Best Reviewed
Genealogy Software
- Best free genealogy software RootsMagic Essentials *Est. $0
- Best full-featured genealogy software RootsMagic 4 *Est. $30
- Best genealogy software for Mac Reunion 9 *Est. $100
- Best genealogy software for professionals The Master Genealogist v7 Gold *Est. $60
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- Easy to learn
- Room to grow
- A basic free version is available
- Can create books, web pages
- $20 upgrade for good charts
- Won't import other programs besides GEDCOM
Reviews say Legacy Family Tree Deluxe 6.0 and RootsMagic 3 (*est. $30) are the best genealogical software for most PC users. You can download a basic version for free, and if you later want more advanced features, you can transfer the files to the upgraded Legacy. You can also upgrade the Deluxe with a charting companion (*est. $20) if you want publication-quality charts. Most professional and user reviews say Legacy is as easy or difficult as you want to make it. As with most top programs, you can seamlessly import Genealogical Data Communications (GEDCOM) files, but one review dings Legacy for not allowing imports from other programs. You can create books and web pages. Reunion 9 (*est. $100) gets the best reviews for Mac users.
We found a helpful comparison chart at TopTenReviews.com; the chart compares features mainly, with some comments that suggest hands-on use. The individual reviews at About.com, Family Tree Magazine, Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter and Canada's National Genealogical Society are written by genealogical professionals. We found helpful user reviews at Amazon.com.
Our Sources
This website sometimes just slaps a new year atop old rankings, but the 2008 ratings are slightly different than 2007's, though Legacy remains in first place. The review says Legacy allows a great deal of customization so you can determine the level of details you want.
Review: 2008 Genealogy Software Report, Editors of TopTenReviews.com
2. About.com
Kimberly Powell is a professional genealogist; she ranks software based on "personal choice," putting Legacy in the third spot with the same score as the top two. It's called "intuitive" and "powerful." (Note: ConsumerSearch and About.com share a parent company but are not editorially affiliated.)
Review: Genealogy Software Roundup 2007, Kimberley and Albrecht Powell, Oct. 2007
This genealogy magazine doesn't rank software, but it does list pros and cons for each title. Legacy Family Tree is easy to use, but "pedigree view doesn't show exact dates and places."
Review: Software Guide, Editors of Family Tree Magazine, 2008
Family Tree's full review of Legacy Family Tree remains posted on its message board. Among the plusses noted is printable family history books, and a negative is you have to buy a charting companion (*est. $20 for download, *est. $25 for CD).
Review: Legacy Family Tree 6.0 For Windows Software Review, Rick Crume, Oct. 12, 2007
5. Smart ComputingDetails/Subscribe
Legacy Family Tree 5 (now updated as version 6) and The Master Genealogist 6 are discussed but not really rated in this review. Reviewer Kylee Dickey says, "If you're new to genealogy software, you'll be more comfortable with Legacy."
Review: Family Feud: Legacy Family Tree 5 Standard vs. The Master Genealogist 6 Silver, Kylee Dickey, Aug. 2005
6. National Genealogical Society (Canada)
This is a review of an earlier version of Legacy, and while it's outdated, it's 16 PDF give insights into its features. There's an overall score, but that doesn't mean much since this software has been updated.
Review: Legacy 3 Deluxe Review, Bill Mumford
Genealogy Software Runners Up:
3 picks including: About.com, Family Tree Magazine…
2 picks by top review sites.
1 pick including: About.com, Family Tree Magazine…
