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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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Is it worth paying for

23andMe

60
Value score / 100 Worth paying? Depends It depends

23andMe offers interesting ancestry and health insights, but recent changes and aggressive upselling have led to significant user dissatisfaction regarding paywalls and access to previously paid features.

Free to download seen up to $365 4.8★ lifetime (555,494) since 2015

23andMe provides fascinating genetic insights into ancestry and health, with many users appreciating the detailed breakdowns and discovery of relatives R5. However, a growing number of reviews indicate a shift towards aggressive paywalls, requiring subscriptions or additional payments for features that were once free or included in an initial purchase, leading to frustration and a feeling of being scammed R15R28. The app's functionality and accuracy for certain ancestries also receive mixed feedback.

Free vs paid

The app is free to download, and some users enjoy seeing updates and heritage breakdowns without paying for more information R5. However, many core features, including detailed health reports, comparing DNA with matches, and accessing close relative information, are now behind paywalls or require premium subscriptions R55R58R62. Users who paid a one-time fee for lifetime access to all features report that the company is no longer honoring those original agreements, now requiring subscriptions for previously included services R15. The app also constantly pushes additional paid features and upgrades, making the experience feel like a 'money grab' R28.

Value complaints

  • Many features, including health reports and comparing DNA with matches, are now paywalled or require additional subscriptions, even for those who paid an initial fee for lifetime access.R15R55R58R62
  • The app constantly pushes additional paid features, memberships, and upgrades, creating a feeling of being nickel-and-dimed and a 'money grab'.R2R4R9R28
  • Users report being charged for premium memberships they did not intend to keep, with unhelpful customer service regarding refunds.R49
  • The pricing structure has become expensive, with some users feeling they paid too much compared to alternatives like Ancestry.R3R29R397

Where it delivers

  • Provides fascinating and detailed ancestry breakdowns, helping users understand their heritage and discover new relatives.R5R8R12R17
  • Offers valuable health insights and reports, with some users discovering important genetic predispositions that led to medical action.R17R30R47R50
  • The service regularly provides new insights and updates to information.R5R17R52R57
Worth paying if

It is worth paying if you are new to the service and specifically want detailed ancestry breakdowns, health insights, and the potential to find relatives, and are prepared for ongoing subscription costs R17. It can be particularly valuable for finding lost relatives or understanding predispositions to certain health conditions, as some users have found life-changing information .

Skip / stay free if

You should skip paying if you are looking for a one-time purchase with lifetime access to all features, as the company is reportedly no longer honoring past agreements R15. Those who dislike constant upselling and paywalls for basic information should also avoid the paid tiers R28. If you are primarily interested in highly specific regional ancestry, especially for Indigenous American or Eastern European heritage, you might find the results too broad or inaccurate R7R29.

Evidence note: Reviews are heavily skewed towards recent negative experiences regarding monetization changes and app functionality, despite a high lifetime rating. Many positive reviews are general and do not address the current pricing structure or paywall complaints.

