Utility Software for Genealogists
GEDCOM Viewers & Tools — Windows
GedScape
Browse, convert, and extract data from GEDCOM files. View individuals, families, pedigrees and charts instantly by dragging and dropping a GEDCOM file. Generate full genealogy websites from your GEDCOM. Export to CSV/Excel. Free trial available.
WindowsGEDCOM Validator
Checks your GEDCOM file for errors and problems that could cause data loss when transferring between programs. Validates GEDCOM 5.5, 5.5.1, 5.6, and 7.0 files. Detects and repairs text encoding issues. An essential tool before sharing or importing a GEDCOM file.
GEDCOM Viewers — Mac
GEDitCOM II
Customisable Mac application for viewing and editing GEDCOM files. Free as a GEDCOM browser. Full 100% support for the GEDCOM standard. Multi-window browser interface, ancestor and descendant charts, multimedia linking, and AppleScript support for custom reports.
Win & MacGedScape
Also available for Mac. Browse GEDCOM files, generate websites, and export to CSV — all without loading data into your main genealogy program. See Windows section above for full details.
GEDCOM Viewers — Mobile (iOS & Android)
GEDexplorer
View and browse GEDCOM files directly on your phone or tablet. No recurring fee, no need to share your data with others, and no internet connection required. Pan, tilt, and zoom your family tree by dragging and pinching. Works offline — ideal for archives and libraries.
iOSFamViewer
View your GEDCOM family tree on iPhone and iPad. Compatible with GEDCOM files exported from most genealogy programs. Good for carrying your tree with you to family events, archives, and cemeteries.
Creating Genealogy Websites
The Next Generation (TNG)
One of the most popular self-hosted genealogy website builders. Import your GEDCOM and publish a fully featured family history website on your own hosting. Actively developed for over 20 years. Supports multiple languages, privacy controls, and media galleries.
Free / Open SourceWebtrees
Free, open-source web genealogy application. Install on your own web hosting, import your GEDCOM, and publish a professional family history website. Multi-user, multi-language, actively maintained. One of the best free options for publishing online.
Win & MacGedScape
In addition to being a GEDCOM viewer, GedScape can generate complete genealogy websites from your GEDCOM file, including family charts, descendant charts, photos, notes, and citations — all from your desktop without needing web hosting.
Drawing Family Trees & Genograms
Office Productivity
LibreOffice
Free, fully featured office suite — word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and more. Compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx). The recommended free alternative to Microsoft Office for genealogists who want to write reports, letters, and family histories.
SubscriptionMicrosoft 365
The industry-standard office suite. Subscription includes Word for reports and letters, Excel for research tracking, and OneDrive cloud storage for backup. Available as a one-time purchase (Office 2024) or annual subscription (Microsoft 365).
Comprehensive Software Directories
Cyndi's List — Genealogy Software
The most comprehensive directory of genealogy software and utilities on the web. Regularly updated with hundreds of links across all categories and platforms. An invaluable reference for finding specialist tools not listed on this page.
Free / WebFamilySearch Wiki — Software List
FamilySearch maintains a detailed wiki page listing genealogy software by platform, with descriptions and links. Community-maintained and regularly updated. A good second reference alongside Cyndi's List.
