Tree Family vs Ancestry.com
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right genealogy software for your needs.
Best for users who want a modern, intuitive family tree builder with a generous free tier.
- Free forever plan
- Modern drag-and-drop interface
- Timeline and map views
- Easy collaboration
Best for users who want access to billions of historical records and DNA testing.
- Massive record database
- DNA testing & matching
- Mobile app
- No free tier (trial only)
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Tree Family | Ancestry |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ||
| No credit card required | ||
| Visual drag-and-drop editor | ||
| Interactive map view | ||
| Timeline visualization | ||
| Real-time collaboration | ||
| Modern, intuitive interface | ||
| PDF/SVG export | ||
| GEDCOM import/export | ||
| DNA testing integration | ||
| Historical record database | ||
| Mobile app |
Ease of Use
Tree Family was built from the ground up with a modern, intuitive interface. Its drag-and-drop editor makes building a family tree feel natural and easy, even for beginners.
Ancestry.com has been around since 1996, and while they've updated their interface over the years, it can feel overwhelming to new users due to the sheer amount of features and options.
Winner: Tree Family - Significantly easier to get started and use.
Historical Records
Ancestry.com is unmatched here with access to over 40 billion historical records including census records, immigration documents, military records, and more.
Tree Family focuses on the tree-building experience rather than records. You can link to external sources and import GEDCOM files from other services.
Winner: Ancestry - No contest for historical records.
Pricing
Tree Family offers a generous free tier that lets you build one family tree with up to 25 members. Pro plans start at $9/month for unlimited trees and members.
Ancestry.com offers only a free trial, after which plans start at $25/month for US records or $50/month for world records.
Winner: Tree Family - Much more affordable with a true free tier.
Our Verdict
Choose Tree Family if you want an easy-to-use, modern family tree builder with a free tier. It's perfect for creating beautiful family trees and sharing them with relatives.
Choose Ancestry.com if you're serious about genealogy research and need access to historical records and DNA matching services.
Many users actually use both—Tree Family for building and visualizing their tree, and Ancestry for research.
Build your family tree for free
Create a beautiful, interactive family tree in minutes. No credit card required.