20 Best Genealogy Software to Build Your Family Tree Effortlessly in 2026

Genealogy software is a tool that serves as a digital guide to explore your family history. It significantly helps its users to discover their possible past bloodline connections and create a digital space to preserve their family legacy. 

Whether you started creating your family tree or just want to add new or historic branches to the existing one, a reliable tool can make your journey simple, meaningful, and exciting. 

Thus, let’s begin with this blog post to examine the list of 20 best genealogy software that can help you to make the most of your family details preservation process. 

What is Genealogy Software? How Does it Work? 

Genealogy software is a computer program that helps you record, organize, and publish your genealogical information systematically. You can add your family details, including name, birthdate, place, relation, related documents, and even a photograph. 

Furthermore, the latest genealogy family tree software can sync with online services and enable you to create and print your ancestors’ information and reports accordingly. 

How Does it Work? 

The reliable genealogy software supports you in tracing your ancestral roots and building a detailed family tree without digging through piles of old records. It’s an easy way to examine where you come from and who your ancestors are. 

Thus, check out the pointers below to comprehend how genealogy software programs work more precisely. 

1. Add Information: Firstly, start by adding your family details, such as name, birthdate, birthplace, photos, and relationships, to locate other possible ancestors’ details of your bloodline. 

2. Search Records: With the help of built-in searching tools, the platform will show you the best possible results for matching public documents, records, and missing links.  

3. Family Tree Builder: After accumulating all the related details of your family, you can employ your preferred templates and charts to create a family tree in a more organized and informational format. 

4. Storage & Sharing: Lastly, you can save and share your family history with other members in different formats, such as PDF or DOCX format. 

Consequently, family tree maker genealogy software makes tracing your family roots simple, organized, and surprisingly fun.

What are the 20 Best Genealogy Software? 

A relevant genealogy software will help you to store and preserve your family history for the long term. Thus, below we have presented the names of some best tools. Take a look attentively. 

First name on the list, we have RootsMagic. It’s an award-winning genealogy software, known for its robust services for Windows & Mac devices. This tool offers a full suite of research, reporting tools, and data management, helping its users create their family tree from scratch to end. 

Moreover, RootsMagic delivers an outstanding integration with other crucial platforms like Ancestry and FamilySearch, making collaboration and data exchange entirely easy. 

Pros	Cons
RootsMagic features a result-driven tool for robust analyzing, documenting, and sharing family history.	The tool has set the limitation of 20 generations on ancestor charts.
It offers the basic Mac and Windows-compatible software packages.	It does not support any handheld device.
Facilitates an easy import and export of GEDCOM files, fostering data sharing with other platforms.
It delivers automatic hints and tips from other genealogy software, including MyHeritage, FindMyPast, and more, to help you find more about your ancestors.

Pricing Details: 

For New Users	$39.95
For Existing Users	$29.95

Family Tree Maker has been serving as one of the best genealogy software programs for the last 35 years. It helps its users to discover their family story, preserve their legacy, and most importantly, share their unique heritage. 

Moreover, the tool has undergone several changes over the last few years, in which it incorporates TreeVault, extending the limitation of this platform from desktop to mobile app and cloud services.

Pros	Cons
Family Tree Maker streamlines the data collection for easy organization of information in one place.	Users may often face performance issues while operating this tool for a larger family tree.
It offers a powerful filter and searching option. For example, you can search for the people who live in the same location or died in a specific county.	Several times, the platform didn’t respond properly while integrating it with other genealogy services like FindMyPast or Ancestry.
The tool helps to generate various sorts of reports, such as descendant, fan charts, and pedigree charts, to share with others.
It has built-in tools to restore the faded photos.

Pricing Details: 

Download Software	$80
DVD+ Download Software	$90
USB+ Download	$100

Next, we have My Heritage. It is one of the prominent and best rated genealogy software, acquiring a massive user base from across the world. Notably, this tool is free to download, but users may still have to pay a moderate monthly fee to access its premium feature.

Amazingly, the tool is available in 40+ languages, including English, Hindi, Farsi, Korean, etc and Unicode technology, so that your family tree can be represented in various scripts and languages. 

