Ancestry is a genealogy app designed to help you explore your family history and uncover your ethnic origins. I've been using it for about two years now to build my family tree. The app itself launched way back, but the mobile version really made it convenient for research on the go. You can download it for free from both Google Play and the App Store, and it has been installed millions of times. While the app download is free, you do need to create an account to really use it. The core experience involves building your tree and viewing hints, but to access the vast majority of historical records, like census documents or birth certificates, you need a paid subscription. There are different subscription tiers. The app itself doesn't have disruptive ads popping up while you're researching, which I appreciate.

Using the app is pretty straightforward. After you install it and sign up, you start by entering what you know—names, dates, places for your parents and grandparents. The app then scans its huge database and serves up "hints," which are potential record matches or other family trees that might connect to your people. My main tip is to start small and verify every hint. Don't just blindly add everything; check the source record if you can. I often use the app while visiting older relatives, quickly adding names and stories they tell me directly into my tree on my phone. The DNA side is separate; you order a kit through the app or website, send it in, and weeks later your ethnicity estimate and DNA matches appear in the app. It's fascinating to see how your genetic story aligns with the paper trail you're building.

Compared to other family history apps like FamilySearch, which is completely free and run by the LDS church, Ancestry feels more polished and has a larger collection of subscriber-only records. I've tried both, and I keep coming back to Ancestry because the hinting system is incredibly powerful and saves me hours of digging. For me, the choice came down to the depth of records. While FamilySearch is amazing for collaboration, Ancestry's indexed records, especially for the U.S. and U.K., are more extensive. It's the go-to app for serious hobbyists. The DNA network is also the largest, so you get more potential cousin matches. It just feels like the most complete package, even with the subscription cost.

• 🌳 Building the Family Tree: The core function is an intuitive, drag-and-drop tree builder. You start with yourself and add relatives. It's much more visual and easier to navigate on a phone than similar websites or apps like MyHeritage's tree view, in my opinion.
• 🔍 Smart Record Hints: This is the standout feature. The app constantly searches billions of records and photos to suggest potential matches for the people in your tree. It automates the grunt work of genealogy, which apps like FamilySearch also do, but Ancestry's algorithm feels particularly aggressive and helpful.
• 🧬 DNA Integration: If you take a test, your DNA results are woven directly into the app. You see your ethnicity estimate and a list of DNA matches ranked by closeness, which you can then link to your tree. This seamless blend of documents and biology isn't as fluid in many other apps.
• 📱 On-the-Go Research: The mobile app lets you search records, add photos, and work on your tree anywhere. Compared to using the desktop site or other apps, the mobile experience is optimized for quick updates and reviewing hints during spare moments.

• ✅ Hint System: The record hinting engine is unmatched. It proactively finds potential evidence, making discovery faster than manually searching on platforms like Findmypast.
• ✅ Record Collection: It has the largest subscription-based collection of historical documents, especially for North America and Western Europe, which is a big draw over free alternatives.
• ✅ DNA Network: Having the largest consumer DNA database means more and better cousin matches, which is a huge advantage for breaking through brick walls in your research.
• ✅ User Interface: The app is clean, intuitive, and makes a complex hobby feel approachable for beginners, more so than some competitor apps.

• ⚠️ Subscription Cost: To access most records, you need a paid plan, which can be pricey. Free apps like FamilySearch offer core record access without a fee.
• ⚠️ Focus on Subscribers: The free app experience is very limited, mostly just a tree viewer. The real value is locked behind the paywall.