Millions of people have adopted genealogy as a hobby and even as a passion. People discover a sense of self-identity and family pride through uncovering their family's legacy. Genealogical research of your ancestral roots can bring your current family together by creating a project to which everyone can contribute. Whatever your reason for researching the past, genealogy software can become your most valuable tool.
The Web Site, TopTenREVIEWS, offers information so consumers can make a smart purchase. They make recommendations for the best product in each category. Through their side-by-side comparison charts, news, articles, and videos, they simplify the buying process.
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software | Family Historian 6 | Legacy Family Tree 9 | Heredis 2018 | RootsMagic 7 | Family Tree Maker | Ancestral Quest 14 |
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| Cost | $50 | $40 | $30 | $30 | $80 | $30 |
| Comments | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
| Rating | 8.7/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.1/10 | 6.5/10 | 6.4/10 |
Top 5 Genealogy Software TitlesWhile all these software packages offer a wealth of features, only Family Historian, Family Tree Maker, and Legacy can reliably import data from online sources like ancestry.com. RootsMagic offers a free basic version of their software, RootsMagic Essentials. MyHeritage.com offers a free genealogy software package called Family Tree Builder. Users can upgrade to a premium version with more powerful features.
Let's not forget about the Mac users. The Mac version of Family Tree Maker topped the list. Check out the reviews of the top Mac genealogy software titles.
Some may prefer to build their family tree at an online site. Most sites require a membership fee. Many offer a free trial period. The popular online sites allow users to convert their family tree information to a popular format (GEDCOM) in order to download and import the information into the software. Popular research sites will be discussed in the next section.