When searching for a birth certificate in Orne, one comes across two platforms that seem to cover the same ground, and the question arises: Filae or Geneanet, which one to open first? The answer depends less on an overall ranking than on the type of genealogical research one conducts on a daily basis. Understanding what separates these two sites is key to saving time on each branch of the tree.
Filae and Geneanet: two platforms, two groups, two logics
Since 2021, Filae has been part of the MyHeritage group. This integration has allowed for cross-research between Filae’s collections and the MyHeritage ecosystem, with partial data synchronization and combined subscription plans.
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Geneanet, on the other hand, was acquired by Ancestry (announced in late 2021, effective in 2022). The pooling of collections follows a different, more gradual logic, and the site retains its own identity, particularly thanks to its very active Francophone community.
This affiliation with two distinct international groups directly influences the accessible content, pricing, and the direction each platform takes. Before making a choice, one can consult a review on Filae or Geneanet to identify the key comparison points.
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French civil status archives: Filae’s specialization versus Geneanet’s openness
When one is stuck on an ancestor born in mainland France after the Revolution, Filae is often the first reflex. The platform has been built on the massive indexing of French civil status, with a particular focus on records post-1792 and overseas funds.
Geneanet also covers France, but its geographical scope is significantly broader. It includes collaborative records related to Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and other European countries. For genealogy that extends beyond French borders, Geneanet offers a network that Filae does not provide.
In practical terms, who serves what purpose?
- Filae excels at finding a birth, marriage, or death certificate in France, thanks to structured indexes and a search interface focused on civil status.
- Geneanet stands out with its collaborative records contributed by the community, covering various sources (parish registers, passenger lists, notarial acts shared by volunteers).
- For an Alsatian or Lorraine branch with ancestors who moved to Germany, Geneanet provides access to data that Filae does not index at all.
The choice thus hinges on the research terrain. Exclusively French post-Revolution genealogy: Filae is more straightforward. International branches or diversified sources: Geneanet takes the advantage.
Free model versus paid access: what you get without paying
The difference in economic model is a decisive criterion for many amateur genealogists. Geneanet operates on a community freemium model: you can create an online tree for free, access a portion of the data shared by other members, and a Premium subscription unlocks advanced tools (automatic comparisons, alerts, extended access to collections).
Filae has shifted to a more locked-down model. Tree creation remains possible without payment, but accessing civil status matches requires a subscription. In practice, search results are displayed, but access to details is blocked until a subscription is taken out.
What this changes in daily life
On Geneanet, a free user can already gather useful information from trees shared by other members. The limitations are felt on matching tools and certain collections reserved for subscribers.
On Filae, frustration sets in more quickly. You can see that a result exists, but you cannot read it. For someone starting out and wanting to test before committing financially, Geneanet offers a more generous playground without pulling out a credit card.
Quality of the online tree and collaboration among genealogists
Geneanet has built its reputation on the collaborative dimension. Members share their trees, correct records, and complete profiles. This dynamic creates a network effect: the more contributors there are in a geographical area, the higher the chances of finding a match.
Filae also offers an online tree, but the logic is different. The tool serves more as a support for exploiting civil status indexes than as a platform for peer exchange. Feedback varies on this point, with some users finding the Filae tree sufficient, while others deem it less flexible than Geneanet’s.
For collaborative research and contact with genealogical cousins, Geneanet remains the Francophone reference. Its internal messaging system and matching alerts facilitate direct exchanges between researchers working on the same families.
Choosing between Filae and Geneanet based on your genealogical project
Rather than making an absolute choice, one can reason by use case. A genealogist focused on their French roots, with ancestors well-located in one or two departments, will get the most out of Filae by subscribing to a targeted plan. The time saved on civil status acts is real.
A researcher who goes beyond 1792, explores cross-border branches, or wants to benefit from community support will find in Geneanet a more versatile tool. Many experienced genealogists use both in parallel, each filling in the gaps of the other.
Budget also matters. Geneanet allows significant progress without payment, making it a better starting point for beginners. Filae justifies its subscription as soon as specific departments and periods to explore have been identified.
Neither platform completely replaces the other. The choice between Filae and Geneanet depends on geographical scope, budget, and preference for collaborative research. The good news is that a tree exported in GEDCOM format can be transferred from one site to another without starting over.