Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

FamilySearch Tree vs Family Tree*

FamilySearch Tree 4.8★ · Free to download 85
Winner FamilySearch Tree
Family Tree* 4.6★ · Free + IAP 20

FamilySearch Tree is the clear winner due to its genuinely free access to extensive genealogical data and community, while Family Tree* is widely criticized as a paid scam with limited functionality.

Full reviews: FamilySearch Tree · Family Tree*

FamilySearch Tree offers a comprehensive and completely free platform for genealogy research, praised for its vast database and community contributions, despite some recent update issues. Family Tree*, on the other hand, is largely seen as a misleading paid app, with users reporting charges for basic features and difficulty accessing their data.

Head to head

Price and Value edge: FamilySearch TreeR17R32R35R50
FamilySearch Tree FamilySearch Tree is consistently lauded for being completely free, offering extensive information and tools without cost, which many users find life-changing and a 'game changer' R50R17R32. Users appreciate that it provides a vast amount of data and resources for free, making it accessible to everyone R50R35.
Family Tree* Family Tree* is overwhelmingly criticized for its misleading 'free' claim, with users reporting that almost all desired features require payment, often through expensive subscriptions ($5/week, $50/year, $260/year) R61R64. Many users feel it's a 'scam' or 'rip off' because they are charged even after canceling trials or for basic functionality R64.
Features and Data Access edge: FamilySearch TreeR7R12R14R15
FamilySearch Tree FamilySearch Tree is praised for its ability to help users trace ancestors, view legal documents, upload memories and photos, and connect with distant relatives R12R14. It's seen as a powerful tool with a vast database, allowing users to find ancestors from centuries ago R35R50. However, some users report losing access to information after updates or finding the app out of sync with the website R7R15.
Family Tree* Family Tree* users report extremely limited functionality without payment, often only being able to add a few family members before being prompted to subscribe R81R90. Many complain they cannot research, search, or even enter basic data effectively, with some stating the app 'does not function at all' R64R76. Some users who praise the app mention finding ancestors from the 1600s and seeing photos, but these positive reviews often seem to confuse it with other ancestry services .
Ease of Use and Navigation edge: FamilySearch TreeR1R2R6R10
FamilySearch Tree FamilySearch Tree receives mixed reviews on ease of use. While some find it 'easy to use' and helpful for research R2R32, others describe it as 'difficult to navigate' and 'confusing at times' R1R6. Recent updates are frequently cited as making the app harder to use, causing issues with copying names, returning to lists, and general navigation R10.
Family Tree* Users of Family Tree* struggle significantly with basic usability. Many report being unable to sign in, encountering blank pages, or finding it hard to enter or correct data . The app's interface is often criticized for being confusing or non-functional, with some users unable to even start a tree without issues R76.
Reliability and Performance edge: FamilySearch TreeR10R13R16R18
FamilySearch Tree FamilySearch Tree has significant reliability issues, particularly after recent updates. Users report frequent freezing, crashing, lagging, and bugs, especially when opening multiple documents or navigating quickly R10R13R16. Login problems are also common, with users unable to sign in or experiencing password issues R18.
Family Tree* Family Tree* is plagued by performance and reliability problems, with users reporting that the app often doesn't work at all, crashes, or gets stuck on blank pages R76. Many describe it as non-functional, particularly when trying to add information or access features R64R76.
Data Accuracy and Editing edge: FamilySearch TreeR4R9R22R30
FamilySearch Tree FamilySearch Tree users appreciate the ability to contribute and correct information, but many are frustrated by others changing their research, leading to incorrect data R4R9R22R30. Some also report difficulty getting permission to edit or making corrections stick R9. The app's community-driven nature means that while there's a lot of data, its accuracy can be a point of contention R4R9R22R30.
Family Tree* Family Tree* users frequently complain about the inability to enter data or make corrections, even for basic information R64. The app's limited functionality without payment prevents most users from engaging with data accuracy or editing features in any meaningful way R64R76.
Pick FamilySearch Tree if

You want a completely free, community-driven platform with a vast database for genealogy research, are willing to contend with occasional bugs and navigation challenges, and appreciate the ability to collaborate and find extensive historical records R50R32R12R13.

