National Geographic Ancestry Test VS AncestryDNA

UPDATED Nov. 2024
Table Of Contents+
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Choosing between the ancestry DNA tests offered by National Geographic and AncestryDNA is definitely not an easy task considering the high quality of their services.

National Geographic DNA test allows you to accurately pinpoint your ancient origins and ancestry thousands of years in the past while AncestryDNA also comes with billions of genealogical records that can help you put actual pictures on names and DNA matches.

Our detailed National Geographic DNA test vs. AncestryDNA test comparison can help you make the right choice by allowing you to identify your own expectations through a set of features offered by both companies, which are all conveniently listed below in a parallel, easy-to-follow fashion.

National Geographic Ancestry Test
Next Gen Of Genographic DNA Testing
VS
AncestryDNA
Find your complete ethnic origins

Highlights

National Geographic Ancestry Test
Genographic has introduced the next generation of its DNA test. The National Geographic Ancestry Test is vastly superior to its predecessor, offering a much more detailed insight into your DNA ancestry.
  • More than 800,000 participants in over 140 countries
  • 60 reference populations for a complete ancestral layout
  • Neanderthal DNA check and full autosomal, Y, and mt testing
  • Price: $149.95
  • Shipping:Worldwide
AncestryDNA
AncestryDNA is a genetic test developed by Ancestry, the largest genealogical enterprise in the world. The results are backed by various genealogical sources, forming a complete picture of your ancient/recent ancestry.
  • More than 700,000 DNA markers checked for optimal precision
  • Search for potential matches among 7 million DNA signatures
  • Download your raw DNA data file to use with other companies
  • Price: $99.00
  • Shipping:35 Countries

Compare Features

National Geographic Ancestry Test
Tests
National Geographic offers one ancestry DNA test - Geno 2.0 Next Generation. The results will provide you with a comprehensive overview of your genetic ancestry, including maternal and paternal haplogroups, Neanderthal DNA percentages, and the migration routes of your ancient genetic relatives.
Sample Collection Type
Cheek Swab
Genetic Markers Checked
750,000
Geographic Regions Covered
60 Worldwide Regions
Ancestral Makeup Report
Paternal Lineage
Maternal Lineage
Neanderthal Percentage
Native American DNA Coverage
Jewish DNA Coverage
Cousin matching
Database Size
More Than 900,000
Family Tree Integration
Chromosome Browser
Health Report
Average Result Time
6-12 Weeks
Research Participation
Raw Data Upload
Raw Data Download
Technology
Illumina Exome
Privacy and Security
National Geographic is a world-famous brand with a reputation to uphold. It features a rather strict privacy & security policy, which means your personal data is perfectly safe 100% of the time. National Geographic will never share, sell or lease your information to third parties.
AncestryDNA
Tests
AncestryDNA offers one ancestry DNA test - Ancestry DNA Test. Your final report will provide you with a detailed breakdown of your ancestry. You can also complement your results with billions of genealogical records in the company's database.
Sample Collection Type
Saliva
Genetic Markers Checked
700,000+
Geographic Regions Covered
350 Worldwide Regions
Ancestral Makeup Report
Paternal Lineage
Maternal Lineage
Neanderthal Percentage
Native American DNA Coverage
Jewish DNA Coverage
Cousin matching
Database Size
7,000,000
Family Tree Integration
Chromosome Browser
Health Report
Average Result Time
6-8 Weeks
Research Participation
Raw Data Upload
Raw Data Download
Technology
Illumina OmniExpress
Privacy and Security
With AncestryDNA, you are 100% in charge of your DNA testing kit, your samples, and your personal data from the moment you place your order until you receive your final results. You control who can access your data and the company will never try to interfere with your administration or sell your sensitive info to third parties. You can also transfer your administrator rights to another person if you so choose.

