Family Tree DNA VS African Ancestry

UPDATED Apr. 2024
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After making the initial decision to explore your ancestry and genetic origins, you are faced with a multitude of nuances, separating one ancestry DNA testing company from the next. African Ancestry and Family Tree DNA are both excellent choices for the task at hand, but one will certainly come out on top once you identify your specific needs and expectations. Their services, although high-quality and professional, differ in small but important aspects, even though they seemingly do the same thing. Our comparison will help you spot those differences between African Ancestry and Family Tree DNA, allowing you to make an optimal and fully personalized choice.

African Ancestry
Learn All About Your African Heritage
VS
Family Tree DNA
The most in-depth ancestry insights

Highlights

African Ancestry
African Ancestry was founded in 2003 in order to help individuals with African origins explore their paternal and maternal lineages and follow their ancestry up to 2,000 years in the past.
  • Experienced team with solid background in genetics/genealogy
  • Company focused on African paternal and maternal heritage
  • The largest database of African lineages on the market
  • Price: $299.00
  • Shipping:Unknown
Family Tree DNA
Family Tree DNA is a product of several industry giants aiming to build the ultimate DNA testing enterprise. They offer the greatest number of separate tests alongside cutting-edge technology.
  • The widest array of different DNA tests on the market
  • Free updates of your test results after the initial order
  • Free transfer of raw data from AncestryDNA & 23andME
  • Price: $79.00
  • Shipping:Worldwide

Compare Features

African Ancestry
Tests
African Ancestry offers the following ancestry DNA testing solutions: - MatriClan - PatriClan The results explore your potential African heritage through your direct maternal or paternal lineage.
Sample Collection Type
Cheek Swab
Genetic Markers Checked
Unknown
Geographic Regions Covered
40
Ancestral Makeup Report
Paternal Lineage
Maternal Lineage
Neanderthal Percentage
Native American DNA Coverage
Jewish DNA Coverage
Cousin matching
Database Size
33,000
Family Tree Integration
Chromosome Browser
Health Report
Average Result Time
6-8 Weeks
Research Participation
Raw Data Upload
Raw Data Download
Technology
Unknown
Privacy and Security
African Ancestry collects quite a bit of data throughout its testing process and it also logs your IP address, browser type, ISP, and other information.
Family Tree DNA
Tests
Family Tree DNA offers the following ancestry DNA testing solutions: - Family Finder - Y-DNA - mtDNA Depending on the test, your final report will include information about your autosomal ancestry as well as direct paternal and maternal lineages.
Sample Collection Type
Mouth Swab
Genetic Markers Checked
690,000
Geographic Regions Covered
22 Worldwide Regions
Ancestral Makeup Report
Paternal Lineage
Maternal Lineage
Neanderthal Percentage
Native American DNA Coverage
Jewish DNA Coverage
Cousin matching
Database Size
500,000
Family Tree Integration
Chromosome Browser
Health Report
Average Result Time
4-10 Weeks
Research Participation
Raw Data Upload
Raw Data Download
Technology
Illumina OmniExpress
Privacy and Security
With each Family Tree DNA test kit, you get a unique ID number you should use to access your final report. This means that not even the company's staff will know your identity while processing your sample and generating your report. Additionally, Family Tree DNA follows the standards set by The European Commission's Directive on Data Protection, so your personal data will never be stored, sold, leased or shared with third parties.

Compare Ratings

African Ancestry
FINAL RATING
8.9/10
Scope Of DNA Test(s)
Test Processing Times
Privacy & Security
Value For Money
Overall Experience
Family Tree DNA
FINAL RATING
9.6/10
Scope Of DNA Test(s)
Test Processing Times
Privacy & Security
Value For Money
Overall Experience

