Genetics Digest aims to provide you with helpful information about DNA analysis and Genome Technology advancements. We are affiliated with CRI Genetics.

3 Essential Tips You Must Know Before Buying a DNA Test

Your Free Guide to the Highest Rated DNA Tests

Dear Reader,

Before you go down this rabbit hole,

You should be warned. Digging into your ancestral past isn't for the faint of heart. You'll need curiosity, an open mind, and…your reading glasses.

If you think exploring the wonders of your DNA will take just five minutes of your day, you may need to think again. Your ancestors went on an incredible journey to bring you to this exact point in space and time. Every single choice they made or action they've taken has led you to where you are today.

And your DNA works in the same way. You are the culmination of your ancestors. Within your DNA lies traces of their experiences, hopes and dreams for the future, and fight for survival.

So, who were these fantastic individuals of the past? How can you piece together the legacy they've left behind? With the latest advances in genetic testing, the struggles and sacrifices your ancestors endured to bring you to this very moment are now at your fingertips.

But heed this advice: if you think you'll need a mere ten minutes to browse through your genetic results, turn back now. As you discover your past, each new layer of family history will bring you deeper into what makes you YOU. And trust us, you won't want to skim.


The DNA market doubled in 2021—
for the 5th year in a row

It's no surprise that DNA tests are in high demand. The things you learn from them are irresistible:


5 Things You Can Learn From DNA Testing

Family History

Frustrated by limited access to only recent documents? Many ancestry tests allow you to trace your family history back much farther than traditional genealogy records. A select few even give you deeper detail about your family history, and some provide relative matching to fill-in missing pieces of your story.

Ancestry

Feeling a sense of emptiness? You can also use your DNA to figure out where you and your family came from. With more advanced tests, you can even find out WHEN your family arrived in certain locations.

Personal Identity

Lacking direction to find yourself? On top of these first two benefits, digging into your family history and ancestry enables you to find out more about who you are personally.

Health Info

Worried about the genetic legacies left you by your ancestors? While the main draw is ancestry, you can also use DNA testing to uncover important health information. The best DNA tests will enable you to gain insights into a new wellness routine, and even learn about what traits you inherited from your parents.

Long-Lost Relatives

All the top DNA tests we rank at Genetics Digest offer services that help you discover relatives you didn't know you have. In addition to growing your family with a "relative finder" feature, DNA tests can help you build a sense of community by connecting you to countries you didn't know you had ancestry from. You may even find yourself connected to royal dynasties!



How Do You Know Which DNA Test is Right for You?

With so many people clamoring to get their hands on the benefits listed above, more and more DNA testing companies have been rising to meet them.

Each DNA test has different strengths and weaknesses, and according to Kantar Media, the advertising spend by two of the biggest players in the market - Ancestry and 23andMe - now amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars a year to make sure you've heard of them.1

That's why we've compiled 3 of the most popular DNA tests, along with user reviews and criteria.

First, let's get started on the 3 Essential Tips You Must Know Before Buying a DNA Test…



3 Essential Tips You Must Know Before Buying a DNA Test

Tip #1: Buy from a Company That Cares.

Your data is always protected

Some brands have a great marketing team with a massive advertising budget. You might see/hear their ads everywhere. That's because they're spending millions to make sure you've heard of them.

Despite the great marketing, some of those companies aren't backed by leading geneticists. Instead, some of the biggest ancestry companies are owned in part by pharmaceutical giants or data companies.The best genetics companies are 100% privately owned, meaning they don't answer to corporate investors. Instead, they answer to you, the customer. Look for a company renowned for their customer service and professional pedigree.


Tip #2: Find a Test That Reveals When and Where Your Ancestors Appeared.

View your ancestors' migrations

One of the most common complaints we see from ancestry customers is that their results “fall flat”—you get a basic pie chart breakdown of where your ancestors are from, but a disappointing amount of information about how or why you got those results. And we all know that ancestry is more than just a bunch of boring percentages.

The best DNA tests feature an Ancestry Timeline that tells you not only where your ancestors are from, but also when they got there, enabling you to form a clearer, fuller picture of your family history. These top-quality tests give you the best of both worlds of broad genetic results and deeper ancestry detail.


Tip #3: Follow the Science and the Genetic Experts.

Dr. Alexei and Dr. Larisa Fedorov

On a similar note to our #1 tip, you don't want to go for the loudest, flashiest DNA brand—instead, look for true experts in the field of genetics. After all, you want highly qualified scientists and researchers handling your DNA. Fortunately, the best DNA companies' science teams are headed by genetic experts, who have literally decades of experience in the genetics field.

