LivingDNA vs 23andMe: Which Is Best Ancestry Test Kit?

Updated on 28 Sep 2024

OneBrowsing

 4.2

(Reviews: 2.4K)

Est. users: 50K

Price Ranges: $49 - $99

 4.5

(Reviews: 15K)

Est. users: 12M

Price Ranges: $79 - $179

LivingDNA vs 23andMe

LivingDNA and 23andMe are both companies providing DNA testing services, but they differ in focus and offerings. LivingDNA specializes in providing detailed ancestry information with an emphasis on regional breakdowns, particularly strong in UK and European heritage, whereas 23andMe offers a broader range of services including health reports, genetic trait analysis, and ancestry, with an easy-to-use interface and a large global database for relative matching. Additionally, 23andMe provides FDA-authorized health-related genetic reports, which is something LivingDNA does not offer.

LivingDNA

  1. Focuses on detailed British ancestry.
  2. Offers deep regional breakdown.
  3. No health-related reports yet.
  4. Lifetime free ancestry updates.
  5. Emphasizes family history integration.

23andMe

  1. Widely known for health reports.
  2. Ancestry from global regions.
  3. Genetic health predispositions analyzed.
  4. Carrier status for genetic conditions.
  5. Research partnerships for innovations.

Key Differences

  1. Test Focus

    LivingDNA focuses more on ancestral origins, offering detailed breakdowns of regional heritage, particularly for UK ancestry. 23andMe provides ancestry reports but also offers health-related genetic information.

    Winner: It's a tie

  2. Health Reports

    23andMe offers health screenings and reports that can provide insights into genetic predispositions for certain health conditions. LivingDNA does not provide health-related genetic reports.

    Winner: 23andMe

  3. Privacy and Data Security

    Both companies prioritize user privacy, but 23andMe has faced scrutiny over partnerships with pharmaceutical companies. LivingDNA emphasizes a commitment to data privacy and does not engage in such partnerships as of now.

    Winner: LivingDNA

  4. Geographic Detail

    LivingDNA offers more refined regional breakdowns, especially in Europe and the UK, giving users more detailed views of their ancestry in these areas. 23andMe offers broader information with some regional specifics globally.

    Winner: LivingDNA

  5. User Interface and Experience

    23andMe has a user-friendly interface with interactive tools and comprehensive results presentations for both ancestry and health-related data. LivingDNA has a straightforward interface but focuses mainly on ancestry.

    Winner: 23andMe

  6. Price Point

    23andMe typically offers a range of packages, including options for both health and ancestry reports which can make it more costly. LivingDNA is generally priced for ancestry-focused packages only.

    Winner: LivingDNA

Distinct Features

LivingDNA23andMe
Detailed regional ancestry breakdown specifically for the British IslesHealth reports including carrier status, genetic health risks, and wellness reports
Y-DNA and mtDNA haplogroup reports included without an extra productPharmacogenetics reports
Free updates as DNA technology advancesCelebrity Relative feature
Family matching without an additional subscriptionNeanderthal ancestry percentage

Pricing Overview

LivingDNA

View Pricing Plans  

  1. Basic ($49) - Ideal for individuals who want to discover their genetic heritage
  2. Premium ($99) - Suitable for users interested in deep genealogical research

Basic

$49 / Per Annum

Entry-level plan for exploring ancestry and ethnicity

  • Ancestry DNA test

  • Ethnicity estimates

  • Family networks

Premium

$99 / Per Annum

Advanced plan with detailed genetic ancestry insights

  • All Basic plan features

  • Maternal and paternal ancestry

  • Historical migration routes

23andMe

View Pricing Plans  

  1. Basic Plan ($79) - For beginners or those looking for introductory genetic information.
  2. Health + Ancestry Plan ($179) - For individuals interested in detailed health and ancestry insights.

Basic Plan

$79 / One-time

Ideal for individuals interested in basic ancestry and health insights.

  • Ancestry reports

  • Raw DNA data

  • Wellness reports

Health + Ancestry Plan

$179 / One-time

Suitable for those looking for comprehensive health and ancestry information.

