What Ancestry DNA costs and what you get

Ancestry DNA is a genetic testing service run by Ancestry.com. You pay for a DNA kit, send in a saliva sample, and receive a report showing your ethnic breakdown and DNA matches to other people in their database. The initial kit costs around $99 to $129, depending on sales and promotions. After you receive your results, you can pay a monthly or annual subscription to access additional features — or use the basic results for free.

The subscription tier, called Ancestry+ or premium membership, unlocks tools like detailed family tree building, access to historical records, and expanded DNA matching features. Monthly subscriptions typically run $20 to $30; annual plans cost $150 to $200. Ancestry frequently discounts both the kit and subscriptions during holidays and sales events, so the actual price you pay may be lower than the list price.

The free version of Ancestry DNA gives you your ethnicity estimate and a list of DNA matches — people in the database who share your DNA. You can message matches and see how much DNA you share with them, but you cannot access Ancestry's full historical record library or advanced family tree tools without paying for a subscription.

Key Takeaways

  • The DNA kit itself costs $99 to $129 upfront, and you receive results in 6 to 8 weeks after mailing your sample.
  • Basic DNA results and DNA matches are free; you only pay a subscription if you want access to historical records and advanced family tree features.
  • Ancestry+ subscriptions cost $20 to $30 per month or $150 to $200 per year, and you can cancel anytime without penalty.
  • Ancestry runs frequent sales on both kits and subscriptions, particularly around holidays, so waiting for a promotion can cut your cost significantly.
  • Your DNA data is stored in Ancestry's database and used to match you with other users; you can request deletion, but the process takes several months.

How the DNA test works and the timeline

When you order an Ancestry DNA kit, you receive a collection tube in the mail. You spit into the tube to the fill line, seal it, and mail it back to Ancestry in a prepaid envelope. The entire process from order to mailing takes about a week if you have the kit shipped to you.

Once Ancestry receives your sample, they extract DNA and run it through their lab. Processing typically takes 6 to 8 weeks, though it can take longer during peak periods or if there are delays in the mail. Ancestry sends you an email when your results are ready, and you log into your account to view them. You do not receive a physical report — all results are online only.

Your results include an ethnicity estimate showing the geographic regions your DNA matches, and a list of DNA matches ranked by how much DNA you share with each person. The ethnicity estimate updates periodically as Ancestry refines their reference database, so your percentages may shift slightly over time.

What subscription features include and what remains free

With a free Ancestry DNA account, you see your ethnicity results and your DNA matches. You can message matches, view their public family trees if they have shared them, and see the amount of DNA you share. You cannot, however, access Ancestry's historical records — birth certificates, census data, immigration records, and newspaper archives — without a subscription.

An Ancestry+ subscription unlocks the full historical record library and advanced family tree tools. You can build a detailed family tree, attach documents and photos, and search millions of historical records. The subscription also includes access to ThruLines, a feature that shows you how you connect to your DNA matches through your family tree. Some subscriptions bundle DNA access with general Ancestry membership, which costs more but includes both the records library and DNA matching.

If you only want DNA results and matching without family tree building, you do not need to pay for a subscription. Many people use the free DNA results to find relatives and then decide whether the historical records are worth the monthly cost.

How your data is stored and who can see it

Your DNA profile is stored in Ancestry's database and compared against other users' DNA to find matches. By default, your profile is searchable by other Ancestry DNA users, and they can see your ethnicity estimate and how much DNA you share with them. You can adjust your privacy settings to hide your profile from searches, but you will still appear as a match to people who share your DNA.

Ancestry does not sell your raw DNA data to third parties, but they do use it for research purposes and to improve their ethnicity estimates. They have partnerships with some health and genealogy companies, though you must opt in to share data with those partners. Your information is also subject to law enforcement requests; Ancestry has released DNA data to police in criminal investigations, though this is rare and typically requires a warrant or court order.

