Comparing The Different DNA Kit Offerings On The Market
What leading DNA kit providers are on the market?
Whilst there are a bunch of new companies springing up to get a slice of the DNA kit pie, there’s really only around 5 top reputable companies that have a significant hold on the market. Those companies are:
MyHeritage
23anMe
FamilyTreeDNA
Ancestry
LivingDNA
It’s really these five that are shining through with their impeccable and competitive services. DNA testing is all about data. Whilst there’s a bunch of ways of interpreting and analysing data to produce interesting reports, a lot of it comes down to existing data to be drawn upon. How can a company with only a few million historical ancestry data points compete with a company that has a billion? There’s just no way that they could discover as much in-depth findings.
Generally, it’s a good idea to look at online reviews for this kind of service. It’s very possible that smaller companies are making claims that they cannot back up, so it’s good to get a 2nd opinion (or a thousand aggregated 2nd opinions).
What a typical DNA kit includes
It’s difficult to say what a typical DNA kit includes because there’s various ones, so let's break it down into the main two types of DNA analysis.
Ancestry
Ancestry is the more self-evident one, and is the one most talked about. Typically, you will send off your DNA swab and ~3 weeks later receive results on your family heritage. This could detail some of your family tree, give you an ethnicity estimate (i.e. you may discover you’re 19% Russian), DNA matches all over the world and so on. This is the place to start if you want to build a family. Straight off the bat, it may highlight serious questions about a significant percentage of your ethnicity that was unexpected. In the past, this has led customers to find long lost relatives, discover new 1st cousins and even uncover deep family lies.
Wellbeing
The wellbeing kits, or sometimes called health kits, center around your health. This will typically give you insight into your genetic risks such as which disease you’re prone to getting, your carrier status, and even your fitness capacities and food tolerances. Findings can even be as specific as being recommended to eat more egg whites, or your Vitamin D intake.
Wellbeing kits are important in the sense that you may uncover vulnerabilities that you didn’t know you had, and even unrealised strengths such as a genome built for aerobic exercise.
Both the wellbeing and ancestry DNA kits will have results in the format of reports. These are usually relatively easy to digest, although you want to be careful when interpreting the health kit reports, as many people have overestimated their predispositions. It’s best to check these alongside a doctor, who will have a better idea whether they’re above the average predisposition and such.
The typical pricing for DNA kit companies
Typically, kits will hover around $100 or just under. You will find that companies who offer both health and ancestry will have a combo package, in which you can receive a discount by having both test kits done. It’s always worth having a look at a comparison of the options too, as it’s not only price but the level of service that differs.
Health DNA kit prices:
MyHeritage - $199 including the ancestry kit, no option of single health kit
23andMe - $129 including the ancestry kit, no option of single health kit
FamilyTreeDNA - no health kit available
Ancestry - $99
LivingDNA - $99
As you can see, the kits are similarly priced, but with 23andMe offering a deep discount currently (it’s usually $199).
Ancestry
Pros
One of the largest databases in the world regarding genealogy
Very accurate regarding ethnicity estimates
Great for beginning your family tree
Good support for family tree building
Cons
Whilst its in-depth, it can be more complex than others to interpret
Subscription doesn’t include all test results, yet are expensive
MyHeritage
Pros
Largest family tree service
Very in-depth genealogy database and results
Access to resources for family tree building
Cons
Health kits are a newly introduced service with very little customer feedback yet
Sluggish and complicated online system
23andMe
Pros
A long-serving, reputable industry veteran
Comprehensive database and results
Positive customer feedback
Diverse options and reports
Cons
FDA once disapproved 23andMe
One of the most expensive options in times without a promotion
FamilyTreeDNA
Pros
A large database for DNA comparisons
The longest serving DNA testing company on the market
Comprehensive haplotype testing
One of the most advanced chromosome testing kits available
Uses its own lab, which many do not
Cons
Ceases to test health or wellbeing (could change in the future)
Aims to aid family tree projects rather than facilitate building a whole one
Claims of the STR testing being inaccurate
LivingDNA
Pros
A long-serving industry veteran
Comprehensive results with a large database
Diverse options
Positive customer reviews
Cons
Mostly limited to the UK
Small company with a limited user base
It’s difficult to hold any single company down as being the best DNA testing company. At the end of the day, it will depend on what you’re after. FamilyTreeDNA is certainly the best for some testing, such as Y-chromosomes. Using their own lab is also a huge plus, as it really gives a scientific credibility to the company that many lack. In fact, this integrity is the reason it remains to be competitive, despite it being the first on the market (which is often a disadvantage in many industries).
For building a family tree, MyHeritage is arguably the best service, but again, it depends on your preferences. You will likely have the most pleasurable experience here, as they offer access to family tree resources, have one of the largest databases for it and are usually well priced.
On the other hand, LivingDNA would be a good alternative, but only to UK citizens as its user base is lacking on a global scale. Likewise, MyHeritage wouldn’t be recommended for health testing, due to it being a very recent addition. It really depends on the context, as many are better at different things — and not all even provide health kits.