Best genealogy software in 2025 — a practical comparison

Building a family tree is part detective work, part storytelling — and the software or service we choose affects how fast we find records, how clean our sources stay, and how easy it is to share our discoveries.

Below, I compare the most-used genealogy programs and services (desktop and web), explain strengths/weaknesses, and link to their official sites so you can try or buy them yourself.

How I’m comparing them (criteria)

I focus on practical features we genealogists care about: platform (Windows/Mac/web/mobile), pricing model (free/one-time / subscription), online records and DNA integration, GEDCOM import/export and interoperability, source & media handling, charting/printing, collaboration/sharing, and privacy/offline options.

At-a-glance summary

• Best for record searching & crowdsourced hints: Ancestry (subscription-based). ancestry.com
• Best one-time-purchase desktop program: RootsMagic (powerful, one-time purchase). RootsMagic
• Best free massive repository + family tree collaboration: FamilySearch (free, global records & shared tree). familysearch.org
• Best all-in-one web + DNA consumer platform: MyHeritage (online trees, DNA, photo tools, subscription-based). MyHeritage
• Best legacy Windows desktop option with deep printing/reporting: (free, with paid “Deluxe” version). Legacy Family Tree
• Best Mac-native genealogy app: Reunion (Mac-focused, strong publishing/printing, one-time purchase). Leister Pro
• Best free/open-source desktop + web combo: Gramps / Gramps Web (privacy-friendly, extensible, free, open-source system ). Gramps Web

Note that many of the solutions listed here allow you to download and/or test them before you decide on buying or subscribing.

Scroll down for short profiles, strengths/weaknesses, and who each is best for.

Detailed profiles

1) Ancestry — best for wide record access & hints

Official site: Ancestry. ancestry.com

What it is: A subscription-based web service with the world’s largest consumer record collections and the “hint” system that suggests matches (leaf icon) from records and other users’ trees. Good mobile apps and an online tree builder. ancestry.com

Pros

• Extensive record databases and automated hints. ancestry.com
• Good for quickly discovering document-based leads and collaborating with relatives. ancestry.com

Cons

• Most record images require a paid subscription to view; tree data is on their servers (privacy/portability considerations). ancestry.com

Best for: People who want fast access to huge record sets and prefer a web-first workflow.

2) RootsMagic — best one-time purchase desktop app (Windows & Mac)

Official site: RootsMagic. RootsMagic

What it is: Desktop genealogy software that keeps your primary copy locally while offering integrations (hints) with FamilySearch, Ancestry, MyHeritage and others. One-time purchase pricing is emphasized. RootsMagic

Pros

• Keep your master file locally (good for privacy/offline work). RootsMagic
• One-time purchase model (no required subscription) and strong reporting/printing. RootsMagic

Cons

• Desktop-first UI; web/mobile features are more limited than big web platforms unless you use their cloud/exports. RootsMagic

Best for: Serious hobbyists who want robust desktop tools and dislike subscription lock-in.

3) FamilySearch — best free collaborative tree & records hub

Official site: FamilySearch. familysearch.org

What it is: A free service run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with huge free records and a globally collaborative “FamilySearch Family Tree.” Good for record lookups and connecting with shared, editable tree data. familysearch.org

Pros

• Free access to many records and collaborative tree features. familysearch.org
• Excellent research guides and massive scanned records collection. familysearch.org

Cons

• Collaborative tree model means some control is shared; not ideal if you want a private, single-user master file. familysearch.org

Best for: Budget-conscious researchers and those using family history centers / volunteer indexing projects.

4) MyHeritage — strong web platform + DNA + photo tools

Official site: MyHeritage

What it is: Web-first genealogy platform offering easy building of online trees, DNA testing, automated matches (Smart Matches/Record Matches), and AI photo tools (Deep Nostalgia). MyHeritage tends to have strong international records coverage. MyHeritage

Pros

• Integrated DNA + family tree experience and attractive consumer features (photo animation, smart matches). MyHeritage
• Easy for beginners and families to use and share. MyHeritage

Cons

• Historically involved in at least one large account data incident (security-conscious users will want to check policies). (reported incident 2018). Axios

Best for: Families who want a polished web/DNA package and convenience tools (photo animation, automated matching).

