What is the best private family tree app?

For a tree your family builds together and keeps private, Banyan is made for exactly that. Only invited relatives can see the tree, elders control roles and edits, and one plan covers everyone. Ancestry lists trees as public by default, MyHeritage can include trees in its search, and FamilySearch and Geni keep shared world trees.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Ancestry or MyHeritage?

Yes. Banyan Starter is free, and Banyan Family costs US$79 a year for a tree of up to 250 relatives, paid by one person. Ancestry memberships cost US$24.99 to US$59.99 a month at list price (checked October 20, 2026).

Can strangers see or edit my family tree?

Not on Banyan. Your tree is private to the relatives you invite, and only your family can change it. On FamilySearch and Geni, deceased relatives sit in shared world trees that other users can view and edit.

Do my relatives need to pay to join a Banyan tree?

No. One person pays for the tree, and anyone in the family can be that person. Every invited relative joins and contributes free, on every plan.

Compare family tree apps

The family tree your whole family can build.

See how Banyan compares with Ancestry, MyHeritage, FamilySearch and Geni on price, privacy and what it takes to bring every relative in.

Checked October 20, 2026

The short answer

Banyan is a private family tree app that relatives build together. One person starts free or pays from US$79 a year for the whole tree, and every invited relative joins free. Ancestry and MyHeritage focus on historical records and DNA in paid memberships. FamilySearch and Geni keep shared world trees, where other users can view and edit deceased relatives. Banyan keeps your whole tree private to your family.

Banyan at a glance

What a family gets, what it costs, and who controls the tree.

Banyan compared with Ancestry, MyHeritage, FamilySearch and Geni
	BanyanYour living family	AncestryRecords and DNA	MyHeritageRecords and DNA	FamilySearchShared world tree	GeniShared world tree
Who sees your tree	Good for families: Invited relatives only	Trade-off for privacy or control: Public by default	Trade-off for privacy or control: Can appear in search	Trade-off for privacy or control: Ancestors in a public tree	Trade-off for privacy or control: Ancestors in a public tree
Who can change it	Good for families: Your family; elders approve	Neutral: Owner and invited editors	Neutral: Site owner decides	Trade-off for privacy or control: Any user (ancestors)	Trade-off for privacy or control: Any user (public profiles)
Price	Good for families: Free, or US$79/yr for everyone	Neutral: US$24.99–59.99/mo	Neutral: Several yearly plans	Good for families: Free	Neutral: Free; Pro US$149/yr
What relatives pay	Good for families: Nothing	Neutral: Free account; records locked	Neutral: Owner sets access	Good for families: Nothing	Good for families: Nothing
Ads and your data	Good for families: No ads, never sold	Trade-off for privacy or control: Shares data for targeted ads	Trade-off for privacy or control: Works with ad partners	Good for families: Not sold	Good for families: Not given to advertisers

Good for families Neutral Trade-off for privacy or control

Questions families ask

What is the best private family tree app?: For a tree your family builds together and keeps private, Banyan is made for exactly that. Only invited relatives can see the tree, elders control roles and edits, and one plan covers everyone. Ancestry lists trees as public by default, MyHeritage can include trees in its search, and FamilySearch and Geni keep shared world trees.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Ancestry or MyHeritage?: Yes. Banyan Starter is free, and Banyan Family costs US$79 a year for a tree of up to 250 relatives, paid by one person. Ancestry memberships cost US$24.99 to US$59.99 a month at list price (checked October 20, 2026).
Can strangers see or edit my family tree?: Not on Banyan. Your tree is private to the relatives you invite, and only your family can change it. On FamilySearch and Geni, deceased relatives sit in shared world trees that other users can view and edit.
Do my relatives need to pay to join a Banyan tree?: No. One person pays for the tree, and anyone in the family can be that person. Every invited relative joins and contributes free, on every plan.

Start the tree your family will keep adding to.

Banyan Starter is free. Invite your relatives with a link or QR code, and build your family tree together.

Start your family tree free

Sources

We checked each company's public website on October 20, 2026. Prices are US list prices before tax and can change. Introductory offers are not shown. Banyan details come from our plans, FAQ and privacy policy. Brand names belong to their owners.