DNA tests don’t have to cost you your entire paycheck. Whether you want to uncover your origins, see if you’re at risk of certain health conditions, or learn which diet to follow, there’s a DNA test for everyone. And at an affordable price, too.
But cheap doesn’t always mean accurate. That’s why I’ve done extensive testing and research to find you low-cost DNA tests that still deliver accurate results with actionable insights that are worth the price.
My top choice? Go for AncestryDNA. It’s the best all-rounder for ancestry and genealogy, with an accurate ethnicity estimate, DNA matches, excellent family tree software, and a huge database of historical records. But there are plenty of other good choices, and you can find them all here.
Short on time? Here are our top picks of the best cheap DNA tests
- AncestryDNA – Best value DNA test with deep ancestry insights, vast database of historical records, and a family tree builder.
- Living DNA – A low-cost combination test that includes comprehensive diet and fitness information alongside heritage insights.
- See how each test compares
- FAQs
Discover Your Heritage with AncestryDNA!
How We Tested the Best Cheap DNA Tests
There are a number of criteria that were important when searching for an inexpensive DNA test:
- Trustworthiness: A cheap DNA test is worthless if you can’t trust the results. I ensured that each company had a good reputation and many happy customers.
- Value-for-money: A wealth of information derived from your DNA for a fair price.
- Actionability: Your report should include actionable steps, such as the ability to trace relatives, or diet and lifestyle changes for your genetic predispositions.
- Clarity: The results of your DNA test should be clear and easy to understand.
Best Cheap Combination Tests
- Ethnicity mapping to 150 regions and 100 sub-regions
- Tracks ancestors’ migration maps over 10,000 years
- Assesses your nutritional and fitness profile
- Results in 6-8 weeks
The combined DNA ancestry and wellbeing kit from Living DNA uncovers your ethnic origins and provides insights into your nutrition and fitness.
Buying the combined test actually saves you over $60, but you could purchase them separately if you prefer. It takes 6-8 weeks to get your results with whichever test you choose.
Living DNA assesses your ancestry, mapping your ethnicity to 150 regions and 100 sub-regions, which gives you deeper origin insights than many other tests.
It’s also quite unique because it offers extended ancestry. This shows you the migratory patterns of your ancestors from Africa over 10,000 years ago. And it analyzes your recent ancestry, too, tracking your ancestors’ movements from the last 500 years.
There’s also a Family Networks feature that finds your extended family through DNA matching. If your family members have opted in to this feature, you can reach out to them.
The wellness test is one of my favorites for diet and fitness insights. It shows you how your genes influence your vitamin response and metabolism of different foods such as gluten, caffeine, and lactose.
You also get exercise tips and can learn how your body responds to different exercises, including weights and cardio. And it tells you how to optimize your body’s recovery after exercise.
Uncover Your Origins & Nutritional Profile With Living DNA!
- Ancestry mapping to 2,000 regions
- Haplogroup migration lines and neanderthal ancestry
- 30+ traits reports, including taste perception and physical traits
- Carrier risk screening for 40+ health conditions
- Results in 6-8 weeks
23andMe offers comprehensive ancestry and wellness screening for a very affordable price. The standard ancestry test still comes with traits testing at less than $100, but you can get the full works with the ancestry and health service for a low cost.
The ancestry test is very detailed. It maps your origins to 2,000 regions, which is one of the most I’ve seen. You get a granular view of your ancestry which allows you to explore every region in your DNA in more detail, with info on history, interesting facts, and more.
It traces your mtDNA and Y-DNA haplogroups, so you can see where your ancestors moved around the globe from both sides of your family. It also predicts how much of your DNA you share with neanderthals.
Your wellness report includes carrier risk screening for over 40 health conditions, from hereditary hearing loss to Sickle Cell Anemia. You can also see your genetic predisposition for other conditions, including different types of cancers, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Type 2 Diabetes.
It screens for different personal traits like bald spot, whether you prefer sweet or salty foods, and your skin pigmentation.
If you sign up for the VIP service (for an extra fee), your results are bumped up the queue. But even without, it only takes 6-8 weeks.