Experts have dedicated their lives to helping you find out the meaning behind your DNA and family history, and they won't rest until their customers' curiosity is satisfied.

If you want your burning questions about your DNA and family history answered, make sure you find a company with professional scientists.



8 Key Factors You Should Consider When Choosing a DNA Test

Company Reputation

Does the company enjoy positive relationships with its customers and the worldwide scientific community?

Services Offered

In addition to an in-depth ancestry product, does the company also offer mtDNA, Y-DNA, and Famous People reports? Do they help you connect with genetic relatives, and give you a clear way to protect your privacy if you don't want to connect?

Testing Method

Do the company's labs hold both CLIA and CAP accreditations - industry gold standards?

Research & Scientific Evidence

Are the company's lead researchers professional geneticists whose work is published in scientific journals?

Customer Reviews

Does the company provide Facebook and Google reviews with a weekly update of its 5-star status?

Price

Are the costs for its ancestry and health reports priced competitively with attractive discounts available to all customers?

Customer Service

Does the company enjoy positive relationships with its customers and the worldwide scientific community?

Return Policy

Does the company guarantee delivery of your DNA test results within a reasonable time-frame or there is no cost to you?


Now that you know what to look out for, we want to reveal which DNA test is the highest-rated according to customers like you on top review platforms like Facebook and Google.

Without further ado, here are the top 3 DNA Tests according to real customers.

Our Top 3 DNA Tests According to Research and Online Customer Feedback


#1 Top DNA Test: CRI Genetics

Pros:

  • Privately Owned
  • Autosomal, mtDNA, and Y-DNA Tests Offered
  • Advanced "Relative Finder" Feature With Option to Opt Out for Privacy
  • Science Department Headed by Professional Geneticist
  • “Efficiency Guarantee” Refund Policy

Cons:

  • Only Ships in United States, Mexico, Canada, & UK
  • Only Ships During Standard Business Hours

Overview:

From the detail and length of its up-to-50 generation timelines, to the everyday help its 120+ health, wellness, and traits reports can provide you, you can't go wrong with CRI Genetics. A commitment to customer privacy and an 8-Week Efficiency Guarantee don't hurt either! Here are some of the reasons to consider CRI Genetics for YOUR next DNA test.

CRI Genetics's Chief Scientific Officer is Dr. Alexei Fedorov, Ph.D, a renowned genetic scientist with a reputation for leading exceptional studies in genetic science. While most genetic testing services rely on other people's past research to produce their ancestry reports, CRI Genetics relies on an expert currently active in the field of genetic science, with 85+ papers published and 1,800+ citations to date.2
See Full Review Here

Company Reputation:

Dr. Fedorov was mentored by Nobel Prize-winning scientist Walter Gilbert, and he has gone on to spearhead many genetic studies of his own. CRI Genetics has established itself as a company which deeply values quality of service. CRI is also the only DNA testing company to offer an Efficiency Guarantee.

If you want a company that puts extreme importance on data security and encryption, look no further than CRI Genetics. Even better, CRI is 100% privately owned, which means CRI does NOT answer to outside investors. They also do not share data with pharma companies OR the government. In a crowded market, this is one leading company that ancestry enthusiasts can trust.

Details/Accuracy of Reports:

CRI Genetics currently offers 7 unique ancestry reports that are generated using a proprietary DNA analysis algorithm created by Dr. Fedorov. Your report features not only a basic geographical breakdown of your ancestry, but also a deeply detailed Ancestry Timeline that shows you where your ancestors are from and how and when they got there, going back up to 50 generations. See Full Report Here



#2 AncestryDNA
#2 Choice

Pros:

  • Autosomal DNA Test Offered
  • Very Large Database of Customers

Cons:

  • Owned by Large Investment Companies
  • No mtDNA or Y-DNA Test
  • No Health Reports
  • Limited Refund Policy with Fees

Overview:

Ancestry.com has been in business for a long time, which has allowed them to acquire a large base of customers partly from their genealogy services. This has made them one of the top players in DNA Testing.

Company Reputation:

Ancestry Publishing was founded in 1983 and eventually grew into a genealogy service, allowing customers to sort through historical records to fill out family histories. AncestryDNA was launched as a service in 2012.

Ancestry.com uses data collected from customers in genetic research with their consent.

