shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use FamilyTreeDNA?

Discover your DNA story and unlock the secrets of your ancestry and genealogy with our autosomal DNA, Y-DNA and mtDNA tests. - familytreedna.com

Depends. Buy FamilyTreeDNA only if you're a serious genealogist doing Y-DNA, mtDNA, or surname-project research. Casual ethnicity testers and privacy-first buyers should pick AncestryDNA or 23andMe instead.

Confidence

Medium. Based on 14 public sources: NYT reporting, Reddit genealogy communities, FTDNA's own forums and help pages, and independent review sites.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support quality
  • Security posture

Pricing

Family Finder (autosomal)

Sale-dependent; frequent discounts

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes
Y-DNA (Y-37/Y-111, Big Y-700)Varies by marker count; see current prices
mtDNA (mtFull Sequence)See current price list
BundlesDiscounted combos

Best for

  • Serious genealogists
  • Surname project admins
  • Deep paternal-line (Y-DNA) research
  • mtDNA maternal-line tracing

Not for

  • Casual ethnicity-curious testers
  • Privacy-first buyers wary of law-enforcement matching
  • Health-and-traits shoppers
  • One-and-done gift testers wanting a polished app

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

Law-enforcement matching exists; review the official guide and opt-out settings before testing

medium

Match-list download files disappeared in 2024 before returning; core features churn

medium

Cheaper Y-STR tests often push you toward Big Y upsells to be useful

low

Prices swing with frequent sales; rarely pay list price

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Deepest Y-DNA and mtDNA offering, including Big Y-700
  • Free raw-data transfer-in from AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage
  • Surname group projects for structured surname-line research
  • Operating since 2000; category pioneer with documented track record
  • Frequent single-test sales reduce costs

Cons

  • Users call its website unacceptable and dated
  • 2019: admitted sharing genetic data with the FBI
  • Recurring customer-service complaints on its own forums
  • Shipping delays reported even on premium Big Y-700
  • Some Y-STR buyers found results worthless without paid upgrades

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/27/2026 - 14 sources - Gave the FBI access to its genetic database in 2019; law-enforcement matching is now documented in an official guide.

official x4review x8news x2
  • FBI data sharing (2019), FamilyTreeDNA admitted sharing genetic data with the FBI; the episode was widely reported and reshaped its privacy policy.
  • Projects security incident thread, An official forum thread titled 'URGENT - PROJECTS SECURITY BREACH' discusses a security issue in the projects area.
  • Unauthorized impersonation website, The company warned customers about an unauthorized website impersonating FamilyTreeDNA.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 3/5

    Rating

  • Sale-dependent; frequent discounts

    Starting price

  • 14

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 3/5. Frequent sales and free uploads; multi-test costs add up fast
  • Ease of use: 2/5. Users call the website unacceptable; dated, clunky UX
  • Feature depth: 4/5. Deepest Y-DNA/mtDNA toolset; autosomal tools lag AncestryDNA
  • Support quality: 2/5. Recurring customer-service complaints on its own forums
  • Security posture: 2/5. 2019 FBI data-sharing; law-enforcement matching policy persists
  • ~2 million Users in database Per 2019 FBI-access reporting
  • Yes Free tier Free raw-data upload/transfer from other tests
  • 3 Test types Autosomal (Family Finder), Y-DNA, mtDNA
  • 2000 Founded Longest-running consumer genealogy DNA company

Pricing

Family Finder (autosomal)

Sale-dependent; frequent discounts

  • Ethnicity estimate and cousin matching
  • Free upload of raw data from other tests

Y-DNA (Y-37/Y-111, Big Y-700)

Varies by marker count; see current prices

  • Paternal-line haplogroup
  • Surname project matching
  • Big Y-700 for deep SNP refinement

mtDNA (mtFull Sequence)

See current price list

  • Maternal-line haplogroup
  • Full mitochondrial sequencing

Bundles

Discounted combos

  • Family Finder plus Y-DNA or mtDNA savings

Security

Gave the FBI access to its genetic database in 2019; law-enforcement matching is now documented in an official guide.

  • FBI data sharing (2019)FamilyTreeDNA admitted sharing genetic data with the FBI; the episode was widely reported and reshaped its privacy policy.¹
  • Projects security incident threadAn official forum thread titled 'URGENT - PROJECTS SECURITY BREACH' discusses a security issue in the projects area.
  • Unauthorized impersonation websiteThe company warned customers about an unauthorized website impersonating FamilyTreeDNA.

What users say

Serious genealogists value its Y-DNA depth, but casual buyers report disappointing results, a dated website, and support frustrations.

“FamilyTreeDNA is giving FBI access to its 2 million users”
Reddit, r/Genealogy
“Familytree DNA disappointing so far. I'm venting.”
Reddit, r/Genealogy
“FamilyTreeDNA's website is unacceptable”
Reddit, r/Genealogy

Alternatives

Compare FamilyTreeDNA with each alternative.

  • AncestryDNA

    Huge match database; best for casual ethnicity and cousin hunting

  • 23andMe

    Adds health and traits reports FTDNA does not sell

  • MyHeritage DNA

    European-focused matching tied to its family-tree builder

Companies that use it

  • FBI¹
  • NSDAR (Daughters of the American Revolution)
Full analysis

Based on 14 public sources: NYT reporting, Reddit genealogy communities, FTDNA's own forums and help pages, and independent review sites.

Deep Y-DNA leader for serious genealogists; casual testers and privacy-first buyers should choose AncestryDNA or 23andMe instead.

Methodology

Based on 14 public sources: NYT reporting, Reddit genealogy communities, FTDNA's own forums and help pages, and independent review sites.

Sources

  1. FamilyTreeDNA Admits to Sharing Genetic Data With F.B.I.nytimes.com
    news
  2. FamilyTreeDNA is giving FBI access to its 2 million users (Reddit)reddit.com
    review
  3. FamilyTreeDNA's website is unacceptable (Reddit)reddit.com
    review
  4. Familytree DNA disappointing so far. I'm venting. (Reddit)reddit.com
    review
  5. Family Tree DNA Review 2026: Is It Worth the Price?dnaweekly.com
    review
  6. A Detailed Review: FamilyTreeDNAgenomelink.io
    review
  7. Y-DNA testing by FamilytreeDNA (Reddit)reddit.com
    review
  8. Y-111 test results - appears W O R T H L E S S to me (FTDNA forum)forums.familytreedna.com
    review
  9. Terrible Customer Service! (FTDNA forum)forums.familytreedna.com
    review
  10. FamilyTreeDNA - Find DNA Matches For Free (Autosomal Transfer)familytreedna.com
    official
  11. Test and Upgrade Prices (FTDNA help)help.familytreedna.com
    official
  12. FamilyTreeDNA - Law Enforcement Guidefamilytreedna.com
    official
  13. FamilyTreeDNA Match Download Files are Back!dna-explained.com
    news
  14. FamilyTreeDNA - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    official

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