNA with you. These matches are created from the database of those who have tested with MyHeritage as well as other services. Matches are reported with the percentage of DNA they share with you and their likely level of relationship: first cousin, second cousin, etc.


MyHeritage uses autosomal DNA testing, which passes through all ancestors, male and female (unlike mtDNA which gets passed only from mothers, and YDNA, which gets passed on from fathers to sons). Autosomal testing can trace ancestry through 6-8 generations, or 150-200 years.

MyHeritage customers who would like to learn more about their genetic risk of certain diseases can upgrade to MyHeritage DNA Health for an additional fee.

The kit comes with a free 30-day trial of their “Complete” service. This includes a family tree builder that provides instant access to 19.6 billion historical records to link to your family tree.

Family tree research and other features on MyHeritage

As soon as you create an account on MyHeritage—whether you buy their kit or not—they will set up your free family tree site. Here, you can upload a family tree from another service or manually add details about your family. You will instantly have access to several free features like:

Smart Matches

With basic information about your parents and grandparents, the free version of your family tree site will provide “Smart Matches,” people who appear in other family trees in their system. MyHeritage will prompt you to review and confirm these possible relatives.When you confirm a relative, you can add them to your family tree. 

Additional Free Features

You will also have access to photo tools to animate, colorize, or enhance old family pictures. 

If you upgrade to a paid family tree service, you can access additional services:

  • Premium -  Has additional features to collaborate with other family tree managers

  • PremiumPlus - Adds the ability to search MyHeritage’s database of family trees and historical records.

  • Complete - Adds the ability to search, match, and extract information from billions of linked historical records and family tree profiles.


How MyHeritage DNA Works

To order a test kit from MyHeritage, you’ll need to set up an account using your email address, birth year, and a password. After you place your order, your kit should arrive within a few days. Here’s what’s in the box:

  • Instructions

  • Activation card

  • Two vials

  • Two cheek swabs

  • One plastic bag

  • Return envelope


You’ll need to activate your kit online using the code on your activation card. Then, collect your sample:

  • Remove one of the swabs from its cover

  • Scrape the inside of one of your cheeks for 30-60 seconds

  • Open a vial

  • Break the swab inside the vial at the marked line

  • Close the vial

  • Repeat the process on the other side with the remaining swab and vial

  • Place the vials inside the plastic bag

  • Place the bag inside the return envelope

  • Mail the envelope to the laboratory


Getting The Results 

Once your sample arrives at the MyHeritage lab, your results will be ready in three to four weeks. You will receive an email that your results are ready, and you will have to access them through the MyHeritage website. Log in to your account and click on DNA>Overview. Your results will include:

  • Your ethnicity estimates. This is a list of ethnicities and regions with your corresponding DNA percentages. There is also a world map that is shaded according to your results. You can click on shaded areas to learn more about each ethnicity and geographic area in your genetic makeup. You can also explore “family tree events” from this map. These are ancestral birth and death locations from within your family tree.

  • A list of DNA matches. This includes name, age range, country of residence, likely relationship level (1st, 2nd, 3rd cousin, etc.), and information on the shared percentage and segments of DNA. You can filter results by country of residence, level of relationship, and ethnicity.

If you have upgraded to DNA Health, you will also receive:

  • A health risk report. This details your risks for 27 conditions, including heart disease and breast cancer These are grouped according to your genetic level of risk: increased, average, or decreased compared to the general population.


How MyHeritage Protects your Privacy

Many people are hesitant to submit DNA samples out of concerns for privacy. If you are concerned about the future use of your DNA for government, insurance, or law enforcement purposes, be sure to read the detailed privacy policy on the MyHeritage website. Here are the highlights: 

  • MyHeritage doesn’t sell or license personal or genetic data.

  • They do not provide data to insurance companies

  • They prohibit law enforcement use of its DNA services. 

  • Users can delete their data from MyHeritage at any time, permanently and irreversibly.

  • You’ll be notified of any meaningful changes to their privacy policy.


MyHeritage DNA Customer Support

Help Centre

MyHeritage has a comprehensive help center on their website, with answers to FAQs about account information, subscriptions, DNA kits and results, the MyHeritage mobile app, family tree research, and other areas. 

Email 

The email address for customer support is support@myheritage.com

Phone

The customer support phone number is 1-844-994-1888. Their support center is open 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday.

MyHeritage DNA Pricing

MyHeritage DNA kit has a list price of $89 but is currently on sale for $39. You will need to pay $5 shipping on a single kit, but shipping is free for two or more kits. Your kit will include a 30-day free trial of Complete, their full ancestry research service, normally valued at $299/year. 

For $120 per test, you can upgrade to the MyHeritage DNA Health test, which reports on your genetic risk of certain medical conditions. An additional $99/year subscription will provide you with updates on your genetic health risks.

Product
Regular Price
Sale Price
Promotions

DNA Test 

$89 + $5 Shipping

$39

Free shipping for 2+ kits

Check for third-party coupon codes

Premium family tree subscription

$129/year

$89 for the first year

N/A

PremiumPlus family tree subscription

$209/year

$149 for the first year

N/A

Complete family tree subscription

$299/year

$199 for the first year

30-day trial included with DNA test kit

DNA Health test upgrade

$120

N/A

N/A

DNA Health subscription

$99

N/A

First 12 months included with DNA Health test upgrade


The sale price of the DNA test kit from MyHeritage is similar to that of AncestryDNA, its leading competitor for testing autosomal DNA. It is less expensive than the test kits from 23andMe and LivingDNA, but both of those kits include haplogroup information in their DNA test report in addition to autosomal genetic information.

