Cheap DNA Tests (2024)
Many affordable DNA tests can help you quickly discover your genetic makeup. Just because they don't have a luxury price tag doesn't mean they can't get the job done—in fact, some of these cheaper options may suit your needs better than an expensive one.
While it’s true that some bargain test kits can give you limited information, other inexpensive DNA test kits are actually pretty trustworthy and reliable. Most companies design these kits for specific purposes, like confirming biological connections or discovering your heritage.
Consumer brands like AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and other larger companies have the resources to provide worthwhile information for ancestry, health, and even establishing paternity. These tests are affordable and still deliver highly accurate results.
You don't need to break the bank for actionable DNA insights at all.
Everything We Recommend
- Our Top Affordable Pick — My Heritage
- Best for Ancestry Research — AncestryDNA
- Best for Health & Wellness — 23andMe
- Best for Free DNA Uploads — LivingDNA
- Cheapest Paternity Test - DNA Direct
Exploring your genetic makeup is now more accessible to everyone, thanks to the rise of at-home DNA tests, which you can conveniently buy online.
While lab tests can cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars, these kits offer a budget-friendly way to learn more about your ancestry, health risks, and even your paternity status—often for under $80.
Our comprehensive guide explores the top contenders for cheap DNA tests in terms of value. We’ll also give you tips on key features to consider and how to ensure you're getting reliable results at an affordable price.
5 Cheapest DNA Kits of 2024
Below is a quick comparison of our top picks for affordable DNA tests:
| DNA Testing Company | Discounted Kits | Discounted Bundles | Discounted Subscriptions | Add-On Offers |
| MyHeritage | $29 | Starts at $29 with free 30-day complete trial | Starts at $49/yr for the first year | $120 for health reports |
| AncestryDNA | $39 | Starts at $40 with a 3-month membership | Starts at $16.50/mo for the first 6 months | $20 for traits report |
| 23andMe | Starts at $59 | Starts at $99 for two ancestry kits or one ancestry + health kit with a 1-year membership | Starts at $69/yr after the first year of 23andMe Premium+ expires | None |
| LivingDNA | Starts at $72 | None | None | None |
| DNA Direct | Starts at $79 | None | None | $25 for the mother and $35 for every new child tested |
When looking for the cheapest options, you shouldn’t just look at the cost of the DNA testing kit. Try to see if the company offers bundles, subscriptions, and add-ons at discounted rates so you can maximize your savings.
MyHeritage — Our Top Affordable Pick
MyHeritage has some of the cheapest DNA tests at $89 each, providing detailed insights into your ancestry. With prices dropping as low as $29 for the kit and up to $7.42 per month for access to billions of global historical records, it’s pretty tough to beat if you’re looking for a bargain.
Why We Recommend It
Key Features
- DNA database – 8.7 million users
- Tested locations – Over 2,100 regions
- Historical records – More than 21 billion
- Raw DNA – Download, upload, and delete
- Waiting time – 3 to 4 weeks
Pros
- Flexible plans—access records, family tree, or both
- Holds records from the US, UK, Ireland, Australia, and Canada
- Feature-packed and easy-to-use tools for building family trees
- Optional 27 health reports on genetic risks and carrier status
- Upload raw DNA to find possible family members in 1 to 2 days
Cons
- Building family trees with 250+ people requires a subscription
- Smaller user database compared to 23andMe and Ancestry
Enjoy free DNA matches on MyHeritage if you upload your files from other providers. New customers who opt for the trial will receive a free 30-day subscription, which includes access to records and the enhanced family tree builder. After the trial ends, the first year only costs half the price.
AncestryDNA - Best for Ancestry Research
Buying the Ancestry kit (usually $100) comes with three months of access to billions of genealogical records with your DNA results for as low as $40 on promo. It also lets you boost your research by unlocking Newspapers.com Publisher Extra and Fold3 military records for just $9 more, saving $53.79 on memberships.
Key Features
- DNA database – 25 million users
- Tested locations – Over 3,000 regions
- Historical records – More than 60 billion
- Raw DNA – Download and delete
- Waiting time – 6 to 8 weeks
Pros
- Unlimited family tree when you purchase the kit
- Free 14-day trial for your selected membership plan
- Find more potential relatives in the massive database
- Choose a subscription based on the records you need
- Get reports on over 75 traits for an additional $20
Cons
- Access to membership is a bit pricey long-term
- Doesn’t test for genetic conditions you might be at risk for
Ancestry’s deals aren’t exclusive to buyers who purchase their DNA test. Non-members may also get discounted subscriptions in the first six months, starting at $16.50 per month. Its affordable costs and extensive records make it the best platform to learn more about your family history.
