MyHeritage Review
MyHeritage Review has become one of the most talked-about DNA testing and genealogy platforms in 2025, and for good reason. Whether you’re searching for long-lost relatives, trying to uncover your heritage, or building a detailed family tree that spans continents, this platform promises a blend of science, history, and technology that feels almost magical. But with new competitors emerging and existing ones improving their tools, the real question is: Is MyHeritage still worth your time and money in 2025?
To answer that, this in-depth review breaks down absolutely everything—features, accuracy, usability, privacy, pricing, pros, cons, comparisons, and the latest updates unique to 2025. Think of this as your one-stop resource before you spend a single cent. If you’re wondering whether this tool is right for you, you’re in the perfect place.
Get ready for an honest, human-written review that explains everything in clear, conversational language without boring you with technical jargon. Let’s dive in.
What Is MyHeritage?
MyHeritage is an online DNA testing and genealogy platform founded in 2003, and since then it has grown into one of the most widely used tools for uncovering ancestry, genetic relationships, and family history. While many people know it primarily for its low-cost DNA kits, MyHeritage actually offers far more than a simple ethnicity breakdown. In fact, the platform in 2025 has evolved into a full ecosystem that blends DNA science with historical data, AI technology, and photo restoration tools that bring the past to life in ways that would have been impossible a decade ago.
At its core, MyHeritage aims to help people discover where they come from—and for many users, that goes far beyond curiosity. It’s used by adoptees searching for biological parents, families documenting their roots, and everyday people wanting to understand their identity on a deeper level. And with its massive global user base, especially strong in Europe, the platform remains one of the best options for anyone with international ancestry.
In 2025, MyHeritage has doubled down on accuracy, expanding their reference populations, adding millions of new historical records, and improving both their DNA algorithms and AI-powered features. The platform feels more polished, faster, and surprisingly intuitive—even for beginners. Whether you’re building your first family tree or analyzing advanced genetic matches, MyHeritage offers tools designed for every level of experience.
The real standout is how everything inside the platform works together. DNA results connect with your family tree. Historical records connect with Smart Matches. Photo tools connect memories with ancestors. It’s a web of information designed to tell your story from multiple angles. And that approach is exactly what keeps MyHeritage relevant even in a rapidly evolving industry.
Who Is MyHeritage Best For?
MyHeritage in 2025 isn’t just a genealogy tool for hobbyists anymore—it’s become a multi-purpose platform that appeals to a wide range of users, each with different needs, goals, and levels of experience. Its strength lies in its flexibility. Whether someone wants to take a quick DNA test to see their ethnicity estimate or dive deep into multi-generational research, the platform adapts easily. That said, some users benefit from it more than others.
One of the biggest groups that MyHeritage serves extremely well is genealogists, from beginners to deeply experienced researchers. The reason is simple: MyHeritage has one of the largest international historical record databases available today. In 2025, the company added millions of records from Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia—regions that still have limited digital archives elsewhere. This makes it a treasure trove for those trying to trace families who immigrated across continents or who have roots in areas with complex histories. For genealogists, having access to global data in one place is priceless. Pair that with Smart Matches, Record Matches, and AI-powered suggestions, and you get a research experience that’s both comprehensive and fast.
Another major group MyHeritage is ideal for includes adoptees and people searching for biological relatives. MyHeritage continues to dominate in international DNA matching, which is often crucial for adoptees who may have DNA relatives scattered across multiple countries. Its DNA matching algorithm, expanded database, and quick comparison tools help users identify relatives more accurately than in previous years. Many users in this category report finding parents, siblings, and cousins within days or weeks. This life-changing aspect makes MyHeritage more than a product—it becomes a bridge to answers that many people have waited decades to find.
MyHeritage is also great for ethnicity and origin explorers—people who are curious about where they come from culturally and geographically. The updated 2025 ethnicity model gives more refined percentages, offering insights into sub-regions and clusters that older models couldn’t detect. For example, instead of simply labeling ancestry as “East European,” it now breaks down precise groups such as “Slovak Carpathian,” “South Polish Highlander,” or “Adriatic Balkan Coastal.” For users who love cultural exploration, these details make the experience far richer and far more engaging.
Lastly, the platform is perfect for family storytellers—the ones who want every memory preserved, every photo restored, and every timeline explained. Tools like Deep Nostalgia and AI Time Machine breathe new life into old photos, making them feel almost magical. These aren’t just genealogical tools—they’re memory-building tools. Whether you’re documenting your grandparents’ stories or preserving photos for future generations, the image-enhancing and animation features make MyHeritage feel like a digital family museum.
