Learn about the most popular genealogy software for Windows and PC, including price, manufacturer, pros and cons, as well as reviews and links to download.
Price: $29.95
Manufacturer: Incline Software
Biggest draws: Compatible with Personal Ancestral File (PAF) and expands on PAF's capabilities; fields to record DNA test results; many reporting options, including pedigree charts with sources and notes; PDF output; research logs
Drawbacks: Poor family view, add-on needed for a wide selection of graphical charts
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Free demo version
Price: $45 with manual, $20 upgrade
Manufacturer: John Steed
Biggest draws: charts and reports, to-do lists
Drawbacks: navigation, no HTML descendant report
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Price: $69.99
Manufacturer: Calico Pie (UK)
Biggest draws: navigation by graphical family tree, automated source citations, customizable charts
Drawbacks: price, no letter-size pedigree charts, awkward steps for documenting sources and creating Web reports
Free demo version
Price: $29.95
Manufacturer: Thoughtful Creations
Biggest draws: Wide selection of printed reports, including excellent narrative reports for creating a book with a place-name index; many options for publishing your family history online; ease of use
Drawbacks: Overwhelming array of graphical chart options could benefit from some streamlining
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Price: $59 download, $69.95 on CD
Manufacturer: Wholly Genes Software
Biggest draws: Unlimited flexibility and customization; unique power-user features
Drawbacks: Steep learning curve
Free 30-day trial
Parantele 3.1
Price: The Prestige Edition, which includes CD publishing and unlimited individuals, costs $99.95. The Classic Edition (which limits you to a 2,046-person file) is $59.95
Manufacturer: Alsyd Multimedia
Biggest draws: This Windows program features a wide variety of printed reports, flexibility in publishing your family history online and an innovative way to share your family history
Drawbacks: Despite nice graphic reports and the nifty CD-ROM publishing feature, this version of Parentèle doesn't quite stack up against the other popular programs.
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Price: free download, $8.25 on CD with PAF Companion
Manufacturer: FamilySearch
Biggest draws: Ease of use, excellent help files, price, foreign language versions, well-designed print and Web reports, good graphical charts with PAF Companion
Drawbacks: Reports don't include alternate personal names; FamilySearch is no longer upgrading PAF