Heredis Review 2024

Heredis is a French genealogy software that was first started in 1994. Like most other genealogy software, Heredis helps users to collect data regarding their ancestry and neatly file it into a printable and sharable family tree.

Over its first 20 years, Heredis rose to prominence as one of the leading Mac-based genealogy applications in France. Since 2012, it has established itself in the English-speaking market and has helped people research their ancestors both in the U.K. and North America. During this time, it has also developed iOS and Android applications.

On the site, Heredis states it has a userbase of 100,000, while the software has 150 features. But how good does the website provide genealogy research assistance, is it easy to use, and is it worth signing up for? In this review, we'll take a closer look at Heredis to answer these questions!

Who Is Heredis?

Heredis offers three broad functions: family tree building, document and genealogy research, and document sharing. Heredis offers a free demo version for you to try out the software's features, but a paid membership unlocks additional features. Generally, Heredis works just like any other genealogy software, with simple-enough functions.

Upon signing up for Heredis, you can immediately start filling out all the data you already have on your family. This includes data on your family members that are still alive, as well as photos, GEDCOM files, birth certificates, and text or audio-format anecdotes.

Next, you can use the site's resources to expand your family tree. Heredis features a search wizard that links directly to praised genealogy sites and software such as Ancestry, MyHeritage, and FindMyPast. Heredis also has its own, albeit limited, genealogy database, Heredis Online, which may help you gather some information.

By the end of the search, your family tree could be enriched by birth certificates, registers, civil status records, and much more. Once you've gathered all of this, Heredis allows you to print off and share your family tree chart.

How Does Heredis Work?

Heredis can be seen as a collaborative project between you, other Heredis users, and the information stored on linked genealogy databases, such as Ancestry. On a basic level, Heredis is a place where you can add information that you know about your family, whether it be text, audio, photographs, or GEDCOM files.

Under the heading titled 'Family,' you can choose to input data on your 'Immediate Family,' 'XXL Family,' 'Ancestors,' or 'Descendants.' By starting as far back as you can remember, you can put in each family member you know of. It's easy enough to link family members together by adding them on via the 'One spouse' or the 'childless' buttons.

Heredis makes it easy to add your own content to your family tree, whether it be notes, photos, or detailed family anecdotes. You could even record a family member's anecdote through Siri, and the voice note will be converted into text and added to your family tree data collection.

To expand your family tree, you can dive into the genealogy databases that are linked to Heredis, such as Ancestry and MyHeritage. Heredis is also linked to numerous genealogy databases worldwide, which is helpful if your lineage goes back to foreign countries.

Heredis has the most geology data for families linked to France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.

Lastly, you can search through other Heredis users' family trees to potentially find links you can add to your own.

What Does Heredis Include?

Heredis can be defined by the following features:

Interactive mapping

One of the most unique features of Heredis is interactive mapping. This allows you to pinpoint where each event in a family member's life took place, i.e., marriage, new job, death, etc. Once your family tree is on the fuller side, you can zoom out of the map and see all the places your family has lived.

Chart creation

You can easily turn your family tree into a comprehensive map, booklet, or poster that you could forward to other family members via e-mail or print off and gift to someone.

Online archives

Heredis is well linked up with genealogy databases around the world, allowing you to uncover forgotten ancient ancestors from Europe or further afield.

User interaction

Check out other users' family trees by searching for names in the software. This way, you can find out more about a specific family member and make your own family tree more comprehensive.

Heredis Online

Heredis Online is the online platform where you upload the family tree you've created on the software. It is here you'll be able to search through the online archives and find users with common ancestry.

How To Purchase Heredis

Like a lot of other genealogy software, there are different subscription levels that you can pick from. This includes a free version, a standard subscription for Windows and Mac, and an upgraded version.

To purchase or download any level of Heredis, all you've got to do is purchase the genealogy software from the shop section of the website. Once downloaded, you'll be able to sign up and start building your family tree.

Is it easy to sign up for Heredis Family Tree Software?

