RootsMagic
Verified working Aug 3, 2026
Desktop genealogy software with online hints and local tree control.
RootsMagic is genealogy software for Windows and Mac that lets users build, edit, and manage a family tree on their own computer. It connects with services such as FamilySearch, Ancestry, MyHeritage, and Findmypast for hints and imports, while also offering reports, charts, books, websites, and selective publishing options.
Why it stands out
- Keeps the primary tree file on the user’s computer instead of requiring a fully cloud-hosted tree.
- Combines offline editing with connections to several major genealogy platforms.
- One-time purchase model rather than an ongoing subscription for the software itself.
- Strong output options for sharing research, including reports, charts, books, websites, and USB copies.
- Includes supporting learning resources such as documentation, webinars, videos, and a user community.
Good to know
- The main RootsMagic product is desktop software for Windows and Mac, not a browser-only family tree service.
- Record hints and publishing connections depend on external genealogy services and their account/access rules.
- Personal Historian and Family Atlas are separate RootsMagic products rather than included core features.
Photos
Family historians who want a desktop-controlled family tree while still using major online genealogy services. Import an existing tree and continue organizing people, events, sources, notes, and media offline. Review record hints from partner genealogy sites without moving the master tree fully online. Create printable charts, books, reports, or a portable USB copy for relatives. Track supporting details such as photos, health information, and DNA matches alongside family relationships.
Windows and Mac genealogy database software; imports from existing trees and selected online services; hints and records from FamilySearch, Ancestry, MyHeritage, and Findmypast; duplicate cleanup and problem-checking tools; notes, sources, media, health details, and DNA-match tracking; 100+ reports and charts; book, website, USB, FamilySearch, and Ancestry publishing options.
Alternative listings
Desktop family-tree software linked to MyHeritage records and matches.
Genealogy & family-history researchFamily Tree Builder is MyHeritage’s downloadable genealogy program for building and managing a visual family tree. It supports GEDCOM import, photos, charts, reports, maps, privacy controls, and syncing with MyHeritage’s online family sites and mobile apps.
0 votesVisit siteA collaborative genealogy network built around a shared global tree.
Genealogy & family-history researchGeni is a web-based family tree builder that connects individual family research into a large shared genealogy graph. Users can create profiles, invite relatives, upload family media, cite sources, join research projects, and search hundreds of millions of profiles for possible connections.
0 votesVisit site
Similar sites elsewhere
- Family Tree Maker — mackiev.com/ftm
- Legacy Family Tree — legacyfamilytree.com
- Gramps — gramps-project.org
- MyHeritage — myheritage.com
1 of 5