23andMe - Best for Health & Wellness
Save $40 and get 23andMe Health + Ancestry for only $79. The kit provides FDA-approved reports on 10+ health risks, 5+ wellness traits, and hereditary conditions you might pass on to your children.
23andMe also traces your ancestry across thousands of locations and connects you with potential relatives in the second-largest user database after AncestryDNA.
Key Features
- DNA database – 15 million users
- Tested locations – Over 3,500 regions
- Raw DNA – Download and delete
- Waiting time – 4 to 6 weeks
Pros
- Receive up to 95+ health insights, including genetic risks
- Reports on up to 30+ traits that affect personality and more
- Provides actionable recommendations to improve health
- Get percentage estimates of your ancestral composition
- Trace your maternal and paternal origins with haplogroups
Cons
- Produces fewer genetic matches than AncestryDNA
- Health data privacy concerns (although users may opt-out)
Upgrade to the 23andMe+ Premium for an additional $20 (total of $99) to receive health and ancestry reports and a one-year membership. The package includes over 50 health reports with actionable insights and ongoing updates for the next twelve months, renewable at only $69/yr.
LivingDNA - Best for Free DNA Uploads
Nothing spells “cheap” better than free reports. If you’ve taken tests from Ancestry, 23andMe, or MyHeritage, you can get more out of your data by uploading it to LivingDNA at no extra cost.
Besides finding DNA matches within its growing user database (currently the world’s fourth largest), you’ll receive an ancestry breakdown for all eight continents in the next 48 hours.
Key Features
- DNA database – Over 300,000 users
- Tested locations – More than 150 regions
- Raw DNA – Download, upload, and delete
- Waiting time – 6 to 8 weeks
Pros
- Identifies your ancestors’ migration patterns
- Ideal for Irish, British, European, and African ancestry
- Regional breakdowns trace ancestry on a town level
- Wellbeing kits offer 11+ health reports and recommendations
- You can buy personalized vitamins based on your results
Cons
- It has a small DNA database but it’s growing
- Users won’t be able to access historical records
LivingDNA offers separate ancestry and wellbeing tests for $124 and $129, respectively. But you can purchase them individually at discounted prices of $72 and $90. Or, you can buy the $225 kit that combines both DNA tests and provides actionable health suggestions, as it’s currently down to $130.
DNA Direct Solutions — Best for Cheap Paternity Testing
Do you need a quick and affordable way to confirm paternity? DNA Direct can give you peace of mind for $79.
The paternity test covers the child and the alleged father, with results available within days of sending samples. You can enhance its accuracy by including the mother’s sample for $25.
Key Features
- What’s included – 4 swabs and 2 swab envelopes
- Shipping costs – Free USPS within the United States
- Waiting time – 1 to 2 business days
Pros
- Easy-to-use kit with clear instructions
- At-home sample collection makes it convenient
- Includes a return envelope for sending samples
- Accredited by the AABB and ANAB in the US
- Meets international ISO 17025:2017 standards
Cons
- Shipping delays may occasionally extend the process
- Some users report limited customer support
DNA Direct’s paternity kit isn’t legally admissible, but it’s a cheap way to address your concerns both privately and discreetly. The company uses an accredited lab and verifies each sample twice for accuracy. Its fast results can help you decide if further legal testing is necessary for your case.
Tips For Buying Affordable DNA Kits
Choosing from cheap DNA testing companies can be tricky. You want to get the most value from their services and reports without feeling cheated. To help you find great deals, here is a list of the criteria you should consider:
- Affordability – Reasonably priced kits and subscriptions
- Comprehensive results – Quality and variety of reports
- Privacy features – Keeps your data safe and secure
- Raw DNA access – Options to upload, download, or delete
- User feedback – Positive reviews from customers
- Trusted brand – Backed by a reputable company
Can You Trust Cheap DNA Tests?
The low cost of some DNA testing kits can understandably raise questions about their reliability. The good news is that "cheap" doesn't necessarily make them "unreliable” as long as you know which features to look out for.
By carefully considering a company's reputation and its measures to ensure privacy and accuracy, you can confidently find an affordable DNA kit with excellent results on your ancestry, health, and more.