Once you download Heredis software, it is very straightforward to sign up. A big plus of getting the free version is that you don't have to submit any credit information upon signing up. All you need to provide is a name and an e-mail, and you're free to start building your tree.

How much does Heredis cost?

Free trial version

The free trial version of Heredis does a good job of introducing you to the basic features of the site. This includes building the foundations of your family tree by adding your own dates, facts, and notes, and also importing Gedcom files.

A downside of the free version is you can only build a family tree that consists of 50 individuals maximum. Although, you can build as many separate family trees as you like. Other drawbacks include that you can't print anything off and that family tree editing is limited.

A good thing about the free trial version is that there is no time restriction on how long you can remain a demo user. This means you could build a basic family tree just for reference without paying anything.

Heredis paid membership

With a Heredis subscription, you can access popular genealogy databases such as Ancestry, FindMyPast, and MyHeritage.

The downside of paying for a Heredis subscription is that the version you pay for is the version you're stuck with unless you pay additionally for an upgrade.

Upgrade

Users often complain that there is no free upgrade option for members that have already paid for a membership. Whenever Heredis upgrade the software, you're stuck on the previous version until you pay for the update.

How To Use Heredis Software

Once you've signed up, you can select 'sample project,' which allows you to view what a completed family tree looks like. This is useful for gauging the software and getting a grip on how things are laid out and presented. Although laid out in a comprehensible manner, the interface on both the Mac and app versions is dated and bulky.

The software is still easy to use but can run quite slow, and you may find yourself spending a bit of time adding each individual family member. The website lags a lot and experiences frequent crashes, particularly when uploading a GEDCOM file. You also need to ensure accuracy when inputting data as there is no undo button.

Is Heredis Compatible With DNA Testing Sites?

The big drawback of this software is that it does not offer any DNA testing or even allows you to put in DNA test result data in your family tree. You could use such websites as Ancestry to perform a DNA test. However, there is no way to add the results of which to your Heredis family tree.

This would make Heredis a bad option for those who want to run a DNA test to uncover information on very distant relatives. If you would like to add DNA results to your family tree, you could use software such as FamilySearch instead or our top choice, AncestryDNA.

Ancestry runs AncestryDNA; this software allows you to build an accurate family tree, mapping your family's past and linking up with living relatives you may not be in contact with.

The Pros And Cons Of Heredis Family Tree Software

Pros

• Available as a mobile and desktop app - You can build your family tree on your MacBook, tablet, or smartphone. The same functions work across the board, so you can browse through your tree info, input data, send tree information, and print it off all from the comfort of your phone.
• Can export your family tree - Once you're satisfied with the family tree you've created, you can export it as a GEDCOM file and delete the information stored on Heredis.
• Helpful knowledge base - If you find yourself stuck while using Heredis software, there is an extensible knowledge base that you can turn to. Here you'll find helpful videos, detailed FAQ sections, instructional videos, and user forums.

Cons

• Upgrade pricing - One of the most highlighted drawbacks of Heredis is that the version of the software that you pay for is the version you're stuck with. You'll have to pay an additional fee if you want to update your Heredis account to unlock new features. At the moment, this additional fee costs $19.99.
• No DNA data - Heredis doesn't offer any DNA testing options, nor does it allow for users to input DNA research.
• Bad customer services - Despite the website's extensive knowledge base, customer services are not up to scratch. If you are facing a problem that is not covered in the knowledge base, you'll have to send an e-mail to the customer support team. Response waiting time can take over 24 hours!
• GEDCOM file inconsistency - Although it's easy to import a GEDCOM file to your Heredis account, you may find that some data is missing when you open it on Heredis.
• Works best for Anglo-Saxon Europeans - Given that Heredis is French-based, the software works best for those of European descent. If your ancestors are from any other continent, you may struggle to find information.

Is Heredis Accurate?

Given that the likes of Ancestry are amongst the most trusted online genealogy software available, you can rest assured that data pulled from such sites is accurate.

However, not all the information that gets uploaded by users to Heredis directly is vetted. This means that another user could upload inaccurate information, compromising the accuracy of your own family tree.

