Family Tree Maker — Best Free & Online Builders, Templates, and Tools
Build a family tree in two ways: (1) use a genealogy family tree builder to research ancestors and collaborate with relatives, or (2) use a family tree template / genogram maker to create a clean, printable chart fast. This page curates top websites and lets you filter, compare, and open them in one click.
Tip: If you plan to share a large family tree chart online, export PNG/PDF then optimize it for web.
Make Your Family Tree Easy to Share
After you export your family tree chart (PNG/JPG/PDF), use ImageConver to compress, crop, or convert formats for fast sharing and cleaner printing.
Editor’s Top Picks (Fastest Options)
FamilySearch — Free Family Tree
Best for building a shared family tree with relatives and attaching sources.
Canva — Genogram / Family Tree Templates
Great for clean, printable family tree charts and school projects.
Family Echo — Simple Online Family Tree
Lightweight option to quickly sketch relationships and export/share.
Family Tree Maker Directory
Filter by: Genealogy · Diagram · Templates · Free · CollaborationFamilySearch Family Tree
Shared family tree building with sources and relatives.
Ancestry — Family Tree Builder
Strong research ecosystem; great for expanding ancestry records.
MyHeritage — Family Tree
Good for building a tree + working with old family photos and matches.
Geni — World Family Tree
Collaborative tree building with public connections.
WikiTree — Community Family Tree
Community-driven tree building and shared profiles.
Family Echo
Minimal UI for quick family tree diagrams (great for simple charts).
Canva Genogram Maker
Design-style templates that export nicely for print and sharing.
Lucidchart — Genealogy Chart Templates
Diagram editor with shareable family tree / genealogy chart examples.
SmartDraw — Family Tree Maker
Template-driven chart builder with clean layouts.
Creately — Family Tree Maker
Templates + collaborative diagramming for family tree charts.
diagrams.net (draw.io)
Free diagram editor—use shapes to build a custom family tree chart.
Google Slides
Good for building a presentation-style family tree with text boxes and shapes.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Classic for printable charts—export to PDF for clean printing.
Slidesgo — Template Library
Presentation templates (search “family tree” / “genealogy” inside).
SlidesCarnival — Free Templates
Free Google Slides/PowerPoint templates—adapt for family tree charts.
SlidesMania — Free Slides
Free slide designs; useful for school genealogy assignments.
Miro — Templates & Whiteboard
Good for collaborative mapping—build a family tree with shapes and frames.
Availability, pricing, exports, and licensing vary by site. For genealogy platforms, always review privacy settings before publishing a family tree.
Quick Compare (What to Use and When)
| Tool | Best for | Free option | Typical exports | Collaboration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FamilySearch | Genealogy + relatives | Yes | Tree views, shares | Yes | Great for building a shared family tree |
| Ancestry / MyHeritage | Research + hints | Limited | Charts, reports | Yes | Often best for deep research workflows |
| Canva / Slides | Printable charts | Yes | PNG, PDF | Sometimes | Best for clean visual layouts and school projects |
| Lucidchart / Creately | Diagram accuracy | Sometimes | PNG, PDF, SVG | Yes | Great for genograms and structured charts |
| Family Echo | Quick, simple tree | Yes | Share/print | No | Lightweight for small-to-medium trees |
Features to Look for in a Family Tree Maker
Genealogy Features
- Profiles & relationships: parents, spouses, siblings, children, and notes.
- Sources & records: attach documents so your tree is trustworthy.
- Collaboration: invite relatives to help verify names, dates, and stories.
- Privacy controls: manage what is public vs private.
Template / Diagram Features
- Printable exports: PDF for printing; PNG for sharing.
- Scalable formats: SVG is ideal for large charts (no blur when zooming).
- Layout controls: spacing, connectors, and alignment for readability.
- Genogram support: if you need medical or relationship symbols.
Applications
A family tree maker is useful for genealogy research, classroom assignments, reunions, memorial displays, and creating a modern “family story” archive. If your goal is to discover ancestors and connect records, start with a genealogy platform. If your goal is a clean poster-style family tree chart, a template/diagram tool is usually faster.
Many people export their family tree to PNG or PDF and then optimize it for sharing (smaller file size, correct aspect ratio, readable text). That is where a simple image workflow helps: convert formats, crop borders, and compress for faster web loading.
How to Make a Family Tree (Step-by-Step)
- Choose a format: ancestor chart (upwards), descendant chart (downwards), or genogram.
- Start with what you know: names, birth dates, marriage dates, and locations.
- Pick a tool: genealogy site for research or diagram templates for printing.
- Design for readability: keep consistent spacing and limit tiny fonts.
- Export for your goal: PDF for print; PNG/JPG for sharing; SVG for large scaling.
- Optimize and share: compress images and crop whitespace for clean sharing.
FAQ
What is the best free family tree maker?
If you want a true genealogy family tree builder, FamilySearch is a popular free option. If you only need a printable diagram, Family Echo or diagrams.net can work well depending on how complex your chart is.
What is a genogram and how is it different?
A genogram is a family tree diagram that can include extra relationship symbols (sometimes used in counseling or medical history). If you need those symbols, look for “genogram maker” templates in diagram tools.
How do I print a large family tree without losing quality?
Export to PDF or SVG when possible. If exporting as an image, choose a high resolution (e.g., 300 DPI equivalent or a very wide PNG), then print from the PDF/image viewer.
How do I share my family tree online faster?
Export PNG/JPG, crop extra whitespace, and compress the file. Smaller images load faster on websites and send faster in messaging apps.
List last reviewed: Dec 19, 2025.