The short answer
Choose Ancestry when online discovery, hints and sharing are the main job. Choose Family Tree Maker when you want a local working database, detailed desktop tools and a restorable native backup. Many researchers use both through FamilySync, while keeping a full Family Tree Maker backup and a separate GEDCOM.
Family Tree Maker and an Ancestry family tree can hold much of the same genealogy, but they solve different parts of the workflow. The useful question is not which brand is universally better. It is where you want to research, who needs to collaborate and which copy you can restore independently.
What Ancestry is strongest at
Ancestry is built around an online family tree connected to its record collections, hints and member collaboration.
It is usually the simpler choice when you want to:
- work in a browser or mobile app;
- search Ancestry records beside the tree;
- receive and review hints;
- invite relatives to view or contribute;
- keep one online tree accessible from several devices.
An online tree still needs an independent preservation plan. Ancestry can export tree data as GEDCOM, but its downloadable GEDCOM does not contain the photograph files themselves.
→ Create an independent Ancestry family-tree backup
What Family Tree Maker is strongest at
Family Tree Maker is desktop genealogy software for Windows and Mac. It keeps a local working tree and provides tools for editing, media, sources, reports, charts and program-specific organization.
It is usually the stronger fit when you want to:
- maintain a local master tree on your computer;
- work with a controlled media folder;
- create charts and reports inside the program;
- preserve program-specific notes, tasks and settings;
- make a full native backup that can restore the working tree.
The native Family Tree Maker backup is the important recovery copy. A GEDCOM adds portability, while the original media archive preserves files in their own formats.
→ Back up Family Tree Maker with media
How FamilySync connects them
Supported Family Tree Maker editions can download and link an Ancestry tree through FamilySync. Software MacKiev says that core data—including names, relationships, facts, sources, citations, repositories and most media types—can sync between the two trees.
The two formats are not identical. Software MacKiev documents information that may remain unique to one side or change during transfer. Depending on the Family Tree Maker version, examples can include private data, research and citation notes, source-template fields, media categories, audio and video, tasks, saved charts and reports, DNA results, comments and photo tags.
This is why a successful sync should be treated as synchronization evidence, not as proof that every local element has a recoverable online copy.
Which one should be the master tree?
Choose one authoritative editing workflow before connecting the trees.
Use Ancestry as the main working tree when most research and collaboration happen online. Download or sync deliberately, and preserve a separate GEDCOM plus permitted media.
Use Family Tree Maker as the main working tree when local source work, notes, media organization, reports and native backups matter most. Sync selected changes to Ancestry for discovery and sharing.
Use both as active working copies only when everyone knows how changes are reviewed. Record the last successful sync and avoid simultaneous structural edits on both sides.
Whatever you choose, write it down in a short archive note. A future relative should be able to identify the newest trusted copy without guessing from filenames.
A safe workflow for using both
Before the first link or a major sync:
- identify the newest trusted tree;
- make a full Family Tree Maker backup with media;
- export a separate GEDCOM;
- record the linked Ancestry tree name and owner;
- review private people, notes and media;
- sync a controlled state;
- inspect several people, sources and photographs on both sides;
- record the date and result.
Before later syncs, review the proposed change list. Stop if the volume or direction of changes is unexpected. Preserve both current states before troubleshooting.
→ Use Family Tree Maker with a clear backup system
Which choice protects media better?
Family Tree Maker can keep links to local photographs and documents and can include available media in a full manual backup. Ancestry stores media attached to the online tree, but its GEDCOM download is a text exchange file rather than a complete media archive.
FamilySync transfers many media items, yet Software MacKiev documents format, size and data differences. Keep the original scans and downloads in a separate controlled folder regardless of which tree is primary.
→ Learn what happens to photos in a GEDCOM
A practical decision
Choose Ancestry first if your immediate job is finding records and sharing an online tree.
Choose Family Tree Maker first if your immediate job is controlling a local research database and producing restorable backups.
Use both if the connection saves research time and you are willing to maintain the backup discipline that sync does not replace.
Official references
- Software MacKiev: what is not synced with FamilySync in FTM 2024
- Software MacKiev: comparing FTM and Ancestry trees
- Software MacKiev: creating, importing or downloading an Ancestry tree
- Ancestry: uploading and downloading trees
Wiserta is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Software MacKiev, Family Tree Maker or Ancestry. Product and company names belong to their respective owners.