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Choosing a Genealogical Software Program
When you are first beginning to research your family tree, it seems easy enough to remember who you are researching and what you have accomplished. However, quickly you discover that you have a number of individuals and are beginning to compile a list of research tasks that you need to accomplish. Before you get too many names and records, you will want to consider acquiring a genealogy software package. The alphabetically-arranged chart below gives a highlight of features to consider and costs of different programs. You may want to start with one of the free programs for your system (or see if the program you are interested in has a “trial” version) before committing money to a specific program. When you are just beginning you may not yet know how you feel about the different entry screen interfaces or if you want to have multiple source citations or be able to create a Web page. Using one of the free, or trial, versions of software allows you to learn what you like and don’t like about the software you think you may be interested in purchasing.
The chart below identifies some of the most popular genealogical software programs, however, there are many more that exist. Print friendly version. To find a comprehensive list and links to their web sites, please consult Cyndi’s List Software and Computer.
Choosing a Genealogical Software Program
Live broadcast: January 25, 2016
Presented by: Rhonda R. McClure
Level: Beginner - Intermediate Running Time: 1:00:12
Description:Genealogical software can help you organize your family history research, generate charts and reports, correct entry mistakes, and visualize your progress. Join Rhonda R. McClure to learn how to select software that’s right for you and how to transfer your files from an old program to a new one.
| Program | Operating System | Entry Screen /Interface | Access to Online Sites | Source Citation Templates | Research Log Ability | Create a Web Page | Portable Options/Synchronization | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ancestral Quest ancquest.com Cost: Free (Basics); $29.95 (Ancestral Quest 14) | Windows | Tabs (Pedigree, Family, Name, List, Individual, Timeline) | FamilySearch, Ancestry ($), World Vital Records ($) | multiple | To Do Items, Research Log | Yes | FamViewer (iOS - $9.99), GedView (iOS - $3.99), Family Bee (Android - $10.00), GedStar Pro (Android - $9.95) | Putting the famiy on a phone or tablet is done using a GEDCOM file and is not done directly through the Ancestral Quest program |
| Brother’s Keeper bkwin.com Cost: Free (no manual or support); $45.00 (BK 7.1) | Windows | Tabs (Events/Facts, Children, Notes, Pictures, Media, Address, Names, Siblings, To Do) | None | single | To Do Tab | No | None | Offers a variety of alternate languages for the reports and interface |
| Family Tree Builder myheritage.com Cost: Free (Basic), 60.00€ (includes Premium Membership) | Windows | Pedigree View | MyHeritage (Free/$) | single | To Do Tasks | No | MyHeritage (iOS, Android - Free) | Tree displayed on the App is through the MyHeritage.com Web site |
| Family Tree Maker mackiev.com/ftm/ Cost: $39.99 (Windows); $69.99 (Mac) | Windows Mac | All-in-One (adjustable) | Ancestry ($) | single | To-Do List (individuals | No | Ancestry App (iOS, Android - Free) | Ancestry App accesses your tree via Ancestry.com |
| Heredis heredis.com/en/ Cost: $39.90 (Windows); $59.99 (Mac) Offers a Trial Version in both format | Windows Mac | All-in-One (smaller windows for different items) | None | multiple | To Do | Yes | Heredis App (iOS, Android - Free) | Program can synch across PC-Mac Apps. Can link witnesses and other non-family related individuals via events. |
| iFamily ifamilyformac.com Cost: Demo (free, runs for 16 days), $29.95 | Mac | Combination view and Tabs (Individual, Family, Ext. Family, Relatives, Events, Notes, Comments, Sources, Pictures, Story, Ancestors, Descendants) | None | single | To Do Items | Yes | None | Can link witnesses and other non-family related individuals via “Associated Person” |
| Legacy Family Tree legacyfamilytree.com Cost: Free (Standard); $29.95 (Deluxe) | Windows | Tabs (Home, Family, Pedigree, Descendant, Chronology, Index, Research Guidance) | FamilySearch, Ancestry ($) | multiple | To Do List (Individual, General) | Yes | Families (iOS, Android - $15.00), Pocket Genealogist (Windows Mobile - $20/$35) | The Research Guidance feature suggests resources, extremely helpful for beginners |
| MacFamilyTree syniumsoftware.com/ macfamilytree Cost: $59.99 | Mac | All-in-One (adjustable) | FamilySearch | multiple | To Do Items, Research Log | Yes | MobileFamilyTree (iOS - $14.99) | MobileFamilyTree is a completely stand-alone program that can be synched via Apple's iCloud or Dropbox if also using the desktop version of the software. |
| Reunion leisterpro.com Cost: $99.00 Offers a Demo Mode Version | Mac | All-in-One (adjustable) | None | multiple | Logs (General - not attached to individuals) | Yes | Reunion (iOS - $14.99) | Synching warns you if you have changes on device when synching from computer |
| RootsMagic rootsmagic.com Cost: Free (RootsMagic Essentials)/$29.95 Offers a Trial Version | Windows Mac (img) | Tabs (Pedigree, Family, Descendants, People, WebSearch, Timeline) | FamilySearch, Ancestry ($), Fold3 ($) | multiple | To Do (Person, Family), Research Log (Person, Family, Event, Place) | Yes | RootsMagic to Go (included w/ Program), RootsMagic App (iOS - free) | RootsMagic App is just a reader |
| The Master Genealogist whollygenes.com Discontinued | Windows | All-in-One (adjustable) | None | multiple | To Do Lists | Yes | Pocket Genealogist (Windows Mobile - $20/$35), GedStar Pro (Android - $9.95) | Allows researchers to link non-family individuals through events |
$ indicates a subscription Web site
RootsMagic 5
Example of a Tabbed interface 
