By Eva Williams 3 days ago, Apps and Software
When working on unraveling the convoluted mix of all my family ties, relations, and health histories, I had to go through a bunch of software before I managed to pick the best free genogram maker for my specific needs.
A genogram isn’t just a regular, plain family tree. It displays a complex map of relationships, health histories, and other relevant information while going back through generations. In contrast to standard family trees, genograms offer an in-depth look into your family's behavior and genes.
Verdict: Lucidchart is an advanced free flowchart software that allows you to design all sorts of diagrams with minimum effort. Even a complete beginner like me managed to use this cloud-based tool without any issues and the provided support helped create an elaborate genogram.
Other reasons why I was impressed with this tool include real-time remote collaboration functionality and possible integration with Google Workspace, Atlassian, Asana, and Slack. As a web-based solution, it might not be suitable for you, if you don’t have a consistent internet connection.
Pricing: Free plan, from $7.95 per month
Supported platforms: Web
Verdict: Family Echo is another excellent web-based tool if you want to learn how to make a genogram, chart, or family diagram. The best part about this free genealogy software is how intuitive its controls are. I merely provided the relevant data and Family Echo generated the genogram automatically.
This solution streamlines the process of designing an interactive family tree, enabling me to work together with other users when providing the necessary information. Each project is private so only invited users can view the created genogram.
Pricing: Free to use
Supported platforms: Online, mobile
Verdict: GitMind is a web-based free mind-mapping software and brainstorming solution. I was also happy to see that it comes with the features necessary for making a genogram.
Visualizing my family history using this online decision tree maker requires minimum effort, as all the required tools are conveniently laid out and are ready to be used.
Another great addition is the AI-powered tool for mind mapping. If you don’t know where to begin, allow GitMind to create a guide for you. The entire platform was built around the idea of being as user-friendly as possible.
Pricing: Free version, from $4.08 per month
Supported platforms: Desktop, Web, iOS, Android
Verdict: WinGeno is a simple genealogy software for macOS, though there's a version for Windows as well. Its truly amazing minimalist UI immediately caught my eye. Very easy to get around from the first minutes after turning on.
Adding up my big family genogram was not problematic at all, since for all the purposes, there were special buttons with appropriate icons – really love this approach. Adding a new element requires one push of a button.
Editing your data is simple too: the program clearly provides a separate window where you can retype your text when you find out a mistake or new info about your family members. The icing on the cake is the ability to export your genogram in various supported formats for a simple sharing.
Pricing: Free to use
Supported platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Verdict: If you already own Illustrator or have a Creative Cloud subscription, you can use it to build a genogram for free. Unlike specialized software I’ve mentioned above, Illustrator is a lot more universal.
I used it to create personalized family member icons that looked like us, embed family pictures I have, and adjust the layout. I also took advantage of the shape and text tools to map out the relations between all my family members which were way too easy.
Thanks to the ability to adjust the colors, fonts, and layouts using this vector graphics software, I managed to create a sleek and aesthetically pleasing design. I also browsed the asset library to find genogram symbols to save even more time on creating.
The downloaded icon sets were supplied with symbols for specific family members, relationship types, and medical conditions.
Regardless of whether you need to delineate different generations, mark connections, or specify other details, Illustrator provides the exact tools and customization capabilities you need. Additionally, its flexibility enables you to easily revise and edit your genogram as you see fit.When used along with other Creative Cloud products like Photoshop and InDesign, you can further enhance the look of your designs while enjoying a seamless workflow.
Pricing: Free trial, from $22.99/mo
Supported platforms: Windows and Mac
Verdict: This genogram generator is supplied with a medical history section that enabled me to assign customized tags and files to make my design more comprehensive. Moreover, this solution has an optional criminal history section that lets me add information about incarcerated family members.
I think this platform is particularly well-suited for sociologists, therapists, doctors, genealogists, researchers, and social workers. Additionally, GenoPro lets you add pictures of your family members and identify inconsistencies in your family tree thanks to the automated issue spotter.
Pricing: Free trial, from $49 per user
Supported platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Verdict: Creately is among the best web-based solutions for creating genograms. This pro-grade org chart software is supplied with a limitless whiteboard, over 1000 templates for all popular diagram types, and the ability to save your genograms in a variety of formats, including PDF, SVG, PNG, and JPEG.
I also liked how simple it is to integrate this solution with other project management platforms I tend to rely on like Slack, Microsoft, and GitHub. I could easily create a genogram using Creately and then notify my team on Slack about it, which isn’t the case with any genogram maker that you can use for free.
Pricing: from $75 per user
Supported platforms: Mac, Windows, SaaS, Cloud, Web
Verdict: The web version of Edraw Max offers free templates that I employed to design my genogram from the ground up. I was happy to see that this platform managed to cultivate a large and active community that provides hundreds of premade genogram templates, which can be a real lifesaver if you don’t have the time or skills to create everything from scratch.
This time-efficient and free diagram software allows you to work on a design with other users in real-time, while its automated functionality ensures all provided data is properly aligned, organized and stays within the chosen layout.
Price: from $99.00
Supported platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Web
Verdict: VisualParadigm is a genogram generator that enables both beginners like me and more experienced users to create a genogram in just a few steps. This block diagram program is supplied with a rich toolkit, symbols, and templates. As VisualParadigm is a comprehensive online platform, I managed to use it on both my phone and laptop as long as I had stable internet.
VisualParadigm is a rather versatile solution, as it allows you to save the genogram in a variety of popular formats, including PNG, SVG, GIF, etc. This web-based genogram creator is also compatible with Google Drive, enabling you to edit your designs within this cloud-based platform.
Pricing: From US$99
Supported platforms: Web
Verdict: MyDraw comes across as a far more nuanced and complex map software for Windows and Mac compared to the free online genogram maker options I featured previously. On the plus side, it provides a lot more versatility when it comes to designing higher-quality diagrams.
It has a dedicated genogram panel, which is exactly what I was looking for. In contrast to most other tools, this section hosts all genogram-relevant assets in one location. You can simply drag and drop the desired elements, and your design will be completed in no time.
Pricing: From $69
Supported platforms: Windows and Mac
Templates: These things really help to make any genogram look more attractive by easily dropping into place already available symbols for family members, connections for relationships, and medical notes. Because you’re not an expert and don’t have time to learn all these graphic staff.
Symbol libraries. Having access to unique symbols that go beyond the closest family members is very important.
Customization: who would not like to easily customize the symbols, the lines, and the text. Add notes, pictures, and other media files with a perfect genogram maker.
Collaboration: When working with others (be it your siblings or designers) on your tree, choose a platform that enables real-time shared editing of the work.
Interface. A minimalistic, well-laid-out UI is crucial for enjoying a streamlined user experience.
Data security. Necessary to have dependable data protection features, especially when giving sensitive private information about your family members, especially if it’s done online.
Price. While the service is flooded with a lot of great free stuff on one side, it's usually quite scarce on the other. There are, of course, paid options with more features and better security. Choose between a subscription plan and a one-time purchase.
Platform compatibility. Check if the software is compatible with your OS (Windows, Mac, Android, etc.).
Export to various formats (PDF, JPEG, etc.) has to be possible in order to take prints and share the results with others.
