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- 23andMe and AncestryDNA DNA kits can help you learn more about yourself and your family roots.
- Each service offers different packages that provide information about your genetic characteristics.
- AncestryDNA offers genealogy insights, while 23andMe offers in-depth health and wellness data.
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AncestryDNA and 23andMe are two of the most popular DNA testing companies in the world. Both companies offer DNA kits that reveal information about a person’s ethnic makeup, family history, and genetic traits passed down from their family.
While each company uses the same autosomal DNA tests, they offer a different overall experience. Here’s what you need to know about the two tests and the different results they provide.
23andMe vs. AncestryDNA: The difference is in the details
When deciding between 23andMe and AncestryDNA, the right choice for you depends on what you’re looking for. One offers a variety of health testing capabilities (23andMe), while the other delves deeper into family ancestry (AncestryDNA).
Each kit requires you to spit into a tube and send it to the lab for analysis, but there are slight differences in how the sample is tested, analyzed, and controlled.
DNA ancestry
- AncestryDNA only tests autosomal DNA: Autosomal DNA tests allow companies to analyze your DNA sequence and match it with others who have submitted their DNA to a database. This is a test that allows companies to estimate your ancestral and ethnic background, possible DNA matches, and where in the world your DNA comes from.
- It provides a larger database: AncestryDNA’s claim of a DNA database of over 20 million members boosts the accuracy of its results and should appeal to people who want to use DNA kits for genealogy testing or family matching. In contrast, 23andMe’s database consists of about 12 million users.
- This will give you a better insight into recent migration history: According to Bryant McAllister, a geneticist and associate professor at the University of Iowa, this allows users to find out where relatives have recently migrated from to fill out their family tree..
23 and me
- 23andMe tests autosomal DNA, mtDNA and Y-DNA: In addition to autosomal testing, 23andMe offers basic mtDNA testing that may allow you to trace the ancient migration routes of your maternal ancestors. For biological males, there is also a Y-DNA test that looks at the roots of paternal lines.
- It can analyze the deeper roots of your paternal or maternal lines: With mtDNA and Y-DNA testing, 23andMe can help trace your maternal or paternal lines back hundreds of thousands of years. 23andMe’s tests show how similar you are to certain people who represent other geographies, says McAllister. This means it can highlight specific areas in the world where your ancestors are from.
- 23andMe offers biomedical data: 23andMe’s Health + Ancestry service provides personalized health information, including whether you carry a genetic variant for a disease or if you are susceptible to certain diseases.
Short note: Humans are approximately 99.9% identical in genetic makeup, with only 0.1% responsible for the variants that make each person unique. DNA test kits look at differences in the remaining 0.1 percent.
It’s important to note that both companies may share your information with third parties to monetize your data, but only if you provide additional consent, such as participating in research conducted jointly with the individual. Third. They will also share information if legally required.
23AndMe is better for health information
Like AncestryDNA, 23andMe offers DNA ancestry testing. But unlike AncestryDNA, 23andMe can also provide information on genetic health risks, health characteristics, and reports detailing your carrier status for a number of genetic diseases.
23andMe offers three services. Here’s how much each kit costs and what’s included:
Of all the DNA companies, 23andMe is the only one currently approved by the FDA to offer health risk tests for certain conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, celiac disease, breast cancer, and more. However, it’s important to remember that tests aren’t perfect and can only tell you how your DNA might affect your risk of certain diseases. 23andMe makes it clear that even though tests may link you to a higher risk for a disease, it doesn’t mean you will get the disease.
23andMe looks at more than 2,000 areas and may provide ancestry insights as small as a specific county. It takes several weeks for 23andMe to analyze and share its findings.
Important: The 23andMe Health Test cannot identify or diagnose any disease. Instead, it can tell you whether you carry certain genetic markers associated with certain diseases.
AncestryDNA is better for family history information
If you are interested in tracing your family tree, AncestryDNA is the best way to understand your family history. As a subsidiary of Ancestry.com, AncestryDNA has more than 20 million users, compared to 23andMe’s 12 million users, which increases the accuracy of results.
In addition, those who choose AncestryDNA will have access to the company’s robust family history resources, including historical person searches, a database of family trees and 30 billion historical records. But it is worth noting that the only way to access these resources is to pay for the company’s All Access subscription.
AncestryDNA offers three services. Here’s how much each kit costs and what’s included:
- AncestryDNA ($99): The most basic AncestryDNA service allows you to trace your family tree and includes only US databases.
- AncestryDNA + Family Tree ($100): This service includes everything as standard, plus access to international records on your ancestry.
- Features of AncestryDNA + All Access ($199): The comprehensive access package gives you access to thousands of historical search records, plus reports on over 35 genetic traits.
With 20 million user profiles, AncestryDNA looks at markers in your DNA to figure out how much of it comes from different regions around the world. It provides percentages of ethnicity estimates and highlights specific global locations of your ancestors (sometimes as small as a specific city).
Both offer optional family matching services
Each company offers a specific family DNA match to connect users to people they are related to in their database. However, this is an optional feature and users can choose not to make their information available to others.
Both providers also allow you to create a pedigree with your matches.
If you agree to see your matches, consider the type of information you’ll receive, McAllister said. “You have the ability to find [a lot] of the people you’re associated with, and that might be surprising.”
Each comes with privacy concerns
Privacy is an important factor to consider when choosing a DNA kit. It’s important to know what data each company may share with third parties, how it protects your information from hackers, and how your data may be monetized.
Important: Anyone who uses a DNA testing service is at risk of having their information exposed through a data breach, which has happened to several DNA testing services in the past.
Here’s what you need to know about each company’s fine print:
- 23 and me Encrypts your sensitive information and does not share data with your employer or insurance company. It also notes that it supports efforts to prevent genetic discrimination and protect individuals’ genetic privacy. If you choose DNA matching, you are in complete control of what information is shared with your matches. Participating in company research allows it to monetize your data and share it with third parties.
- AncestryDNA It assures users that their private data is safe and samples are tested in a secure third-party testing lab. The company specifies that it stores DNA test results and samples without names or any other common identifying information. If you choose DNA matching, your matches can see a list of all regions in your results or a list of regions you have in common. Participating in company research allows it to monetize your data and share it with third parties.
Both allow you to save or destroy your DNA sample after testing, and each allows you to delete your account. You may also choose to remove your personally identifiable information if you consent to its use in corporate research.
Which DNA kit should you choose?
AncestryDNA and 23andMe each offer interesting insights into your ancestry and genetic makeup, but which one is best for you depends on what you’re looking for out of it.
If you want information about health and possible diseases in your family, choose one of the 23andMe tests. For an in-depth look at family ancestry, including family immigration history, and access to a larger database, AncestryDNA is a better choice.
While Ancestral DNA is better for building family trees (and has a larger database to compare samples to), 23andMe can tell you more about your health aptitudes and genetic traits.
Alison Torres Bertka is a freelance writer and editor in Metro Detroit. Her writing has appeared in The Guardian, espnW, Women’s Running, Sierra’s Sierra Club magazine, Crain’s Detroit Business, and other outlets. He writes on topics such as health and wellness, sports, the environment, sustainability and business leadership. To see more of her work, visit atburtka.journoportfolio.com. Read more Read less
