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Family Tree Maker alternatives: 2 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Family Tree Maker: no free edition, and most useful only if you also use Ancestry. We ranked 2 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Family Tree Maker, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. RootsMagic currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1webtrees logowebtreesOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted4 of 459.6
  1. webtrees logo

    1. webtreesTop pick

    Best for: Families and societies who want a shared online tree on their own web hosting

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Family Tree Maker

    Free self-hosted web app for collaborating on a tree without an Ancestry subscription.

    Pros

    • Free and open source
    • Several people can edit one tree from a browser
    • Uses standard GEDCOM, so data moves to and from desktop apps

    Cons

    • Needs your own web server with PHP and MySQL
    • No record hints from commercial genealogy sites
    • You are responsible for updates and backups
    Visit webtrees Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is webtrees a good Family Tree Maker alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Nov 1, 2026webtrees.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Requirements
    PHP and MySQL
    Checked Nov 1, 2026webtrees.net(opens source in a new tab)
    File format
    GEDCOM
    Checked Nov 1, 2026webtrees.net(opens source in a new tab)
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Nov 1, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Family Tree Maker alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

RootsMagic logo

Best Family Tree Maker alternative for most people

RootsMagic

Has a free edition and imports Family Tree Maker files directly, with hints from more record sites.

webtrees logo

Best Family Tree Maker alternative for a free option

webtrees

Free self-hosted web app for collaborating on a tree without an Ancestry subscription.

RootsMagic logo

Best Family Tree Maker alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

RootsMagic

Has a free edition and imports Family Tree Maker files directly, with hints from more record sites.

webtrees logo

Best Family Tree Maker alternative for open source

webtrees

Free self-hosted web app for collaborating on a tree without an Ancestry subscription.

webtrees logo

Best Family Tree Maker alternative for self-hosting

webtrees

Free self-hosted web app for collaborating on a tree without an Ancestry subscription.

RootsMagic logo

Best Family Tree Maker alternative for Mac

RootsMagic

Has a free edition and imports Family Tree Maker files directly, with hints from more record sites.

RootsMagic logo

Best Family Tree Maker alternative for Windows

RootsMagic

Has a free edition and imports Family Tree Maker files directly, with hints from more record sites.

webtrees logo

Best Family Tree Maker alternative for working in the browser

webtrees

Free self-hosted web app for collaborating on a tree without an Ancestry subscription.

Family Tree Maker alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Family Tree Maker?

RootsMagic ranks first right now. Has a free edition and imports Family Tree Maker files directly, with hints from more record sites.

Is there a free alternative to Family Tree Maker?

Yes. RootsMagic (free plan + paid) and webtrees (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Family Tree Maker?

Yes: webtrees. webtrees can also be self-hosted.

Why do people switch from Family Tree Maker?

The complaints we hear most: no free edition; most useful only if you also use Ancestry; no Linux version.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Family Tree Maker, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.