Ancestry was recently acquired by Blackstone, a large investment firm, after years of ownership by AOL, Compaq, and even GIC, formerly known as the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation.3

Details/Accuracy of Reports:

Ancestry DNA's greatest strengths lie in the size of their customer base and in their genealogy service that allows you to use historical records to fill out your Family Tree. However, you will have to disclose some personal information in order to get access to these social resources. Overall, a good resource for genealogy—but not the best DNA test on the market. View Full Report



#3 23andMe
#3 Choice

Pros:

  • Autosomal, mtDNA, and Y-DNA Tests Offered
  • Many Health Reports Available

Cons:

  • Taken Public by Virgin SPAC
  • Limited Refund Policy with Fees

Overview:

23andMe boasts one of the most detailed Ancestry Reports, as well as in-depth health reports. They also have an ancestry timeline, but it features far less depth and detail than CRI Genetics, only going back 8 generations at most.4

Company Reputation:

23andMe was founded in 2006 by Anne Wojcicki, Linda Avey, and Paul Cusenza. Their goal is to “help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome.”5 To date, they have published more than 100 peer-reviewed studies in scientific journals.6

One of 23andMe's main corporate connections is with GlaxoSmithKline, a pharmaceutical company. Not only that, but 23andMe also recently opted to go public through a SPAC backed by Virgin Mobile founder Richard Branson.7 Privacy watchdogs have raised concerns about these partnerships.8

Details/Accuracy of Reports:

Today, 23andMe is one of the top players in the DNA testing market. Their Ancestry reports come with above average detail and accuracy. View Full Report


Frequently Asked Questions

The best way to understand how much a company prioritizes your privacy is to read that company's privacy policy. Companies are required by law to disclose what data they collect from you, how they use that data, and who they might share that data with.

Of course, those privacy policies are boring and time-consuming to read, so let's break down what you need to know about our Top 3 DNA Tests and how they treat your privacy:

  • CRI Genetics - The only DNA test in our recommendations that is privately-owned, so there are no outside investors or corporate affiliates to share your information with. Additionally, according to the CRI Genetics privacy policy, they won't share your information with any third parties without your explicit consent. You can choose to participate in genetic research or in their "Relative Finder" service, which would involve sharing information by choice, and you can easily revoke your consent at any time through their Customer Portal. Read our Full Review of CRI Genetics HERE.

  • Ancestry.com - Ancestry.com is not privately owned, but their privacy policy states they will not share your information with any third parties without your explicit consent. There was controversy in 2020 and 2021 related to Ancestry.com sharing genetic information with their parent company, Blackstone Inc., but they have since updated their practices. You can choose to share your information with other users via your "family tree" or have your de-identified genetic data used in genetic research, but this is only done by your choice. Read our Full Review of Ancestry.com HERE.

  • 23andMe - In 23andMe's privacy policy, it is stated that they may share your information with their corporate affiliates. In 23andMe's case, this could mean pharmaceutical companies because of 23andMe's relationship with GlaxoSmithKline. The privacy policy explicitly states they do not share information with insurance companies or public databases, however. As with the other DNA tests, you can choose to participate in genetic research or share your information with other 23andMe users for the sake of finding potential relatives, or you can opt out of these uses. Read our Full Review of 23andMe HERE.

All our Top 3 DNA Tests de-identify customer DNA samples and encrypt information for the sake of protecting your data from unauthorized access outside of what's mentioned in their privacy policies.

None of our Top 3 DNA Tests share information with the government unless legally required by valid legal process, such as a subpoena or court order. Even then, our top choice (CRI Genetics) seeks to protect your genetic data.

Transparency is essential when choosing any service, be it a DNA test or anything else. Some platforms allow companies to hide their reviews and, as you may have noticed in our recommendations, some companies take advantage of that ability. This can make it challenging to gauge customer satisfaction.

We prioritize honesty here at Genetics Digest. When a company chooses to hide their reviews, we don’t necessarily assume it’s due to any intentional attempt to deceive shoppers, but the decision to hide reviews does affect their position in our recommendations.

Hidden reviews are part of why we showcase ratings from multiple reputable platforms – to provide you with a clear understanding of each company's performance and customer experiences.

Maternal and Paternal Haplogroup Reports use Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-Chromosomes (Y-DNA) to trace direct maternal and paternal lineages. These unique reports offer extra insights that go deep into your roots.

These reports are not necessary to have an enlightening ancestry experience, but they can enrich your understanding of your heritage. Everyone can enjoy Maternal Haplogroup Reports from the companies that offer them. Unfortunately, only men can get Paternal Haplogroup Reports, as women do not have Y-Chromosomes. For a woman to dive into her direct paternal lineage, she would have to rely on male relatives to take a DNA test:

  • Father

  • Brother who has the same father

  • Paternal grandfather

  • Cousin who has the same paternal grandfather

In our Top 3 DNA Test recommendations, CRI Genetics and 23andMe offer mtDNA and Y-DNA reports, but Ancestry.com does not.

