Tool profile
Family Tree Maker: cost, fit and limits
Family Tree Maker is a genealogy program made by The Software MacKiev Company in the United States for Mac and Windows that builds trees, charts and reports and syncs with Ancestry, with TreeVault Guest Access for relatives.
What to know first
The product page lists Family Tree Maker 2024 as the current version, available for Mac and Windows. Product, where-to-buy and store pages opened for this page show no price, so buyers must check the vendor's store for the cost. Tree sync with Ancestry and hints from Ancestry and FamilySearch are the main draws. The pages do not mention AI. It is aimed at Ancestry users.
Family Tree Maker at a glance
| Maker | The Software MacKiev Company, United States |
|---|---|
| Free plan | No |
| Entry price | Quote only |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI Genealogy Software in 2026, rank 10 of 10 |
| Website | mackiev.com |
Who Family Tree Maker is best for
Ancestry subscribers
Tree sync with Ancestry keeps a desktop copy aligned with the online tree, which helps people who work in both places.
Families who want to show the tree
TreeVault Guest Access invites relatives to view the tree on a phone or tablet without installing the program. They do not need to install anything.
Mac users who want a desktop tree
Mac and Windows editions are both listed, so Apple users are not left to compatibility software. Compatibility software is not mentioned on the pages opened.
Family Tree Maker plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Family Tree Maker 2024 (Mac) | Not published on the pages opened | Genealogy software for building trees, charts and reports Cost and edition details were not visible, so confirm them with the vendor before ordering. |
| Family Tree Maker 2024 (Windows) | Not published on the pages opened | The same product for Windows, listed as the current version The pages opened show it as the current version, with no price listed for this edition. |
| TreeVault Guest Access | Not published on the pages opened | Lets relatives view the tree on phone or tablet; terms and cost were not checked |
Checked November 2026.
What Family Tree Maker does
- Ancestry sync and hints
- The program syncs trees with Ancestry and shows hints from Ancestry and FamilySearch. Hints from Ancestry and FamilySearch appear in the program, which suits people who already pay for Ancestry and want a desktop copy.
- TreeVault Guest Access
- Relatives can be invited to look at the tree from a phone or tablet. Sharing a finished tree with relatives needs no install on their side, though editing together is not described on the pages opened.
- Undo to earlier versions
- Changes can be rolled back to earlier versions of the tree. Rolling back to an earlier tree version helps when a merge or a bulk edit goes wrong, and it is listed as a core function.
- Famous trees collection
- A collection of famous trees ships inside the app for browsing. A collection of famous trees ships inside the app, which gives users examples to browse and learn from.
- Mac and Windows editions
- Both operating systems are covered by separate editions. Separate Mac and Windows editions are both listed, so Apple users are not left with compatibility software.
How Family Tree Maker handles your data
The privacy policy at mackiev.com is the source read for this entry, and it states that the company is a United States company. It does not state whether customer data trains models, where data is hosted, or how long it is kept, and retention was not checked for this page. Tree sync with Ancestry and TreeVault sharing mean part of the tree leaves the desktop, so the policies of those services also apply. No security certification is stated.
Where Family Tree Maker falls short in practice
- No price on the pages opened. The product, where-to-buy and store pages show no price, so budgeting needs a visit to the checkout. A budget can only be set after visiting the checkout or asking the vendor, which slows comparison with other programs.
- Depends on Ancestry. Sync and hints are strongest for people who already pay for Ancestry, and that subscription is outside this vendor's pages. A user without Ancestry gets less from the program, and the cost of that subscription is not on this vendor's pages.
- No AI named. The product and store pages do not mention AI. Assisted reading or editing would have to come from another tool, since the vendor describes no AI.
Works with
Alternatives to Family Tree Maker
Family Tree Maker: common questions
How much does Family Tree Maker cost?
The product, where-to-buy and store pages we opened show no price, so we cannot state one. Check the vendor's store for the current price of Family Tree Maker 2024, and ask whether Ancestry sync needs a separate Ancestry subscription. The vendor's store is the place to confirm it.
Does Family Tree Maker sync with Ancestry?
Yes, the product page lists tree sync with Ancestry and hints from Ancestry and FamilySearch. How sync behaves with large trees, and which Ancestry plan is needed, was not checked for this page. Both depend on the outside service. Both rely on the outside service.
What is TreeVault Guest Access?
The vendor describes it as a way to invite relatives to view the tree on a phone or tablet. We did not check its limits or cost. It is aimed at sharing a finished tree rather than at editing together.
Does Family Tree Maker use AI?
The product and store pages do not mention AI. Its features center on Ancestry sync, hints, charts and undo. Heredis and Family Historian are the programs in this ranking that name AI functions on their own pages. Features center on sync and hints.
Is Family Tree Maker for Mac and Windows?
Yes, the vendor lists Mac and Windows editions of Family Tree Maker 2024. The product page names it as the current version. Check the system requirements for your operating system version before buying. Read the requirements first. Windows and Mac versions are separate editions.