What Family Tree Maker does

Family Tree Maker is a genealogy software product (published by MacKiev) sold as a desktop application for Windows and Mac, with an accompanying mobile app (FTM Connect) for iOS and Android. The software enables individual genealogists, hobbyists, families, and professional archivists to build, maintain, and analyze family history data offline through a file-based database architecture (the .FTM file format plus linked media directory), with optional synchronization to Ancestry.com via a proprietary API-based sync protocol that retrieves record hints, exports/imports tree updates, and aligns data between offline and online trees. Core feature modules include a Data Management Engine, Media Integration System, Report & Chart Generator, Geographic Mapping Toolset, and Backup & Archival Utility; the 2024 release added TreeVault cloud backup, Connect Workspace for family collaboration, a Photo Darkroom restoration tool, and expanded undo capability (5,000 instances).

The company monetizes primarily through one-time perpetual software licenses sold directly via its website as download, DVD, or USB editions, with upgrade pricing for existing customers and a Family Pack tier for multi-user installations. A secondary recurring revenue stream comes from TreeVault, an optional annual cloud backup service bundled with FTM 2024. Distribution runs through direct download, physical media (DVD/USB with 14 GB extra storage), the Ancestry.com ecosystem (a core integration partnership giving access to 20+ billion records and 2M+ paying Ancestry subscribers), and app store distribution for the mobile companion. The marketing approach is predominantly content-led: an extensive SEO-optimized support/blog site, organic social media across seven platforms, and community-driven family collaboration features drive top-of-funnel acquisition, with the product itself and the Ancestry sync capability serving as the primary growth levers.

Name

Family Tree Maker

Legal name

MacKiev

Website

https://familytreemakerhelps.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2025

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Family Tree Maker is a desktop genealogy software product for Windows and Mac (with mobile companion) that lets hobbyists, families, and archivists build and analyze family trees offline, syncing with Ancestry.com for record hints and online access, sold via one-time perpetual license with an optional cloud backup subscription.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Software License Sales: Family Tree Maker is sold as a one-time perpetual software license (not subscription). Users purchase a download, DVD, or USB copy of the software. Upgrade pricing is available for existing customers. Family pack licenses are available for multi-computer/multi-user installations.
2. TreeVault Cloud Services (Optional Add-on): TreeVault cloud-based backup service is connected with Family Tree Maker 2024. It creates a secure online backup copy of the family tree and updates automatically as the user works. While the base software is a one-time purchase, TreeVault represents an optional recurring cloud service component.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Family Tree Maker is a desktop genealogy software for Windows and Mac that allows users to build, maintain, and analyze family trees, manage linked photos, documents, and media, generate pedigree charts, fan charts, descendant reports, and narrative histories, and map ancestral locations. It is sold as a one-time perpetual license with native integration to Ancestry.com for record hints and tree synchronization, and is complemented by the FTM Connect mobile app and an optional TreeVault cloud backup service.

Product overview

Family Tree Maker is a genealogy software product consisting of a core desktop application available in multiple versions (2017, 2019, 2024) for Windows and Mac, with a companion mobile app called Family Tree Maker Connect for iOS and Android. The 2024 version introduces TreeVault cloud backup services for secure online protection of family trees. The software includes functional modules for data management, media integration, report/chart generation, geographic mapping, and backup utilities. The product integrates natively with Ancestry.com for syncing, record hints, and tree updates, and supports GEDCOM export for interoperability with other genealogy programs. Plugins like Family Book Creator and Charting Companion extend core functionality.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TreeVault: Cloud-based backup service for Family Tree Maker 2024 that creates secure online copies of family trees
• Connect 2.0
• Connect Workspace

