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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.
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.
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 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.
Key Features
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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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.
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