Genetic genealogy — the use of DNA testing to trace family history and ancestry — has transformed the way researchers break through brick walls, confirm relationships, and connect with unknown relatives. But with multiple types of tests and several major companies to choose from, knowing which test to take (and where) can be confusing. This guide explains the three main types of genealogical DNA tests, what each one can and cannot tell you, and how the major providers compare on price and features.

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The Three Types of Genealogical DNA Tests

1. Autosomal DNA (atDNA)

Autosomal DNA is the most popular and versatile type of genealogical DNA test. It examines the 22 pairs of non-sex chromosomes inherited from both parents — and through them, from all four grandparents, all eight great-grandparents, and so on. Because everyone inherits autosomal DNA from both sides of their family, both men and women can take this test.

What it tells you:

• Ethnicity estimates — the geographic regions your ancestors came from, broken down by percentage
• DNA matches — other tested individuals who share segments of DNA with you, indicating a shared ancestor within roughly the past five to seven generations
• Relationship predictions — whether a match is likely a second cousin, third cousin, and so on
• Chromosome segment data — which specific segments you share with a match (useful for advanced analysis)

Limitations: Because autosomal DNA is inherited from all branches of your family tree simultaneously, the amount inherited from any one ancestor decreases by roughly half with each generation. Beyond about six or seven generations, the DNA signal becomes too faint to detect reliably. Autosomal DNA also cannot distinguish which specific branch of your tree a match belongs to without additional analysis.

Best for: Finding living relatives, confirming relationships, ethnicity research, and general family history across all branches of your tree.

2. Y-DNA (Paternal Line)

Y-DNA testing examines the Y chromosome, which is passed almost unchanged from father to son, generation after generation. Because only biological males carry a Y chromosome, only men can take this test — though a woman can arrange for a male relative on her direct paternal line (father, brother, paternal uncle, paternal grandfather) to test on her behalf.

What it tells you:

• Your Y-DNA haplogroup — a deep ancestral population group that traces your direct paternal line back thousands of years
• STR (Short Tandem Repeat) matches — men whose Y-DNA closely matches yours, suggesting a shared paternal ancestor within a genealogically relevant timeframe
• SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) results — at higher testing levels, precise placement on the Y-DNA haplotree, identifying exactly where your paternal line branches off from related families
• Surname research — because the Y chromosome and surnames are both passed from father to son, Y-DNA is a powerful tool for confirming or disproving surname connections

Limitations: Y-DNA only traces the single direct paternal line (father’s father’s father’s…). It says nothing about any other branch of your family tree. Surname changes, non-paternity events, and adoption can disrupt the expected pattern.

Best for: Tracing a specific surname line, confirming paternal ancestry, connecting with others sharing the same patrilineal descent, and breaking through brick walls on the direct male line. This is the test most relevant to the Dillman DNA Project.

3. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)

Mitochondrial DNA is inherited by everyone — male and female — from their mother. Mothers pass their mtDNA to all of their children, but only daughters pass it on further. This creates a direct maternal line that can be traced back through your mother, her mother, her mother’s mother, and so on.

What it tells you:

• Your mtDNA haplogroup — a deep ancestral population group tracing your direct maternal line back thousands of years and into prehistoric migrations
• Maternal line matches — other testers who share your mtDNA, indicating a shared direct maternal ancestor
• Ancient migration routes — where your maternal line ancestors traveled as early humans spread across the globe

Limitations: Like Y-DNA, mtDNA traces only a single line — the direct maternal line — and ignores all other branches. Because mtDNA mutates very slowly, two people can share an exact match while their most recent common maternal ancestor lived hundreds or even thousands of years ago. mtDNA is therefore less useful for connecting recent relatives and more useful for deep ancestry research and confirming direct maternal line connections.

Best for: Tracing a specific maternal line, confirming a direct maternal connection, deep ancestral and haplogroup research.

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Major Testing Companies: Features and Pricing

Prices shown are standard retail prices as of May 2026. Sales are frequent — particularly around holidays — and can reduce costs significantly.

FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA)

Website: familytreedna.com

FamilyTreeDNA is the only major consumer company offering all three types of DNA testing — autosomal, Y-DNA, and mtDNA — under one roof. Founded in 2000, it is the pioneer of consumer genetic genealogy and operates its own CLIA-certified laboratory. It is the home of the Dillman DNA Project.

Test	Standard Price	Notes
Family Finder (autosomal)	$79	Free raw data upload from other companies
Y-37 (Y-DNA, 37 markers)	$119	Entry-level Y-DNA; good for initial surname matching
Y-111 (Y-DNA, 111 markers)	$249	Higher resolution; better for distinguishing close Y matches
Big Y-700 (Y-DNA, advanced SNP)	$449	Most comprehensive Y-DNA test available; identifies unique family mutations
mtFull Sequence (mtDNA)	$159	Full mitochondrial genome; highest resolution maternal line test

Strengths: The only company for Y-DNA and mtDNA testing; active surname and haplogroup projects; free raw data upload from AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritage; longest-established genealogical DNA database; strong privacy policy with no law enforcement sharing without a court order.

