Genea.app is a free, open-source, browser-based family tree builder with GEDCOM support and Git syncing. See features, pricing and top alternatives.
Category
Productivity
Pricing
Free / Open Source, from Free
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 18, 2026
Founded
2021
Free PlanWeb AppOpen SourceTemplates
Overview
Genea.app is a free, open-source, browser-based application for creating and editing family trees using the GEDCOM standard. It runs entirely client-side, with no account, no server, and no backend database, which the project frames as a privacy-first alternative to hosted genealogy platforms.
The tool is maintained on GitHub under the MIT License by the genea-app organization. It is designed for people who already have, or want to create, a standard GEDCOM file and prefer to keep full control of where that data is stored rather than uploading it to a commercial genealogy service.
Key Features
Users can start a tree from scratch or import an existing GEDCOM file exported from services like MyHeritage, FamilySearch, or Ancestry, then edit and re-export it at any time, avoiding vendor lock-in.
For multi-device use, Genea.app offers manual file export/import as well as a built-in Git integration that syncs tree changes to GitHub, GitLab, or self-hosted Git servers such as Gitea, Gogs, or GitBucket, giving users full version history of their research.
Pricing
Genea.app is completely free and open source; there are no paid tiers, subscriptions, or account requirements of any kind.
Because the project has no hosting costs tied to user data (all processing happens in the browser), there is no usage-based billing model either, making it effectively free for unlimited personal use.
Key Features
Serverless, browser-based editing — All tree building and editing happens locally in the browser, so no personal genealogy data is transmitted to or stored on Genea.app servers.
GEDCOM import and export — Fully compatible with the GEDCOM standard, allowing trees to be imported from and exported to Ancestry, MyHeritage, FamilySearch, and other genealogy tools.
Git-based sync and version history — Connects to GitHub, GitLab, Gitea, Gogs, or GitBucket so users can commit tree changes and keep a full version history of their research.
No account required — Users can start building a tree immediately without signing up, entering an email address, or creating a password.
Sample trees for exploration — Preloaded example trees, including royal lineages, US presidents, and a Harry Potter family tree, let new users learn the interface risk-free.
Cross-device compatibility — Works in modern browsers on both desktop and mobile devices for viewing and light editing on the go.
Open-source codebase — Released under the MIT License on GitHub, allowing developers to inspect, self-host, fork, or extend the application.
No vendor lock-in — Because data is stored as a standard GEDCOM file that the user controls, switching to another genealogy tool later requires no migration process.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Completely free with no paid tiers or hidden costs
Strong privacy model since no genealogy data is sent to a remote server
Open-source and self-inspectable, appealing to technical and privacy-conscious users
Git integration gives version-controlled history of family tree research
No account or sign-up friction to start building a tree
Cons
Lacks the record-hint databases, historical archives, and DNA matching found in paid genealogy platforms
No built-in collaborative research community or shared family tree hosting
Git-based syncing has a learning curve for non-technical users
As a small volunteer-maintained project, there is no dedicated customer support or guaranteed roadmap
Editing large, complex trees is more comfortable on desktop than mobile
Pricing
Free / Open Source Free N/A
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Genea.app really free?
Yes. Genea.app is free and open source with no subscription plans, paid tiers, or account requirements.
Does Genea.app store my family tree data on its servers?
No. All processing happens in the browser, so Genea.app does not host or store user genealogy data; users choose where their GEDCOM file is saved.
Can I import a tree from Ancestry or MyHeritage?
Yes. Genea.app supports the standard GEDCOM format, which is exportable from Ancestry, MyHeritage, FamilySearch, and most other genealogy services.
How do I sync my tree across multiple devices?
You can manually export and move the GEDCOM file yourself, or use Genea.app's built-in Git integration to sync changes through GitHub, GitLab, or a self-hosted Git server.
Is Genea.app open source?
Yes, it is released under the MIT License and maintained publicly on GitHub under the genea-app organization.
Does Genea.app offer DNA matching or historical record search?
No, Genea.app is focused purely on building and editing GEDCOM family trees; it does not include DNA matching or record-hint research features found on commercial platforms.