Frequently asked

Is 23andMe accurate for ancestry results?
23andMe's ancestry results are generally considered accurate by many users, with some finding detailed and specific breakdowns that align with their family history . However, some users report broad or inaccurate results, particularly for Indigenous American, Eastern European, or specific regional ancestries R7R20R25R29.
Do I have to pay a subscription for 23andMe?
While the initial kit may be a one-time purchase, many users report that 23andMe now requires ongoing subscriptions or additional payments to access features that were previously included or expected, such as detailed health reports, comparing DNA with matches, and even basic ancestry information R15R23R55R58.
Does 23andMe sell your data?
Some users express concerns about 23andMe selling their data or having 'alternative motives' for collecting genetic information R12R53R94R327. While specific details on data selling are not provided in the reviews, the sentiment of concern is present.
What are the common complaints about the 23andMe app?
Common complaints about the 23andMe app include frequent upselling and paywalls for features, login and access issues, slow loading times, and a general feeling that the app has worsened over time R10R13R21R24. Some users also find the interface cluttered or difficult to navigate .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R15] 1/5 · US They’re not honoring the original agreement: When I first bought the package, it was a one time fee for lifetime access to all features, including health and ancestry. But now a new company bought them - and the new company is not honoring the original agreement. The new company requires more money and a subscription to be able to access what I - and thousands of other people- was promised for a
  2. [R55] 1/5 · US No Longer Worth It: Company has removed the ability to compare your DNA and ancestry with your matches unless you pay and additional $100 for “premium.”. What even is the point of this service anymore?
  3. [R58] 2/5 · US Constant upgrade to see more: They just keep adding reasons to make you pay more. When I first signed up all the health reports were included. Now you need the premium to access more health reports. You could be susceptible to a disease or ailment but you have to upgrade to premium to get that report. I bet that’s next. “Upgrade to premium to see which cancer you might get” total bs company now. D
  4. [R62] 2/5 · US It works: Took 3 months to get results through a string of every problem in between. Now it cost money, monthly at that, to see anything more than a first cousin. Let me get this straight. I provided a sample for your labs to learn more about this stuff with, and now you want me to pay more to see if my family tree is correct!!! Love how that works.
  5. [R2] 1/5 · US Results: Paid $200 and all I got back is info for surveys and ads for more tests.
  6. [R4] 1/5 · US Do not use 23 and me: They take your money and give nothing!
  7. [R9] 1/5 · US No point: I wish I never did this. It’s a useless money grab that doesn’t tell you much about anything with its broad assumptions and stats that make no clear sense in certain areas that matter the most.
  8. [R28] 1/5 · US Upselling all the time: I bought the DNA kit expecting insights about my ancestry and health. The reports themselves are interesting, but the app constantly pushes additional paid features, memberships, and upgrades. It feels like every visit includes another attempt to sell something. The core service is useful, but the experience is overshadowed by frequent upselling. I would prefer a clearer s
  9. [R49] 1/5 · US Dissatisfied with Premium Subscription and Refund Policy: I was charged for a premium membership that I did not intend to keep, and I was unable to get a refund. The purchase terms were not clearly explained at checkout. Customer service was unhelpful and only repeated policy information without offering real assistance. The membership itself did not provide useful features for my needs. I feel th
  10. [R3] 1/5 · US Total scam: Go to a doctor for dna testing save like $100.
  11. [R29] 1/5 · US U guy’s suck: You guys suck results are very broad with no specifics every thing says NOT DETECTED. So expensive for the information I got. Wish I would gone with ancestry instead
  12. [R397] 3/5 · CA Price: When I joined a few years ago, it was something like $65/yr and the next year it tripled. I paid $$$ when I should’ve gone with Ancestry.ca
  13. [R5] 5/5 · US Fun and interesting: Love seeing updates like new relatives. Break downs of your heritage. I have yet to pay for more info.
  14. [R8] 4/5 · US Fun and educational: I have alot of fun reading the historical matches and finding out where I came from
  15. [R12] 5/5 · US enlightened: i sure like this 23 and me except how much information they get off my spit is weird and now so interested in their alternative motives.
  16. [R17] 5/5 · US Very interesting and useful: I am very pleased that I purchased this test. There is a lot of useful and interesting information. I don't regret it at all. And new information keeps coming in.
  17. [R30] 5/5 · US Health insights: I was impressed today by a new mental health report. Knowing that underlying neurology determined by genetics can create psychological difficulties allows you to be more accepting of your mental state as well as practical about taking remedial action.
  18. [R47] 5/5 · US DNA testing: Lots of good information
  19. [R50] 5/5 · US Love 23&Me: I’ve been a huge fan of 23 & Me for over 10 years. Their information is insightful and informative. I feel healthy being part of 23 & Me
  20. [R52] 5/5 · US 23andMe - DNA Testing: One of my favorite sites. There are new insights throughout the year.
  21. [R57] 5/5 · US Interesting: Always something new!
  22. [R7] 5/5 · US Expand Indigenous American Results with Regional Affinities ⭐️⭐️⭐️: Dear 23andMe Team, I would love to see 23andMe expand the Indigenous American ancestry experience beyond broad continental labels and Genetic Groups. I understand that Genetic Groups require strong matching to modern reference communities, and not everyone will qualify for one. However, for customers who have Indigenous American
  23. [R20] 1/5 · US Seemingly random results: Not accurate at all, i have family tree history that directly discredits these findings.
  24. [R22] 5/5 · US Why French: It’s just not true. I cannot believe it
  25. [R25] 1/5 · US Erased my Palestinian ancestry to Lebanese and Jordanian: One star
  26. [R23] 1/5 · US You have to provide payment to view your results, even though you have a membership: Customer service just runs you in circles, would not resolve.
  27. [R53] 1/5 · US Stop selling our data: Terrible
  28. [R94] 5/5 · US Don’t sell my information: I love finding my generics, please do not sell my DNA or information pertaining to my family history.
  29. [R327] 3/5 · GB Probs gonna sell my data on the dark web lol: Rip me in 30 years ig idk
  30. [R10] 1/5 · US Not working: Login with appleid is not working
  31. [R13] 2/5 · US So-Called Security: Why isn’t the two-step verification via email enough? Why am I being bothered to set up MORE verification through some app or texting just to see the information I already paid for? It used to be enjoyable to review 23andMe, now it’s a pain. I don’t want to set up the verification app nor give my cell number. What if a user like my father doesn’t have those things? Grrrr
  32. [R21] 1/5 · US Can no longer login: Tried using the app but there is no login area!
  33. [R24] 1/5 · US Does not play well with VPNs: All of a sudden and out of nowhere the app does not work or allow login if you are accessing trying to access 23andMe through a VPN

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store