Discover Your Personal Traits & Ancestry with 23andMe!
- Detailed fitness and nutrition insights
- Percentage ethnicity breakdown
- Interactive workout planner
- Results in 4-6 weeks
The combined Health + Ancestry Test from Vitagene analyzes your DNA for various genetic markers associated with nutrition and fitness, as well as for information on your ancestry. They also offer a Premium Report and a Vitality Bundle, which are more expensive but include free report updates and personalized supplements, respectively.
Vitagene’s ancestry report is fairly basic compared to some of the other companies on this list, but you still get an interactive map of your ancestry with regional and ethnic percentages.
As well as ancestry, your DNA is assessed for genetic markers associated with several nutrition traits, such as your predisposition to food intolerances and vitamin deficiencies, and how your body may metabolize different food groups. You also get personalized insights into the best foods for you, based on your DNA.
Fitness insights include the intensity, frequency, and types of workouts that are best suited to your genetic makeup. Plus, your DNA is analyzed for certain fitness traits including your weight response to exercise, your ability to build muscle, and whether you’re likely to be built for power or endurance.
Use this information to build your ideal exercise regime with the interactive workout planner. Get any additional support or advice from your personal online coach, which is included with all Vitagene’s plans.
Get Fitness and Ancestry Insights with Vitagene!
Best Cheap Ancestry Tests
- Ethnicity estimates and geographical mapping to 1,000+ regions
- Connect with family members with DNA matching feature
- Free traits report included
- Results in 6-8 weeks
With over 40,000 reference samples, AncestryDNA provides an accurate and detailed picture of your geographic and ethnic origins, across 1,000+ regions at a budget-friendly price.
One of the best features is the traits report included which you can add to your ancestry test for a small fee. You can see how your genes influence traits like eye and hair color, taste perception, and environmental influences.
It’s also one of the best tests for finding relatives, with over 15 million other AncestryDNA users. It scans the database to find anyone who shares your DNA and tells you exactly how you’re related.
There’s an extra fee for the family tree, but it’s one of the cheapest I’ve seen. For a low-cost monthly fee, you can search through millions of records and existing family trees, helping you to find your ancestors.
It takes 6-8 weeks to receive your DNA report. It includes a straightforward pie chart and visual representation of your ethnicity estimate, along with percentages, down to as low as 1%. Click on any region to learn more about every location in your DNA.
You can trace your family’s migration maps around the world using your interactive map and uncover the regions that make up your heritage.
Find Your Relatives With AncestryDNA!
- Trace your paternal migration maps
- Ethnic percentages based on 150 regions
- Family Networks feature to connect with relatives
- Results in 6-8 weeks
What sets Living DNA apart from many other ancestry tests is that it not only analyzes autosomal DNA (inherited from both parents) but also your Y-DNA and mtDNA, to learn about your maternal and paternal ancestry.
From your cheek swab, Living DNA analyzes your ethnic ancestry across 150 regions going back 500 years. You get an extra level of detail into your ancestry with over 100 sub-regional breakdowns.
Your report details the migration maps of your male and female ancestors. You can see which countries they moved to and from using your visual representation, which is accompanied by a historical narrative, full of interesting information.
The Family Networks section of your report shows Living DNA users that share your DNA and how they are biologically related to you. There is the option to learn more about your relatives and the ability to contact them if you wish.
Living DNA also allows you to upload your raw DNA data from another company for free results. You don’t get a full report, just ethnic data from eight regions and the ability to match with potential relatives, but it still provides some useful insights. And it helps you save money, too.
It takes 6-8 weeks for your report.
Trace Your Ancestors With Living DNA!
Best Cheap Diet & Fitness Tests
- Assesses metabolism of food groups including lactose and gluten
- Exercise ideas and ideal fitness routine personalized to you
- Vitamin report with supplement advice
- Results in 6-8 weeks
In just 6-8 weeks, Living DNA can tell you everything you need to know about optimizing your diet and fitness routine. It costs you less than $150 and you get free return shipping.
Your report analyzes your DNA to determine your metabolism of different foods so you can see what your body likes best. It assesses lactose, caffeine, gluten, carbohydrate, and sugar metabolism.
