Where Can I Get a DNA Test

DNA tests have been around for many years, but until recently most people only thought of them in terms of paternity testing. DNA testing is now being used by people at home to explore family history, learn about inherited health conditions, understand medication responses, and much more.

The reason genetic testing has become so much more popular is that it is easily done at home with a quick cheek swab. DNA samples are mailed to a lab for testing. So where do you get a DNA test kit?

Where to Get a DNA Test

There are several places where you can get a DNA test. The most important thing to understand before you buy is what you actually need from your test, because not all DNA tests are created equal and spending money on the wrong one means you may not get the insights you are looking for.

Drug Stores and Retail Locations

Retailers such as CVS and Walgreens carry basic DNA testing kits, primarily for paternity testing. These kits typically require both the DNA test kit purchase and a separate lab fee, making them more expensive than many online options. More importantly, they are designed for a single, narrow purpose and will not provide comprehensive health or ancestry insights.

Online DNA Tests

The most popular place to purchase a DNA test is online. Major consumer DNA testing companies including AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritage offer genotyping-based tests that provide ethnicity estimates and some health information. These tests are widely available and a reasonable starting point for people interested primarily in ancestry.

However, there are important limitations to know. Genotyping tests from these companies analyze less than 0.1% of your genome. This means you are getting a small snapshot rather than your complete genetic picture.

Note on 23andMe: 23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025, and its assets were acquired by TTAM Research Institute (a nonprofit founded by Anne Wojcicki) in July 2025. Current customers can still access their data. We recommend verifying current pricing and service availability directly on their website before purchasing.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get a DNA Test?

Most DNA testing companies run sales regularly. If cost is a primary concern, watching for promotional pricing from reputable providers is the best strategy.

However, the cheapest test is not always the best value. What you should evaluate when comparing DNA tests:

• How much of the genome is sequenced?
• What specific insights does the test provide?
• Do you have access to your raw data?
• What additional analysis is available after receiving your initial report?

Why Whole Genome Sequencing Provides More Value

If you want the most comprehensive genetic information available, whole genome sequencing is the gold standard. Unlike genotyping tests that analyze a fraction of your genome, whole genome sequencing reads 100% of your DNA across over 30,000 genes.

This means you gain detailed insights on health risks including medication and drug response, disease risk screening, ancestry, nutrition, and much more. Your genetic data never changes, so the results from whole genome sequencing can be used throughout your life. As your health needs evolve, new analysis apps in the Partner Marketplace can be applied to the same underlying data to answer new questions without retesting.

Sequencing's whole genome sequencing is CLIA-certified and clinical-grade, available from $399 with a simple cheek swab kit. If you already have DNA data from another provider, you can also upload it to Sequencing for free and immediately start exploring your results.

Learn more and order your whole genome sequencing kit today.