Note that we should exercise caution when using information from online family trees, as these sources often contain errors, assumptions, or unsourced claims. Many users copy details from other trees without verifying accuracy, leading to the spread of misinformation. Dates, relationships, and locations may be incorrect or incomplete, especially when based on speculation rather than records. We should treat online trees as clues, not facts, and always verify information through primary sources such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, census records, or wills. Proper documentation and critical evaluation ensure that family histories remain accurate, reliable, and respectful of real ancestral connections.

5) Family Tree Maker  — long-standing desktop option with Ancestry sync

Official distributors: Software MacKiev (Family Tree Maker). Software MacKiev

What it is: A desktop genealogy program (now sold by Software MacKiev) historically tied to Ancestry via sync features. It’s strong at charts, reports and desktop editing, but relies on a desktop license model. Software MacKiev

Pros

• Solid charting/printing and good Ancestry sync options (if you use Ancestry). familytreemaker.com

Cons

• Desktop-focused; functionality depends on version and syncing agreements. Software MacKiev

Best for: Users who want a familiar desktop UI with convenient Ancestry links.

6) Legacy Family Tree — Windows desktop with strong printing & free base edition

Official site: Legacy Family Tree. Legacy family tree

What it is: A Windows desktop genealogy program (Legacy) with long history; many features are available in a free edition, and more advanced tools are in paid add-ons. The product was acquired by MyHeritage and continues development. If you are connected to the Internet the program will bring up possible matches from MyHeritage. Legacy Family Tree

• Free base edition with comprehensive tooling; strong charting and reports. Legacy Family Tree

Cons

• Windows-only; the interface can feel dated to some users. Legacy Family Tree

Best for: Windows users who want powerful free/cheap desktop tooling and printed materials.

7) Reunion (Mac) — Mac-first with excellent publishing tools

Official site: Reunion (Leister Productions). Leister Pro

What it is: A native macOS genealogy app (with iOS companion ReunionTouch) focused on publishing, charts, reports and Mac integration (calendars, slideshows). Leister Pro

Pros

• Mac-native, polished publishing and print-first features. Leister Pro

Cons

• Mac-only; less emphasis on web-based record searching. Leister Pro

Best for: macOS users who want great-looking charts/books and Apple ecosystem features.

8) Gramps / Gramps Web — open-source and privacy-focused

Official site: Gramps / Gramps Web. Gramps Web

What it is: An open-source genealogy project providing a desktop application (Gramps) and Gramps Web for collaborative use. Highly configurable and good at raw data control and privacy. Gramps Web

Pros

• Free, open-source, and you control your data; powerful for users who like customization. Gramps Web

Cons

• Less consumer polish; steeper learning curve than web-first products. Gramps Web

Best for: Tech-savvy genealogists who want full data control and free software.

Practical buying/adoption advice

• If you want records-first, fast results: start with Ancestry (subscription) or MyHeritage (subscription + DNA). Try their free trials and compare specific record coverage for the countries important to your research. ancestry.com
• If you want a local master file & single purchase: try RootsMagic (one-time purchase) or Family Tree Maker. Both let you keep local control and export GEDCOMs. RootsMagic
• If your budget is zero: use FamilySearch and Gramps — FamilySearch for records; Gramps for local management and privacy. familysearch.org
• Mac users: look at Reunion or RootsMagic (RootsMagic has Mac support) depending on whether you prefer native UI or cross-platform. Leister Pro

Links to the official websites

(Click the product name to go to the official site — these are the authoritative product pages)

• Ancestry — Ancestry (official). ancestry.com
• RootsMagic — RootsMagic (official). RootsMagic
• FamilySearch — FamilySearch (official; free). familysearch.org
• MyHeritage — MyHeritage (official). MyHeritage
• Family Tree Maker — Family Tree Maker (Software MacKiev). Software MacKiev
• Legacy Family Tree — Legacy Family Tree (official info / download). Legacy Family Tree
• Reunion (Mac) — Leister Productions / Reunion. Leister Pro+1
• Gramps / Gramps Web — Gramps Web / Gramps. Gramps Web