EmailBest Reviewed
Genealogy Software
- Best genealogy software RootsMagic 3 *Est. $30
- Best genealogy software (tie with RootsMagic) Legacy Family Tree 7.0 Deluxe *Est. $35
- Free family tree software Personal Ancestral File 5.2 *Est. $0
- 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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Best genealogy software
- Easy to learn
- Excellent printed reports
- Excellent documentation
- Can create shareable CDs, web pages
- Search functions could stand improvement
- Some users think interface is antiquated
We found the reviews at Family Tree Magazine the most helpful. Although the programs are not rated, the reviews are thorough. The ratings chart at TopTenReviews.com also offers a good basis for product comparison, even though the reviews don't appear to have changed from last year. A software test performed by Choice proves to be useful as well, though very dated. The individual reviews at About.com and Smart Computing are written by genealogical professionals. We found helpful user reviews at Amazon.com and GenSoftReviews.
Reviews say RootsMagic 3 is one of the best genealogical software programs for most PC users. RootsMagic is simple enough for a novice and has enough features that you probably won't outgrow it. As with most top programs, you can seamlessly import Genealogical Data Communications (GEDCOM) files, and you can create web pages and shareable CDs. You can also designate some information as private, if want to keep some data confidential on sharable discs. Professional reviews say the search function could be better. Most user reviews are positive, but some complain about an outdated interface. A new version, RootsMagic 4, is currently in the preview stage. If you buy Version 3 now, you are guaranteed to get Version 4 free. If you are a Mac user, Reunion 9 (*est. $100) gets the best reviews.
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Our Sources
This genealogy magazine doesn't rank software, but provides thorough reviews of several popular programs. Both pros and cons are listed for each. RootsMagic is "easy to use," but online searches are "less sophisticated" than other programs'.
Review: RootsMagic3 for Windows Software Review, Rick Crume, April 2006
This review says Roots Magic is good for beginners, with an "intuitive interface and a simple navigation."
Review: RootsMagic 3, Editors of TopTenReviews.com
3. About.com
Kimberly Powell is a professional genealogist and About.com's genealogy guide. She ranks genealogy software based on "personal choice," giving RootsMagic the top spot and 4.5 out of five stars based on ease of use. (Note: ConsumerSearch and About.com are owned by the same parent company, but are not editorially affiliated.)
Review: Genealogy Software Roundup 2007, Kimberley and Albrecht Powell, Oct. 2007
4. Choice.com.auDetails/Subscribe
Choice editors test 11 genealogy software programs for ease of use, performance and their range of features. RootsMagic3 rates the highest for its easy to use features and its printed user manual.
Review: Test: Family Tree Software, Editors of Choice, Nov. 2006
5. Smart ComputingDetails/Subscribe
Kylee Dickey has reviewed two previous versions of RootsMagic, and they remain online. This review compares RootsMagic 3 and Personal Historian, and says "RootsMagic is one of the most advanced programs that is still easy to use."
Review: Back to the Future, Kylee Dickey, Jan. 2006
6. Amazon.com
About 20 user reviews give RootsMagic 3 a very high average score. One reviewer claiming to have experience as a software designer says it's a bad interface, but the observation that there's no drag-and-drop is incorrect.
Review: RootsMagic Family Tree Genealogy Software, Contributors to Amazon.com
Nearly 400 programs are rated here by users, and they can be sorted in a number of ways. You can click on the software title to see users' comments. RootsMagic gets very high average ratings from nearly 30 reviewers.
Review: Untitled, Contributors to GenSoftReviews.com
Genealogy Software Runners Up:
4 picks by top review sites.
Family Tree Maker 2009 Deluxe [OLD VERSION]
 from Amazon.com New: $34.95 In Stock.
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