Best Self-Hosted Genealogy Tools in 2026
Quick Picks
| Use Case | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Webtrees | Lighter, more mature, handles large trees well |
| Best for Gramps Desktop users | Gramps Web | Bidirectional sync with desktop app |
| Best for DNA research | Gramps Web | Built-in chromosome browser and DNA matching |
| Best for limited hardware | Webtrees | 250 MB total RAM vs 1.5 GB |
| Best privacy controls | Webtrees | Relationship-based access restrictions |
The Full Ranking
1. Webtrees — Best Overall
Webtrees is the most widely-deployed open-source genealogy application on the web. It runs on PHP with a MySQL/MariaDB backend — the same stack that powers WordPress, so hosting is straightforward. The feature set covers everything most family historians need: interactive charts, maps, GEDCOM import/export, multi-tree support, and relationship-based privacy controls that let you hide living individuals from public visitors.
The module ecosystem seals it. Over 100 community modules add custom charts, reports, research tools, and integrations. Need a DNA module? A cemetery research tool? A custom pedigree layout? Someone’s probably built it.
Pros:
- 250 MB RAM footprint (app + database)
- Handles trees with 100,000+ people without issues
- Advanced privacy controls (restrict by relationship distance)
- 100+ community modules
- 50+ languages supported
Cons:
- No desktop application or sync
- No built-in DNA tools (module-dependent)
- Community Docker image (no official image from the project)
Best for: Most family historians. Especially those sharing trees publicly who need fine-grained privacy controls.
Read our full guide: How to Self-Host Webtrees
2. Gramps Web — Best for Desktop Sync & DNA Research
Gramps Web brings the full power of the Gramps genealogy engine to the browser. What sets it apart: bidirectional sync with Gramps Desktop, built-in DNA analysis tools (chromosome browser, Y-DNA tracking, DNA matching), and an AI-powered research assistant.
The trade-off is resource cost. Gramps Web requires three containers (app, Celery worker, Redis) and uses ~1.5 GB RAM at idle with default settings. You can tune this down to ~800 MB by reducing worker counts, but it’s still 3–6x heavier than webtrees.
Pros:
- Bidirectional sync with Gramps Desktop (unique feature)
- Built-in DNA analysis tools
- AI research assistant
- Interactive maps with historical overlays
- Full REST API
- OIDC/SSO authentication support
- S3 media storage support
Cons:
- 1.5 GB RAM at idle (default configuration)
- Struggles with GEDCOM imports of 10K+ people
- Smaller community and module ecosystem
- AGPL-3.0 license (more restrictive than webtrees’ GPL-3.0)
Best for: Users of Gramps Desktop who want web access, and serious genealogists who need DNA tools.
Read our full guide: How to Self-Host Gramps Web
Full Comparison Table
| Feature | Webtrees | Gramps Web |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Docker image | Community (~80 MB) | Official (~2 GB) |
| RAM usage (idle) | ~250 MB | ~1.5 GB |
| Containers required | 2 | 3 |
| Database | MySQL/MariaDB | BSDDB + Redis |
| Desktop sync | No | Yes (Gramps Desktop) |
| DNA tools | Module-dependent | Built-in |
| AI assistant | No | Yes |
| Privacy controls | Relationship-based | Basic (role-based) |
| Modules/plugins | 100+ | Growing |
| GEDCOM support | Full 5.5.1 | Full |
| Multi-tree | Native | Requires PostgreSQL |
| Maps | Interactive | Interactive + historical overlays |
| Languages | 50+ | 40+ |
| REST API | Limited | Full |
| OIDC/SSO | No | Yes |
| S3 storage | No | Yes |
| Large tree support | Excellent | Can struggle at 10K+ |
How We Evaluated
We evaluated both platforms on deployment complexity, resource requirements, feature completeness for genealogical research, and ecosystem maturity. Docker Compose setups were tested end-to-end. GEDCOM imports were tested with trees of varying sizes. Resource measurements were taken after idle stabilization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import my GEDCOM file from Ancestry or FamilySearch?
Yes. Both webtrees and Gramps Web support GEDCOM 5.5.1 import. Export your tree from Ancestry, FamilySearch, or MyHeritage as a GEDCOM file, then import it through the web UI. Media files (photos, documents) need to be uploaded separately — GEDCOM only transfers text data and references.
How many people can a self-hosted genealogy database handle?
Webtrees handles trees with 100,000+ individuals without performance issues. Gramps Web can struggle with GEDCOM imports above 10,000 people due to its BSDDB backend and Celery task queue. For very large trees, webtrees is the safer choice.
Can family members access my self-hosted genealogy site remotely?
Yes. Put your instance behind a reverse proxy with SSL (guide) and optionally use Tailscale or Cloudflare Tunnel for secure remote access. Both apps support user accounts with different permission levels — visitors can view but not edit.
Is it safe to put my family tree online?
Both apps include privacy controls to protect living individuals. Webtrees has relationship-based privacy — you can automatically hide anyone within N generations of a living person from public visitors. Gramps Web uses role-based access. For maximum safety, keep the instance behind a VPN or authentication proxy rather than exposing it publicly.
Can Gramps Web sync with Gramps Desktop?
Yes. Gramps Web supports bidirectional sync with the Gramps Desktop application — this is its unique selling point. Changes made in either the web or desktop interface sync automatically. No other self-hosted genealogy tool offers this.
Do I need a powerful server for genealogy software?
No. Webtrees runs on 250 MB of RAM total (app + MariaDB). Gramps Web is heavier at 1.5 GB idle (app + Celery + Redis) but can be tuned to ~800 MB. A Raspberry Pi 4 handles webtrees easily. Gramps Web needs at least 2 GB RAM.
Can I add DNA results to my genealogy database?
Gramps Web has built-in DNA tools — chromosome browser, Y-DNA tracking, and DNA matching. Webtrees depends on community modules for DNA features. If DNA research is central to your genealogy work, Gramps Web is the better choice.
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