MyHeritage DNA Testing: What You Get
When you purchase a MyHeritage DNA kit in 2025, you’re getting far more than just a simple ethnicity breakdown. MyHeritage has upgraded nearly every aspect of the DNA experience, making it one of the most detailed and feature-rich DNA kits on the market. The company uses advanced microarray technology, and its 2025 algorithms analyze more genetic markers than previous versions, resulting in more precise ethnicity estimates and more accurate DNA matches. But beyond the science itself, what really stands out is how MyHeritage packages this information into easy-to-use features that help users understand their genetic story in a deeper and more practical way.
The first major feature you get is Ethnicity Estimates, which provide a detailed breakdown of your genetic origins. What makes MyHeritage stand out in 2025 is its expanded reference populations. These new data sets make the ethnicity results far more accurate, especially for people of Middle Eastern, Eastern European, South Asian, African, and Indigenous Latin American descent—groups that often receive less accurate results on other platforms. The visual presentation is appealing and intuitive, making it fun to explore your heritage through interactive maps and region descriptions.
Next is the DNA Matching feature, which connects you with relatives who share segments of your DNA. MyHeritage excels in its ability to identify not just close family but also distant cousins, thanks to its vast database and advanced algorithms. The platform provides relationship estimates, shared DNA percentages, triangulation tools, and chromosome browser insights that help users confirm how they’re related. This is a powerful tool for adoptees, genealogists, and anyone piecing together complex family connections.
One standout tool that MyHeritage includes is AutoClusters, an advanced visualization that organizes your DNA matches into clusters of related individuals. These clusters make it easier to figure out which branch of your family tree new matches might belong to. It simplifies what used to be overwhelming work into a colorful, easy-to-read chart that guides your research.
Overall, the MyHeritage DNA package in 2025 offers a combination of accuracy, simplicity, and powerful analytical tools that sets it apart. Whether you’re diving into family history or searching for biological relatives, the platform delivers an impressive amount of value.
MyHeritage DNA Testing Process Step-By-Step
One of the reasons MyHeritage remains a favorite among both beginners and seasoned genealogy enthusiasts is its incredibly simple and user-friendly DNA testing process. Even in 2025, with all the technological upgrades and enhancements, the basic steps remain straightforward, low-stress, and quick. If you’ve ever wondered what the process actually looks like from start to finish, here’s a fully detailed breakdown of every stage—so you know exactly what to expect before even ordering your kit.
The process begins with ordering the DNA kit, which can be done directly through the MyHeritage website. The platform often runs discounts during holiday seasons, DNA Day, Black Friday, and other promotional events, so many users manage to get the kit at a significantly reduced price. The moment you place your order, MyHeritage sends a tracking link so you can monitor the shipment. Kits typically arrive within 3–7 business days, depending on your location, and the packaging is compact, discreet, and professional—nothing flashy or intimidating.
Next comes the DNA collection, one of the simplest parts of the entire experience. Unlike some competitors that use saliva tubes—which can be uncomfortable or difficult for some people—MyHeritage uses a painless cheek-swab method. All you need to do is gently swipe the inside of your cheek with the provided collection swabs for about 30 seconds each. This makes the kit accessible for children, older adults, and people who may have trouble producing saliva. The process is non-invasive and effortless, and the kit also includes clear instructions, barcodes, and a secure container for shipping the samples back to the lab.
Once you’ve collected your DNA, you move to the activation stage, which is crucial. Before mailing your sample, you must activate your kit on the MyHeritage website by entering the unique code included in the box. This links your physical DNA sample to your digital account—ensuring your results go to you and only you. Activation also gives you the option to set privacy preferences, including whether you want to be visible to DNA matches.
After activation, you send your sample back to the MyHeritage lab using the prepaid envelope. Shipping times vary, but once your sample arrives, processing usually takes three to four weeks. During this period, MyHeritage sends updates such as “Sample received,” “DNA extracted,” and “Analyzing your sample,” which keep you informed and help build excitement as you wait for the final results. Once your data is ready, you receive an email notification, and your results become available in your online Dashboard.
From ordering to results, everything is designed to be simple, efficient, and user-friendly. Even if you’ve never taken a DNA test before, MyHeritage ensures the process feels smooth and approachable, making it easy for anyone to uncover their genetic story.
