| Feature | 23andMe | AncestryDNA | Nebula Genomics | MyHeritage DNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Consumer DTC | Consumer DTC | Whole Genome | Consumer DTC |
| Price Range | $99-$199 | $99 | $299-$999 | $89 |
| Test Type | Genotyping (SNP array) | Genotyping (SNP array) | 30x Whole Genome Sequencing | Genotyping (SNP array) |
| Turnaround | 3-5 weeks | 6-8 weeks | 8-12 weeks | 3-4 weeks |
| Health Reports | Yes (FDA-authorized) | No (ancestry only) | Yes (extensive) | Yes (limited) |
| Ancestry Reports | 2,000+ regions | 1,800+ regions | Deep ancestry (WGS) | 2,114 regions |
| DNA Matching | Yes (opt-in) | Yes (largest database, 25M+) | No | Yes (6.5M+) |
| Genealogy Tools | Basic family tree | Best-in-class (trees, records, hints) | None | Excellent (trees, photo tools) |
| Raw Data Download | Yes | Yes | Yes (FASTQ, VCF, BAM) | Yes |
| Privacy Rating | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Best For | Health + ancestry combo, detailed ethnicity | Genealogy, DNA matching, family trees | Privacy, deep health insights, researchers | European ancestry, family history |
Key Differences Explained
Genotyping vs Whole Genome Sequencing
Genotyping (used by 23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage) reads 600,000-700,000 specific positions in your DNA. This covers common variants known to be relevant but misses rare variants. Whole genome sequencing (Nebula, Dante Labs) reads all 3 billion base pairs of your DNA, capturing rare variants and providing data that can be re-analyzed as science advances.
Bottom line: Genotyping is sufficient for ancestry and common health insights. WGS is better for comprehensive health analysis, rare variant detection, and future-proofing.
Why Database Size Matters
The larger the user database, the more DNA matches you will find. AncestryDNA's 25M+ users means most testers will find thousands of matches, including close relatives. Smaller databases mean fewer matches, especially for ethnicities underrepresented in genetic testing.
Strategy: Test with the largest database (AncestryDNA), then upload raw data to other platforms for broader matching.
How to Make Your Choice
If You Want Family History
Go with AncestryDNA for the largest match database and integrated family tree tools. Supplement with MyHeritage for European records and photo tools.
View ancestry picksIf You Want Health Insights
23andMe for FDA-authorized health reports at consumer pricing. Nebula Genomics or Dante Labs for comprehensive whole genome health analysis that grows with science.
View health picksIf You Want Both
23andMe Health + Ancestry offers the best combined package at $199. For maximum depth, pair AncestryDNA for genealogy with a separate Nebula WGS for health data.
Browse all companies