What is the single most important thing to check before subscribing?

Coverage for your exact places and dates, not for the country. Digitisation differs by department, county and parish, so search one ancestor in one place in one decade on the free search before paying anything.

Is a free platform enough to start?

For the first three or four generations, usually yes. FamilySearch plus careful note-keeping will get most people to their great-grandparents. Pay when you hit a specific obstacle — an unreadable document, an unindexed register, a collection behind a paywall.

Should I choose based on DNA features?

Only if DNA is central to your research. Then the size and activity of the matching pool matters more than the record catalogue, because a match only exists if the other person tested there. Always download your raw data so you keep the option of transferring it.

How do I know if I need document-reading tools?

Look at your last five finds. If you could read all five, you do not need them yet. If two were photographs of handwriting you gave up on, that is your bottleneck and more search results will not fix it.

What is GEDCOM and why does it matter?

It is the standard file format for family trees, supported by every credible tool. It matters because it makes your research portable: if you can export a GEDCOM, switching platforms costs an afternoon instead of your whole tree.

Monthly or annual subscription?

Monthly, unless you already know your rhythm. Most people research in bursts of a few weeks, and an annual plan used twice is worse value than a monthly plan you pause between bursts.

What should I check about privacy before uploading documents?

Whether your tree is private by default, whether uploads are encrypted, whether data is shared with third parties, and whether you can delete everything and export what you built. Ask before you upload family papers, not after.

Can I change platforms later without losing work?

Yes, if you keep a GEDCOM export and your own copies of documents and photographs. Those two habits make every platform decision reversible.

What is a realistic budget for genealogy research?

Plan for one subscription at a time plus occasional one-off costs: certified copies of civil records, an archive's reproduction fee, and possibly a DNA kit. Two simultaneous subscriptions are worth it only while you are actively mining both.

How often should I reconsider my choice?

Once a year, and whenever a line stalls. Digitisation is continuous, so the platform that had nothing for your parish last year may hold its registers now.

Vestigee — How to Choose Genealogy Software: A Beginner's Decision Guide | Blog

Seven questions that decide which genealogy platform suits you — coverage for your region, document reading, DNA, photos, portability, budget and how you like to work.