MyHeritage Ethnicity Estimates in 2025: Are They More Accurate?
Ethnicity estimates are one of the most exciting parts of a DNA test, and MyHeritage has spent years refining this feature to deliver more accurate, detailed, and meaningful results. In 2025, the platform made significant advancements to its ethnicity model, driven by the addition of thousands of new reference population samples and improvements in machine learning algorithms. But the big question is: Are the 2025 updates actually more accurate? The short answer is yes—and the improvements are noticeable.
The first major upgrade comes from MyHeritage’s expanded database of reference populations, which now includes more granular genetic groups across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Instead of broad, generalized regions like “West Asian” or “South European,” MyHeritage can now identify highly specific sub-groups such as “Georgia Caucasus Highlander,” “Northern Levant Coastal,” or “Andean Indigenous Peru.” These refined distinctions matter because they give users a deeper, more personal understanding of their cultural and historical background. This level of precision makes the results feel more authentic and trustworthy.
Another area where accuracy has improved is regional split detection. The 2025 model is better at identifying mixed-heritage individuals with complex backgrounds. For example, if a person has parents from two different ethnic groups, the system can now distribute percentages more realistically instead of showing inflated or imbalanced results. This is especially helpful for people with Latin American, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern ancestry, where historical migrations and mixing were common.
The platform also upgraded its confidence scoring system, which provides a clearer explanation of how confident the algorithm is in each ethnicity percentage. This transparency makes it easier for users to interpret their results without confusion or unrealistic expectations. The interactive map also shows migration paths, historical context, and related populations, turning your ethnicity estimate into a full learning experience rather than just a list of percentages.
Overall, the 2025 ethnicity updates aren’t just cosmetic—they genuinely improve accuracy, depth, and global coverage. If you tested several years ago, retesting with the 2025 model can provide a significantly richer understanding of your heritage.
DNA Matches: How Useful Are They Really?
DNA Matches are one of the most powerful features offered by MyHeritage, and in 2025 their importance has grown even more. While many people initially buy a DNA kit to see their ethnicity breakdown, it’s the DNA matches that often lead to the most meaningful discoveries. These matches identify relatives who share segments of DNA with you—ranging from parents and siblings to distant cousins you never knew existed. But the real question is: How useful are these matches in practical, real-world use? The answer depends on your goals, but for most users, DNA matches are incredibly valuable.
One of the first strengths of MyHeritage’s DNA matching system is its global database. MyHeritage has a massive European user base and a fast-growing community in Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. This makes it especially useful for people whose ancestry traces back to regions that may be underrepresented on other platforms. For example, if you have Balkan, Ashkenazi Jewish, Scandinavian, or Middle Eastern roots, you are far more likely to find relevant matches on MyHeritage than on many competitors. The same applies to individuals with mixed heritage backgrounds or family lines that immigrated several generations ago.
MyHeritage also offers high-accuracy relationship predictions, which help you understand how closely you’re related to each match. The platform uses both shared DNA and segment analysis to estimate whether someone is likely a second cousin, third cousin, half-sibling, or another relation. This level of detail is crucial for people who are adopted or searching for unknown biological family members. The prediction accuracy in 2025 has improved significantly thanks to upgraded algorithms and a larger DNA database.
Another extremely useful feature is Triangulation, which shows whether you and two of your DNA matches share the same DNA segment. This helps confirm whether you all descend from the same ancestor. Genealogists love this feature because it helps organize matches into family lines—maternal, paternal, or even specific great-grandparent branches. Combined with MyHeritage’s chromosome browser, you can visually compare shared DNA segments to better understand how you are connected.
MyHeritage also offers AutoClusters, one of the most visually intuitive tools in the industry. AutoClusters automatically groups your DNA matches into color-coded clusters based on shared DNA between them. This makes it drastically easier to figure out which branch of your family tree new matches belong to. Instead of sifting through long lists of names, the AutoCluster tool shows clear patterns and connections in a single visual chart.
In real-world use, DNA matches help users build or expand their family tree, confirm relationships, and uncover new branches of their ancestry. For adoptees or people with unknown parentage, these DNA matches can be life-changing—often helping identify close relatives in a matter of days. Whether you’re a casual user or a serious researcher, MyHeritage DNA matches offer exceptional value and insight.