MyHeritage coupons and promo codes 

MyHeritage runs pricing specials several times throughout the year, including Cyber Monday, Valentine’s Day, and other holidays.

MyHeritage DNA Alternatives


MyHeritage

23andMe

AncestryDNA

LivingDNA

Price per kit

$39+shipping

$79+shipping

$59+shipping

$79+shipping

Collection type

Cheek swab

Saliva

Saliva

Cheek swab

Results in

3-4 weeks

3-4 weeks

up to 8 weeks

6-8 weeks

DNA Test Type

Autosomal

Autosomal, mtDNA, Y-DNA (males only)

Autosomal

Autosomal, mtDNA, Y-DNA (males only)

MyHeritage vs. 23andMe

MyHeritage and 23andMe are both excellent choices for exploring your genetic roots. Both analyze autosomal DNA to provide genetic ethnicity reports and DNA relatives, and both promise results within 3-4 weeks.

Here are some differences to keep in mind if you are deciding between these two services:

  • 23andMe has a larger DNA database: 12 million vs. 5.7 million for MyHeritage.

  • MyHeritage has a vast collection of research records to help you research your family tree. 23andMe does not have access to these resources.

  • MyHeritage provides only autosomal DNA testing, while 23andMe also analyzes mtDNA and Y-DNA (in men) to provide Neanderthal and Haplogroups reports.

MyHeritage vs. AncestryDNA

MyHeritage and AncestryDNA both offer detailed genetic information, excellent research resources, and similar price points. Here some key differences between the two companies:

  • AncestryDNA requires collecting a tube of saliva, while myHeritage uses the cheek swab method.

  • MyHeritage offers a 3-4 week turnaround for test results, versus up to 8 weeks for Ancestry.

  • Ancestry has a larger DNA database: 15 million users, compared to 5.7 million for MyHeritage.

  • Subscription offerings are generally less expensive for MyHeritage than for Ancestry,  though Ancestry provides access to billions more research records.

MyHeritage vs. LivingDNA

MyHeritage and LivingDNA offer quite different products. If you are focused on creating  a detailed family tree, MyHeritage is a better choice, with a larger database of users and access to billions of historical records. LivingDNA, on the other hand, offers detailed subregional ethnicity reports for specific areas (like the UK and Ireland), along with personalized wellness tips.

MyHeritage DNA MyHeritage DNA Visit Site

Bottom Line  

MyHeritage is one of the most popular DNA testing companies, and it’s easy to see why. Their kits are affordable and simple to use, and the reports are thorough and easy to understand. With the basic test, you’ll be able to explore your genetic ethnicity and connect with relatives. If you upgrade to one of their paid family tree subscriptions, you can dive into their library of records to flesh out your family history.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is MyHeritage free?+-

When you register on the website, you have free access to a basic family tree builder, photo tools, and matches with other users’ family trees. DNA testing and enhanced ancestry tools—like access to their vast DNA and historical record database—are not free.

How much does MyHeritage cost?+-

The MyHeritage DNA test is listed with a retail price of $89 plus $5 for standard shipping. You may be able to take advantage of sales and/or coupon codes. Currently, the promotional rate is $59 plus shipping, or free shipping with the purchase of two or more kits. When you buy a kit, you receive a 30 day trial subscription to Complete, their most comprehensive ancestry research service. After 30 days, this subscription costs $199 for the first year, with a regular renewal price of $299. Lower level subscriptions are PremiumPlus ($149/year for the first year, $209/year list price) and Premium ($89/year for the first year, $129/year list price). A health report is available for an additional $120.

How accurate is MyHeritage ethnicity?+-

MyHeritage ethnicity reports are generally accurate. They may not match exactly with results you receive from other companies. Regions and ethnicities used in reporting are not identical across countries, but if you compare regions and ethnicities, you will probably see a great deal of overlap. The science behind ethnicity estimates is constantly evolving, so your results may gain more accuracy over time.

How many years does MyHeritage go back?+-

Because MyHeritage tests autosomal DNA, the results only go back 6-8 generations, or 150-200 years. To dig deep into your ancient ancestral roots, you should use a service that tests mitochondrial DNA or YDNA (for males). These can provide information on your ethnic makeup that go as far back as 10,000 years.

Does MyHeritage keep your DNA?+-

MyHeritage keeps your DNA sample at their lab in the US. You can call them to have them destroy your sample. Otherwise, they may store the sample for up to ten years for additional testing, and they will always obtain your approval before performing any additional testing.

Nicky Lowney is an accredited health communication expert and writer for Top10. Having worked extensively in the pharmaceutical industry, Nicky specializes in translating complex medical information into content that informs and helps people. Nicky has also written for Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and Decision Resources Group, among others.

MyHeritage DNA reviews

Great • Reviews 45,180
on
Excellent
55%
Great
11%
Average
6%
Poor
5%
Bad
23%
We upload 100 to 400 Trustpilot reviews daily to our website, displaying them by default from "best to worst." You have the option to adjust the sorting criteria. If you wish to see all reviews you can go to the Trustpilot website, here.
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NP
Nicola Parker
2 hours ago
Great customer service
Although I found the initial purchase daunting as one screen said that I’d purchased one thing and another screen something different, however, when I contacted customer services Dean was very helpful and put my mind at rest.
JD
Julien D.
3 hours ago
Tests faciles à effectuer
Tests faciles à effectuer. Données concrètes et passionnantes.
ML
Monica Löthman
3 hours ago
Det var enkelt att beställa.
Det var enkelt att beställa.
F.
F.L.
3 hours ago
It was so easy to navigate the website
It was so easy to navigate the website. I can't wait for my kit to be mailed out to me so, I can take the test.

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