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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

FamilySearch Tree vs 23andMe

FamilySearch Tree 4.8★ · Free to download 70
Winner Tie
23andMe 4.8★ · Free to download 65

Choose FamilySearch Tree if you prioritize collaborative, free genealogy research, but be prepared for potential bugs and navigation challenges; opt for 23andMe if you want detailed DNA insights, including health and ancestry, and are willing to pay for premium features and navigate subscription models.

Full reviews: FamilySearch Tree · 23andMe

FamilySearch Tree excels as a free, collaborative platform for building family trees and accessing historical documents, though users report frequent bugs and navigation difficulties. 23andMe offers detailed DNA ancestry and health reports, but many users express frustration with its pricing model, upselling, and occasional inaccuracies.

Head to head

Features & Information Depth tieR12R35R23R26
FamilySearch Tree FamilySearch Tree is praised for its extensive database of historical documents, allowing users to trace ancestors and view legal documents from different countries R12R35. It's also valued for preserving memories with photo uploads and for its 'descendants with tasks' feature R23R26. However, some users find the information difficult to access without paying R21 and struggle to find specific records like maiden names .
23andMe 23andMe provides detailed genetic breakdowns and ancestry information, often surprising users with their origins R101R116. It also offers health insights, including mental health reports . However, many users find the genetic testing basic and generalized R61, and some reports are criticized for being vague, not drilling down to specific regions, or even being inaccurate compared to other tests or family history R97.
Ease of Use & Navigation tieR32R6R24R25
FamilySearch Tree FamilySearch Tree receives mixed reviews on ease of use; some find it easy for research and sharing R32, while others describe navigation as difficult and confusing R6R24R25. Recent updates are frequently blamed for making the app harder to use, breaking links, causing crashes, and leading to lost information or login issues .
23andMe 23andMe's app is generally considered interesting and easy to explore R101R116, with a straightforward verification process for account recovery . However, users report issues with the app not opening, getting stuck on loading screens, or login problems, especially after updates . Some also find the system complicated, particularly when trying to find specific relatives .
Reliability & Accuracy tieR4R9R22R30
FamilySearch Tree FamilySearch Tree's collaborative nature is a double-edged sword: it allows for extensive contributions R44 but also leads to frequent errors and incorrect information being added by others, which users find difficult to correct or prevent R4R9R22R30. The app is also plagued by glitches, freezing, lagging, and crashing, especially when handling multiple documents or large files .
23andMe 23andMe's accuracy is a point of contention; while some find results plausible and detailed R101R116, others directly discredit findings with their family tree history R97 or find results vague and not matching their experiences R111. Issues with the app not working, loading, or login failures are common, impacting reliability .
Price & Value edge: FamilySearch TreeR32R50R21R61
FamilySearch Tree FamilySearch Tree is highly valued for being completely free R32R50. Users appreciate the vast amount of information available without cost R50. However, some users from outside the US feel that much of the information requires payment R21.
23andMe 23andMe is criticized by many users for its pricing model and perceived lack of value. Many feel they paid a significant amount ($100-$200) only to receive basic information, surveys, or ads for more tests R61. There's significant frustration over features that were once included now requiring premium subscriptions or additional payments R88.
Support & Community tieR44R3R34R9
FamilySearch Tree FamilySearch Tree has a collaborative community where missionaries contribute extensively R44. However, users report issues with chat functions losing connection or shutting down the app R3R34. Difficulty in getting help for editing incorrect information or resolving login problems is also mentioned R9.
23andMe 23andMe's customer service is described as running users in circles without resolving issues . Users also face issues with account access, including being locked out for resetting passwords or being banned for no apparent reason . There's a desire for better security features like fingerprint login and a clearer feedback mechanism for paid members .
Pick FamilySearch Tree if

You are passionate about collaborative genealogy research and want a free platform with extensive historical records and document access R12R32R50. You are willing to navigate occasional bugs and a less intuitive interface for the benefit of a vast, shared family tree R6.

Pick 23andMe if

You are primarily interested in detailed DNA ancestry and health insights from a genetic test R116. You are prepared to pay for the initial test and potentially for premium subscriptions to unlock more features, and you value the ability to find new relatives through DNA matching .

Evidence note: Many recent negative reviews for FamilySearch Tree focus on app bugs and usability issues following updates. For 23andMe, a significant portion of negative feedback revolves around its pricing model and perceived reduction in value for money, especially for long-term users.