Plus, with no DNA testing available, there's no way to verify anything yourself.

Will Heredis Keep My Information Private?

Heredis does not keep your information private. Part of the appeal of Heredis is that you can search for potential links in your tree by viewing other family trees created by fellow Heredis online users. That way, you can build on the information you already have and find out about branches of family members you didn't previously know about.

The downside of this is that the information you submit to Heredis is not private and can be viewed by other users at any time.

However, Heredis does allow you to delete your family tree at any time, regardless of how long you've used the site or what subscription you've paid for. This would mean that your data would no longer be visible to other Heredis online users.

How Does Heredis Compare To The Competition

Heredis vs. Ancestry

Heredis doesn't come close to the likes of Ancestry. Not only can you also build family trees, upload GEDCOM files, and search through online archives, but you can also easily link your standard Ancestry account with AncestryDNA. This allows you to build an accurate, DNA-approved family tree.

Heredis, on the other hand, doesn't allow for DNA research integration. For this reason, you could consider Heredis to be less accurate than the likes of Ancestry.

Heredis vs. MyHeritage

Not only does MyHeritage offer DNA testing, but it's also more advanced than Heredis in many ways. MyHeritage offers free printing options, can import GEDCOM files more accurately, and is easier to navigate than Heredis.

However, Heredis offers a better finished product compared to MyHeritage. The graphs and posters you can create on Heredis are worthy as gifts, while the ones on MyHeritage look a little dated.

Heredis vs. FamilySearch

FamilySearch has the upper hand over a lot of family research sites, mainly due to it being free. Plus, the finished family tree graph it creates is arguably more visually appealing than that of Heredis.

However, FamilySearch is not linked to any online genealogy databases, meaning you'll have to pull all the information yourself. Plus, like Heredis, FamilySearch does not offer any DNA options. For this reason, FamilySearch is less accurate overall than Heredis.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far back can you trace ancestry with Heredis?

Current DNA testing capabilities can only trace back your ancestry to eight generations ago. Considering that DNA testing is the most accurate means of tracing your family history and that Heredis does not offer this service, you can expect Heredis' capabilities to be a lot less than this.

How many computers you can use your Heredis account on?

A single user can use their Heredis account over three different Windows computers. This means that you could set up the same account for another member of the family to take over the family tree editing. This limit does not include the use of the mobile phone app.

What is the 'Find Relationships' feature on Heredis?

This search tool allows you to put in two names into the search bar and find out how they are linked. Even if the two entries aren't obviously linked, Heredis will attempt to search for a common ancestor somewhere in both persons' past.

The Bottom Line

Heredis excels primarily at providing users with a platform to map out their family trees with the intent of creating a poster for themself or to gift someone. It can also be used to create illustrated books and graphs. These end products look modern compared to some results found on other genealogy software.

There are some major drawbacks of Heredis, however. It is not recommended software for those seeking to perform a DNA search, as Heredis does not offer this service nor allows you to upload any DNA research found elsewhere. You will also have to pay to update the software if you want to unlock the latest features.

Although it allows you to discover family links through other users' trees, this feature relies on other users actively using the site. There may not be a Heredis user out there with a common ancestor to you, making this feature useless.

Overall, Heredis is a good enough family tree software, but it's nothing compared to a genealogy site that actually offers DNA research, such as Ancestry.

Neil Edwards

Genealogist and family-tree research specialist

Neil was born in Shropshire, England surrounded by centuries of living history. His interest in the past has been a lifelong passion leading to undergraduate degrees in both Economic History & Geography and History & Politics.

This interest in history quickly translated to family history when he moved to the U.S. in 2010. It was here that he began working on his own family tree as well as that of his American wife. That research allowed him to gain a wealth of experience working with both U.S. and European genealogical documents and studying their best uses in researching family history.

Following 9 years of honing his genealogical research skills, Neil was proud to have earned a certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University in late 2019. Neil also took part in the research process for a Duke University study into the families of 19th Century UK Members of Parliament.

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