Pricing and packages vary between companies, but you can usually get at least a basic ancestry package for less than $100, depending on which company you choose.

Most companies bundle larger report packages with other services for a higher price, but with much greater value as well.

All the companies in our Top 3 DNA Test recommendations offer subscription services that give you access to exclusive features. However, NONE of our Top 3 DNA Tests require subscriptions in order to discover your ancestry.

All the DNA tests in our Top 3 recommendations offer features to connect you with potential relatives who have also taken the test. This can be a wonderful way to expand your family connections and share discoveries.

Privacy settings allow you to control how much information you share, ensuring you're comfortable every step of the way.

DNA testing technology has advanced in recent years at unprecedented speed and only continues to get more accurate.

Most DNA testing companies utilize state-of-the-art laboratories and rigorous testing protocols to ensure the reliability of your results.

While no test can claim 100% accuracy due to the complexities of genetics, you can trust that you're receiving dependable information from reputable providers no matter which test you choose.

The decision is ultimately up to you, but since you’re here, we’ll reiterate our case for our #1 choice: CRI Genetics.

  • Comprehensive Ancestry Reports: In addition to TWO ancestry breakdowns, CRI Genetics offers an in-depth Ancestry Timeline that traces your genetic family history up to 50 generations. This is farther back than any other DNA test on the market can go, as far as we’ve seen. CRI Genetics will give you a rich and detailed picture of when and where your ancestors lived, allowing you to connect with your heritage on a deeper level.

  • Privacy and Data Security: They are 100% privately owned and prioritize the confidentiality of your genetic information. CRI Genetics does not share your data (DNA data or otherwise) with pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, or any third parties without your explicit consent. They also do not share with government agencies unless legally required by valid legal process, such as a subpoena or court order. Even then, CRI Genetics seeks to protect your genetic data to the best of their legal ability and has won such legal battles in the past.

  • Scientific Expertise: Led by renowned geneticist Dr. Alexei Fedorov, CRI Genetics ensures that your DNA is analyzed using advanced scientific methods. His decades of experience enhance the accuracy and reliability of your results.

  • Comprehensive Options: CRI Genetics’ base packages offer autosomal DNA testing with an option to add on mtDNA and Y-DNA tests. There’s even a unique Famous People report that links you to celebrities and historical figures you share DNA with. They even have an industry-exclusive “Trait Tracer” report no other DNA test has, which connects your unique traits to specific ancestries in your family line. These extras enable you to explore more of your background for a complete ancestry picture.

  • User-Friendly Reports: CRI Genetics reports are designed to be engaging, easy to understand, and useful. They have more than 200 health and wellness reports designed to empower you with self-knowledge you can use to make meaningful lifestyle changes and potential self-improvement.

  • Easy Customer Support: The Customer Care Team at CRI Genetics is easy to get a hold of during business hours, with genetic experts on hand to help you with almost any need – from basic service questions like helping you with an order to more advanced assistance understanding your genetic reports.

  • Efficiency Guarantee: CRI Genetics provides an 8-Week Efficiency Guarantee, promising to deliver your results within eight weeks of the lab receiving your DNA sample or you get your money back. This commitment underscores their dedication to customer satisfaction.

  • Before making your decision, feel free to Read Our Full Review of CRI Genetics or Return to Our Top 3 DNA Test Rankings. Choosing a DNA test is a personal journey. It's important to select a company that you feel comfortable and confident with.



Citations and Resources:

1.  https://www.thedrum.com/news/2021/03/09/test-markets-can-dna-testing-companies-be-trusted-with-our-most-personal-data 2.  https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alexei-Fedorov-4 3.  https://medcitynews.com/2020/08/blackstones-4-7b-acquisition-of-ancestry-raises-privacy-questions/ 4.  https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-and-you/23andmes-new-ancestry-timeline/ 5.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/23andMe/ 6.  https://research.23andme.com/publications/ 7.  https://techcrunch.com/2021/02/04/23andme-set-to-go-public-via-a-virgin-group-spac-merger/ 8.  https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/feb/09/23andme-dna-privacy-richard-branson-genetics

About

Genetics Digest aims to educate consumers about the benefits of DNA testing. We believe it is the future of family research, nutrition, health, wellness and deeper self-knowledge. We are affiliated with CRI Genetics.

The information that we present on Genetics Digest is not intended to be a substitute to the advice of your medical professional, nor have they been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Use your own judgement in making any purchasing decision. Results and opinions published are not conclusive.