Technical Reference

DNA Test Comparison Table 2026

The only technical comparison table that includes Q30 scores, raw data formats (FASTQ/BAM/VCF), and bioinformatics file quality ratings. No competitor table has these columns.

Licensed CC BY 4.0
Cite this data with attribution — methodology included below

SNP Array Tests (Genotyping)

These tests read specific predetermined locations in your DNA (SNPs). Fast and affordable, but limited coverage compared to WGS. Learn more about the technical differences in our Microarray vs WGS deep dive.

Company SNP Count Raw Data Formats Database Size Price (USD) Bioinfo Quality Our Score
AncestryDNA
Illumina OmniExpress
~700,000
CSV (free) No FASTQ/BAM/VCF
27M+
Largest database
$99
Frequent sales ~$49
7/10
8.5
Best for genealogy
23andMe
Illumina GSA v3
~650,000
TXT (free) No FASTQ/BAM/VCF
15M+
Second largest
$99-$229
Health + Ancestry
8/10
7.8
Bankruptcy concerns
Living DNA
Sirius Chip (Custom)
~700,000
CSV (free) No FASTQ/BAM/VCF
1-2M
Small database
$90
Ancestry only
7.5/10
8.2
Best for UK ancestry
MyHeritage
Illumina OmniExpress
~700,000
CSV (free) No FASTQ/BAM/VCF
6M+
European focus
$79
Frequent sales ~$39
7/10
7.9
Best family tree tools

SNP Array Limitation: These tests read only ~0.02% of your genome (700K out of 3.2 billion base pairs). For comprehensive coverage, see WGS tests below. After 23andMe's bankruptcy? Check our 23andMe alternatives guide.

Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) Tests

WGS reads your entire genome. 4,000x more data than SNP arrays. The table below compares Q30 scores (accuracy) and raw data availability — the two most important technical specs.

Company Coverage Q30 Score Raw Data Access Price (USD) Bioinfo Quality Our Score
Dante Labs
Illumina NovaSeq X
30x
Clinical grade
>90%
Excellent
FASTQ (free) BAM + VCF (free)
$430
Flash sales: $180
9.4/10
6.5
Poor support (BBB F)
Nebula Genomics
Illumina NovaSeq 6000
30x
Clinical grade
≥85%
Good
FASTQ (free) BAM + VCF (free)
$299
Standard pricing
8.8/10
8.3
Best privacy focus
DNA Complete *
ProPhase Labs bankruptcy — verify availability
30x / 100x
Options available
≥85%
Good
FASTQ (+$99) BAM + VCF (free)
$195-$695
Varies by depth
8.6/10
8.0
Good all-rounder
Sequencing.com
Illumina NovaSeq 6000
30x
Clinical grade
≥80%
Adequate
FASTQ (free) BAM + VCF (free)
$399
Ultimate kit
8.2/10
7.7
App marketplace

What Q30 Score Means

Q30 score = percentage of DNA bases read with 99.9% accuracy (Phred quality score ≥30). A Q30 score of 90% means 90% of your genome is read with less than 1-in-1,000 chance of error.

Clinical standard: ≥85% Q30 for diagnostic use. Dante Labs' >90% Q30 (NovaSeq X platform) is exceptional.

Biological Age / Epigenetic Clock Tests

These tests measure DNA methylation to estimate your biological age and pace of aging. Most useful for tracking longevity interventions over time. See our complete biological age testing guide for detailed reviews.

Company/Test Methodology What It Measures Sample Type Price (USD) Our Score
TruAge PACE
TruDiagnostic
DunedinPACE
173 CpG sites
Pace of aging
Years/year aging rate
Blood (dried spot) $299 8.7
Best for tracking
TruAge Complete
TruDiagnostic
Multiple clocks
GrimAge, PACE, Horvath
Comprehensive panel
Age + mortality risk
Blood (dried spot) $599 8.9
Most comprehensive
Dante Gold
Dante Labs
Methylation array
Horvath, Hannum clocks
Biological age
Age estimate only
Saliva $499 7.2
Support issues
SelfDecode
Imputation from SNP data
AI Imputation
From 23andMe data
Methylation estimate
Computed from SNPs
Upload existing data Free-$97
With subscription
7.9
Budget option

Biological age tests require repeat testing to track changes over time. Consider cost per test when choosing a provider if you plan to test multiple times per year.

Methodology & Data Sources

How This Data Was Compiled

  • User report aggregation: Data compiled from 1,000+ verified user reports across Reddit (r/Genealogy, r/biohackers, r/23andMe), Trustpilot, and genomics forums. See our full research methodology.
  • Official specifications: All technical specs verified from company documentation (March 2026).
  • Q30 scores: Sourced from official company whitepapers and independent validation studies.
  • Raw data formats: Verified from official documentation and confirmed by user export reports. Learn about DNA data sovereignty.
  • Pricing: Standard retail pricing as of March 7, 2026 (updated monthly).
  • Bioinformatics quality: Scored based on file completeness, annotation quality, and format standards.

📋 License: Creative Commons CC BY 4.0

You are free to cite, reference, and republish this data with attribution to ChronosGenomics. This table is published under CC BY 4.0.

Citation format:
"DNA Test Comparison Table 2026." ChronosGenomics, March 2026.
https://chronosgenomics.com/compare/dna-test-comparison-table-2026

🔄 Update Schedule

  • Pricing: Updated monthly (or when major sales occur)
  • Technical specs: Updated when companies announce platform changes
  • Database sizes: Updated quarterly based on company reports
  • Last updated: March 7, 2026

Read Our Full Reviews

This table provides technical specifications. For detailed reviews including accuracy testing, privacy analysis, and who each test is for, see our full reviews.