About
Webtrees is a powerful, open-source, web-based genealogy platform designed for individuals, families, and researchers who want to document, collaborate on, and share family history online. As the leading collaborative genealogy application on the web, it is entirely free — no licensing fees, no subscriptions. All that's needed is a web server running PHP and MySQL. At its core, Webtrees uses the widely adopted GEDCOM file format, ensuring compatibility with virtually every major desktop genealogy application such as Family Tree Maker, Gramps, and MacFamilyTree. This means you can import your existing family data without any conversion hassle. Webtrees supports collaborative multi-user access, allowing multiple family members or researchers to contribute to and manage a shared family tree simultaneously. It features a rich add-on and module ecosystem, including themes, geographical data tools, and language files, making it highly customizable. Built with open standards and third-party integrations, it balances efficiency and effectiveness for both casual users and genealogy enthusiasts. The platform offers forum-based community support, detailed documentation, upgrade guides, and an active user community that helps troubleshoot issues and share best practices. Whether you're a hobbyist tracing your family roots or a professional genealogist managing complex multi-generational records, Webtrees provides a robust and extensible environment to manage your genealogical research.
Key Features
- GEDCOM Compatibility: Works with standard GEDCOM files, making it fully compatible with all major desktop genealogy applications for seamless data import and export.
- Collaborative Multi-User Access: Multiple users can contribute to and manage the same family tree simultaneously, ideal for family groups and research teams.
- Extensible Add-On Ecosystem: A rich library of modules, themes, and geographical data add-ons allows deep customization of the platform to suit different needs.
- Self-Hosted & Privacy-Focused: Runs entirely on your own web server (PHP + MySQL), giving you full control over your family data and privacy.
- Completely Free & Open Source: Licensed as open-source software with zero cost — no subscriptions, no hidden fees, and a large active community for support.
Use Cases
- Families building and sharing a shared online family tree accessible to all members
- Genealogy researchers managing complex, multi-generational records with collaborative tools
- Hobbyists migrating existing GEDCOM data from desktop applications to an online, shareable format
- Historical societies or community groups hosting a centralized genealogical database on their own server
- Developers and technically inclined users who want a self-hosted, privacy-respecting alternative to commercial genealogy platforms
Pros
- Truly Free: Webtrees costs nothing to use and is fully open-source, making it accessible to anyone with a compatible web server.
- Wide Compatibility: GEDCOM support ensures your data works with virtually every desktop genealogy application, reducing vendor lock-in.
- Active Community & Support: An engaged user forum and extensive documentation make it easier to troubleshoot, customize, and upgrade the platform.
Cons
- Requires Web Hosting Setup: Users must have access to a web server with PHP and MySQL, which adds a technical barrier for non-technical users.
- No Managed Hosting Included: Unlike SaaS genealogy tools, there is no built-in cloud hosting — you must arrange and maintain your own server or find a specialist host.
- Dated User Interface: The UI, while functional, may feel less polished compared to modern commercial genealogy platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Webtrees really free?
Yes, Webtrees is completely free and open-source. There are no licensing costs, subscription fees, or hidden charges.
What do I need to run Webtrees?
You need a web server with PHP and MySQL installed. This can be your own server or one from any web hosting provider that meets the system requirements listed on the Webtrees website.
Is Webtrees compatible with my existing genealogy software?
Yes. Webtrees uses the standard GEDCOM file format, which is supported by virtually all major desktop genealogy applications, including Family Tree Maker, Gramps, and MacFamilyTree.
Can multiple people collaborate on the same family tree?
Yes, Webtrees supports multi-user access, allowing multiple family members or researchers to view and contribute to the same family history data simultaneously.
Can I customize the look and functionality of Webtrees?
Yes, Webtrees has an add-on ecosystem with modules, themes, and geographical data plugins that allow you to customize both the appearance and feature set of your installation.