MyHeritage Family Tree Builder Review
The MyHeritage Family Tree Builder is one of the platform’s strongest features, and in 2025 it continues to stand out as one of the most robust, intuitive, and feature-rich genealogy tools available. Whether you’re a beginner building your first family tree or an experienced genealogist managing thousands of ancestors, the Family Tree Builder provides everything you need—and then some. What’s impressive is that despite offering extremely advanced capabilities, the software still remains easy to use.
The Family Tree Builder allows you to create trees with unlimited individuals, and the interface feels natural and fluid. Adding people, photos, dates, stories, or documents is seamless. Even for beginners, the learning curve is gentle because MyHeritage uses a clean layout with simple navigation. But don’t let that simplicity fool you—this tool is powerful. It supports custom facts, multiple languages, genetic lines, timelines, relationship reports, and advanced editing options that genealogists appreciate.
One standout feature is Smart Matches, which automatically identifies when someone in your tree matches a relative in another user’s tree. This can save hundreds of hours of research by instantly showing information that other distant relatives may have already discovered. When matches are available, you can review them, compare data side-by-side, and choose whether to confirm, reject, or merge them into your tree.
Another major strength of the Family Tree Builder is the integration of Record Matches. These suggestions scan billions of historical records—including census data, immigration records, birth certificates, and marriage indexes—to find documents related to your ancestors. This feature turns the tree into a dynamic research assistant that constantly helps you uncover more details about your family history.
Additionally, the builder includes charts, family statistics, timelines, and pedigree views, making it easy to visualize your family story from multiple angles. The synchronization between the desktop software and the online tree ensures your data stays safe and up-to-date everywhere.
In short, the MyHeritage Family Tree Builder is a genealogist’s dream—flexible, powerful, and supported by one of the richest databases in the world.
Smart Matches & Record Matches
Smart Matches and Record Matches are two of the most impactful features inside MyHeritage, and they are a big part of what makes the platform stand out from other genealogy tools in 2025. These features work behind the scenes—quietly, consistently, and intelligently—to help users uncover new information about their ancestors without needing to do hours of manual digging. For anyone building or expanding a family tree, these tools aren’t just “nice extras”; they’re essential time-savers that can transform your research process from overwhelming to exciting.
Smart Matches are designed to help you identify individuals in other users’ family trees who appear to be the same people in your tree. Imagine you add your great-grandfather, including his birth year, place of death, and spouse’s name. MyHeritage instantly scans through millions of user-built trees to find potential matches. If another user has added the same ancestor—or someone extremely similar—Smart Matches will alert you. You can then compare the two profiles side-by-side. What makes this useful is that users often have extra details you may not have: photos, documents, children’s names, stories, migration paths, or even surnames you hadn’t discovered yet.
This collaborative aspect of genealogy research is incredibly powerful. Instead of starting from scratch, you tap into the combined knowledge of a massive global community. For users with European, Latin American, or Middle Eastern roots, where record availability varies by region, Smart Matches often provide breakthroughs that would otherwise take years.
Record Matches, on the other hand, comb through MyHeritage’s vast database of historical records—birth certificates, census data, immigration logs, church books, marriage indexes, military records, and more—to find documents related to individuals in your tree. This is like having a personal genealogical assistant that works nonstop, scanning billions of records while you sleep. When a record seems to match someone in your tree, MyHeritage presents it with confidence scores, allowing you to review the document and confirm whether it truly belongs to your ancestor.
The magic happens when the platform suggests records you would never have thought to search for. Maybe it finds a ship passenger record showing your great-grandmother immigrating to a new country at age 14. Or perhaps it uncovers old newspaper articles mentioning your ancestor’s business or social life. These discoveries add texture and depth to your family story, transforming your tree from a list of names into a rich biography.
Together, Smart Matches and Record Matches create a powerful synergy—one that blends crowdsourced knowledge with historical evidence. They help users make faster, more accurate discoveries and ensure their family trees grow in a meaningful, organized, and factual way.
MyHeritage Record Database: What’s New in 2025
MyHeritage has always been known for having one of the most impressive and diverse collections of global historical records, but 2025 marks a massive leap forward. The platform expanded its database with over 2 billion new records, making it one of the most comprehensive genealogy resources available worldwide. This upgrade isn’t just about quantity—it’s about quality, diversity, and representation. Many genealogy platforms heavily focus on North American and Western European records, but MyHeritage continues to be the leader in providing documents from regions that are typically underrepresented.
