What is a DNA Test and how does it work?
The DNA tests have become a essential tool to know our rootsour predisposition to certain diseases and to receive customized recommendations in terms of nutrition and lifestyle. In this article, we compare the best DNA tests available on the market.
Companies such as ADNTRO, 23andMe, MyHeritage, TellmeGen, Ancestry and a few others base their analysis on genotyping technologies, and offer direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests, which determine the differences in genetic complement by comparing the positions of DNA with that of another sample or a reference sequence. It identifies small variations in genetic sequence within populations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP).
A DNA array is needed for genotyping. On this array are the probes that have the complementary sequence of each polymorphism. The number of genetic variants analyzed changes according to the type or DNA microarray. At ADNTRO we analyze 700,000 polymorphisms (SNPs) of your DNA by using the "Global Screening Array (GSA)The Illumina company's genetic algorithms allow us to impute your results and analyze up to 20M markers. By analyzing those genetic variants, we can provide a polygenic risk score that indicates predispositions in many subjects such as genetic predisposition to complex diseasesThe active ingredient of medical drugs can be metabolized, beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A, and so on.
Main DNA Testing Companies
We will go over the different characteristics of each one, analyzing the available reportsits purchase options and pricesif it is possible to load Raw data from other companieswhether they offer other services and the way in which the information is presented (design and user experience). At the end of the article, you will find a comparative table summarizing what each company has to offer so you can choose the best DNA test for you.
ADNTRO GENETICS
ADNTRO is a Spanish company, founded in 2020. We base the analysis on Y-DNA (Y Chromosome), mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA), really important to identify haplogroups, and autosomal DNA testing using GSA Array technology from Illumina, that extracts 700,000 markers and with the support of genetic algorithms impute to analyze up to 20M markers that let us provide accurate information about predisposition in many areas.
Genetic Report Categories available:
- Origins (genetic mixture and ancestral patterns), composition, haplogroups, heterozygosity ratio.
- Nutrition and personalized guides with dietary recommendations (including predisposition to obesity, food intolerances and allergies).
- Sport and risk of injury (sports performance guide).
- Personality (genetic personality and other behavioral traits such as happiness hormones...).
- It ages better: (telomere length, skin aging, sleep and chronotype).
- Level of relatedness between your samples
- Other innovative studies: (Reaction to mosquito bite, Pain scale, Ayurveda... )
- Pharmacogenetics: learn how medications affect your body (efficacy/toxicity)
- Health: predisposition and protection against diseases
Different tests offered and prices:
- DNA Entry DNATRO Kit (Ancestría y orígenes, Nutrición) – 109€
- DNA Basic ADNTRO Kit (Ancestría, Nutrición, Deporte, Longevidad y estudios curiosos) – 139€
- ADNTRO Premium Pack (Ancestry, Nutrition, Deporte, Longevidad y estudios curiosos, Personalidad, Farmacogenética, Protección y predisposición a enfermedades complejas) – 169€
Access and upload of raw data: you can get your raw data from the platform and upload your raw data from other companies.
WGS, WES: It offers clinical genetic diagnosis.
Regular updates of genetic information based on new research: Information updated monthly for one year.
Report layout: informative with educational approach, user friendly and easy to understand and with recommendations in some areas.
The best DNA test if you are looking for the most complete option.
23andMe
23andMe is one of the first companies of DTC DNA testing founded in the United States in 2006. Analyze DNA based on Y-DNA (Y-chromosome), mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) and autosomal DNA testing using Illumina Infinium® Global Screening Array and analyze more than 600,000 SNPs.
Genetic Report Categories available:
- Ancestry
- DNA Relative Finder
- Family Tree Builder
- Traits
- Welfare reports (only available in the U.S.)
- Health Reports (only available in the U.S.)
- Pharmacogenetic reports (only available in the U.S.)
Different tests offered and prices:
- Ancestry and traits - $99.
- Health and ancestry – $148.
- 23andMe+ Premium - $148 first year + $69 annual membership (only available in the U.S.).
- 23andMe + Total Health - $999 first year + $499 annual membership (only available in the USA).
Access and upload of raw data: You can get your Raw data from the platform, however it does not accept Raw data from other companies.
WGS, WES: It does not offer clinical genetic diagnosis.
Regular updates of genetic information based on new research: if you purchase their annual subscription model, you get access to updates (only available in the USA).
Report layout: Informative and educational approach.
A good option for DNA testing only if you live in the USA.
MyHeritage
MyHeritage is a popular consumer DNA testing service focused on family history. It uses llumina's Global Screening Array (GSA) and analyzes around 700000 SNPs.
Genetic Report Categories available:
- Ancestral origins (MyHeritage DNA Kit and Complete Plan).
- DNA Relative Finder (Complete plan).
- Family tree creator (Complete plan).
- Historical data checker (Complete plan).
- Photo Tools and Deep Nostalgia TM (Complete plan).
Different tests offered and prices:
- MyHeritage Kit (Origins and relatives finder) - 89€.
- Full Plan - 199 €* with 199 € automatic subscription renewed every year.
Access and upload of raw data: You can get your Raw data from the platform and upload Raw data from another company.
WGS, WES: Does not offer clinical genetic diagnosis
Regular updates of genetic information based on new research: Only available when purchasing their annual subscription model.
Report layout: Informative.
The best DNA test if you prioritize price over quality and you are only interested in ancestry.
