Ranking updated
Best family tree apps in 2026
For a free family tree that hints at matching historical records, FamilySearch Tree. To combine a tree with DNA results, Ancestry. For British and Irish censuses and registers, Findmypast. To write life stories and turn your tree into a downloadable family history book, Memoria. Full breakdown below.
How we picked: people open a family tree app either to research ancestors in records or to preserve the stories of the family they already know. We read each developer’s own App Store description for how you build the tree, where the records come from and what you can keep or share, and noted where the app is also on Android.
A free family tree app with record hints
FamilySearch Tree is a crowd-sourced tree: you add branches for your own family, and as you add information the app starts searching historical records such as birth and death certificates for your relatives. You can add sources to confirm details, and keep photos, written stories and audio recordings with each ancestor.
Genealogy apps with records and DNA
Ancestry lets you view and grow your tree, upload photos and share stories, review Ancestry Hints in a Discover feed, and, if you have taken an AncestryDNA test, see ethnicity results and DNA matches next to your tree; the full record collection needs a free trial or a paid subscription. Findmypast is the pick for British and Irish roots, with historical censuses and registers, birth, marriage and death records, electoral records and digitised newspapers you can search alongside your tree, plus family tree hints by push notification.
Keep the family story, not just the names
Memoria is built around preserving what you already know: an interactive family tree builder, life stories and biographies written with AI help, photo and memory storage, memorial pages and privacy controls for your data. When the stories are in, you can create and download your own family history book, and the app gives access to private genealogists if you want help going further back. For writing memories day by day, see diary apps.
| App | Best for | Platforms | What sets it apart |
|---|---|---|---|
| FamilySearch TreeApp StoreGoogle Play | a free shared tree with record hints | iOS, Android | searches historical records like birth and death certificates as you add people |
| AncestryApp StoreGoogle Play | a tree linked to DNA | iOS, Android | Ancestry Hints and DNA matches next to your tree |
| FindmypastApp Store | British and Irish records | iOS | censuses, registers, electoral records and newspapers |
| MemoriaCensuusApp StoreGoogle Play | a family history book | iOS, Android | life stories, memorial pages and a downloadable family book |
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free family tree app?
FamilySearch Tree is free and searches historical records for your relatives as you build the tree. Findmypast’s app is free to download, with a subscription for its records.
Which family tree app works with DNA results?
Ancestry shows AncestryDNA ethnicity results and DNA matches alongside your family tree.
Can I make a family history book from an app?
Memoria lets you build a tree, write life stories and create a family history book you can download.