Pick Family Tree* if

You are looking for a very specific, graphically interesting family chart app for printing and are prepared to pay a substantial subscription fee upfront, despite widespread reports of limited functionality and billing issues .

Evidence note: The evidence for Family Tree* is heavily skewed negative, with many users reporting it as a scam or rip-off. Positive reviews for Family Tree* are sparse and often appear to be confused with other, more established genealogy services like Ancestry.com or FamilySearch, making direct comparisons of features challenging. The free-vs-paid asymmetry is very pronounced here, with FamilySearch Tree being genuinely free and Family Tree* being a paid app masquerading as free.

Frequently asked

Is FamilySearch Tree truly free?
Yes, FamilySearch Tree is completely free to use, offering extensive genealogy research tools, records, and community features without any cost R50R32R35.
Why do users criticize Family Tree* for its pricing?
Users criticize Family Tree* because it is advertised as free but requires payment for almost all basic features, with subscriptions ranging from $5 per week to $260 per year, leading many to feel it's a 'scam' or 'rip off' R61R64R74R81.
Are there issues with data accuracy in FamilySearch Tree?
Yes, some FamilySearch Tree users report frustration with others changing their research, leading to incorrect information, and difficulty in correcting errors due to the collaborative nature of the platform R4R9R22R57.
Does Family Tree* allow extensive genealogy research?
No, many users report that Family Tree* does not allow for extensive research, with functionality severely limited without a paid subscription, often only allowing a few family members to be added before requiring payment R64R76R81R90.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 119 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. [R17] FamilySearch Tree 5/5 · US Never known so much: I seriously have never been more engulfed in my family history. GAME CHANGER.
  2. [R32] FamilySearch Tree 5/5 · US Fun, Fulfilling, Free, Family!: FamilySearch is so easy to use for both doing research and sharing.
  3. [R35] FamilySearch Tree 5/5 · US Great app for families are forever: It is such a great tool to use and helps verifying potential relatives from Ancestry and My Heritage and other resources even through DNA. Over my 68 years of doing genealogy, the programs and continual improvements are better than having to drive across country and hunt for records in many jurisdictions.
  4. [R50] FamilySearch Tree 5/5 · US The BEST Genealogy Platform AND ITS FREE: It’s completely free and has so much information. Literally changed my life and helped me realize my biggest passion in life is doing tree research. I’m genuinely addicted to this platform
  5. [R7] FamilySearch Tree 2/5 · US Info Lost: I was able to access much more information than I can now and I don’t know why. I guess the update did something.
  6. [R12] FamilySearch Tree 3/5 · US The best Family Tree!: I was able to trace my ancestors. I was able to see the legal documents of my ancestors in a different country. Amazing app. It protects the identity of those person who are stll alive.
  7. [R14] FamilySearch Tree 5/5 · US Families: I get to meet my families and ancestors, the spirit of Elijah
  8. [R15] FamilySearch Tree 3/5 · US Out of synch with the website: I use this app A LOT, but recently I have run into issues that cannot be resolved without a trip to the website using a standard browser.
  9. [R1] FamilySearch Tree 1/5 · US I don’t know what to do: I don’t know what to do
  10. [R2] FamilySearch Tree 5/5 · US Best!!!: Helped me so much!
  11. [R6] FamilySearch Tree 3/5 · US Navigating: I wish it was much easier to navigate, but it is always been very difficult.
  12. [R10] FamilySearch Tree 2/5 · US Does that FLASH need an epilepsy warning?: Typical FLASH, non-user focused FLASH, aesthetic based FLASH, poorly tested FLASH, bug creating update FLASH. Viewed source page glyph is singular useful feature FLASH, so far FLASH. Any chance of an update that prioritizes user experience FLASH, usability FLASH and bug FIXES FLASH? see record edit PLACE FLASH- 100% repro FLASH; * = United States FL