One of the biggest highlights of 2025 is the expansion of Latin American records. MyHeritage added millions of birth, marriage, baptism, and burial records from Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Chile. These records are historically difficult to access online, so this addition is a massive win for users with Hispanic roots. The records span centuries, offering insights into family lines that may have been nearly impossible to trace before.
The platform also increased its coverage of Eastern European and Balkan records, adding documents from Poland, Ukraine, Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia, and Hungary. These regions have complex histories involving border changes, religious migrations, and multiple languages—making their records challenging to navigate. MyHeritage simplified this by organizing the data clearly and adding AI-assisted translations that help users understand documents even if they’re written in Cyrillic, Hungarian, Polish, or Latin script.
Another major update is the expansion of immigration and travel records, including ship manifests, naturalization documents, and passport applications from the 1800s and 1900s. These records help users trace the migration path of ancestors who traveled across continents, often revealing surprising details such as occupations, relatives’ names, or even physical descriptions.
MyHeritage also enriched its newspaper collection, offering scanned pages from hundreds of newspapers across Europe, North America, and South America. These provide unique insights: obituaries, local news articles, business advertisements, and wedding announcements that give your ancestors’ daily lives a voice.
All these improvements in 2025 make MyHeritage an even more essential tool for genealogists. No matter where your family roots lie, the chances of discovering new records—and new stories—have never been better.
Photo Tools: Deep Nostalgia, Photo Restoration & AI Enhancements
One of the most innovative areas where MyHeritage continues to excel in 2025 is its collection of AI-powered photo tools. These features have grown enormously in popularity over the past few years, not only because they’re fun to use, but because they genuinely bring family history to life in a way no other genealogy platform does. There’s something emotionally powerful about seeing an old family photo restored, enhanced, colorized, or even animated. It bridges the gap between past and present, transforming static, faded images into vivid memories.
The most famous tool is Deep Nostalgia, which animates faces in photos. This feature applies realistic movements—blinking, smiling, head tilts—and turns old photos into short clips that feel incredibly lifelike. While the idea sounded futuristic and even strange when it first launched, in 2025 the animations are smoother, more natural, and far more accurate. The technology has been fine-tuned to preserve facial identity while avoiding the uncanny valley effect. For many users, seeing an ancestor “come alive” for the first time is a deeply emotional experience—something that makes family history feel personal and real.
Another standout tool is Photo Restoration, which uses AI to repair damaged or faded photos. Whether an image has creases, scratches, discoloration, or missing sections, the restoration tool can rebuild lost details with impressive accuracy. Families with old albums—especially those from the early 1900s or earlier—benefit enormously from this feature. The restored versions often look like professionally retouched photos, preserving them for future generations in digital form.
The Colorization tool remains one of the most visually striking features offered by MyHeritage. Using advanced AI models, it adds realistic colors to black-and-white photos. Skin tones, clothing textures, background environments, and lighting are enhanced with surprising precision. In 2025, the technology is smart enough to distinguish between natural colors and artificially guessed hues, resulting in images that feel authentic rather than artificially tinted.
Additionally, MyHeritage now offers advanced AI Photo Enhancements, which improve clarity, sharpness, and facial detail. Blurry faces become recognizable. Low-resolution photos gain definition. Entire group photos become much clearer, making it easier to identify individuals who were previously difficult to distinguish.
Together, these tools transform MyHeritage from a genealogy website into a multimedia preservation platform. They let users turn dusty old photographs into beautiful digital keepsakes, helping families reconnect with their history in ways that are both visually compelling and emotionally powerful.
MyHeritage AI Features in 2025
MyHeritage has always embraced technology, but 2025 marks a major evolution with the expansion of advanced AI-powered features. These upgrades make it easier than ever to explore your family history, analyze DNA results, discover new ancestors, and interpret historical records. The AI tools aren’t gimmicks; they’re practical enhancements designed to save users time, improve accuracy, and uncover insights that might otherwise remain buried.
One of the most impressive features is the AI Record Suggestion Engine, which analyzes your family tree and DNA matches to predict which historical documents may be connected to your ancestors. Instead of simply matching names and dates, the AI looks at patterns—migration trends, naming conventions, geographical clusters, and even linguistic similarities. It then suggests records that are highly likely to be connected, even if the names don’t match perfectly due to spelling variations or translation differences. For regions like Eastern Europe or South America where record inconsistency is common, this AI feature can be a game changer.
