Tool profile
RootsMagic: cost, fit and limits
RootsMagic is a genealogy program made by RootsMagic, Inc. for Windows and Mac that stores family trees on the user's own computer, with a free Essentials edition and a one-time paid version 12. Both editions are made for home researchers.
What to know first
RootsMagic offers a free Essentials edition with no time limit and sells RootsMagic 12 as a one-time license for $39.95, with free updates inside version 12. Owners of an earlier version pay $29.95 to upgrade. Prices are in US dollars, and the store warns that card issuers may add conversion fees outside the United States. The vendor pages we read mention no AI features.
RootsMagic at a glance
| Maker | RootsMagic, Inc., Not stated on the vendor pages |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes |
| Entry price | Free for RootsMagic Essentials; $39.95 for RootsMagic 12 |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI Genealogy Software in 2026, rank 3 of 10 |
| Website | rootsmagic.com |
Who RootsMagic is best for
Beginners testing the hobby
Essentials has no time limit, so a first tree can grow before any money is spent, and the paid version imports it later.
Switchers from older programs
Guides cover moving from Family Tree Maker, Legacy, TMG, PAF and Family Origins, which spares users from rebuilding a tree by hand.
Researchers who cross-check on big sites
The About page lists connections to FamilySearch and Ancestry, so people can be compared against those records from inside the program.
RootsMagic plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| RootsMagic Essentials | Free | Free version with no time limit Meant as a starting point for new users, and Essentials files can be carried into the paid version later. |
| RootsMagic 12 New License | $39.95 USD | For first-time buyers including Essentials users; download only, or USB drive plus download for +$10 and shipping |
| RootsMagic 12 Upgrade | $29.95 USD | For owners of an earlier version, shown struck through from $39.95 The price is for people who already own a previous RootsMagic edition and wish to move up. |
Checked November 2026.
What RootsMagic does
- Local tree storage
- The homepage states the tree is kept on the user's own computer, which supports offline use and a private copy of the work. That also means the work is available without an internet connection, which suits travel to archives with poor wifi.
- FamilySearch and Ancestry connections
- The About page lists connections to both services, so records can be compared against a user's tree. Neither connection is described in detail on the pages opened, so test how matching and import behave with your own tree.
- Companion products
- Personal Historian 3 handles life stories and Family Atlas builds custom family maps, but each is sold separately. Sold apart from the core license, which means a full setup with stories and maps adds two more purchases to the budget.
- Switch guides
- Step-by-step guides exist for users moving from Family Tree Maker, Legacy, TMG, PAF and Family Origins. Reading the right guide for your old program before importing saves time and avoids losing notes during conversion.
- Platform coverage
- The vendor describes the program as family tree software for Windows and Mac. The same family tree software is offered on both systems, so a mixed household can use one program everywhere.
How RootsMagic handles your data
The privacy policy at rootsmagic.com/privacy is the source read for this page. It names Zendesk for support and Mailchimp for newsletters, which shows what third parties handle contact data. It does not state whether customer data trains models, where it is hosted or how long it is kept, and retention was not checked. Since the tree stays on the user's computer according to the homepage, the main exposure is the data you choose to sync with online services. No security certification is stated.
Where RootsMagic falls short in practice
- No AI features named. The product and About pages do not mention AI, so reading or transcription help has to come from other tools. Reading, transcription and translation would need to come from a separate service or a different program.
- Upgrade price has a condition. The $29.95 upgrade applies to owners of an earlier version only, and first-time buyers pay $39.95. Someone who bought version 11 or earlier qualifies, but a first-time buyer does not and pays the full $39.95.
- Add-ons cost extra. Personal Historian and Family Atlas have their own prices, so a full story-and-maps setup costs more than the core license. A complete setup with life stories and custom maps therefore costs noticeably more than the core price.
Works with
Alternatives to RootsMagic
RootsMagic: common questions
Is RootsMagic Essentials really free?
The vendor describes Essentials as a free version with no time limit. The paid RootsMagic 12 adds the full feature set, and first-time buyers, including Essentials users, pay $39.95. We did not compare the two feature lists line by line.
Does RootsMagic have subscription pricing?
No. The buy page describes RootsMagic 12 as a one-time license with no subscription and free updates to version 12. A USB drive with download costs $10 more plus shipping, and prices are in US dollars. The page adds that card issuers may charge conversion fees outside the United States.
Can I switch to RootsMagic from Family Tree Maker?
The vendor publishes switch guides for users coming from Family Tree Maker, Legacy, TMG, PAF and Family Origins. Test a copy of your tree first and check that media links and source citations arrive intact. Always keep the original files until you are happy with the result.
Does RootsMagic include AI features?
The vendor's product and About pages do not name any AI feature. The program focuses on tree management, FamilySearch and Ancestry connections, and companion products. If AI record reading matters to you, compare Heredis or Family Historian, which do name AI functions.
Where is my RootsMagic tree stored?
The homepage says the tree is kept on your own computer. Support runs through Zendesk and newsletters through Mailchimp, according to the privacy policy. Hosting regions and retention periods for those services were not checked for this page. Check those services' own policies for retention.