My Gene Story Editorial
GEDmatch finds relatives. What else can your raw DNA file do?
My Gene Story editorial team
Published · Updated
GEDmatch matches you to other people's DNA. A DNA Story does not. It reads the same kind of raw file for everyday traits such as nutrition and sleep. If you want relatives, use GEDmatch. If you want a written trait report, that is a separate job.
What GEDmatch does
GEDmatch is a genetic-genealogy site. Free tools include One-to-Many, One-to-One, and Admixture, and the applications page says 45+ other tools are available. Tier 1 adds Segment Search, Q-Matching, and Clusters.
The 7 July 2026 GEDmatch post says Tier 1 pricing for new subscribers rises on 1 September 2026 to $15 a month or $150 a year. People who already subscribe keep their existing rate. The why-join page says you receive DNA matches within 24 hours of uploading, and that joining and matching is free.
GEDmatch and a DNA Story at a glance
Prices and policies as stated on each company's own site, checked 23 Oct 2026.
GEDmatch
- Price model
- Free to join and match, per the why-join page. Tier 1 is $15/month or $150/year for new subscribers since 1 September 2026 (GEDmatch post). Earlier subscribers keep their rate. Checked 23 Oct 2026.
- What you get
- Genetic-genealogy matching: One-to-Many, One-to-One, Admixture, and 45+ tools. Tier 1 adds Segment Search, Q-Matching, and Clusters. Checked 23 Oct 2026.
- Format
- Match lists and genealogy tools. Applications. Checked 23 Oct 2026.
- Files accepted
- Upload guides for 23andMe and Ancestry. The Ancestry guide uses the .zip. The how-it-works menu also names Family Tree DNA, Living DNA, MyHeritage, and tellmeGen. Full format list: not listed on their site. Checked 23 Oct 2026.
- Time to result
- "Receive DNA matches within 24 hours of uploading." Why join. Checked 23 Oct 2026.
- How long the raw file is kept
- The original file is deleted "soon after they are processed and archived" and kept in tokenised form. Privacy policy. Checked 23 Oct 2026.
- Deletion
- All copies, including backups, within 30 days of a request (privacy policy). Self-serve Kit Removal is described on the privacy and security page. Checked 23 Oct 2026.
- Sells/shares genetic data?
- The privacy and security page says GEDmatch will not share DNA match results without explicit consent, and that law-enforcement comparison depends on the upload option you choose. Checked 23 Oct 2026.
- New kit needed?
- No. You upload a file from a test you already took. Why join. Checked 23 Oct 2026.
- Relative matching?
- Yes. One-to-Many and One-to-One are on the applications page. Checked 23 Oct 2026.
My Gene Story
- Price model
- $24.99 once, for one written DNA Story. No subscription.
- What you get
- One written DNA Story on 350+ everyday traits, including nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin, and personality. A short summary and a detailed report.
- Format
- One plain-English narrative.
- Files accepted
- 23andMe .txt, AncestryDNA .txt, MyHeritage .csv, FamilyTreeDNA .csv, and LivingDNA .txt. A .tsv file is OK. Zipped or unzipped. See the file check.
- Time to result
- Emailed to you as a written report. Full refund if the file can't be read.
- How long the raw file is kept
- We keep your DNA file so you can unlock more reports without uploading again.
- Deletion
- Email ask@mygenestory.com anytime and we'll delete it within 30 days of your request.
- Sells/shares genetic data?
- We never sell your DNA data.
- New kit needed?
- No. It reads the raw file you already have.
- Relative matching?
- No. A DNA Story does not match relatives and does not build a family tree.
Checked 23 Oct 2026.
What a DNA Story does instead
A DNA Story is one written report on 350+ everyday traits, including nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin, and personality. It does not match relatives, and it does not build a family tree.
You can upload the same raw file to GEDmatch and, separately, order a DNA Story. One service does not replace the other. The 23andMe download steps are in how to download your 23andMe raw data.
When GEDmatch is the better fit
GEDmatch fits when you want relative matching, a family-tree tool, or a choice about law-enforcement comparisons. A DNA Story does not do those jobs.
A DNA Story does not do methylation or MTHFR reports or relative matching. It is a written report on everyday traits. Use both only if you want both jobs.
Privacy and law-enforcement options
GEDmatch's privacy and security page describes four choices at upload: Public Opt-in, Public Opt-out, Personal Research, and Private. Public Opt-in allows comparison with law-enforcement kits. Public Opt-out does not. Personal Research keeps your kit out of other people's match lists. Private turns matching off. You can change the choice later in your data preferences.
The privacy policy says GEDmatch is operated by Verogen, Inc., a Qiagen subsidiary. The original file is deleted soon after it is processed and archived, and the DNA is kept in tokenised form. Deletion of all copies, including backups, is within 30 days of a request. The privacy and security page also describes a self-serve Kit Removal control. We keep your DNA file so you can unlock more reports without uploading again. Email ask@mygenestory.com anytime and we'll delete it within 30 days of your request. My Gene Story does not offer a law-enforcement matching choice, because it does not match relatives. File-keeping compared: where it is safe to upload your raw DNA.
If you want matches elsewhere
MyHeritage's October 2025 post says that, as of mid-May 2025, it no longer accepts DNA uploads from other companies. Downloading a file from a test you already took at MyHeritage is a different step. That download is covered in how to download MyHeritage raw data.
Other things a raw file can do
These pages are about written reports and research tools, not relative matching.
- Promethease alternative. A $25 research list from SNPedia. Not relative matching.
- Genetic Genie alternative. Free methylation and detox panels. A DNA Story does not include them.
- Genomelink alternative. A trait dashboard with free traits and a paid Unlimited Traits plan (price shown after sign-in).
FAQ
How much is GEDmatch Tier 1 now?
The GEDmatch post from 7 July 2026 says Tier 1 pricing increases on 1 September 2026 to $15 a month or $150 a year for new subscribers. Current Tier 1 members keep their existing rate. Joining and matching stays free, per the why-join page. Checked 23 Oct 2026.
Does My Gene Story find relatives?
No. A DNA Story does not match relatives and does not build a family tree. GEDmatch does that job. A DNA Story is a written report on everyday traits such as nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin, and personality, from a raw file you already have.
Can I upload the same file to both?
Yes. Each service starts from the raw file you download from the company that tested you, such as 23andMe or AncestryDNA. Uploading to GEDmatch does not send the file to My Gene Story, and ordering a DNA Story does not create a GEDmatch kit. 23andMe download steps.
Does MyHeritage still accept uploads?
No. MyHeritage's October 2025 post says that, as of mid-May 2025, DNA uploads from other companies are no longer supported. If you tested at MyHeritage, you can still download that company's own file. How to download MyHeritage raw data.
Is a DNA Story medical?
No. A DNA Story is educational, wellness reading of a consumer DNA file you already have. It is not a clinical test, does not diagnose any condition, and is not medical advice. If a result raises a medical question, talk with a clinician or a genetic counselor.
Want the traits side of your file?
GEDmatch is for relatives. If you also want everyday traits written out, a DNA Story is $24.99 once from the raw file you already have. It will not find relatives. Read a second opinion on your DNA test results.
My Gene Story reports are for informational and educational purposes. They are not medical advice and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.