23andme vs Ancestry DNA in 2023, which should you choose?

Ancestry and 23andMe are two of the most popular DNA testing services available today. They both offer a wealth of information about a person's genetic heritage and can help individuals discover previously unknown family members. However, there are some key differences between the two services that are worth considering before deciding which one to use.

One of the biggest differences between Ancestry and 23andMe is the focus of their testing. Ancestry primarily focuses on genealogy and family history, while 23andMe offers more comprehensive health and wellness reports in addition to ancestry information. Ancestry offers access to billions of genealogical records, including birth, marriage, and death certificates, census records, and military records. This makes it an excellent choice for those interested in genealogy research and building family trees.

On the other hand, 23andMe offers in-depth health reports, including carrier status for genetic disorders, wellness reports, and even information on genetic traits such as lactose intolerance and hair type. This makes it a great choice for those who want to learn more about their genetic health risks and make informed decisions about their healthcare.

Another important difference between the two services is the size of their databases. Ancestry has one of the largest DNA databases in the world, with over 23 million people having taken their DNA test as of March 2023. This means that there is a greater likelihood of finding genetic matches and connecting with previously unknown family members. However, Ancestry only offers autosomal DNA testing, which means that it does not test for paternal or maternal haplogroups.

In contrast, 23andMe has a database of over 12 million people and offers both autosomal and haplogroup testing, which can provide information about a person's maternal and paternal ancestry. However, because the database is smaller, there may be fewer genetic matches and less opportunity to connect with new family members.

Both Ancestry and 23andMe offer easy-to-use platforms for viewing and analyzing DNA results. Ancestry's platform is more geared toward building family trees and genealogy research, with tools for connecting with other users, viewing shared matches, and exploring ancestral regions. 23andMe's platform is more focused on health and wellness, with tools for exploring genetic traits, health risks, and carrier status for genetic disorders.

In terms of cost, both services are similarly priced, with basic DNA testing starting at around $100. However, Ancestry does offer a subscription-based model that provides access to their vast genealogical database and other resources, which can be a more cost-effective option for those interested in long-term genealogy research.

One big difference is that Ancestry does not offer a chromosome browser, while 23andme does. This is a big issue for doing advanced chromosome mapping. On the other hard, if medical reports are part of what motivates you to DNA test, many of the medical features can be aquired by uploading your DNA at a third-party site such as Promethease

Neither Ancestry nor 23andme allow uploads of DNA data from other companies, so while I would recommend AncestryDNA as the first choice for an adoptee or someone searching for a birth father, if the cost is not an issue, I would recommend doing both, and then uploading to MyHeritage and FTDNA. I have had clients with birth parents and/or half-siblings who were only tested at 23andme, and were not in the AncestryDNA database.

Ultimately, the choice between Ancestry and 23andMe comes down to personal preference and what a person is looking to gain from their DNA testing. Ancestry is an excellent choice for those interested in genealogy research and building family trees, while 23andMe is a better option for those looking for in-depth health and wellness reports. Both services offer a wealth of information about a person's genetic heritage and can help individuals connect with previously unknown family members, making them valuable tools for anyone interested in exploring their family history.