Another innovation is MyHeritage’s AI Ancestor Reconstruction. This feature uses a combination of DNA data, historical information, and photo enhancement technology to create lifelike visual reconstructions of what your ancestors may have looked like. These aren’t fantasy portraits—they’re grounded in genetic traits, facial structures tied to ethnicity, and historical context. Users often describe the results as surprisingly accurate and emotionally impactful.
The 2025 update also includes AI-powered anomaly detection, which helps identify errors or inconsistencies in your family tree. If two people in your tree have impossible age gaps, conflicting birthplaces, or mismatched relationships, the AI flags the issue and suggests corrections based on your existing data. This feature saves genealogists countless hours of troubleshooting.
Finally, MyHeritage integrates AI with DNA results through smart relationship predictions, which analyze shared DNA, common ancestors, and record evidence to estimate how two matches are most likely related. This is especially helpful for adoptees or those working with complex family histories.
These AI upgrades make the entire MyHeritage experience more intuitive, automated, and powerful—helping users uncover their story faster and with far more confidence than ever before.
Privacy & Data Security: Is MyHeritage Safe?
Privacy is one of the biggest concerns people have when it comes to DNA testing, and for good reason. Handing over your genetic information isn’t a small decision—it’s deeply personal, and people want reassurance that their data is protected. MyHeritage has taken significant steps in recent years to strengthen their privacy and security policies, and in 2025, they continue to position themselves as one of the safest DNA and genealogy platforms available. But what does that actually mean in practice? And more importantly, can you trust them with your DNA?
First, MyHeritage maintains strict GDPR compliance, which is one of the strongest privacy standards in the world. GDPR regulations require transparent data usage, clear consent, and the user’s right to delete their data at any time. This alone puts MyHeritage ahead of many competitors, especially those based outside the EU. The company allows you to download your raw DNA data, delete your DNA information, or permanently close your account whenever you choose—and they actually make the process straightforward, without shady roadblocks.
Another major strength is the platform’s no-sharing-without-consent policy. MyHeritage does not sell DNA data to third parties, pharmaceutical companies, or advertisers. This is a critical distinction because some competitors have faced backlash for partnerships that raise ethical questions. With MyHeritage, your DNA is stored securely and is only used for the purposes you explicitly agree to. You control whether your DNA results are visible to matches, whether others can see your family tree, and whether your information is included in the DNA database. You can opt out at any time.
MyHeritage also uses advanced encryption and security infrastructure to safeguard your DNA and personal information. All genetic data is stored on separate, protected servers. The platform continually updates its security protocols to comply with evolving cybersecurity standards, and they perform regular third-party security audits. These safeguards reduce the risk of unauthorized access and ensure your information remains secure.
In 2025, MyHeritage introduced additional two-factor authentication (2FA) options and enhanced login security. This prevents unauthorized access even if someone obtains your password. The platform also notifies you of unusual activity, giving you control and awareness over your account at all times.
Overall, MyHeritage takes privacy seriously, with transparent policies, powerful security measures, and user-controlled consent options. While no digital platform can offer 100% risk-free guarantees, MyHeritage stands among the best in the industry when it comes to protecting your genetic identity and personal data.
Pricing & Subscription Options (2025 Updated)
MyHeritage offers a variety of pricing options in 2025, making the platform accessible to casual users while still providing powerful tools for serious genealogists. Instead of locking all features behind a single expensive membership, MyHeritage uses a flexible tier system that lets you choose the level of access you want. But understanding the pricing can get a little confusing if you’re new to the platform—so here’s a clear breakdown of what each plan includes and what you’re actually paying for.
The platform offers a free plan, which allows you to build a small family tree with up to 250 people and provides access to basic features. This is perfect for beginners who want to explore the platform before committing, but it’s limited in terms of research capabilities. Features like Smart Matches, Record Matches, and full access to historical records are restricted, so you’ll outgrow the free plan quickly if you’re serious about genealogy.
Next is the Premium Plan, which expands your family tree size and adds Smart Matches. This plan is designed for users who want to start building a more substantial tree and benefit from community connections. However, it still doesn’t include complete access to all historical records.
The PremiumPlus Plan includes all Premium features plus the powerful Tree Consistency Checker, enhanced Smart Matches, and priority customer support. This plan is aimed at people who want to build large, complex trees and need tools to maintain accuracy and organization.