  13. [R13] FamilySearch Tree 2/5 · US Glitching won’t stop!: If I open too many documents at one, the app will freeze. If I press the buttons to go forward or backward, too quick it freezes. When I’m digging through large index files, it lags and tries to crash. Sometimes it’s refusing to merge duplicates. This is happening more often than not. I’m not trying to be picky. I just contribute a lot to your platform. And as I load up an
  14. [R16] FamilySearch Tree 1/5 · US Last software update broke lots of links and is severely impacting matching: The new software release that we got about a week ago has lots of bugs… for example when you say something is not a match, the system doesn’t clear it unless you go to the main screen and press that not a match button. You can no longer pick a person in your family and drill down on possible task … all those links are bro
  15. [R18] FamilySearch Tree 3/5 · US ok: it won’t let me sign in. it my password and i know its the right password and it’s saying that it’s not.
  16. [R4] FamilySearch Tree 1/5 · US Too easy for others to change my research: I’m so tired of going into “my” tree to find that someone has changed information related to my immediate relatives that is now incorrect!!
  17. [R9] FamilySearch Tree 3/5 · US How can I change incorrect information?: I recently checked my mother’s information. He found several errors. it said I need special permission to edit, but I can’t find out how! My name is wrong, my sex is wrong, and my cousin is showing up as my brother! I suppose it’s garbage and garbage out.
  18. [R22] FamilySearch Tree 2/5 · US Added errors: With everyone having access to my tree, I see errors which I must correct time after time.
  19. [R30] FamilySearch Tree 3/5 · GB Ok and free: It keeps imposing wrong relatives on me and I can’t correct details.
  20. [R61] Family Tree* 1/5 · US CW: It looks like I can’t use it without payment except for a 3 day free trial.
  21. [R64] Family Tree* 1/5 · US Ancestry: This app is a joke. It’s not free for 7 days. I canceled my subscription with in 30 minutes after purchase because you can’t research on it. You must type in every detail. But even though i canceled the service, i was charged anyway. Don’t waste your money or time. Trust me, it’s not worth it. I’ve been doing genealogy for 30 years and this is the worse appt I’ve seen. Very disappointed!
  22. [R74] Family Tree* 1/5 · US This app is a scam!: They keep charging me $50 for an annual subscription that I never wanted. It’s like the second time in two weeks.
  23. [R81] Family Tree* 5/5 · US Not free at all: The app is available for free, but almost every desired feature within the app comes with a price tag. For instance, you can only add a limited number of family members before being required to start paying. Additionally, if you want to conduct in-depth research on your family, you have to make a payment. It would be more straightforward for the app to have an initial download fee
  24. [R57] FamilySearch Tree 3/5 · GB Wrong additions to Family Tree: I have very much appreciated the invaluable assistance I have hed in researching my family tree The problem I have is that other contributors are adding people to my tree who are patently not right This is not a criticism of the other contributors as I am sure they are adding them in good faith because they think a link looks right As I am on the spot in the countr
  25. [R76] Family Tree* 1/5 · US Total Rip off!: I was searching for the WikiTree app, and ended up paying $49.99 for a year subscription. This app does not function at all! I confused it with Family Search , which is TOTALLY free. Even the icon looks very similar. My other Family Search app goes back to the 1400’s, and this Family Tree app is impossible to add to and use. All I could do was enter my own basic information. Don’t
  26. [R90] Family Tree* 1/5 · US This app is not it: This app only lets you add 4 people to your tree before another screen shows up telling you to pay for premium to add more people. You can’t do anything without premium except pick a background and add 4 people. (Not Exaggerating) Seriously unbelievable, anyone who has LIED and said that this was a great “free” app needs jail time.

Synthesized from 119 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store