  • Maps of ancestry composition

  • Carrier status reports

  • Access to genetic counseling resources

Indepth Overview

LivingDNA23andMe
DNA Testing
Ancestry Composition ★4.5 - Provides detailed ancestry breakdown across regions. ★4.4 - Comprehensive ancestry overview with migration.
Health Reports ★3.5 - Limited health insights compared to competitors. ★4.6 - Robust health reports covering numerous traits.
Ethnic Grouping ★4.7 - Offers an extensive range of ethnic groups. ★4.5 - Good ethnic grouping though slightly less detailed.
Lineage Tracking ★4.6 - Detailed maternal and paternal lineage tracking.
Geographic Precision ★4.8 - Highly precise regional ancestry. ★4.5 - Strong geographical breakdown of ancestry.
Raw Data Access ★4.1 - Allows raw data download for personal exploration.
Customer Service ★4.2 - Generally responsive support options. ★4.0 - Solid service but can be slower during peak times.
Family Tree Builder ★3.8 - Basic family tree functionalities available.
Updates on Ancestry ★4.0 - Updates provided as new data is available. ★4.2 - Regular updates as ancestry data improves.
Privacy Controls ★4.3 - Strong emphasis on user data privacy. ★4.0 - Standard privacy features but user concerns noted.
Health Insights
Carrier Status Reports ★3.0 - Limited carrier information provided. ★4.2 - Extensive carrier trait information available.
Traits Reports ★4.3 - Detailed insights into physical and behavioral traits.
Health Risk Reports ★4.4 - Offers a range of health risk assessments.
Personalized Health Insights ★4.1 - Limited but focused health recommendations. ★4.6 - Comprehensive health insights tailored to individual data.
Compatibility with Health Providers ★4.0 - Easily shareable with healthcare providers.
User Experience
Interface Usability ★4.0 - Intuitive but may lack depth in some areas. ★4.6 - Modern and user-friendly design.
Mobile App Functionality ★3.5 - Basic app with limited features. ★4.3 - Full-featured app with frequent updates.
Report Clarity ★4.5 - Reports are well explained and easy to understand. ★4.8 - Reports are detailed and simple to navigate.
Educational Resources ★4.3 - Good resources for understanding results. ★4.0 - Extensive articles and resources available online.
Cost and Value
Base Testing Price ★4.0 - Competitive pricing for comprehensive DNA tests. ★4.5 - Slightly higher pricing for extensive offerings.
Health Reports Cost ★3.5 - Additional fees for more health-related reports. ★4.1 - Health reports included in base price.
Subscription Model
Lifetime Updates ★4.0 - Free for Life updates on ancestry. ★4.5 - Ongoing updates included post-purchase.
Return Policy ★4.2 - Clear policy but limited refund timeframe. ★4.0 - Generous return policy for unsatisfied customers.

Comparision Reviews

Emily Thompson

Austin, Texas

LivingDNA offers comprehensive ancestry analysis with an impressive regional breakdown, but I found 23andMe more informative overall due to its extensive health-related reports. While LivingDNA excels in geographical ancestry details, 23andMe provides a broader perspective on genetic traits and potential health concerns.

LivingDNA 4.2

23andMe 4.7

Liam Carter

London, UK

For those primarily interested in ancestry, LivingDNA provides detailed information on ethnic background, particularly for British Isles ancestry. However, 23andMe wins in terms of sheer variety of features and ease of understanding its reports, making it more user-friendly for beginners.

LivingDNA 4.0

23andMe 4.5

Sophia Lee

Toronto, Canada

LivingDNA's customer service was responsive and helpful during my inquiries, but their website lacks the interactivity offered by 23andMe's dashboard. The user interface and ongoing updates of 23andMe make it a more dynamic choice for those who value such experience.

LivingDNA 3.8

23andMe 4.6

Noah Fischer

Berlin, Germany

Both services provide accurate DNA testing, but LivingDNA has a distinct edge in providing in-depth ancestry reports for Europeans. 23andMe, on the other hand, covers a broader spectrum with its health predisposition reports, making it versatile for users seeking both ancestry and health genetic information.

LivingDNA 4.3

23andMe 4.8

Ava Johnson

New York, USA

Cost-wise, both are similarly priced, but the added value of 23andMe's health insights justifies its cost for me. LivingDNA is great for those with specific ancestry inquiries, but if you're looking for a more comprehensive genetic experience, 23andMe might be the better pick.

LivingDNA 4.0

23andMe 4.7

Comments

Alice Smith
Hey folks, I've been thinking about getting a DNA test. Should I go for LivingDNA or 23andMe?
Bob_the_Builder
I've heard 23andMe has a better health analysis feature...
Charlie_98
True, but LivingDNA offers more detailed ancestry reports, especially if you have British roots.
David Lin
Can confirm! My mom loved her LivingDNA results since she found out we're like 75% Scottish, LOL.
Elaine Wong
What about data privacy though? I heard 23andMe sold some data to pharmaceutical companies. 😅
David Lin
Yeah, that's a bit dodgy. But I think LivingDNA is stricter with data sharing. Worth checking.
Alice Smith
@David Lin Yes, definitely going to read their privacy policies. Thanks for the heads-up guys!
Elaine Wong
You might also want to consider price. I think 23andMe is a bit more affordable, right?
Charlie_98
Yeah, but they have sales pretty often. Can't hurt to wait for one? 😉
Bob_the_Builder
Here's a funny thought: what if these reports end up saying we're all distant cousins? 😂
Charlie_98
Haha, you never know! Maybe we'll have our own family reunion.

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