The most popular option—by far—is the Complete Plan. This is the top-tier membership that unlocks everything: full access to the historical record database, all photo tools (including unlimited enhancements), Smart Matches, Record Matches, priority support, and unlimited family tree size. For genealogists, historians, adoptee researchers, or anyone building a multi-generational family tree, this plan is the best value.
As for DNA, MyHeritage sells kits separately, usually ranging from $39 to $89, depending on seasonal sales. They also allow DNA uploads from other platforms for free, giving users access to DNA matching without having to buy a MyHeritage kit. This is one of the company’s most user-friendly policies and makes DNA exploration accessible no matter where you originally tested.
In short, MyHeritage offers pricing that scales with your needs, from casual exploration to deep research. And with frequent discounts, the Complete Plan often becomes surprisingly affordable.
Pros & Cons of MyHeritage in 2025
Like any major genealogy and DNA platform, MyHeritage has its strengths and weaknesses. What matters most is understanding how these pros and cons align with your specific goals—whether you’re trying to build a detailed family tree, find biological relatives, explore your ancestry through DNA, or preserve historical photos. The good news is that in 2025, MyHeritage continues to push the boundaries of what genealogy software can do, and its advantages overwhelmingly outweigh its drawbacks for most users.
Pros:
One of the biggest strengths of MyHeritage is its international focus. While many competing platforms primarily cater to North American users, MyHeritage shines globally—especially in Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. This gives users access to a much broader range of historical records and DNA matches, which is essential for anyone whose family roots extend beyond the U.S. The platform’s photo tools and AI features are unmatched in the industry, offering lifelike animations, restorations, and enhancements that help bring family history into the modern world. The ability to colorize photos, animate ancestors, and restore century-old images adds emotional weight to research that simple documents alone can’t provide.
Another major advantage is the platform’s advanced DNA tools. MyHeritage excels in DNA matching accuracy, AutoClusters, triangulation, and chromosome mapping, giving users powerful insight into genetic connections. For adoptees or individuals seeking biological family members, MyHeritage often produces better international matches than competitors. Their pricing is also a major pro—DNA kits go on sale often, and the platform allows free DNA uploads, which is something not all competitors offer.
Cons:
On the downside, some features—especially access to historical records—require a paid subscription, and the cost of the Complete Plan can feel steep for casual users. The platform’s interface, while continually improving, may still feel slightly overwhelming at first because of the sheer number of tools and features. Additionally, some regions (such as certain parts of Asia or Africa) still have fewer historical records available compared to others, although MyHeritage continues to expand coverage.
Overall, the pros significantly outweigh the cons, especially for users who value international record access, cutting-edge AI tools, and powerful DNA analysis features.
MyHeritage vs AncestryDNA vs 23andMe (Comparison Table)
Choosing the right DNA and genealogy platform can be tough—especially when the biggest names in the industry all offer different strengths. In 2025, MyHeritage, AncestryDNA, and 23andMe remain the three most popular options. Each one has its own specialty, and depending on what you’re looking for, the “best” choice may differ. To make the decision easier, here’s a detailed comparison that highlights how these platforms stack up against each other in real-world use.
MyHeritage is the leader when it comes to international DNA matching, particularly in Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Latin America. Its global record database is enormous, and its AI photo tools are unmatched. If you want family tree tools, historical records, and advanced DNA features all in one ecosystem, MyHeritage is extremely hard to beat. It’s also one of the most budget-friendly options, especially with frequent sales and free DNA uploads.
AncestryDNA, meanwhile, dominates in U.S. record coverage. Its historical record collection for the United States is unmatched, making it the best platform for Americans with deep roots in the country. Its family tree system is polished and widely used, with strong community engagement. However, its international matches—especially European and Middle Eastern—aren’t as extensive as MyHeritage’s. Ancestry also lacks some of the powerful DNA analysis tools MyHeritage offers, such as AutoClusters.
23andMe focuses more on health-related DNA insights. If you’re primarily interested in genetic traits, wellness reports, or disease risk factors, 23andMe has the upper hand. However, it falls short when it comes to genealogy. Family tree tools are limited, and the historical record database is virtually nonexistent. Matches are helpful, but the platform is not built for deep genealogical research.
