What AncestryDNA subscription gives you
AncestryDNA is a DNA testing service run by Ancestry.com. When you order a kit, you provide a saliva sample by mail, and the company analyzes your DNA to show ethnic regions and connect you to relatives who have also tested. A subscription to AncestryDNA itself is not required to take the test or see your basic results — you pay once for the kit and get those results for free. The subscription adds access to Ancestry.com's genealogy records and tools, which are separate from the DNA test.
The confusion happens because Ancestry.com (the genealogy records site) and AncestryDNA (the DNA test) are linked but different products. Your DNA results stay free. The subscription pays for the ability to search historical documents, census records, ship manifests, and other genealogy databases on Ancestry.com's website, and to use their family tree building tools.
If you want only your DNA results and connections to DNA relatives, you do not need a subscription. If you want to research your family history using historical records, you do need an Ancestry.com subscription — the DNA test alone does not include that access.
Key Takeaways
- The AncestryDNA kit costs a one-time fee and includes your DNA results and DNA matches at no additional cost.
- An Ancestry.com subscription is separate and costs monthly or yearly; it gives you access to genealogy records and family tree tools, not DNA testing.
- Subscription pricing varies by plan level and whether you pay monthly or annually, with discounts for longer commitments.
- You can use your DNA results without a subscription, but you cannot search historical records or build a detailed family tree without one.
- Ancestry.com offers free trial periods for new subscribers, though the terms change periodically.
AncestryDNA kit cost and what is included
The AncestryDNA kit itself has a one-time purchase price. Ancestry.com frequently runs promotions, so the price you see may be lower than the regular price depending on the time of year and current sales. Once you order the kit, you receive it by mail, provide your DNA sample, and mail it back to their lab. Your DNA results are returned to you at no additional cost.
Your DNA results include your ethnicity estimate (which regions your ancestry comes from) and a list of DNA matches — other people who have tested with AncestryDNA and share DNA with you. You can message these matches and compare family trees with them to figure out how you are related. This part of the service is free and does not require a subscription.
The kit price does not include access to Ancestry.com's historical records database. If you want to search census records, birth and death certificates, immigration documents, or other genealogy records to build out your family tree, you need a separate Ancestry.com subscription.
Ancestry.com subscription plans and pricing
Ancestry.com offers several subscription tiers. The most common is the standard subscription, which gives you access to the full records database and family tree tools. Premium subscriptions add features like the ability to view historical records in higher quality or access to additional specialized databases. Pricing depends on which plan you choose and whether you pay monthly or commit to a year upfront.
Monthly subscriptions cost more per month than annual subscriptions broken down monthly. For example, a plan might cost $25 per month if you pay month-to-month, but $180 per year if you pay annually (which works out to $15 per month). Ancestry.com changes these prices periodically, and they vary by region and current promotions.
New subscribers often see introductory pricing for the first month or two, after which the regular price takes effect. Some promotions offer a free trial period before charging you, though the length of the trial varies. You can cancel your subscription at any time, though you lose access to the records and tools once your subscription ends.
What you can and cannot do without a subscription
Without an Ancestry.com subscription, you can see your DNA results, view your DNA matches, and message relatives who have also tested. You can also create a basic family tree on Ancestry.com and add family members you know about, but you cannot search the historical records database to fill in details or find ancestors you do not already know about.
With a subscription, you can search millions of historical documents, which is where most people find information about ancestors from previous generations. You can also use Ancestry.com's tools to attach historical records to people in your family tree, which helps prove relationships and dates. The subscription also gives you access to features like DNA circles, which group DNA matches together based on shared ancestors.
If you are interested only in your own DNA results and connecting with living relatives who have tested, a subscription is not necessary. If you want to research your family history beyond what you already know, a subscription is the main way to do that on Ancestry.com.
How to manage or cancel your subscription
You manage your Ancestry.com subscription through your account settings on the Ancestry.com website. You can upgrade to a higher tier, downgrade to a lower tier, or switch between monthly and annual billing. Changes usually take effect when ready or at the start of your next billing cycle, depending on what you change.
To cancel, you go to your account settings and select the option to cancel your subscription. Ancestry.com may offer you a discount to keep your subscription, but you can decline and proceed with cancellation. Once you cancel, you lose access to the records database and subscription features at the end of your current billing period, but your DNA results and DNA matches remain in your account.
If you are charged after you intended to cancel, Ancestry.com has a process to request a refund. You contact their customer service through the website, and they review your request. Refund policies vary depending on how long after the charge you request it and whether you used the service during that billing period.
AncestryDNA and third-party genealogy sites
Your AncestryDNA results can be downloaded and used on other genealogy websites. Ancestry.com allows you to read your raw DNA data, which you can then upload to sites like MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA, or GEDmatch. These sites will re-analyze your DNA and show you matches on their platforms, sometimes finding relatives you did not see on AncestryDNA.
Some of these third-party sites charge their own subscriptions to access their records databases, while others offer free basic features. Downloading your DNA data from AncestryDNA does not require a subscription — you can do it whether or not you have an active Ancestry.com subscription. This option is useful if you want to explore your DNA results on multiple platforms without paying for multiple subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a subscription to see my AncestryDNA results?
No. Your DNA results and DNA matches are free once your kit is processed. A subscription to Ancestry.com is only needed if you want to search their historical records database to research your family tree.
Can I cancel my Ancestry.com subscription and keep my DNA results?
Yes. Your DNA results and DNA matches stay in your account permanently, even if you cancel your subscription. You lose access only to the records database and subscription features.
What is the difference between AncestryDNA and Ancestry.com?
AncestryDNA is the DNA test itself. Ancestry.com is the genealogy records website. They are connected but separate products. The DNA test is one-time; the website subscription is ongoing.
Can I use my AncestryDNA results on other websites?
Yes. You can read your raw DNA data from AncestryDNA and upload it to other genealogy sites like MyHeritage or GEDmatch. This does not require an Ancestry.com subscription.
How often does Ancestry.com change its subscription prices?
Ancestry.com changes prices periodically and runs frequent promotions. There is no fixed schedule. New subscribers often see introductory pricing, while existing subscribers may see price increases when they renew.