Compare Ratings

National Geographic Ancestry Test
FINAL RATING
7.0/10
Scope Of DNA Test(s)
Test Processing Times
Privacy & Security
Value For Money
Overall Experience
AncestryDNA
FINAL RATING
9.8/10
Scope Of DNA Test(s)
Test Processing Times
Privacy & Security
Value For Money
Overall Experience

Compare User Reviews

National Geographic Ancestry Test
  • Submitted By Arthur Starr on 04/27/2019
    This company needs major improvement. I have been waiting since February 2019 after I paid and send a saliva sample. I have not received results nor have i been able to access the site. I have spoken to numerous individuals who supposedly represent Helix and each time was promised that the problems would be taken care of. None of this has helped. I am not recognized on the site after resending my information many times. I would avoid this program and warn others to do the same. At this point I am wondering if this is a scam. I subscribe toNational Geographic and trusted that they were involved with this company. I would give them a zero for a rating if it were allowed.
  • Submitted By SZ on 09/03/2018
    I read some negative reviews online, and almost decided against buying the test. Fortunately, I changed my mind and did the test. I waited 10 weeks for my report to be ready and I learned a lot of things about my maternal and paternal ancestry. I was not disappointed and I recommend going with National Geographic if you want to find out more about your ancestors. The test is worth every penny, if you understand what you are getting out of it.
  • Submitted By Tanya on 08/13/2018
    I waited a long time to receive my results. While I was not disappointed with my report, I did expect a bit more from National Geographic.
  • Submitted By Cynthia on 07/30/2018
    I am utterly flabbergasted by this product. It has been a year since I submitted by samples and until now I have yet to receive my results. I wrote several emails and in the beginning the first reason was ‘some delays due to change of labs’ then when I asked again ‘delays due to IT issues of uploading results’ and then when I asked again recently it was met with silence and just simply no reply. I have now asked them for a refund but again no reply. I really recommend that you do not purchase this at all. It is really a very annoying situation and I regret getting this - they basically took the money and gave me nothing. Reading some of the reviews here make it sound like some people actually received results - how? Why did I not receive mine? It makes me so disappointed. Is there a board I can complain to formally? It really is a scam with the Nat Geo name ! If I could give zero I would but this system’s minimum is 1 star
AncestryDNA
  • Submitted By Alan on 04/27/2019
    Interesting results that align closely with the likes of Gedcom/gedmatch. When you think about that many people constantly migrate from one region to another (or historic invations and conquests) everyone's bloodline gets pretty much mixed up so no test will be able to guess where our ancestors decided to locate. Despite this, I was shown to have 25% French. We always thought it was Germanic, but then, there was a lot of migration across the ages through this area. It accurately showed our dna from 3 continents, though there was much discussion in my family of the countries selected. Only downside is that Ancestry won't accept results from other testers (eg, Myheritage etc) but accuracy is probably about as good as it could get.
  • Submitted By STEVEN WOOTEN on 04/13/2019
    AncestryDNA is a complete rip off. Everything they told us, we knew from googling our last name (which I had done). They did not include anything outside of that information. They did not include anything from my Native American ancestry at all. A person can look at me and tell it's there. I certainly do not look like I am completely Irish and British considering my dark skin, hair, and eyes. What a total waste of time and money. I do not recommend ever using them. There has to be more reputable companies out there.
  • Submitted By Sofia on 19/02/2019
    I have been really disappointed with my results!!!! I am 100% sure I am half Russian and half Italian but the results showed that I am 0% Russian an 27% Italian. Even my Native American results (which were 1%) were higher than Russian! I can not believe it, because my mums side is fully Russian. I hope the company will improve in the future.
  • Submitted By Abigail Hunt on 10/15/2018
    After testing with Family Tree DNA, my husband and I decided to expand our list of relatives and explore the database offered by Ancestry. We found so many new relatives, some of which were located in Europe, out of all places. If you’re adamant about researching your genetic past in-depth, doing a single test is not enough, not by a long shot. Ancestry gave us much more information than FTDNA, but we still have to do the 23andMe test and check their database as well.

Winner

AncestryDNA offers one of the best and most precise ancestry DNA tests on the market, paired with an active online community and billions of historical records to complement your exploration. Learn more about its complete offer in our objective AncestryDNA 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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