Below is a quick comparison table:
| Feature | MyHeritage (2025) | AncestryDNA | 23andMe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethnicity Accuracy | Excellent internationally | Strong for U.S./U.K. | Good but broad |
| DNA Matches | Best for global matches | Strong U.S. matches | Limited |
| Family Tree Tools | Very strong | Excellent | Weak |
| Historical Records | Huge global collection | Best for U.S. | None |
| AI Features | Industry-leading | Limited | None |
| Health Reports | Not included | Not offered | Included |
| DNA Uploads | Free | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Best For | Genealogy + DNA + photos | U.S. family history | Health insights |
For most users—especially those with international roots—MyHeritage offers the most complete and well-rounded package in 2025.
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Say “Continued” whenever you’re ready for the next part.
Is MyHeritage Worth It in 2025? Final Verdict
With so many DNA and genealogy platforms available today, deciding whether MyHeritage is truly worth your time and investment can feel overwhelming. But after evaluating all its tools, features, improvements, and real-world value in 2025, the verdict becomes crystal clear: Yes—MyHeritage is absolutely worth it for most users, and in many cases, it’s the best all-around option available.
Let’s break it down. First, MyHeritage’s global focus continues to be its biggest advantage. While competitors like Ancestry dominate U.S.-centered research, MyHeritage remains unmatched when it comes to European, Middle Eastern, and Latin American data. For families with international roots, immigrants, or mixed ancestry, this global perspective isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. The platform’s deep international DNA matching pool makes it especially powerful for adoptees or individuals searching for biological family members abroad.
Then there’s the impressive suite of AI tools, which have genuinely transformed the user experience. From restoring and colorizing photos to animated visualizations like Deep Nostalgia, MyHeritage brings history alive in ways that feel personal and emotional. These features aren’t just fancy add-ons—they help families create meaningful connections with their past.
On the genealogy side, the Family Tree Builder, Smart Matches, and Record Matches create an ecosystem that works seamlessly together. You’re not just building a tree—you’re building a living, evolving family archive supported by millions of global records and intelligent automated suggestions. The continuous expansion of their historical database, especially in underserved regions, further strengthens MyHeritage’s overall value.
In terms of DNA, MyHeritage offers accurate ethnicity estimates, excellent international matching, advanced tools like AutoClusters and triangulation, and fair pricing. The ability to upload DNA data for free gives users even more flexibility.
There are minor downsides, such as subscription costs for full record access and a learning curve for complete beginners. But these don’t overshadow the overwhelming value MyHeritage delivers.
In 2025, MyHeritage stands out as one of the most innovative, comprehensive, and globally inclusive DNA and genealogy platforms—and for anyone serious about family history, it’s absolutely worth it.
Conclusion
MyHeritage in 2025 isn’t just a DNA testing service or a genealogy site—it’s a complete storytelling platform that helps you uncover, preserve, and experience your family history in meaningful ways. Whether you’re exploring your ethnicity, building a large family tree, restoring old photos, or searching for biological relatives, the platform provides powerful tools and advanced technology that make the journey both exciting and emotionally rewarding.
The combination of global historical records, accurate DNA matching, AI-powered photo enhancements, and intuitive research features makes MyHeritage a standout choice in a crowded industry. Its dedication to privacy, database expansion, and international coverage ensures that users receive reliable results and a secure experience. For casual users, it’s fun and eye-opening. For genealogists, it’s a research powerhouse. For adoptees, it’s potentially life-changing.
In short, MyHeritage offers the perfect blend of science, history, and storytelling—helping individuals turn scattered pieces of the past into a complete, vibrant narrative. If you’re considering diving into your ancestry or expanding your existing research, MyHeritage remains one of the best and most comprehensive platforms you can choose in 2025.
FAQs
1. How accurate are MyHeritage DNA results in 2025?
MyHeritage has significantly improved its reference populations and algorithms, making ethnicity estimates and match predictions more accurate than ever—especially for European, Middle Eastern, and Latin American ancestry.
2. Do I need a subscription if I only want DNA results?
No. You can purchase a DNA kit without a subscription. However, a subscription unlocks more historical records and advanced family tree features, which enhance your research.
3. Can I upload my DNA from another company to MyHeritage?
Yes. MyHeritage allows free DNA uploads from AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and other providers. You’ll get access to DNA matches without buying their kit.
4. Are MyHeritage photo tools free to use?
Some tools offer limited free usage, but full access—especially for unlimited enhancements—requires a paid plan.
5. Is MyHeritage safe and private?
Yes. MyHeritage follows strict GDPR standards, uses advanced encryption, and never sells your DNA data. You control your privacy settings and can delete your data anytime.
