Gramps is free, open-source desktop genealogy software (Windows, Mac, Linux) that is extremely powerful and keeps your data local on your own machine. AncestorOS is a paid, hosted web platform that runs in any browser with nothing to install, offers a more guided experience, and adds Evidence Explained citation templates and a professional practice toolkit. Gramps is the better pick if you want free, open software and full local control; AncestorOS is the better pick if you want zero setup, included support, and built-in business tools.
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A note on Gramps: Gramps is a remarkable free, open-source project built and maintained by volunteers. It is genuinely powerful, costs nothing, and keeps your data entirely under your control. We have real respect for what the Gramps community has created — for many researchers, free and open is exactly the right choice.
Side by Side
Feature Comparison
Last updated: July 2026 · Facts verified as of 2026 (Gramps 6.0.x desktop; Gramps Web self-hosted).
Feature
AncestorOS
Gramps
Platform & Access
PlatformWhere it runs
Web app — any browser, any OS, installable PWA
Desktop app: Windows, Mac, Linux (+ self-hostable Gramps Web)
Setup & maintenance
✓ — Zero setup, hosted, support included
Install & update yourself; community support
Offline useWorks without internet
✕ — Requires internet
✓ — Fully offline / local
Records & Research
Record hints / syncMatches from record databases
✕ — No external hints
✕ — No external hints
GEDCOM import / export
✓ — Import + export (no source/media import)
✓
Source-citation system
✓ — 14 Evidence Explained templates, 3 forms each (Pro)
✓ — Manual logging + shared-cM prediction (no CSV import)
Limited — via community add-ons
Professional / Practice Tools
Client management CRM
✓ — Pro
✕
Invoicing & expenses
✓ — Pro
✕
Projects & time tracking
✓ — Pro
✕
Pricing & Data
Price
Subscription: $15/mo or $150/yr (Hobbyist); Pro $40/mo
Free & open-source (GPL)
Free edition
✕ — Paid only
✓ — Entirely free
Data export & ownership
GEDCOM export anytime; data hosted by AncestorOS
Local, open-format files you fully control; GEDCOM export
Open source
✕ — Proprietary
✓ — Fully open source
Decision Guide
Which is right for you?
Choose AncestorOS if…
You want zero setup — no installing, hosting, or maintaining anything
You want a guided, modern interface and included support
You want Evidence Explained citation templates built in out of the box
You run a genealogy practice and need client management, invoicing, and time tracking
Choose Gramps if…
You want genuinely free software with no subscription, ever
You value open source and want to keep your data local on your own machine
You want deep customization and one of the most powerful data models available
You're comfortable with a steeper learning curve in exchange for control
Questions
Frequently Asked
Gramps is free, open-source desktop genealogy software for Windows, Mac, and Linux, known for being extremely powerful and customizable, with your data stored locally on your own computer. AncestorOS is a paid, hosted web platform that runs in any browser with nothing to install, offers a more guided experience, and includes professional practice tools. Gramps is ideal if you want free, open software and full local control; AncestorOS is ideal if you prefer zero setup, included support, and built-in business tools.
No. Gramps is genuinely free and open-source, released under the GPL, with no paid tiers. AncestorOS is a paid subscription starting at $15/month, with no free tier. If cost is your primary concern, Gramps is free and excellent. AncestorOS charges because it is a hosted, supported service with a polished interface and professional tools that Gramps does not include.
Yes, via GEDCOM. Gramps can export your family tree to a GEDCOM (.ged) file, which you can then import into AncestorOS from the GEDCOM Import page. People, relationships, names, and dates transfer automatically. Note that AncestorOS does not import source citations or media embedded in a GEDCOM, so those would need to be re-added after import.
Gramps is very powerful, and that power comes with a steeper learning curve than most consumer genealogy tools — it is often described as taking time to master. AncestorOS is built around a more guided, modern interface and doesn't require any setup or hosting, so many people find it quicker to get started. Which matters more depends on whether you value depth and configurability or speed and simplicity.
Gramps Web is a self-hostable web version of Gramps that you, or someone technical, install and run on your own server to get browser access to your Gramps data. AncestorOS is a fully hosted service — there is nothing to install, host, update, or maintain, and support is included. Gramps Web suits people comfortable running their own server; AncestorOS suits people who want a web tool that just works out of the box.
Both are strong on data ownership, in different ways. Gramps stores your data locally in an open format on hardware you control, which is about as much ownership as possible. AncestorOS hosts your data on its servers but lets you export a full GEDCOM at any time, so you are never locked in. If keeping data entirely on your own machine is essential, Gramps has the edge; if you want ownership plus a hosted, always-available service, AncestorOS fits.
It depends on your priorities. Gramps gives a professional a free, deeply customizable research database but no client-facing business tools. AncestorOS Pro at $40/month adds client management, projects, billable time tracking, invoicing, and expenses on top of the research tools, so it can run the business side of a practice. Many professionals value the power of Gramps; those who want research and client management together in one hosted place tend to prefer AncestorOS.
A hosted, always-current platform with Evidence Explained citations and professional tools — nothing to install or maintain. From $15/month, cancel anytime.