Pros	Cons
My Heritage offers a wide range of features for free. Also, users can upgrade them with a budget-friendly premium plan.	Some users face difficulties in tracking specific ancestors’ lines, such as Slavic ancestry.
It offers an advanced matching technology to discover the possible ancestors’ historical records in its extensive database.	The platform is forbidden to use for any legal or forensic work.
The tool has an advanced photo editor to enhance the quality of the family tree.
Creates well-organized charts and reports to present family data professionally.

Pricing Details:

Download	Free
Premium	$79/year (1st year: $49)
Premium Plus	$129/year (1st year: $89)

Legacy Family Tree Software is one of the most reliable genealogy tools, which helps its users to research, build, and improve their family tree structure. Whether you are a novice or an expert, this platform is suitable for everyone. 

From a dozen built-in tools to hundreds of reports and chart patterns, you can access everything altogether without paying any cost for it. Furthermore, this family tree maker genealogy software helps its users to create a fan club report, a wall calendar, and even publish a family history book. 

Pros	Cons
A Legacy Family Tree software enables an advanced search of ancestors’ legacy on other genealogy platforms, like FamilySearch, GenealogyBank, and FindMyPast.	Many users find its sitemap a little complex and difficult to operate.
It helps users to preserve and organize old pictures, videos, and audio recordings.	It lacks several modern features like cloud sync, clutter data management, and more.
The platform incorporates multiple amazing features, including source writer, chronology & descendant views, color coding, and many more.
Users can mark their birth locations or ancestors’ counties on Google Maps.

Pricing Details:

Download Legacy Standard Edition	Free
For New Users	$29.95
For Existing Users, Upgrade at	$21.95
Legacy 8.0 Deluxe Bundle (Training CDs vol 1, Printed & PDF Manual, and Software on CD & Download)	$59.95 (save $12.95)

Employing your website, you can seamlessly manage and present your historic family data without being confused between hundreds of HTML pages that you may get with other genealogy software.

This platform enables its users to import and export GEDCOM files smoothly, so that they don’t have to rewrite the entire information and figures all over again. Apart from this, the tool offers an advanced search option by which users can easily look for their ancestors’ details by entering name, birthdate, birthplace, and the rest. 

Pros	Cons
The Next Generation (TNG) of Genealogy Sitebuilding features a simple and easy-to-navigate sitemap.	The platform may require technical knowledge to download, manage, and operate.
It quickly displays the users’ main lines alphabetically and by location magnitude.	It is not suitable for offline use.
The tool is completely customizable. It offers 21 free templates and also allows users to download distinct templates from third parties.
It supports almost all sorts of photos, videos, links, and audio files.

Pricing Details:

Current Premium Version 15.0.3

$36.99

GRAMPS is one of the best free genealogy software programs, offering dozens of professional features to streamline its users’ experience. This platform requires a straightforward installation process and runs smoothly on multiple devices, like Linux, macOS, and Windows. 

Moreover, users can add several third-party add-ons and leverage some additional functions like insightful tools, filters, report templates, and many more to acquire better outcomes. 

Pros	Cons
GRAMPS is a free and open-source platform.	Many users may face difficulties while operating this tool with large files.
This tool is highly customizable with numerous plug-ins and a widget-based interface.	This tool can only calculate historic family relations up to 50 generations deep.
It offers various data management tools, helping to manage complex family structures, easy citation, and many more.
The platform enables automatic backup features to protect your recorded data.

Pricing Details: 

GRAMPS Genealogical Research Software is entirely free.

Family Historian 7 is the next name on the list of the best genealogy software. It is one of the most prominent tools that is especially designed to meet the requirements of both experts and beginners. 

The platform incorporates a user-friendly drag-and-drop layout, making it the easiest tool to operate. Additionally, it offers an individual summary sheet, which helps to create a detailed family tree more systematically. 

