A free family tree maker helps you record relatives, dates and stories, then draw them as a tree you can share or print. Online trees make it easy to invite family and search records, while desktop software keeps your research on your own computer. Before you start, know which records are open to the public, because some are locked for decades by law.
Family history has a way of starting with one question at a family dinner and turning into a lifelong hobby. A good free tool keeps all of it organised, from names and dates to photos and stories.
Here are ten free family tree makers in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from shared world trees to private desktop software. Each description comes from the tool's own website, re-checked today. If you're looking for a rewarding way to use spare evenings, my piece on spending an hour of free time well might strike a chord.
Decide how private you want to be. Some tools build one big shared tree with other researchers, while others keep your tree to yourself and your family.
And talk to your oldest relatives first, before you go near the records. Names, nicknames and stories that only live in someone's memory are the clues that make the documents make sense.
Free family tree makers compared
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free version or free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Free versions often come with limits, so check what's included before you rely on one.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancestry | Family history platform | Building a tree with record hints | Yes |
| Family Echo | Simple online tree | Drawing a quick family tree | Yes |
| FamilySearch | Free genealogy platform | Searching records for free | Yes |
| Geni | Collaborative family tree site | Connecting with relatives' trees | Yes |
| Gramps | Open-source genealogy software | Private research on your computer | Yes |
| Legacy Family Tree | Genealogy software for Windows | Detailed research and reports | Yes |
| MyHeritage | Family history platform | Trees with photo tools | Yes |
| RootsMagic | Genealogy software | Desktop trees on Windows and Mac | Yes |
| webtrees | Open-source online genealogy | Hosting a family website | Yes |
| WikiTree | Free shared tree | Collaborating on one accurate tree | Yes |
Ten free family tree makers to try
Ancestry
Best for: People who want to build a tree online and see hints from a large collection of records.
Family Echo
Best for: People who want to draw and print a simple family tree online in minutes.
FamilySearch
Best for: Researchers who want a free account, a shared world tree and a big collection of searchable records.
Geni
Best for: People who want to build a tree and connect it with relatives on a shared world tree.
Gramps
Best for: Serious researchers who want free, open-source software that keeps everything on their own computer.
Legacy Family Tree
Best for: Windows users who want detailed genealogy software with charts and reports.
MyHeritage
Best for: Families who want a free basic tree and tools for old photos and record matching.
RootsMagic
Best for: People who want desktop software with a free version and no time limit.
webtrees
Best for: Tech-savvy families who want to host their own private online family tree.
WikiTree
Best for: Researchers who want to work with others on a single, sourced, free world tree.
The census rule that decides what you can see
Here's a rule every family historian runs into. The US National Archives explains that because of a 72-year restriction on access to census records, the most recent US census available is 1950, and it was released in 2022 and made available free of charge. Later censuses stay closed until their 72 years are up.
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Other countries have their own rules, so check the archive where your family lived. Knowing the release dates saves hours of searching for records that simply aren't public yet.
What to check in a free family tree maker
- Privacy: is your tree public, private or shared only with family?
- GEDCOM: can you export your tree in the standard family tree file format?
- Records: does it include free records, or only hints behind an upgrade?
- Sources: can you attach sources to every fact?
- Living relatives: does it hide details of people who are still alive?
How to start your family tree
- Start with yourself and work backwards one generation at a time.
- Interview older relatives and write down names, dates and places.
- Gather certificates, photos and letters you already have.
- Add facts with a note of where each one came from.
- Search public records only once you've captured what family know.
Family tree mistakes that spread
- Copying other trees blindly. Check their sources first.
- Assuming same name means same person. Confirm with dates and places.
- Skipping sources. Note where every fact came from.
- Sharing living people's details. Keep them private.
If family history has you reading more generally, my round-up of online resources that make book discovery more fun has some good ideas.
Do you make family history tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on free family tree makers
Start with the people who are still here to tell you their stories. Records will always be there, but memories won't.
And note a source for every fact, even if it's just Aunt Jean at a family barbecue. Future you, or a cousin, will be grateful.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build a family tree for free?
Yes. Several sites and programs let you build and share a tree without paying.
Are there completely free genealogy sites?
Yes. Some genealogy sites offer free accounts and free access to many records, run by non-profit organisations.
What's a GEDCOM file?
It's a standard file format for family trees, so you can move your tree between programs.
Should my family tree be public?
That's your choice. Many people keep living relatives private and share deceased ancestors.
Why can't I find a recent census?
Many census records are closed for a set period by law. In the US it's 72 years.
Can I use desktop software and an online tree together?
Yes. Exporting a GEDCOM file lets you move data between them.
Do DNA tests help with family trees?
They can confirm links and find relatives, but they're a separate step from building the tree.
How far back can I trace my family?
It depends on surviving records. Many families reach the early 1800s, some further.
Can I print my family tree?
Most tools create printable charts you can save as a PDF.
How do I avoid mistakes?
Check facts against more than one source and note where each fact came from.
