Best Genealogy Software & Subscriptions to Gift – FamilyTreeDNA Gift Guide 2025

By: Courtney Eberhard

From tree-building platforms to research databases, this guide features the best genealogy software and subscriptions to help family historians put their skills into action.

Finding the perfect gift for a family historian means giving them something that supports the work they love most — uncovering the stories that connect us. DNA testing is one essential tool in their research, but software and online subscriptions help them make sense of every match, record, and clue.

This guide brings together gift-worthy digital resources that will carry their research well beyond the holiday season.

Note: Some of the websites linked in this post are affiliate partners of FamilyTreeDNA. While we do not earn any commission from most software or research tools in this guide, FamilyTreeDNA will receive a commission, at no additional cost to you, if you purchase a MyHeritage subscription after linking your tree.

Jump to a section:
DNA Tools | Research Subscriptions | Family Tree Software

DNA Tools & Analysis Gifts

DNA testing provides the clues, but the right genealogy research tools bring those clues into focus. In this section, you’ll find some of the best genealogy tools to help researchers map segments, explore match connections, and uncover new branches—thoughtful gifts for genealogists who love transforming DNA into discovery.

DNA Painter is a powerful platform that turns DNA data into clear, visual insights. Its interactive tools help researchers understand relationships, map DNA segments to ancestors, and explore how match groups fit together. It brings clarity to complex questions and supports deeper, more confident analysis.

Best for:

A thoughtful gift for researchers who enjoy visual tools and want deeper insight into how their DNA matches connect across family lines.

Why it made our list:

DNA Painter makes advanced DNA analysis feel approachable, offering visual tools that help family historians uncover patterns they might otherwise miss. Whether mapping inherited segments or testing relationship hypotheses, it gives researchers the structure they need to explore their family story with confidence.

Key features:

• Interactive relationship estimates
• Visual chromosome mapping
• DNA-based hypothesis testing

Genetic Affairs offers automated tools that help you analyze DNA matches, uncover clusters, and visualize how genetic connections fit together. Its powerful features simplify complex data from multiple testing companies, making it easier to identify shared ancestors, explore tree possibilities, and follow genetic clues with confidence.

Best for:

A smart gift for advanced researchers who love automated tools and deep-dive analysis; just note you may need the recipient’s email to activate their subscription.

Why it made our list:

Genetic Affairs elevates DNA research by automating the work genealogists usually spend hours doing by hand. From clustering matches to testing relationship hypotheses, it brings clarity to complicated data and works beautifully with FamilyTreeDNA’s segment-level results. It’s a powerful companion for anyone exploring genetic connections.

Key features:

• Automated match clustering
• Cross-platform DNA analysis
• Tree and hypothesis tools

Genealogy Research Subscriptions

Finding the right records can transform a family story, and the best genealogy subscriptions make that research easier, clearer, and more rewarding. This section highlights essential genealogy tools and platforms that help uncover historical documents, newspapers, and expert insights—thoughtful gifts for genealogists who love diving deeper into the past.

MyHeritage provides powerful tools for building family trees and exploring one of the world’s largest collections of historical records. With advanced matching technologies, intuitive search features, and innovative photo tools, it offers a rich environment for discovering new relatives and expanding your family story.

Best for:

A thoughtful gift for researchers who want access to global records, Smart Matches™, and robust tree-building tools that help bring family history to life.

Why it made our list:

MyHeritage brings together advanced tree-building features, innovative search tools, and an expansive international record collection—making it an exceptional resource for anyone exploring their roots. The Complete gift membership offers everything a family historian needs to uncover new ancestors and strengthen their research.

Key features:

• Smart Matches™ tree insights
• Global historical records access
• Advanced photo enhancement tools

Findmypast offers unparalleled access to British and Irish records, including exclusive collections from national archives and the world’s largest online archive of historical newspapers. Its intuitive search tools and smart tree hints help researchers uncover new details and follow ancestors across generations with clarity and confidence.

Best for:

An ideal gift for anyone tracing British or Irish roots and wanting rich records, newspaper archives, and intuitive tools that bring family stories to life.

Why it made our list:

Findmypast shines for researchers with UK or Irish ancestry thanks to its exclusive partnerships, extensive archives, and unparalleled newspaper collections. Its thoughtful tools and record hints make discoveries feel effortless, offering a meaningful and immersive research experience perfect for the holidays.

Key features:

• Largest UK–Ireland archives
• Robust historical newspaper access
• Smart tree hints & matches

American Ancestors offers access to one of the world’s richest collections of American and early colonial records, along with expert guidance, educational programs, and award-winning publications. Its online databases and research resources provide a trusted, scholarly foundation for anyone exploring their family story.