Pros	Cons
The Family Historian genealogy software offers extensive and customizable chart & report tools.	Many users found the platform layout a little cluttered.
User can save their reports and charts in various formats, including PDF and .docx for easy editing in word processing.	It does not offer direct integration with other online sites.
The platform comes with built-in web tools to directly add media files like photos, videos, and audio clips to the reports and charts.
It offers a 30-day free trial, so that users can make a predetermined decision before spending.

Pricing Details: 

Family Historian 7 Download	£59.95
Family Historian 7 Upgrade	Free (Only if you have purchased a Version 6+ free upgrade to the 7 package)

The Mac Family Tree 11 by Synium is one of the fastest Mac-centric genealogy software programs, providing the best intuitive sitemap to its users. It offers a wide range of built-in tools that help users to research, create, and build their ancestors’ history, legacy in a more precise way. 

Furthermore, the platform allows its users to thoroughly search their historic genealogical relations in the extensive collection of FamilySearch archive, so that they can find their family legacy and preserve it for future use.

Pros	Cons
The Mac Family Tree 11 offers an advanced AI-powered photo editor to restore faded or damaged photos.	Mac Family Tree 11 is not a primary source for searching ancestors’ information. Users may have to depend on third-party apps like Ancestry.com or MyHeritage.
It delivers cloud synchronization across different Apple devices.	It is not a web solution source.
The platform helps users to examine their family and descendant chart in a virtual 3D view.
It allows users to create unlimited family trees with customizable templates and charts.

Pricing Details:

Mac Family Tree 11 Download (For New Users)	$49.99
Upgrade (For Existing Users)	$34.99

WikiTree is one of the most accurate and trusted genealogy software programs, evolving over the last 16 years from grassroots up. It offers a single, collaborative model, allowing its users to build a single global family tree. 

Notably, the platform has an intuitive, easy-to-navigate platform, which helps its users to research their ancestors’ information by surname, birthplace, birthdate, and more in its massive genealogical database. 

Pros	Cons
WikiTree is completely free to use, which comes without any hidden charges.	The platforms come with various formatting restrictions.
The platform concentrates on trust and accuracy through vetting DNA relations and ancestor details.	It is only a web-based source.
It delivers an easy-to-navigate sitemap.
The software offers community-driven results to streamline the process of building a family tree.

Pricing Details: 

WikiTree is completely free to use.

Ancestral Quest (AQ) genealogy software is one of the perfect tools for beginners. It has a simple yet instructive sitemap along with several beneficial tools, enhancing the research, creation, and organization process of its users. 

Additionally, by employing the listing and filtering tools, users can locate the records and the thorough details of their ancestral lineages. Along with this, the AQ software allows users to print their family tree in various formats, such as pedigree charts, descendant charts, birthday calendars, and the rest. 

Pros	Cons
The Ancestral Quest provides detailed documentation to accelerate research work.	The platform does not provide any mobile application.
It delivers two different versions to meet the requirements of both beginners and professionals.	Users may find it difficult to integrate with other online platforms for research work.
The platform offers a wide variety of reports and charts.
It comes with the budget-friendly subscription plans.

Pricing Details: 

Ancestral Quest (AQ) 16 Version Download (For New Users)	$34.95
Upgrade (For Existing Users)	$24.95

Extended List of Genealogy Software   

Go through the table below to get more names of best rated genealogy software at your fingertips, along with the pros, cons, and pricing details. 

