If you’re researching your family history, two popular tools you’ll find are Family Tree Maker (FTM) and Ancestry Online Tree. Both help you build and organize your family tree, but they work differently. Choosing the right one depends on how you want to manage, store, and share your genealogy data.
In this article, we will compare Family Tree Maker vs Ancestry Online Tree in terms of features, ease of use, pricing, data security, offline access, chart creation, and more. By the end, you’ll know exactly which one fits your needs.
✅ Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Family Tree Maker | Ancestry Online Tree |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Downloadable software | Online tree builder |
| Works Offline | ✔ Yes | ✖ No |
| Sync with Ancestry | ✔ Yes (TreeSync) | ✔ Yes |
| Media Storage | ✔ Unlimited (local) | Limited by plan |
| Charts & Reports | ✔ Advanced | Basic |
| DNA Integration | ✔ Through Ancestry | ✔ Yes |
| Data Ownership | ✔ Full control | Shared with Ancestry |
| Price | One-time purchase | Subscription-based |
| Best For | Serious genealogists | Beginners & casual users |
What Is Family Tree Maker (FTM)?
Family Tree Maker is a powerful genealogy software used by millions of family history researchers. It allows you to build your family tree on your computer and save all your data safely offline.
Key Features of Family Tree Maker
- Works offline – no internet needed
- Syncs with Ancestry.com and FamilySearch
- Advanced charts and family reports
- Map tracking for ancestral locations
- Photo and media organization
- Book and genealogy chart creator
- Secure local data backup
What Is Ancestry Online Tree?
Ancestry Online Tree is a cloud-based tree-building platform available on Ancestry.com. You can create your tree online, attach records, and connect with DNA matches.
Key Features of Ancestry Online Tree
- Easy to use — great for beginners
- Automatically hints matching records
- Connect with Ancestry DNA matches
- Share tree with family members online
- Access from any device
- Collaborate with other researchers
Detailed Comparison: FTM vs Ancestry Online Tree
### 1. Ease of Use
Ancestry Online Tree is simpler and beginner-friendly. FTM has more advanced tools and requires some learning.
2. Internet & Offline Use
- FTM works completely offline.
- Ancestry Online Tree requires internet access.
3. Privacy & Data Control
- With FTM, your data is stored locally so you own and control it.
- With Ancestry, your tree is stored online and partially shared based on your privacy settings.
4. Tree and Media Management
- FTM supports large trees and high-quality media storage.
- Ancestry Online Tree has limits depending on subscription.
5. Syncing
Both allow syncing with Ancestry, but FTM offers TreeSync for full two-way synchronization.
6. Charts and Reports
If you want printable genealogy charts and reports:
- FTM is much better – offers professional chart layouts.
- Ancestry gives only basic tree views.
7. Cost & Pricing
| Tool | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Family Tree Maker | One-time purchase |
| Ancestry Online Tree | Monthly or yearly subscription |
Pros and Cons
✅ Family Tree Maker – Pros
- Offline access
- Full data control
- Professional charts
- Secure backups
- One-time payment
❌ Family Tree Maker – Cons
- Must install software
- Requires learning
- Paid upgrade for new versions
✅ Ancestry Online Tree – Pros
- Beginner-friendly
- Auto record hints
- DNA connection features
- Easy sharing with family
- No software install
❌ Ancestry Online Tree – Cons
- Needs internet
- Subscription required for full features
- Limited chart options
- Data stored on Ancestry servers
Which One Should You Use?
Choose Family Tree Maker if:
✔ You want full control of your genealogy data
✔ You prefer offline access
✔ You want detailed charts & printable reports
✔ You are serious about genealogy research
Choose Ancestry Online Tree if:
✔ You are a beginner
✔ You want record hints automatically
✔ You enjoy DNA matching
✔ You collaborate with family online
Final Verdict
Both Family Tree Maker and Ancestry Online Tree are excellent, but they serve different users. If you want simplicity and online collaboration, go with Ancestry Online Tree. If you want professional genealogy tools and full control, choose Family Tree Maker.
Best Option for Most Users:
💡 Use both together! Build your tree in Ancestry and sync it with FTM for backup, reports, and offline work.
FAQs
1. Does Family Tree Maker require Ancestry subscription?
No, you can use FTM without Ancestry, but syncing and record hints require a subscription.
2. Can I transfer my Ancestry tree to Family Tree Maker?
Yes, you can download your Ancestry tree to FTM and sync changes.
3. Is my data safe on Ancestry?
Yes, but it is stored online. Use FTM if you want full local control.