Best for:

A meaningful gift for researchers with early American or New England roots who value credible records, expert guidance, and high-quality historical resources.

Why it made our list:

American Ancestors stands out for its exceptional scholarship, vast archival collections, and commitment to preserving early American history. Its combination of expert support, rich databases, and educational programming makes it an ideal resource for family historians who want both depth and reliability in their research.

Key features:

• Extensive early American records
• Expert guidance & research support
• Scholarly journals and publications

Legacy Family Tree offers a completely free genealogy software platform alongside one of the largest webinar libraries in the field. With thousands of expert-led classes covering research techniques, DNA, records, technology, and global heritage topics, their annual webinar membership provides ongoing education for every skill level.

Best for:

A thoughtful gift for researchers who love learning new skills year-round; you may need the recipient’s email to activate their membership.

Why it made our list:

Legacy’s webinar library is a treasure for anyone who wants to grow their research skills with guidance from leading genealogists. From DNA analysis to global record sets, their thousands of classes offer practical instruction and inspiring insights, making this membership a meaningful gift that lasts all year.

Key features:

• Thousands of expert webinars
• Wide range of research topics
• Ongoing learning for all levels

Note: Legacy Family Tree Software Is Free!

Legacy Family Tree 10, the companion software, is now completely free with full access to every feature—no upgrades or in-program purchases required. Because it isn’t a paid product, it doesn’t appear as its own listing in this gift guide, but it’s an excellent resource worth exploring if your recipient wants a powerful, no-cost way to organize and grow their family tree.

Family Tree & Research Software

Today’s leading genealogy software offers far more than tree-building—it provides research tools, evidence tracking, and ways to organize DNA and historical records in one place. For anyone searching for genealogy research tools, family history software, or meaningful gifts for genealogists, these programs deliver both power and ease during the holiday season.

RootsMagic 11 is powerful, intuitive genealogy software designed to help you build, organize, and preserve your family tree with confidence. With smart editing tools, clean navigation, and seamless connections to major record sites, it keeps your research grounded while making discovery effortless.

Best for:

A great gift for researchers who want a reliable, offline family tree with built-in tools to track DNA matches, organize notes, and publish beautiful charts.

Why it made our list:

RootsMagic has long been a trusted standard among amateur and professional genealogists alike. Its blend of modern search tools, robust DNA tracking, and flexible reporting makes it versatile for any research style—whether you’re building a tree from scratch or organizing decades of discoveries.

Key features:

• Smart, intuitive tree building
• Built-in DNA match tracking
• Dozens of reports & charts

Family Tree Maker 2024 is a powerful desktop genealogy program that helps you build, organize, and preserve your family history with ease. With intuitive tools, offline security, and deep integration with FamilySearch, it offers one of the most seamless genealogy research experiences available.

Best for:

Anyone who wants a polished, premium family tree program that syncs beautifully with online trees and makes sharing discoveries effortless—especially if you’re gifting to someone who loves both tech and storytelling.

Why it made our list:

Family Tree Maker stands out for its seamless balance of traditional research and modern DNA workflows, giving genealogists one secure place to organize records, media, and genetic clues. With built-in tools for documenting DNA tests, linking sources, tracking match connections, and color-coding DNA-tested relatives, it helps researchers make meaningful progress without juggling multiple systems.

Key features:

• Powerful tree-building tools
• Built-in DNA documentation
• Beautiful charts and reports

Evidentia is designed for genealogists who prioritize accuracy and evidence-based conclusions, offering a structured, source-centric system for documenting research, analyzing information, and evaluating conflicting data. It keeps every piece of evidence organized so you can reach clear, defensible findings with confidence.

Best for:

A meaningful gift for the meticulous researcher who wants to follow the Genealogical Proof Standard—especially those who enjoy working with detailed sources (CD-ROM option available; confirm the recipient’s computer supports it).

Why it made our list:

Evidentia shines for genealogists who want their conclusions rooted in solid evidence rather than assumptions. Its structured approach supports evaluating sources, organizing claims, and even incorporating DNA information from tests—like Y-DNA or mtDNA—when that data truly answers a research question. For those committed to the GPS process, it’s one of the most disciplined and reliable tools available.

Want to see how Evidentia handles DNA? Their team explains the workflow for a Y-DNA test.

Key features:

• Structured evidence analysis
• Source-centric research workflow
• Reports for proof summaries

The best genealogy gifts aren’t flashy — they’re the ones that help someone uncover a missing record, solve an old mystery, or finally map that branch of the tree they’ve been chasing. These tools empower them to keep exploring long after the decorations are packed away.

Because the deeper we explore our past, the clearer our story becomes, and that’s a gift worth giving.