	Software	Pros	Cons	Price
11.	Family Tree Heritage	The platform offers a wide collection of modern templates, reports, and charts. It allows easy integration with other online outlets.	Users may find the sitemap of this tool a little cluttered.	$39.99 (For New Users) $24.99 (For Existing users)
12.	Reunion For Mac	This genealogy software delivers an intuitive layout. It provides an advanced search option to streamline the research for the ancestors.	This tool is Mac-centric and does not support other devices.	$99.00 (For New Users) $49.95 (For Existing users)
13.	Heredis	The platform features more than 200 options to streamline the research, analysis, and organization process. It requires a straightforward installation process.	The tool has set some strict restrictions on source documentation.	Heredis for macOS: $69.99 Heredis Expert for macOS: $84.99 Heredis for macOS and Windows: $84.99
14.	AncestryDNA	This genealogy software program helps users connect with the genetic and ethnic origins of various regions. It gives comprehensive access to the historic DNA records.	Some users are concerned about their online privacy and the data recorded while using this tool.	AncestryDNA: $59+ shipping AncestryDNA+ Traits: $69
15.	Storied	This tool helps to create and build a family tree from scratch to print. It provides impressive access to the historic DNA records.	Many users may find its sitemap a bit unorganized.	Storied Essentials: $19.99 Storied Plus: $49.99 Storied Ultimate: $99.99
16.	FamilyTreeDNA	This genealogy software allows its users to deep-dive into paternal and maternal lineage through various beneficial built-in tools. It enables an easy, effective integration with other online platforms.	The platform has a small DNA database.	Family Finder™ + Y-37: $109 Family Finder™ + mtFull Sequence: $159 Family Finder™ + mtFull Sequence + Y-37: $229 mtFull Sequence + Y-37: $199
17.	Findmypast	This software provides a wide collection of British and Irish unique records & document collections. It offers an AI-powered hint feature to find potential genealogical matches.	The platform does not allow any sort of public member communication.	FindMyPast Family Tree: $7.99/ monthly
18.	LivingDNA	The platform contains a detailed breakdown of regional ancestry, especially for Africa and the British Isles. It delivers an impressive family matching network to help users find their potential genealogical connections.	This genealogy software is not a primary source. Users may have to depend on third-party software for detailed research work.	DNA Ancestry Kit: $99+ shipping DNA Ancestry & Wellbeing Kit: $169+ shipping DNA Ancestry and Neanderthal: $99+ shipping
19.	Ancestris	The platform is a free and open source desktop application. It offers 30 tools for genealogy analysis, native GEDCOM file support, and unlimited data management.	Many users discover that this tool lacks some major online synchronization with key repositories.	The Ancestris genealogy software is completely free to use.
20.	My Family Tree	This tool comes with a simple and easy-to-navigate layout, making it perfect for both beginners and professionals. It provides for linking up the family tree with the essential reports, photos, videos, and audio recordings.	The platform’s free version has restrictions on the family tree size and storage.	N/A

That’s it! Here is a wrap-up of the list of genealogy family tree software that can help you look for your ancestors’ historical connections and preserve your family legacy in modern and digital ways. 

Read More: 10 Best Word Processing Software in 2025: Advanced Editing and Better Formatting

How to Choose an Appropriate Genealogy Family Tree Software? 

For sure, there are hundreds of promising genealogy software programs available on the internet, but opting for the appropriate one among all of them is a crucial decision. However, it entirely depends on your research needs, budget, and computer skills. 

Moving further, check out the pointers below to understand how you can pick a reliable tool for yourself. 

1. Define Your Goal: Firstly, comprehend your research and tools requirements. For that, you can take a free trial of different tools, operate them for a few days, and then make informed decisions before making a purchase. 

2. Verify Platform Compatibility: Ensure the software runs on the various operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, Mac, and the rest. 

3. Check its Interface: Mostly, users get stuck with the complex layout of the tools. Before opting for one, thoroughly check its sitemap to avoid any sort of possible difficulties. 

4. Comprehend Platforms’ Core Features: Look for the tools like the advanced search button, smart hints, robust integration with other online outlets, storing, and sharing options available on the tool. 

5. Consider Pricing Details: Lastly, determining the download and upgrade plans is another important aspect you should take care of before purchasing any genealogy software. Take your time, compare different tools’ pricing, and then conclude. 

In essence, picking a genealogy software does not require any complex process; you just have to be specific about your requirements and have basic technical skills to operate these tools effortlessly. 

Bottom Line 

In a nutshell, exploring and organizing your family history doesn’t have to be hectic or overwhelming anymore. Instead of spending your valuable time on flipping old records, pasting documents on sheets, you can employ any one of the best genealogy software and organize a clean and informative family tree. 

No matter whether you are creating your family tree out of curiosity or to pass on a legacy, genealogy software helps you to bring your family story to life.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick any one of the tools we have mentioned in the article, and start accumulating your past and present bloodline connections in one place. 

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