23andMe vs. Vitagene vs. AncestryDNA: Which DNA Testing Kit Is For You?

Posted on | by admin

At-home DNA testing kits are fast becoming a more popular option for people who want to check their ancestry and know more about their health. After all, they are more affordable, convenient and results are accurate.

In fact, instead of going into expensive DNA clinics for genealogical testing, consumers prefer a home DNA testing kit to get their general genetic portrait information. Because of this, many DNA test kits are widely available, and finding the best one for you can be a challenge.

With that said, to help you find the right kit for you, we have prepared a comparison review of three of the leading DNA testing brands you can check. 

In this case, 23andMe, Vitagene, and AncestryDNA are three of the leading resources to help you trace your ancestry and get an analysis of your wellness and health report.

 

23andMe vs. Vitagene vs. AncestryDNA: Comparison Table

Brand Best For Cons Processing Time Cost
23andMe Comprehensive Health Information Smaller database 6-8 weeks $199
Vitagene Genetic information for lifestyle choices Only ships in the US 4-6 weeks $89
AncestryDNA Tracing your roots and finding your relatives Monetizes DNA data for research programs 6-8 weeks $100

23andMe

23andMe is one of the earliest brands to offer genetic testing. They initially started to provide a DNA testing product in 2007 as a fun and exciting way to learn more about one’s genetic makeup and bring a more personal insight into your ancestry and inherited traits. 

In fact, until they make their way into marketing their product as a means to know, predict, and prevent health problems, 23andMe is perfect for those who want to learn more about their health background.

This includes accurate data about their risks for developing diseases and health conditions based on the results of the DNA samples tested in their clinical laboratories.

Moreover, this company provides a wide array of genetic testing that offers a wealth of information and deeper genetic ancestry information. By dividing your paternal and maternal lines, they can check your carrier status for health conditions and your genetic health risks.

In addition, with 12 million customers and counting, the brand has multiple hardware, software, and physical security measures to protect customers’ personal information and genetic data. Lastly, they also secure customer’s consent before they use your data for research participation. 

Pros

  • Fun, seamless and interactive features
  • A detailed report in genetic information
  • Offers saliva-based testing
  • Offers option for contacting DNA relatives

Cons

  • It doesn’t provide precise health predictions

To order a kit, you need to visit their website and agree to their terms and conditions. They ship kits anywhere in the US and 50 other countries around the world. Then, once you receive the kit, you can register and set up an account.

 

Vitagene

Vitagene is a direct-to-consumer DNA testing company founded in 2015. They focus more on wellness, nutrition, and fitness. Unlike 23andMe, Vitagene is a newcomer in the genetic testing industry. 

In this case, the company’s mission is to empower people to make informed lifestyle choices and decisions by having their genetic information.

After sending your samples, you will have your results in three to five days with personalized information about the influence of your genetics on your diet. Aside from this, you will also receive a customized meal plan and suggestions for healthy food choices. 

In such cases, they give recommendations on medications and health and lifestyle goals based on the latest scientific research. Moreover, any information about how your body responds to physical activities and exercise is also based on your genetic results. 

In addition, a skin condition report grounded on your genetic predisposition is available on their premium package. However, some customers find the supplement suggestion irritating because it comes off as a sales pitch. 

Nevertheless, aside from the customized health reports and suggestions, Vitagene also gives you information that reveals your gene ancestry in an interactive map with regional ethnicity percentages.

Pros

  • DNA tests are relatively less expensive
  • Provides a personalized list of supplements and suggestions based on your DNA result
  • Take data from other testing companies to generate a report

Cons

  • Some advice and recommendations are too generic
  • Vitagene only ships within the United States

Lastly, Vitagene also accepts raw data from 23andMe and AncestryDNA and provides results for lower prices starting at $49. Overall, this testing kit is best for people looking for information on how their genetic makeup influences their health, food, and exercise outcomes. 

 

AncestryDNA

AncestryDNA is an excellent option for people who want to trace their roots and find their relatives. After all, their service makes it easy for you to find the origin of your ethnicity with the largest family-matching database. 

In fact, AncestryDNA is the best DNA testing kit to get precise results on ancestry information valuable in a historical context.

So, people looking for lost relatives, biological parents, and distant cousins will find ancestry’s service helpful. Their database contains the genetic information of their customers, making it easy to find successful matches. 

Like with 23andMe, AncestryDNA uses customer data to participate in biomedical research of profit and non-profit organizations. However, even with the customer’s consent, the data shared are anonymous.

Like its competitors, AncestryDNA ships its testing kits, and customers return them with their saliva samples. However, you need to create an account on their website to receive your results. 

In most cases, your kit and results are usually processed within about a week—AncestryDNA ships to all US states and 30 other countries.

Pros

  • Free shipping
  • Updated and easy-to-understand results
  • With matching features

Cons

  • Monetize participation in biomedical studies

Although the company mainly focuses on ancestry and genetic history, they have also added AncestryHealth as part of their services to check genetic health risks and carrier status.

 

Conclusion: Which Is the Best DNA Testing Kit for You?

Overall, 23andMe is the right pick if you need a DNA testing kit to provide you with health information. They have a seamless and user-friendly layout so you can better understand your results. 

Moreover, like AncestryDNA, 23andMe provides the needed details to learn more about your family origin and genetic history.

On the other hand, Vitagene is the DNA testing choice for those wanting to know more about how their genetic makeup can affect their lifestyle choices. However, the downside is that they don’t give genetic origin and ancestry results.

In this case, AncestryDNA can be the better choice since it provides comprehensive data on your origin and family tree. The company works well for people looking for more information about their heritage. 

While they can help you find lost or distant family and relatives, they can also provide you with genetic health information.