Building Your Family Tree Online: The Best Genealogy Platforms Compared
- Shawna Crosby
- Sep 21
- 6 min read
Creating a family tree online is one of the most powerful ways to organize your research, connect with relatives, and uncover hidden branches of your history. With so many platforms available, each offering different tools and collections, it can be challenging to know which one is right for you.
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the top family tree–building websites. Each has its strengths, weaknesses, and unique features. By comparing them, you can decide which platform best fits your research style and family history needs.
Click logos to visit each platform’s official website.
What you’ll find:
Census records (U.S. and international)
Military records
Immigration and naturalization records
Newspapers and city directories
DNA testing and cousin matching
User-submitted family trees
About the Website: Ancestry is the largest online genealogy platform and remains the industry leader in family tree–building. Its interface allows you to create detailed, branching family trees, attach historical records directly to individuals, and preserve family photos, documents, and stories all in one place. One of its most popular features is the “Hints” system, little green leaves that suggest possible records, photos, or connections to other trees, streamlining the research process and helping users make discoveries faster.
The site’s integration with DNA testing also sets it apart. Users who take an AncestryDNA test can link their results directly to their family tree, enabling cousin matching and revealing genetic connections that may not show up in records alone. This combination of traditional genealogy research and genetic genealogy makes Ancestry especially powerful for breaking through brick walls.
Because Ancestry has global partnerships, it hosts records from countries around the world, not just the United States. This makes it a valuable resource for researchers tracing immigrant ancestors or extending their tree overseas.
Pros:
Largest genealogy database in the world with billions of records.
Excellent search features and “hints” to guide your research.
Integration with DNA results to help confirm relationships.
Global coverage, with many collections beyond U.S. borders.
User-friendly interface suitable for both beginners and advanced researchers.
Cons:
Subscription required—records and most features are not free.
User-submitted trees can contain errors and should be verified.
DNA tools (such as clustering or chromosome browsers) are more limited compared to competitors like MyHeritage or GEDmatch.
Some international collections are not as complete as local archives.
What to Know Before Using Ancestry:
Building a tree is free, but access to records requires a paid subscription. Free trial periods are available to test the service.
Public trees allow for cousin connections and collaborative research, while private trees give you more control over who can view your work.
Hints are suggestions, not proof, so always verify information with original records before adding it to your tree.
The “Card Catalog” is one of the most powerful tools on Ancestry. Instead of searching the entire database, you can filter by record type (census, probate, immigration, etc.) and location for more targeted results.
Collections are updated regularly, so revisiting searches can reveal new records that weren’t available before.
What you’ll find:
Census and vital records (birth, marriage, death)
Church records (parish registers, baptisms, burials)
Probate and land records
Immigration and naturalization documents
Collaborative family trees
Free digitized books and learning resources
About the Website: FamilySearch is a free genealogy platform operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is one of the largest repositories of digitized records in the world, with millions of new images added regularly from archives and courthouses around the globe. Unlike Ancestry, FamilySearch is entirely free to use, making it especially appealing to beginners or researchers who want broad access without a subscription.
One unique feature of FamilySearch is its shared family tree model, where users contribute to one global tree rather than building only private trees. This collaborative approach can lead to rich discoveries but also means you may need to carefully verify changes made by others.
FamilySearch is also well-known for its learning resources, including free research guides, online classes, and the Family History Library in Salt Lake City—considered the world’s largest genealogy library.
Pros:
Completely free to use.
Extensive international record collections, many not found elsewhere.
Regularly updated with new digitized records.
Collaborative family tree encourages cousin connections and shared discoveries.
Strong educational resources for researchers at all levels.
Cons:
Shared family tree can lead to incorrect information if not monitored.
Some records are viewable only at Family History Centers or partner libraries.
Fewer advanced DNA integration tools (though you can link your tree with third-party sites).
What to Know Before Using FamilySearch:
Registration is free and gives access to billions of records.
Always verify user-contributed information with original sources.
Check for restricted-access images—sometimes you’ll need to visit a Family History Center to view them.