You get tips on what foods to eat to improve your health and nutritional intake. And you can learn whether you might have any intolerances.
Living DNA offers a full vitamin report, too. This assesses your vitamin needs by seeing how your body absorbs key nutrients, including omega 3 and vitamin D. If you have any deficiencies, it recommends which supplements you should buy.
Alongside diet and vitamins, Living DNA helps you improve your exercise regime. It advises you of whether you’re better suited to weights or strength training, plus your oxygen flow, blood vessel response, and tendon durability.
Your report comes with personalized tips on exercise recovery, including how long you should spend recovering and which exercises to follow.
Optimize Your Diet & Fitness With Living DNA!
- Choice of three comprehensive DNA tests
- Assesses your weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and intolerances
- Customized meal and fitness plans
- Results in 4-8 weeks depending on which test you choose
My Toolbox Genomics is a great choice for test variety. It has three different DNA tests available, and it’s one of the best for helping you achieve your weight loss goals. They’re a bit more expensive than others, but you really do get what you pay for.
All tests come with a highly comprehensive report and personalized, actionable recommendations so you know what action to take to alter your eating and exercise habits.
The epigenetics + DNA test is My Toolbox Genomics’ most in-detail kit. It analyzes 16 different traits to help you improve your nutritional health. It tells you all about your diet and fitness needs, plus a sleep and stress assessment. You also get customized meal plans and fitness regime.
My Toolbox Genomics’ other tests are just as good. There’s a simple DNA kit that’s cheaper and still assesses your nutritional deficiencies and metabolism of different foods. It only takes 4 weeks for your results with this test, but all others are 6-8 weeks.
Or you could choose the epigenetics test that analyzes five different aging factors, including hearing health and memory. If you choose the subscription option, you get ongoing health updates with this test, too, but you don’t get much in the way of diet and fitness.
Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals with My Toolbox Genomics!
- Full list of personalized foods based on your body’s needs
- Exercise recommendations and interactive workout planner
- Online personal coaching included for free
- Results in 4 weeks
Vitagene is one of the few that not only offers a detailed diet and fitness test, but online personal coaching, too. It’s included at no cost with whichever test you choose. You get ancestry included as a bonus too, which is free.
In 4 weeks, you get a fully comprehensive report. Vitagene explains how your body metabolizes carbohydrates, lactose, gluten, and even caffeine and alcohol, to help you identify sensitivities. It also assesses your metabolism of different fats.
Based on your genes, it gives you personalized food recommendations. This includes a full list of foods that your body is best suited to.
You get a fitness report, too. This includes your exercise behavior, ability to build muscle, the likelihood of cramps, and weight response to exercise. One of the best things about your exercise report is the interactive workout planner. You can use this to schedule your fitness routine based on what your body likes best.
Alongside diet and fitness, you can learn all about your skin health, cholesterol levels, and supplement needs.
You can access personal online coaching free with your test. Your coach is there to guide you on your next steps and discuss any concerns you might have.
If you buy the most expensive test, you get a supplement package included already, or you can sign up for an ongoing subscription for a small fee.
Learn About Your Nutrition with Vitagene!
Best Cheap Health & Wellness Tests
- Health tests for males and females, including hormone and fertility levels
- Tests to assess organ function and general wellness
- Subscription options available to save money
- Results in 2-5 days
LetsGetChecked has a huge variety of affordable health tests available, which is great if you are just interested in a single issue.
It’s one of my favorites for male and female-specific testing, as it has tests suited to each gender, such as ovarian reserve and testosterone levels.
It also has general wellness tests that analyze various aspects of your organ function. This includes tests for thyroid, kidney, liver, and heart. And you can find vitamin, omega-3, and micronutrient testing, too.
LetsGetChecked has an extremely fast turnaround, which is usually just 2-5 days. This is very useful if you’re worried about having contracted an STD or looking to determine ovulation when trying for a baby.
You can trust the accuracy of the tests from LetsGetChecked as they are carried out in the same labs as clinics and hospitals. Plus, once you get your results, you can have a private phone consultation with a nurse to discuss your results. There’s no charge.
