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Numerous genealogical programs are available to record your family history. No single "best" program exists for everyone. Powerful programs can be difficult for the beginner to use and beginner programs may not have features that experienced users demand. Most have multimedia capabilities (allowing you to add pictures, sound and video). Several can be purchased and downloaded online. The most popular operating systems supported is Windows, but Mac applications are available as well. An absolutely essential feature is GEDCOM support. GEDCOM is a standard created many years ago that allows genealogists to exchange information electronically between different programs. Also, if your software is discontinued, the company folds, or you just decide to make a change, you can export a GEDCOM file and import into another program. Without GEDCOM support, you might find yourself with years worth of work that is requiring data entry into new software. To reiterate: do not purchase genealogical software that does not support GEDCOM. Most software programs have web sites that explain the features of their programs. As you might imagine, these sites are generally a bit biased. However, they will be accurate. A demo (a limited version of the software) is often available. These will usually be fully functional, but limited in either time (it will expire in 30 days) or scope (no more than 50 people can be entered). Download a few demos and see what feels "right" to you.
Wholly Genes software has a comparision chart, but remember they are trying to sell their own software:
An objective source is provided at:
Cyndi's has a list of program websites at: |