If you want to delete your DNA data, you can request removal through your account settings. Ancestry states that deletion takes several months to complete, as they must remove your data from their active database and their backup systems. Once deleted, your data cannot be recovered, and you will no longer appear in DNA matches.

Comparing Ancestry DNA to other DNA testing services

Several companies offer DNA testing and genealogy services. 23andMe focuses primarily on health and ancestry reports; their basic service costs around $99 to $129 for the kit, similar to Ancestry, but they do not include access to historical records. MyHeritage offers DNA testing and family tree building, with kits around $99 and subscriptions ranging from $10 to $30 per month. FamilyTreeDNA is smaller and focuses on genealogy enthusiasts; kits cost around $79 to $99.

The main difference is database size. Ancestry has the largest DNA database of any genealogy company, which means you are more likely to find distant relatives there. However, if you are interested in health reports — genetic risk for certain diseases, carrier status for genetic conditions — 23andMe is the better choice, as Ancestry does not offer health analysis. MyHeritage and FamilyTreeDNA fall between the two in terms of features and database size.

If you are considering a subscription, check whether the company's historical record library covers the regions and time periods your family lived in. Ancestry has the most extensive U.S. and European records, but smaller services may have better coverage for specific countries or ethnic backgrounds.

How to cancel or pause your subscription

You can cancel an Ancestry+ subscription anytime through your account settings. Log into your Ancestry account, go to Subscriptions or Membership, and select Cancel. Ancestry does not charge a cancellation fee, and your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle. If you paid for an annual subscription, you do not receive a refund for unused months.

If you want to keep your DNA results but do not need the subscription right now, you can cancel and return to the free version. Your DNA profile, matches, and ethnicity estimate remain in your account. You can resubscribe later if you decide you want access to historical records again.

Ancestry also offers the option to pause a subscription for up to three months without cancelling. This is useful if you want to take a break but plan to return. Check your account settings to see if this option is available in your region.

Common questions about cost and what you receive

Many people wonder whether they need to buy a new kit each time they want results. You do not. One DNA kit gives you results for life. If you cancel your subscription and resubscribe later, your DNA data and matches remain the same. You only buy a kit once.

Another common question: does Ancestry charge you automatically after the free trial? Ancestry does not offer a free trial of the subscription. You pay upfront for the kit, receive your results for free, and then choose whether to buy a subscription. There is no automatic charge unless you manually purchase a subscription.

Some people ask whether the ethnicity estimate is accurate. Ancestry's estimates are based on statistical comparisons to reference populations, and they change as Ancestry updates their database. The results show probabilities, not certainties, and they are most accurate for broad geographic regions. Specific percentages can shift between updates, and very small percentages (under 1%) are less reliable than larger ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my DNA results?

Processing takes 6 to 8 weeks after Ancestry receives your sample. Shipping to and from Ancestry takes about a week each way, so plan for 8 to 10 weeks total from the time you order the kit. Ancestry sends an email when your results are ready, and you can view them immediately in your online account.

Can I use my DNA results without paying for a subscription?

Yes. Your ethnicity estimate and DNA matches are free. You only need to pay for a subscription if you want to access Ancestry's historical records library or use advanced family tree tools. Many people find relatives using just the free DNA matching.

What happens to my DNA data if I cancel my subscription?

Your DNA profile and results stay in your account. You can view your matches and ethnicity estimate anytime, even without a subscription. If you want to delete your data entirely, you can request removal through your account settings, though deletion takes several months.

Is my DNA data safe and private?

Ancestry stores your DNA securely and does not sell it to third parties without your permission. However, your profile is searchable by other Ancestry users by default, and law enforcement can request your data with a warrant. You can adjust privacy settings to limit who sees your profile, and you can request deletion if you want your data removed.

Do I need to buy a new kit if I want to test again?

No. One kit provides results for life. Your DNA data stays in Ancestry's database, and you can access your results and matches anytime. You do not need to retest unless you want to verify results or test a different family member.