There’s a subscription option for many of LetsGetChecked’s tests, so you can get automatic deliveries every 3, 6, or 12 months. You can save up to 30% on price if you do this, too.
Get Fast Wellness Testing with LetsGetChecked!
- Choice of 30+ health and wellness kits
- Tests for allergies, intolerances, organ function, STDs, and more
- Free shipping and semi-annual subscription options for 15% discount
- Results in 2-5 days
Everlywell has over 30 at-home testing kits, all of which are very affordable. I like Everlywell for its indoor and outdoor allergy screening, as well as food intolerance kits.
There are also plenty of tests for assessing reproductive health, thyroid problems, vitamin levels, sleep and stress, and heart health.
It has STD at-home testing kits available, too. You can buy these as individual tests or as male and female kits for more comprehensive screening with a lower price tag.
Your tests are screened in a CLIA-certified lab, and the results are reviewed by a physician and available within just 2-5 days. The clear, simple report tells you what your results mean, how they may impact your health, and offer guidance on what to do next.
A dedicated clinical customer support team is available, as are consultations with independent physicians following any positive test results, but there is a charge for this.
It has free shipping so you don’t pay any extra fees on top of your test. And you can subscribe to save more money with semi-annual deliveries – it works out 15% cheaper.
Test Your Wellness With Everlywell!
- Insights of respiratory and gut health
- Unique aging insights
- Extensive diet & fitness reports with personalized plans
- Results in 4-8 weeks
The health test from MyToolbox Genomics assesses your DNA for genetic variants that play a role in immunity, digestive function, respiratory and gut health. You’ll also get information on several of your predispositions associated with mental health, such as sleep and stress.
Further health insights include reports for five aging factors including biological age, inflammation, eye age, hearing, and memory. Personalized tips are included, which can help you slow down the aging process.
You also get detailed nutrition and fitness reports, which includes a customized diet and exercise plan, and supplement recommendations, best suited to your genes.
MyToolbox Genomic has three health DNA tests. The most extensive is the Epigenetics + DNA tests, which includes health reports on 16 genetic predispositions, including muscle, digestive, eye, and skin health.
If you sign up for an epigenetics subscription, you can have your DNA regularly tested to check changes in gene expression over time to track the progress of your lifestyle changes. Your epigenetics results are delivered in 6-8 weeks, while DNA results take about 4 weeks.
Test Your Health & Wellness with MyToolbox Genomics!
What’s in the Fine Print?
It’s not unusual for DNA tests to come with hidden costs. And when you’re looking for a cheap test, it’s important you know exactly what you’re paying for so you’re not stung later down the line. I found a few things to be aware of.
A lot of the kits on this list make you pay for shipping. Usually, it’s no more than $10 for standard shipping, but if you want your kit fast, express shipping can sometimes set you back by as much as $40. Everlywell offers free shipping, though, as does LetsGetChecked.
Some companies like Vitagene try to upsell supplements once you’ve taken your test. Beware, though, as these aren’t included in the cost of your kit, unless you pay for the most expensive test.
Both Everlywell and LetsGetChecked offer subscription options, designed to help you save money. Just remember, you’ll keep being charged every 3, 6, or 12 months depending on the delivery you choose.
How Accurate Are the Best Cheap DNA Tests?
The majority of DNA testing companies claim to have at least 99% accuracy, and it could be even higher, depending on the type of test you take. The DNA tests on this list are carried out using advanced science in accredited labs, so as the technology continues to advance, accuracy continues to improve.
I made sure every test on this list offers a high level of accuracy, so you can actually rely on your results.The best of them all is AncestryDNA, with an accuracy rate of over 99% for every genetic marker tested.
No DNA test has 100% accuracy and it is important to remember that your DNA test results may not paint a complete picture. For example, your health and wellness test may indicate you have a predisposition to a certain condition, but it doesn’t mean you will definitely develop it in the future. Nor does it actually diagnose a condition – you’ll have to visit your healthcare provider for that.
Your genetics and lifestyle factors – like diet and exercise – can also affect your health, so the best thing to do is to take the personalized recommendations on board and see if your quality of life improves.