Considerations: The interface can feel technical for newcomers; autosomal database (2+ million) is smaller than AncestryDNA’s.

AncestryDNA

Website: ancestry.com/dna

AncestryDNA offers autosomal testing only, but its database — the largest in the world at over 25 million tested individuals — makes it the best single source for finding living relatives. Results integrate directly with Ancestry’s vast collection of historical records.

Test	Standard Price	Notes
AncestryDNA kit	$99	Autosomal only; ethnicity + relative matching
AncestryDNA + Traits	$149	Adds 75+ physical and wellness trait reports

Strengths: Largest DNA database in the world; best for finding relatives; seamless integration with Ancestry family trees and historical records; SideView technology assigns matches to maternal or paternal side; 3,600+ ethnicity regions.

Considerations: Autosomal testing only — no Y-DNA or mtDNA; chromosome browser requires a subscription; some advanced features require an ongoing Ancestry subscription ($80–$149/quarter).

23andMe

Website: 23andme.com

23andMe offers autosomal testing with particularly granular ethnicity reporting across 4,500+ geographic regions. It is also the only major company offering FDA-authorized health reports alongside ancestry. Note that 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in 2025 and was acquired; verify current service availability before ordering.

Test	Standard Price	Notes
Ancestry Service	$119	Autosomal; ethnicity + relative matching; 4,500+ regions
Health + Ancestry	$229	Adds FDA-authorized health predisposition and carrier status reports

Strengths: Most granular ethnicity breakdown (4,500+ regions); health reporting option; database of 14+ million users; Y-DNA and mtDNA haplogroup estimates included with autosomal test at no extra charge (estimates only, not full tests).

Considerations: Autosomal only for genealogy purposes; weaker family tree integration than AncestryDNA; database skews toward health-focused customers; company went through bankruptcy proceedings in 2025 — check current status before purchasing.

MyHeritage DNA

Website: myheritage.com/dna

MyHeritage offers autosomal testing with a strong international focus, making it particularly useful for researchers with European ancestry. Its multilingual platform (42 languages) and extensive international record collections are major assets for cross-border research.

Test	Standard Price	Notes
MyHeritage DNA kit	$89	Autosomal; ethnicity + relative matching; 2,114 regions; frequently on sale for less

Strengths: Best for international and European research; multilingual tools; integrates with MyHeritage family tree platform and historical records; competitive pricing.

Note: As of August 2025, MyHeritage is no longer accepting raw DNA uploads from other testing companies. To use MyHeritage’s matching database and features, you will need to purchase a MyHeritage DNA kit directly.

Considerations: Autosomal only; smaller database than AncestryDNA; chromosome browser requires a paid subscription.

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Free Tools: Maximizing Your Results

Once you have tested with one company, you can often upload your raw DNA data to other platforms at no charge to access their databases and tools. This is one of the most cost-effective strategies in genetic genealogy:

• FamilyTreeDNA accepts free uploads from AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritage (basic features free; some advanced features require a one-time $19 unlock fee).
• GEDmatch (gedmatch.com) is a free third-party platform where you can upload raw DNA from any company and compare it against results from all other companies whose users have also uploaded. It has over 1.5 million profiles and offers advanced comparison tools.

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Which Test Is Right for Dillman Research?

For researchers tracing Dillman family lines specifically:

• Y-DNA testing through FamilyTreeDNA is the most directly useful — it is the basis of the Dillman DNA Project, which has now identified 163 distinct Dillman family groups. Men with a direct paternal Dillman line (or a Dillman-related surname such as Tillman, Dillmann, or Stillman) are encouraged to join the project. The Y-37 test ($119) is a good starting point; the Big Y-700 ($449) provides the most detailed placement on the Dillman family tree.
• Autosomal testing through any major company will help you find relatives across all branches of your family, not just the Dillman line. If you have already tested elsewhere, upload your raw data to FamilyTreeDNA for free to connect with Dillman project members.
• mtDNA testing is useful if you are specifically researching a direct maternal line connected to a Dillman family.

For more information about the Dillman DNA Project, visit our DNA Project page or view the Dillman DNA Participants page to see current results.

Prices are accurate as of May 2026 and are subject to change. All three major testing companies run frequent sales — particularly around Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and the holiday season — that can reduce prices significantly. Check company websites for current pricing before ordering.

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Note: This post was researched and written with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI). All content has been reviewed for accuracy as of May 2026.