shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use FamilySearch?

Free nonprofit genealogy site with the world's largest shared family tree - familysearch.org

Worth it. Use it: it is genuinely free with a deep record archive and the largest single family tree online. Skip it if you need private trees, a polished interface, or zero breach history.

Confidence

Medium. Based on 30+ public sources; snippets truncated, no numeric ratings available.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support qualityNo reliable support-quality evidence found
  • Security posture

Pricing

$0

Free forever

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes

Best for

  • Budget-conscious genealogists
  • Record hunters across global archives
  • LDS Church members
  • Hobbyists tolerant of a clunky UI

Not for

  • Anyone wanting a private, locked-down family tree
  • Privacy-critical users who cannot tolerate breach history
  • Beginners needing a slick, guided experience
  • Users unwilling to learn documented quirks

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

Anyone can edit deceased ancestors on the shared tree; no private tree option

high

2022 data breach disclosed about seven months after discovery

medium

Some historical records require payment or partner-site access despite free branding

medium

Living relatives sit in hidden private spaces; tree logic confuses newcomers

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Completely free — no subscriptions on core records or tree tools
  • Called the best free site for records versus paid rivals
  • Hosts the world's largest single family tree
  • Recommended by the National Genealogical Society among top free sites
  • Multi-factor authentication rolled out starting 2023

Cons

  • Interface widely disliked by experienced users
  • Shared tree lets other users edit your ancestors
  • 2022 data breach disclosed roughly seven months late
  • Some historical records still carry fees or partner locks

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/21/2026 - 13 sources - One confirmed 2022 breach, disclosed ~7 months late; MFA added from 2023; no other known issues.

official x2review x7security x3news x1
  • 2022 account data incident, Unauthorized access found March 2022; users notified about seven months later.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 5/5

    Rating

  • $0

    Starting price

  • 13

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 5/5. Completely free, nonprofit-run
  • Ease of use: 2/5. Interface complaints dominate user threads
  • Feature depth: 4/5. Vast records, full-text search, research wiki
  • Support quality. No reliable support-quality evidence found
  • Security posture: 2/5. 2022 breach, late disclosure; MFA since 2023
  • $0 Price Free access, nonprofit, church-sponsored
  • World's largest Family tree Single shared public tree
  • March 2022 Data breach Users notified ~7 months later
  • Since 2023 MFA Security rollout per official blog

Pricing

Free forever

$0

  • All core records and family tree tools
  • A few partner records cost extra

Security

One confirmed 2022 breach, disclosed ~7 months late; MFA added from 2023; no other known issues.

  • 2022 account data incidentUnauthorized access found March 2022; users notified about seven months later.⁹

What users say

Sentiment is polarized: users praise the free records but frequently slam the interface, shared-tree edits, and site behavior.

“How is Family Search THIS Bad?”
Reddit, r/Genealogy
“FamilySearch is a joke”
Reddit, r/Genealogy
“The public tree on FamilySearch gets a bad rap”
Reddit, r/Genealogy
Full analysis

Based on 30+ public sources; snippets truncated, no numeric ratings available.

Free and unmatched on records, but the shared tree and dated UI frustrate many users; pair with Ancestry or MyHeritage.

Methodology

Based on 30+ public sources; snippets truncated, no numeric ratings available.

Sources

  1. Does FamilySearch charge subscription fees?familysearch.org
    official
  2. About FamilySearch — Free to Allfamilysearch.org
    official
  3. Is FamilySearch A Better Site Than Ancestry? 2026familyhistoryfoundation.com
    review
  4. 3 Reasons Not to Use the FamilySearch Family Treefamilyhistoryfanatics.com
    review
  5. How is Family Search THIS Bad? : r/Genealogyreddit.com
    review
  6. FamilySearch is a joke : r/Genealogyreddit.com
    review
  7. The public tree on FamilySearch gets a bad rap : r/Genealogyreddit.com
    review
  8. Read Customer Service Reviews of www.familysearch.org — Trustpilottrustpilot.com
    review
  9. Seven months after it found out, FamilySearch tells users their data was breachedgrahamcluley.com
    security
  10. FamilySearch Account Data Incidentfamilysearch.org
    security
  11. The Importance of Security at FamilySearch (MFA)familysearch.org
    security
  12. NGS Recommends…17 Important Free Websitesngsgenealogy.org
    news
  13. Which Genealogy Giants website is best for me?lisalouisecooke.com
    review

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