Compare User Reviews

African Ancestry
  • Submitted By Claudester Stephens on 07/14/2019
    Both I and my brother took the test at the same time. I took the MartiClan and my brother took the PatriClan. My mother's maternal genetic ancestry is from Guinea-Bissau. My brother's paternal genetic ancestry said he is from Korea. How can that be. I wish that had explained that more. How does Korean and African ancestry combine.? Were some Koreans brought to Africa?
  • Submitted By Michael Henderson on 05/11/2019
    I think African Ancestry is still a work in progress. First of all I wanted to use this co. Because I’m a person of African decent. I found the process initially to be pretty routine. But because of the cost of the test I had very high expectation. I received the kit within a week or so of ordering the test. I returned the test kit around a day or so after receiving the kit. To my surprise it took around two months or more for me to get the results. I received my kit. In the mail on 2/13/19 and sent it in again in about two to three day turn around. I didn’t receive my results in the mail until 5/11/19. To say the least I was extremely disappointed in the turn around time! When I got the result I did learn I received Maternal lineage and I was looking for paternal lineage info.? i didn’t seem to have a choice on this.! Overall I didn’t see the value in this investment of almost $300. In my opinion although I gain some knowledge it was not what I expected!!! Thank You! MLH
  • Submitted By Natasha on 03/08/2019
    Negative Five stars for African Ancestry. (I have also used two other Ancestry/dna testing companies.) I began the process with the company in September 2018. I was told they needed to do a recollection in December 2018. It is March 2019 and I still have NOTHING from this company... NOTHING. Upon making a call for the status of my results, I was met with rude, condescending laughter and sarcasm. African Ancestry needs to do better. The company wants the business, but opts to treat it’s African descended clientele like garbage. This is not the way to advance and claim distinction as an African focused business.
  • Submitted By Tequilla Brown on 11/07/2018
    This has be an overwhelming experience for me and my family. My husband had his DNA tested before me. We found out that we share the same results for our Matriclan which is 100% Native American. I look forward to finding out more information on my Native side of the family. I really wish that there was more information as to which tribe I belong to. Big thanks to African Ancestry for making this site available.
Family Tree DNA
  • Submitted By tonni chinn on 11/11/2019
    I had My mother my aunt and Me, I have found this site is very difficult to navigate and get any use ful information form the test we have done ( $+ 1,000.00) an constant up selling. of Which I would Neved use this sit again. There are Much better sites easy to use and with more information
  • Submitted By Lisa Rollins on 04/02/2019
    My boyfriend and I mailed in our Family Tree DNA results together on same day. My boyfriend rec'd notice from FT DNA about 1 week later that his kit was rec'd and he got his test results back in about 3 weeks. It took about 3 or 4 weeks for FTDNA just to send me notice that my kit was received and after two (2) months, I still have not gotten any results back. I had to contact them as I received no word or any explanation. I asked for a refund as I do not trust results at this point and I was told that my kit was just caught up in a "general delay" and they "don't do refunds". Why it took my boyfriend 3 weeks and here I am 9 weeks later... still waiting in SC.
  • Submitted By Laurie Bates on 04/02/2019
    I sent my DNA in which was received on Feb. 25, the timetable for my results was March, then their was a delay posting and they would not get to my DNA for processing until April 1-15. Now today, April 2, there is a posting that there is another delay with dates to get to my DNA for processing is April 15 - April 30. What is up with these delays? I tried their chat at 11:30am, and found them off line. I have never seen such run around for DNA testing, this is not my first time. With their chat off and these delays, I'm thinking I got taken to the cleaners with this one. No legit company comes up with such delays going out past 60 days and turns off their chat during listed business hours. So from my experience, don't spend money for something that will just be delayed over and over. I am extremely disappointed. I have to list at least 1 star in order to post, otherwise, there would be minus stars.
  • Submitted By ARCADIO DE JESUS on 01/25/2019
    I have done testing with 23andMe, Ancestry an and FTDNA, and believe me, there isn't any way, that 23andMe and Ancestry can compare, with FTDNA. If you test your DNA with FTDNA, and you give them the ok, they will send it to National Geographic for more testing.

Winner

Family Tree DNA is a clear-cut winner for anyone aiming at far-reaching research. The abundance of tests and bundled packages - alongside innovative tools and a widespread community - offers in-depth ancestry insights and relative-matching possibilities. Learn all about the service in our comprehensive Family Tree DNA review.

* All the prices on this website are subject to change without notice. While we put a great deal of effort into making sure that all the prices are accurate, one or more products may have outdated prices. Please visit the specific product’s official website for exact prices.
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