Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

FamilySearch.org VS Ancestris

Compare FamilySearch.org VS Ancestris and see what are their differences

FamilySearch.org logo FamilySearch.org

Free Family History, Family Tree, and Genealogy Records and Resources from Around the World

Ancestris logo Ancestris

Software of genealogy compliant 100 % GedCom 5.5 and 5.5.1 standard.
  • FamilySearch.org Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-21
  • Ancestris Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-01

FamilySearch.org features and specs

  • Free Access
    FamilySearch.org offers free access to its vast collection of genealogical records, allowing users to build and expand their family trees without incurring any cost.
  • Extensive Databases
    The website has a comprehensive collection of records, including birth, marriage, death, census, and more, from various countries, which can be crucial for in-depth genealogical research.
  • Collaborative Features
    FamilySearch.org enables users to collaborate with others, share findings, and build family trees collectively, enhancing the accuracy and richness of genealogical data.
  • Educational Resources
    The site provides numerous educational resources, such as tutorials, webinars, and articles, to help users navigate genealogical research and make the most of the available tools.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    FamilySearch.org is designed with an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced genealogists.

Possible disadvantages of FamilySearch.org

  • Limited Modern Records
    While the site has extensive historical records, it may lack comprehensive modern records, which can be a drawback for users seeking recent genealogical data.
  • Reliance on User-Submitted Data
    The accuracy of some information can vary since a portion of the data is user-submitted, leading to potential inconsistencies and errors in family trees.
  • Mandatory Account Creation
    Users are required to create an account to access many of the resources and features, which may deter some individuals who prefer anonymous browsing.
  • Potential for Duplicate Records
    Due to collaborative features, there can be instances of duplicate records or conflicting information from different users, requiring careful verification.
  • Storage Restrictions
    There may be limitations on the amount of data or the number of entries a single user can add or store, potentially hindering extensive family tree projects.

Ancestris features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    Ancestris is free to use and the source code is open, allowing anyone to contribute to its development or tailor it to their specific needs.
  • Cross-Platform
    The software runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it accessible to a broad audience regardless of their operating system.
  • GEDCOM Compatibility
    Ancestris provides excellent support for the GEDCOM format, the universal standard for genealogical data, ensuring easy data import and export.
  • Detailed Documentation
    The platform offers extensive documentation and tutorials, helping users navigate the software and make the most out of its features.
  • Active Community
    Ancestris has an active user community and forum where users can seek help, share tips, and discuss genealogical research.

Possible disadvantages of Ancestris

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its comprehensive set of features, new users might find Ancestris difficult to master without spending a considerable amount of time learning how to use it.
  • Interface
    The user interface is deemed by some as outdated and not as intuitive or visually appealing as modern alternatives.
  • Limited Professional Support
    Being an open-source project, professional customer support may be limited compared to commercial genealogy software.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Users have reported occasional bugs and stability issues. While the community and developers work to resolve these, they can disrupt usage.

FamilySearch.org videos

Inside Scoop About FamilySearch.org

More videos:

  • Review - Stop Making This Genealogy Mistake on the FamilySearch.org Family Tree
  • Review - FamilySearch.org: 5 Tips for Free Genealogy Research (2020)

Ancestris videos

Why you might want to use Ancestris to build your family tree

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FamilySearch.org and Ancestris)
Family Tree
70 70%
30% 30
Family Social Media
66 66%
34% 34
Family Organizer
64 64%
36% 36
Online Services
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing FamilySearch.org and Ancestris, you can also consider the following products

Gramps - Research, organize and share your family tree with Gramps genealogy software.

Ancestry - Discover your family history and start your family tree.

MyHeritage - MyHeritage is a family-oriented social network service and genealogy website.

Ahnenblatt - Ahnenblatt is genealogy software for Windows. (Use Portable Version for Linux with Wine)

WikiTree.com - The WikiTree community is growing a free worldwide family tree. The site is 100% free.

webtrees - webtrees - the web based Family History Software - is based on the popular PhpGedView ('PGV') application.