TellmeGen
TellmeGen is a Spanish company founded in 2014 dedicated to personalized genetic analysis and preventive health. Through its genetic analysis platform, the company offers users information about their genetic profile, predispositions to certain diseases and some drug reactions.
Genetic Report Categories available:
- Ancestry
- Reports of wellbeing
- Reports of personal traits
- Reports pharmacogenetics
- Report of genetic predisposition to diseases
Different tests offered and prices:
- DNA Starter Kit - 89 - Includes ancestry, wellness and personal traits.
- Advanced DNA Kit - 149 - Includes all available reports.
Access and upload of raw data: You can get your Raw data from the platform and load Raw data from another company.
WGS, WES: It does not offer clinical genetic diagnosis.
Regular updates of genetic information based on new research: Free forever with all your plans.
Report Design: Informative
Ancestry
AncestryDNA (Ancestry) was one of the first DNA testing companies direct-to-consumer based on 1983. The company uses an autosomal testing service that analyzes 700,000 markers that provide information about the user's ethnicity.
Genetic Report Categories available:
- Origins + Ethnicity
- DNA Matches (Connect with other people who share your DNA)
- Personal traits
Different tests offered and prices:
- Ancestry DNA – 99$
- World Explorer Membership+Ancestry DNA - 100$ * with 99,95$ automatic subscription renewed every 3 months
- AncestryDNA® Features + Full Access Subscription - 199 $ * with automatic subscription renewed every 3 months
Access and upload of raw data: You can get your Raw data from the platform, however it does not accept Raw data from other companies.
WGS, WES: It does not offer clinical genetic diagnosis.
Regular updates of genetic information based on new research: Information is updated for 3 months and then can be accessed only after subscription.
Report Design: Educational.
Comparative table of different DNA tests available on the market
INFORMATION | |||||
Ancestry Genetic makeup Estimated ancestry Maternal and paternal haplogroups Heterozygosity ratio Neanderthal and Denisovan Ancestry | ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ | ❌ ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅ | ❌ ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌ | ❌ ✅ ✅ ❌ ± | ❌ ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌ |
Nutrigenetics and recommendations Genetic diets Intolerances Vitamins Minerals Recommended foods | ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ | ❌ ± ✅ ❌ ❌ | ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ | ❌ ± ± ❌ ❌ | ❌ ± ± ❌ ❌ |
Sports/Fitness Sports performance Predisposition to injury Recommended sports | ✅ ✅ ✅ | ± ❌ ❌ | ❌ ❌ ❌ | ± ± ❌ | ± ❌ ❌ |
Personality Behavioural Genetics Predisposition to addictions Hormones | ✅ ✅ ✅ | ❌ ± ❌ | ❌ ❌ ❌ | ❌ ± ❌ | ❌ ❌ ❌ |
Age Better (Skin and Sleep) Longevity Sleep reports | ✅ ✅ | ❌ ✅ | ❌ ❌ | ❌ ❌ | ❌ ❌ |
Others studies Innovators Mosquito Bite, Ayurveda, Pain Scale Play with your DNA-Conway Entropy of your DNA | ✅ ✅ ✅ | ± ❌ ❌ | ❌ ❌ ❌ | ✅ ❌ ❌ | ❌ ❌ ❌ |
Pharmacogenetics Metabolization by GWAS CPIC Recommendations | ✅ ✅ | ✅ ❌ | ❌ ❌ | ✅ ❌ | ❌ ❌ |
Health Predisposition to diseases | ✅ | ± (not in EU) | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Relationship between samples | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Family search engine | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ± | ✅ |
More than 700k markers and Illumina technology | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Sample report available | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Raw file upload from other companies | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
WGS, WES available on the platform for clinical diagnostics | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Periodic updates | ✅ | ✅ | ± | ± | ❓ |
Genetic data shared with other companies | ❌ | ✅(Glaxo SmithKline) | ❓ | ❓ | ❓ |
Price range | 109€-169€ | 99$-999$ | 89€-199€ | 89€-149€ | 99$-199$ |
✅ | ❌ | ± | ❓ |
Available | Not available | Partially available | We do not have of the information |
Why Choose ADNTRO GENETICS?
The companies that currently are listed on the stock exchange like 23andMe or MyHeritage with thousands of employees and years in the market have, objectively speaking, a very high quality ancestry reportHowever, they have not innovated to extract as much information as possible from the genetic code.
This article has been written by the ADNTRO team, but we have made a objective analysiscomparing many factors and we consider ADNTRO to be the best dna testwith the more comprehensive reports in all the categories available in the market, with the best platformeasy to use, didactic and easy to use and with the more affordable priceas a result of our company's vision of democratize accessibility to the genetic code and give everyone the opportunity to learn and know themselves better.
Differences between technologies for genetic analysis
Ten en cuenta que cuando se trata de genómica, podemos encontrar different types of technologies which provide different results. Organizing from the least complex technology to the most complex we can find genotyping, gene panel, whole-exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing.
If we want to know which genetic variants could have clinical implications, we will need different technologies: gene panels, whole exome sequencing or whole genome sequencing, depending on the medical purpose. The data obtained will go all the way to the complete genome sequencing (Whole Genome Sequencing). We can analyze your complete DNA (3,200,000,000,000 positions), and together with bioinformatic analysis it will be useful information for the physician for clinical diagnosis. Some companies have this type of analysis available as Nebula Genomics and also ADNTRO.
Update [June 2024]: This article has been updated to include the latest information on the best DNA tests on the market in 2024.