Ancestris
Free open-source family tree software run by Association Ancestris
Summary table
| Company | Association Ancestris |
|---|---|
| Category | Genealogy Software |
| Headquarters | Marnes-la-Coquette, France |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - France (EU) |
| Data Location | Local: data stays in a GEDCOM file on your own computer |
| Open Source | GNU General Public License (stated in the documentation) |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | Desktop software, runs on your own computer |
| Main Features | Over 30 tools, classic and dynamic tree editors, geographic map, chronological view, list of places, source and media management, statistical reports, Sosa-Daboville numbering, merge, duplicate detection |
| Pricing | Free for life, including updates. Funded by donations and membership. |
| Best For | Researchers who want full control of their data in a plain GEDCOM file and no subscription |
| Replaces | Ancestry (family tree editing), RootsMagic, Family Tree Maker |
Our review
Ancestris is a free genealogy program written by volunteers. The association statutes are filed under the French law of 1 July 1901, and the registered seat is 8b rue Jean Minaud, 92430 Marnes-la-Coquette. Version 13 has been stable since December 2025.
Ancestris stores the whole tree in a GEDCOM file, so the data is never locked to the program. That design answers the lock-in concern many Ancestry users have, at the price of doing the research without a built-in record collection.
Is Ancestris really free?
Ancestris states that it is free for life and that updates are free and delivered inside the software. The association says it uses donations to promote the program at genealogy and IT shows.
The documentation lists the licence as the GNU General Public License. The download page offers version 13 as the stable build and version 14 as a daily updated build.
What can Ancestris do?
Ancestris offers more than 30 tools for editing and analysis, among them a dynamic tree, a geographic view, a chronological view and a list of places. It handles sources and media and creates statistical reports.
Ancestris also detects duplicates, merges records and supports Sosa-Daboville numbering. The number of individuals, families and trees is unlimited.
Where is Ancestris weaker than Ancestry?
Ancestris has no online tree matching, no hints and no record collection, because it is desktop software with community support. Help comes from volunteers on a forum.
Ancestris needs Java on the computer, and the interface has the look of a classic desktop tool. Users who want a hosted tree should compare Genealogie Online or Gramps Web hosting.
Known limits
Ancestris has no cloud sync, no DNA matching and no record database. Support is volunteer-based, and the program requires Java. The pages we read do not show a company register number for the association. A hosted route is Gramps Web hosted by DINAO.
Best suited to users of Ancestris
Technical hobbyists and privacy-minded researchers who want to keep the tree in a GEDCOM file. Pair it with Open Archives for records.
Strengths and weaknesses
Pros
- Free for life, updates included
- Open-source licence
- Unlimited persons, families and trees
- Data in a plain GEDCOM file
- Windows, macOS and Linux
Cons
- Needs Java
- No hints, no DNA, no records
- Volunteer support only
- No cloud sync
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free for life, updates included
- Open-source licence
- Unlimited persons, families and trees
- Data in a plain GEDCOM file
- Windows, macOS and Linux
Cons
- Needs Java
- No hints, no DNA, no records
- Volunteer support only
- No cloud sync
Alternatives to Ancestris
More European genealogy software you can weigh against it:
See all European genealogy software or compare them directly against Ancestry (family tree editing) on our alternatives page.
FAQ
Ancestris states that the software is free for life and that updates are free. The association uses donations to promote it.
Ancestris keeps the tree in a GEDCOM file on your own computer, so the data is not held by a company server.
Ancestris is run by Association Ancestris, a French association declared under the law of 1 July 1901, with its seat in Marnes-la-Coquette.