Ancestral Quest

by Incline Software (Gaylon Findlay)
This is the program on which the Windows version PAF was based. It uses the same database structure as PAF (Personal Ancestral File). This program has continued to develop and is a very widely used program. PAF users who want to retain their current database but use a supported program might want to try this out. There is also a free version available called Ancestral Quest Basics.

Ahnenblatt

by Dirk Böttcher
A free and easy-to-use genealogy software for Windows. It is available in several languages (English, German, French, Spanish and more). It also has a website in German and a Portal in German.  Can run as a portable application on a USB stick.

My Great Big Family

by Web Portal People, LLC
A website and online family tree program allowing families to collect their family information together. Includes many interactive features and can import GEDCOM files.

XY Family Tree

based in Crowthorne, Berkshire, UK
Displays your ancestors, desendants and relatives on your PC and, optionally, in your own folder on the XY Family Tree website. You can create broad trees or tall trees. Large trees can be separated into distinct families very easily.

iFamily for Leopard

by Keith Wilson
A program for Apple Mac requiring at least OS 10.4 (Tiger). It stresses the individual more than the family unit which gives it certain advantages. Specializes in handling images.

Personal Ancestral File (PAF)

by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Personal Ancestral File is a very popular genealogy program that has been available free for many years and has a large following. The LDS has stated that it will no longer be updating the program. The final version is 5.2.18.0 (2005). But LDS still answers questions about it and they have an active Users Group.

Brother’s Keeper

by John Steed
The most respected and successful shareware genealogical program. Has been around a long time and has many dedicated users.

Family Historian

by Calico Pie (Simon Orde)
A new kind of family tree program with a design with strengths in its user interface, use of GEDCOM, graphics and picture handling. See their Design Goals & Philosophy page to see their ideas. It has a User Group.

Reunion

by Leister Productions, Inc.
Reunion is one of the easiest-to-use programs with superb charting capabilities and many features. Only available for the Macintosh.

Heredis for Mac

by BSD Concept
The best selling Genealogy program in Europe with many innovative features not seen in other programs. Data Entry, one of the Heredis strong points. You can synchronize your files on several devices: a PC or a Mac but also with your iPhone or your iPad or on external media such as USB flash drive or external hard drive. There is also a Windows version.

RootsMagic

by RootsMagic, Inc. (Bruce Buzbee)
A program from the developer of the very popular and well-liked Family Origins. This program is even better. Complete and easy to use with extensive reports. There is a free version called RootsMagic Essentials. There is a free app for iOS. It has some active user groups. They also have a blog.

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16

by Ancestry.com
The number one selling genealogy program of all time. Produces a wide variety of reports and charts. This entry is for Family Tree Maker as it existed up to Version 16, which was then rewritten entirely in 2008. Because the versions are so different, please use this entry for the older versions and use the FTM - Current Version to review the newer versions.

Genbox Family History

by Thoughtful Creations (William Flight)
A complete genealogy software package. It will help you organize your research, store your data, enter proper source citations, and produce professional-quality charts and reports that you can preview and modify, then print or publish on the web. Genbox compares itself to The Master Genealogist, Legacy, Personal Ancestral File, RootsMagic and Family Tree Maker.

Family Echo

by Familiality (Gideon Greenspan)
Build an interactive family tree of your ancestry. Invite family members to collaborate online and fill in the missing details.

Legacy

by Millennia Corp (Dave Berdan and Ken McGinnis)
A comprehensive Windows program with many features, nicely described on their web site. It has a standard version that is free, and is one of the better free genealogy programs available. It compares itself with Personal Ancestral File, Family Tree Maker, Roots Magic, and The Master Genealogist. They have a blog. They have a number of user groups.

Ultimate Family Tree (UFT)

by Palladium Interactive, Inc.
Ultimate Family Tree was developed in 1997 when Palladium combined the ease of use of its Family Gathering program with the power and capabilities of the ROOTS software it purchased from CommSoft. UFT became the standard for other programs to achieve. In 2003, Ultimate Family Tree was purchased by Genealogy.com, who dropped it in favor of their Family Tree Maker software.

The Master Genealogist (TMG)

by Wholly Genes, Inc. (Bob Velke)
A comprehensive program with many features that include a powerful report writer and excellent source referencing. It has User Groups.

Heredis for PC

by BSD Concept
The best selling Genealogy program in Europe with many innovative features not seen in other programs. Data Entry, one of the Heredis strong points. You can synchronize your files on several devices: a PC or a Mac but also with your iPhone or your iPad or on external media such as USB flash drive or external hard drive. There is also a Mac version.

Gramps

by Don Allingham
A GNOME genealogy program for Linux and FreeBSD and Mac OS X and Windows that allows you to easily build and keep track of your family tree. This is an Open Source project and is free. This is where you go to help with the development of GRAMPS. It is written in the language Python. The GRAMPS project has a blog. See also Gramps Portable.

WikiTree

by Chris Whitten
The Worldwide Family Tree Wiki. Unlike many wikis the content is not completely open and public. Copyrights are kept by the contributors. Content is kept private through a unique “Trusted List” system that enables you to select the individuals you want to collaborate with and the specific content you want to share with them. This flexible system means everyone can be on one worldwide family tree but privacy isn’t sacrificed. Gedcom import is supported.

WikiTree is free but new members must be invited by a family member or fellow genealogist and must understand the Honor Code and mission before contributing.