Uncovering Your Roots: The Best Ancestry Alternatives for Genealogy Enthusiasts

Ancestry, described as “Bringing together billions of historical records, millions of family trees, and millions of enthusiastic family researchers, Ancestry is the world’s largest online family history resource and the best place to build a family tree, find new ancestors, and share discoveries with family,” has long been a go-to for genealogy. However, for various reasons, many users seek an Ancestry alternative. Whether you’re looking for free options, more collaborative platforms, or specialized features, a wealth of genealogy software and websites can help you trace your family history.

Top Ancestry Alternatives

If you're ready to explore beyond Ancestry, this curated list highlights some of the best alternatives available, each offering unique strengths to aid your genealogical journey.

Gramps

Gramps is a professional, cross-platform, and open-source genealogy program. It’s an excellent Ancestry alternative for those who prefer desktop software with robust features like CSV data import, GEDCOM support, addons, multiplatform export, portability, and extensive statistics and reports. It's available on Free, Open Source, Mac, Windows, and Linux.

WikiTree.com

WikiTree.com offers a unique, 100% free, and collaborative approach to building a single worldwide family tree. All content is user-contributed, making it a fantastic Ancestry alternative if you're keen on community collaboration and a completely free, web-based platform.

FamilySearch.org

FamilySearch.org, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a major player in genealogy, offering a vast collection of free records and resources. This Ancestry alternative is available on Web, Android, iPhone, and more, featuring integrated chat and a web-based interface for easy access to your family history.

MyHeritage

MyHeritage is a Freemium Ancestry alternative that combines social networking with genealogy. It allows users to create family websites, share media, and leverage features like facial recognition. It's available on Windows, Web, Android, iPhone, and iPad, providing a comprehensive platform for family history and connection.

webtrees

Webtrees is a free, open-source, web-based, and collaborative genealogy application that works with standard GEDCOM files. It's an excellent self-hosted Ancestry alternative for those with technical skills, requiring a web server with PHP and database support (MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, SQLite, PostgreSQL). It runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux.

23andMe

While primarily known for DNA testing, 23andMe offers an educational component about your genetic ancestry, making it a unique Ancestry alternative for those interested in the biological side of their family history. It is a commercial service available on Web and iPhone.

Ahnenblatt

Ahnenblatt is commercial genealogy software specifically designed for Windows. It allows users to manage genealogy data and generate reports and graphical trees. For Linux users, a portable version can be run with Wine, providing a dedicated desktop Ancestry alternative.

MacFamilyTree

MacFamilyTree is a powerful commercial Ancestry alternative tailored for Apple users (Mac, iPhone, iPad). It helps you explore your family history with numerous features, including GEDCOM support, offering a comprehensive and intuitive experience for discovering your origins and ancestors.

Geni

Geni.com is a Freemium web-based Ancestry alternative that doubles as a social networking site for genealogy. It allows users to create family trees, invite relatives to share, and search millions of profiles, featuring social network integration for collaborative family discovery.

Ancestris

Ancestris is a free, open-source Ancestry alternative suitable for all genealogists. It strictly adheres to the GedCom 5.5 and 5.5.1 standards, ensuring compatibility. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, BSD, and Haiku, it’s a portable and robust option for managing your family tree.

Choosing the best Ancestry alternative depends on your specific needs, whether you prioritize cost, collaboration, specific features, or platform compatibility. Explore these options to find the perfect tool to uncover your family's unique story.