How Much Does an Affordable DNA Test Cost?
The price of a DNA test varies depending on which type of test you’re buying. Typically an ancestry test costs you no more than $100, while health tests can be anywhere between $100 and $300. And sometimes more.
AncestryDNA’s kit is only slightly more expensive at $99, and you get a lot for your money.
For $100 more than AncestryDNA, you can get Living DNA’s combined kit which offers health and wellness with ancestry in one test. Or you can buy them separately, but you’ll pay an extra $69.
What Will the Results Tell Me?
Your DNA results can tell you many different things, from where you come from, to your risk of genetic diseases and even your lifestyle habits. You can learn about:
- Your ethnicity percentages and geographical origins
- Your family’s migration maps and movements around the globe
- Your predisposition towards certain health conditions and carrier risk status
- Your optimal diet and fitness routine
- Whether you have any food or environmental intolerances and allergies
- How your genes influence your physical traits and characteristics
- Whether you have any vitamin deficiencies
- Your organ function and overall health
A DNA test can also put you in contact with long-lost relatives. Most ancestry kits have relative finders that scan their database to locate your DNA matches, tell you how much DNA you share, and what their relationship is to you. If you’ve both opted into the relative finder, you can even contact them.
What’s the Best Cheap DNA Test?
If you’re hoping to optimize your diet and fitness, go for Living DNA. It’s comprehensive, budget-friendly, and gives you personalized recommendations on which foods to eat and what exercise routine to follow.
My favorite, though, is AncestryDNA. Its ancestry test is one of the best, with everything from ethnicity percentages to a traits report, plus excellent genealogy tools and resources.
Test Categories
Free Shipping
Added Extras
Time to Results
Starting Price
AncestryDNA
Ancestry and Family Tree
✔
14-day trial of family tree builder
6-8 weeks
SGD134.53
Living DNA
Diet & Fitness, Ancestry, and Health & Wellness
✘
Upload DNA from Ancestry, and 23andMe for a free report
6-8 weeks
SGD134.53
LetsGetChecked
Health & Wellness and STDs
✔
Save up to 30% with subscription options
2-5 days
SGD66.59
Everlywell
Health & Wellness and STDs
✔
Save up to 15% with subscription options
2-5 days
SGD134.53
My Toolbox Genomics
Diet & Fitness and Health & Wellness
✘
Additional reports offered at a reduced cost
6 weeks
SGD338.37
23andMe
Ancestry, Family Tree, and Health & Wellness
✘
Priority lab testing with VIP test
One-on-one ancestry walkthrough with VIP test
6-8 weeks
SGD134.53
Vitagene
Diet & Fitness and Ancestry
✔
Supplement delivery with the premium bundle
4 weeks
SGD392.72
FAQs
Why are the DNA tests in this article cheaper than others?
The DNA tests in this list offer the best value-for-money when compared to others in the same category, as they:
- Offer DNA tests in different categories for an affordable price.
- Provide a wealth of information from your DNA sample.
- Offer an interesting and insightful report with the most accurate information possible.
You may find companies that have cheaper DNA tests, but beware, as they may be too good to be true. It’s likely they provide insufficient and inaccurate information.
Is there a free DNA test?
There are no free DNA tests. However, there are some companies that allow you to upload your raw DNA data from a different provider and receive some additional information for free.
Living DNA allows you to upload DNA from 23andMe, and AncestryDNA to get a free report.
Which affordable DNA test has the largest database?
The DNA test with the largest DNA database is currently AncestryDNA with 18 million samples. Yes, these numbers are impressive, but completely meaningless if the DNA test doesn’t provide the information you are looking for. So, before purchasing your DNA test, check the features thoroughly.
Can I take the DNA test results to a doctor?
Of course, you can and you should! Your doctor has the professional knowledge to interpret your DNA results and recommend any lifestyle changes or provide treatment, based on your genetics.
How long does an affordable DNA test take?
The turnaround time of your DNA test will vary from company to company and may be influenced by workload. Usually, it takes between 4-8 weeks to produce your report.