Products and services

• Family Tree Maker 2024 The latest version of Family Tree Maker genealogy software for Windows and Mac. Sold as a one-time perpetual license in download, DVD, or USB formats, it supports offline family tree building, media integration, charting and reporting, geographic mapping, Ancestry.com sync, and integration with the TreeVault cloud backup service.
• Family Tree Maker 2019 Genealogy management software for Windows and Mac that allows users to create, maintain, and analyze family history data. Supports sync with Ancestry for record hints, tree updates, and data synchronization. Features rich color coding, various charts and reports, media integration, and geographic mapping.
• Family Tree Maker 2017 Genealogy software version supporting Windows and Mac. Can sync with Ancestry trees but may have limitations; upgrade to 2019 or later recommended for full sync functionality.
• Family Tree Maker Connect (Mobile App) Mobile companion app available on iOS (12 or later) and Android (5.1 or later). Allows users to view their family tree on phones and tablets, useful during family gatherings when sharing information with relatives. The mobile app connects with TreeVault for viewing trees and media on the go.
• TreeVault Cloud Services Cloud-based backup service integrated with Family Tree Maker 2024 that creates a secure online copy of family trees. Features automatic backup updates, Emergency Tree Restore, Media Backup for photographs and documents, Relative Hint for family notes sharing, and Next of Kin feature for generational access. Sold as an optional annual subscription.
• Family Book Creator (Plugin) Plugin for Family Tree Maker used to produce extensive family history books and reports. Updated for compatibility with FTM 2019 and available for download from FTM download links or publisher websites.
• Charting Companion (Plugin) Plugin for Family Tree Maker that extends charting capabilities beyond the built-in chart generator. Updated for FTM 2019 and available for download from FTM download links or publisher websites.

Quantifiable outcome

• Improved stability and performance for large genealogical datasets
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature13 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Ancestry.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationFamily Tree Maker integrates with Ancestry.com through a structured API-based sync protocol. This integration enables users to sync their family trees between the desktop software and Ancestry's online platform, retrieve record hints, search Ancestry's databases, view sources, and merge data between FTM and Ancestry trees. The partnership is a core differentiator for Family Tree Maker, as it connects the offline software environment with the world's largest genealogical database (20+ billion records, 2 million+ paying subscribers). Successful synchronization requires compatible software versions (FTM 2017, 2019, or 2024) and stable internet connectivity.
• Software MacKievcoreOthersSoftware MacKiev is the developer and publisher of Family Tree Maker. The company develops the software (available in versions 2017, 2019, and 2024), provides update centers for downloading upgrades (e.g., FTM 2024 25.0.2), and manages licensing and activation. MacKiev also publishes companion guides and maintains the software's compatibility with Windows and Mac operating systems.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• MacFamilyTree: MacFamilyTree is a Mac-only genealogy software from Synium Software that competes directly with FTM on macOS in tree building, charting, and FamilySearch integration.
• RootsMagic: RootsMagic is a desktop genealogy software for Windows and Mac that directly competes with FTM in offline tree building, media management, and GEDCOM-based interoperability, targeting the same hobbyist genealogist customer base.
• Legacy Family Tree: Legacy Family Tree is a Windows-based genealogy software program focused on family history research, source citations, and charting—closely overlapping with FTM's core desktop functionality and target users.
• Ancestral Quest: Ancestral Quest is a Windows genealogy software that competes directly with FTM in family tree building, source documentation, and Ancestry.com synchronization.

Broad incumbents

• MyHeritage: MyHeritage is a global subscription-based genealogy and DNA-testing platform with desktop and mobile tools. It competes with FTM for family-history enthusiasts while offering broader international reach and integrated DNA services.
• FamilySearch: FamilySearch, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a free large-scale genealogical records platform that competes indirectly with FTM by offering tree-building and record access at no cost.
• Ancestry.com: Ancestry.com is the dominant subscription-based online genealogy platform and FTM's primary integration partner. While not a direct desktop competitor, it competes for the same end-user genealogy workflow and shapes the broader market FTM operates in.

Emerging players

• Gramps: Gramps is an open-source genealogy software program that overlaps with FTM in desktop tree management and GEDCOM interoperability, appealing to a technically inclined subset of the same user base.

Regional players

• FindMyPast: FindMyPast is a subscription-based genealogy platform primarily focused on UK and Irish records. It overlaps with FTM's target market in family-history research but competes in a different geographic stronghold.
• Geneanet: Geneanet is a European-focused genealogy platform offering tree building and record access. It serves a comparable end-user need to FTM but primarily in France and continental Europe rather than North America.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FTMakerhelps
• Facebookfacebook.com/FamilyTreeMakerHelps
• Instagraminstagram.com/ftmmakerhelps
• Pinterestpinterest.com/familytreemakerhelps7/_created

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Family Tree Maker