Frequently asked

Is FamilySearch Tree truly free?
Yes, FamilySearch Tree is completely free to use and download, offering extensive information and research tools without cost R32R50.
Why are 23andMe users frustrated with pricing?
Many 23andMe users are frustrated because features they initially paid for as a one-time fee are now behind a subscription paywall, and they feel they are constantly upsold to access more detailed information R88R112R118.
Can I correct errors in FamilySearch Tree?
Users report difficulty correcting errors in FamilySearch Tree, sometimes needing special permission to edit information or finding that changes made by others are incorrect and persist R4R9R43.
How accurate is 23andMe's ancestry information?
23andMe's ancestry information receives mixed reviews on accuracy; some users find it plausible and detailed, while others report it as vague, not specific enough, or even directly contradicted by their known family history R97R101R111R116.

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. [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.
  2. [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.
  3. [R23] FamilySearch Tree 5/5 · US Best Way to Preserve Your Ancestry!: I love Family Search so much!!! I am on it almost daily. I am going through my folders of information gathered over the years about people and also am putting photos of things into Memories so that they will be preserved for future people to see. It is so great to see a photo of someone on the tree instead of just an icon. It keeps improving and I easily fi
  4. [R26] FamilySearch Tree 5/5 · US Better than scrolling: I do most of my research on the desktop version, but I love using the app for “descendants with tasks” and the living tree features. It’s also so easy to upload memories!
  5. [R32] FamilySearch Tree 5/5 · US Fun, Fulfilling, Free, Family!: FamilySearch is so easy to use for both doing research and sharing.
  6. [R6] FamilySearch Tree 3/5 · US Navigating: I wish it was much easier to navigate, but it is always been very difficult.
  7. [R24] FamilySearch Tree 3/5 · GB It’s quite good: The app is quite difficult and irritating to use. The website version is far better. Also - is it called Family Search or Family Tree? How confusing.
  8. [R25] FamilySearch Tree 1/5 · US Hard to add siblings & children: Difficult to use
  9. [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!!
  10. [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.
  11. [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.
  12. [R30] FamilySearch Tree 3/5 · GB Ok and free: It keeps imposing wrong relatives on me and I can’t correct details.
  13. [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
  14. [R21] FamilySearch Tree 3/5 · GB Lack of information: So I find this app quite difficult any information it actually gives you, you have to pay to get it , the app does not grip you at all, maybe if you pay the higher amount🤔
  15. [R61] 23andMe 1/5 · US Not what I expected: I’d say, all of the Medical report given is just the stupid surveys the app gives to you answer. It’s honestly not ground breaking in my opinion, because you can actually get the same information elsewhere online for free and your primary care doctor. The genetic testing is very basic and generalized. I’d save your money on this test honestly and go with Ancestry instead. Ance
  16. [R44] FamilySearch Tree 5/5 · US Family Tree Additions: Work done by Missionaries is extensive. I, Laura Kuhman, account creator have difficulty keeping up and reviewing all changes.
  17. [R3] FamilySearch Tree 3/5 · US Chat: Lost connection
  18. [R34] FamilySearch Tree 1/5 · US The updates have made the app harder to use: Within the last month, the updates to this app have tremendously complicated the purpose of the app. I can’t touch the screen to copy someone’s name. When I am in my temple files and look at someone’s information, the app sends me back to the top of my list instead of back to where I last was located on the list. The chat function shuts down the app.
  19. [R88] 23andMe 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
  20. [R112] 23andMe 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
  21. [R118] 23andMe 1/5 · US Worked before it sold out: Now I can't even see my OWN DNA. I can't see my map. All I can see is relatives. I paid the money, this is MY information. This is so wrong.
  22. [R43] FamilySearch Tree 2/5 · US Can’t make corrections: The app doesn’t want to take information at times. For example, I add my maternal grandmother full name, approximate DOB, locations etc, save and it says unknown grandmother. I constantly get error messages too. Very frustrating!
  23. [R97] 23andMe 1/5 · US Seemingly random results: Not accurate at all, i have family tree history that directly discredits these findings.
  24. [R101] 23andMe 5/5 · US Very fast and interesting: I’m a geography lover who is mixed, but knows enough about inheritance and family history to know that everything that 23 and me said was totally plausible! It came in less than fifteen days for me from when arriving at the lab, and I got my kit for only thirty bucks on Facebook marketplace! I don’t have the subscription but I still like it.
  25. [R111] 23andMe 3/5 · GB Matching Results: Many of the outcomes of DNA do not sound familiar or match my experiences. My horoscope is more accurate and that has no scientific foundations? Did another DNA test and results are very different. App is American and very few European connections were my personal heritage is from. Meh!
  26. [R116] 23andMe 5/5 · US Interesting: I was really impressed with the ancestry side of 23andMe. The genetic breakdown is detailed and specific, going beyond broad regions to show more precise origins. The way everything is presented is clear and easy to explore, turning complex data into something interesting. If you’re curious about your background, the ancestry portion alone makes it worth it, it gives you a much clear

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