Use the “Research Wiki” to learn about record availability in specific locations.
What you’ll find:
European and international records
Immigration, naturalization, and passport applications
Newspapers and historical directories
Cemetery and gravestone records
DNA testing and ethnicity estimates
User-submitted family trees
About the Website: MyHeritage is especially strong in European records and international coverage, making it a valuable tool for researchers with immigrant ancestors. The platform allows for tree building, record searching, and DNA testing, and it has developed some of the most advanced technology for enhancing historical photos, such as colorization, facial animation, and photo restoration.
Its DNA matching system is widely used, and while its database is smaller than Ancestry’s, MyHeritage offers powerful clustering and analysis tools that appeal to advanced genetic genealogists. The platform’s Smart Matches and Record Matches also connect your tree with other users and records, helping you expand your research.
Pros:
Excellent for European and international research.
Innovative photo tools (colorization, animation, enhancements).
DNA tools (auto-clustering, chromosome browser) more advanced than Ancestry’s.
User-friendly interface for tree building and record linking.
Cons:
Subscription required for full access to records and advanced DNA tools.
DNA database smaller than Ancestry’s.
Hints and Smart Matches can still introduce errors if not carefully reviewed.
What to Know Before Using MyHeritage:
Free tier allows limited tree building; subscription unlocks most records.
Pay attention to DNA tool options, they can help identify relationship clusters that aren’t obvious in trees.
Photo tools are fun but also useful for family engagement (sharing improved historical images with relatives).
Particularly valuable if you’re researching ancestors from Europe, Scandinavia, or Jewish heritage.
What you’ll find:
U.K. and Irish census records
Parish and church registers
British military and service records
Newspaper archives (U.K. and Ireland focused)
Travel and migration documents
Exclusive collections from The National Archives (UK)
About the Website: Findmypast specializes in records from the United Kingdom and Ireland, making it the go-to resource for anyone with British or Irish ancestry. It offers access to parish registers, census returns, and a massive newspaper archive that provides social and historical context often missing from standard vital records.
The site also partners with The British Library and The National Archives, giving users exclusive access to collections not available on other platforms. Tree building is fully supported, and records can be attached directly to your ancestors.
Findmypast has recently expanded its DNA services through partnerships, though its strength remains in traditional record research rather than genetic genealogy.
Pros:
Best platform for U.K. and Irish research.
Exclusive access to parish records and newspapers.
Strong historical context for understanding ancestors’ daily lives.
Good integration between records and tree building.
Cons:
Subscription required for most collections.
Less comprehensive outside of the British Isles.
DNA features limited compared to Ancestry or MyHeritage.
What to Know Before Using Findmypast:
Essential if you’re tracing British or Irish ancestors.
Newspaper collections are especially useful for uncovering social history and family stories.
Records may complement Ancestry or FamilySearch if you’re hitting a “brick wall” in U.K. research.
Use parish registers alongside census records to build stronger family group connections.
Which Genealogy Platform Is Right for You?
Each of the “big four” genealogy platforms brings something unique to the table. The best choice often depends on your research goals, budget, and where your ancestors lived.
Ancestry.com is the all-around leader, offering the largest database, excellent search tools, and integration with DNA. It’s ideal if you want the most comprehensive resource and are willing to pay for a subscription.
FamilySearch.org is completely free and excels at international records and collaboration through its shared family tree. It’s perfect for beginners and for researchers on a budget, but you’ll need to double-check information others add.
MyHeritage.com shines with its European focus and cutting-edge DNA and photo tools. If your family tree extends overseas, or you want advanced DNA analysis features, MyHeritage is worth exploring.
Findmypast.com is the go-to for U.K. and Irish ancestry. Its parish registers and exclusive newspaper archives are unmatched, making it essential for digging deep into British Isles roots.
👉 Tip: Many genealogists use more than one platform. You might build a tree on Ancestry, double-check sources on FamilySearch, analyze DNA on MyHeritage, and dig into newspapers on Findmypast. Combining platforms often gives the fullest picture of your ancestors’ lives
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