Key Differences Between Family Tree Maker 2019 and 2024
If you have been using Family Tree Maker 2019 for a long time, you probably don’t think much about it anymore. It just sits there and does the job. You open it, work on your tree, and close it. That’s it.
That’s also why upgrades don’t happen quickly. Not because people don’t want new features, but because they don’t want to deal with something breaking or behaving differently.
But when you actually compare Family Tree Maker 2019 vs. 2024 side by side, the difference isn’t just about speed or small tweaks. There are parts in the 2024 version that simply weren’t there before. And those are the things that start to matter once your tree grows or gets messy.
FTM 2019 vs 2024: Performance Comparison
FTM 2019 works fine if your tree is small or medium-sized. The slowdown doesn’t hit immediately, but it happens with time. Over time things start to take a bit longer; switching views, running searches, and syncing everything starts taking a little more effort.
FTM 2024 on the other hand feels lighter and smoother. You click something and it responds properly. You move between sections and it doesn’t hesitate as much.
There’s no single feature behind this change. It just feels like the newer version handles larger data better.
Better Editing Experience
Editing is one area where people usually stay careful. One wrong merge or deletion, and things can get messy. FTM 2019 does provide an undo option, but only to a certain extent. If you have made many changes to your tree, going back is very complicated.
FTM 2024 comes with The Turn Back Time® feature, which goes much further, up to 5,000 steps. In FTM 2019, it was limited to 1,000.
That difference sounds technical, but it changes behavior. You stop hesitating so much while editing because you know you can go back if needed.
Searching Feels Less Interrupted
In FTM 2019, searching usually turns into a loop. You search, adjust filters, search again, and repeat. It works, but it breaks your flow.
FTM 2024 resolves the issue; filters don’t need to be recreated every time. You can reuse them, combine them, and move forward faster.
Over time you realize you are not repeating the same steps again and again and spending your time in more meaningful way.
Color Coding Feels More Usable
Both versions have color coding, but in FTM 2024, it’s easier to use it properly when the tree becomes complicated. Multiple branches, second marriages, overlapping families but things stay readable.
In 2019, it starts getting a bit confusing once the tree grows beyond a certain point.
Maps Add a Bit More Context
FTM 2019 shows locations, but FTM 2024 goes a little farther. You start seeing movement here, how families shift over time, and not just where events happened.
It’s not an extraordinary feature, but it adds context. You notice patterns that weren’t obvious earlier.
What’s New in FTM 2024 that was Missing in FTM 2019?
There are few features in Family Tree Maker 2024 that are not improvements but they simply didn’t exist before. If you have only used FTM 2019, these are the parts that will feel new right away.
Connect Workspace
In FTM 2019, you can only share your tree manually. You export files, send them, wait for feedback, and then try to merge changes again. The whole process works, but it’s bit complicated.
FTM 2024 introduces Connect Workspace feature, which allows you to let someone view your tree without sending files back and forth.
It doesn’t make everything fully collaborative, but it removes a lot of the back-and-forth that used to happen earlier.
Relative Hint™
Hints in FTM 2019 mostly stay focused on direct ancestors. If you are keen to explore beyond that, you usually have to search on your own.
FTM 2024 adds Relative Hint™. Now hints extend to related people and not just direct lines. Sometimes it can also show connections you weren’t actively looking for and helps you explore things you were aware about. It saves time, especially when working on larger branches.
AlbumWALK®
In FTM 2019, media is just there. You attach photos and documents, and that’s about it. FTM 2024 changes how you can present that media. With AlbumWALK®, you can move through images and records in a more guided way.
It feels less like storage and more like showing something to someone. That part didn’t exist before.
Easy on the Eyes®
This one sounds small, but it shows up during longer sessions. FTM 2019 can feel a bit dense visually when you have been working for a while.
FTM 2024 offers better contrast, which is a little easier to read and reduces strain.
Overall, it bit more comfortable to the eyes.
Resources Center
In FTM 2019, if you didn’t understand something, you had to search forums, guides, and videos.
FTM 2024 brings some of that help inside the software itself. It’s not perfect, but it reduces the need to jump between tools.
Why New Features in FTM 2024 Matter
Individually, none of these features feel like a big deal. But together, they fix things that were always a bit inconvenient in FTM 2019. Earlier, sharing was manual, but with FTM 2024, it was easier. Earlier relatives’ hints were limited but now they extend further. The media was static, but now it feels more usable.
Syncing Feels More Stable
FTM 2019 syncing works, but you have to be careful. If you don’t handle things properly, you may encounter issues. FTM 2024 feels more consistent.
You don’t think about syncing as much. It just happens in the background without needing constant attention.
Media Handling Feels More Connected
In FTM 2019, media is mostly attached and stored. You add photos and documents and they are available as references without any context beyond that. When the tree expands it might become difficult to understand why something was added and what connection it has with the other data.
FTM 2024 is linked more clearly with events and relationships. So, when you see a record or image, you know where it fits in the tree.
Read More: How to transfer family tree maker 2024
DNA Integration
FTM 2024 includes DNA-related insights within the same setup. For users who rely on genetic data, the new version brings everything closer together.
FTM 2019 doesn’t have this feature, so users usually depend on external platforms.
Security, Backup, and Reliability
Most people don’t think about backups until something goes wrong. FTM 2019 gives you options, but a lot depends on manual effort. FTM 2024 makes the process feel more structured. Backup and recovery are easier to manage, especially when used with TreeVault®.
Family Tree Maker 2019 vs 2024: New Features Comparison
| Feature | Family Tree Maker 2019 | Family Tree Maker 2024 |
| Connect Workspace | ✘ | ✔ |
| Relative Hint™ | ✘ | ✔ |
| AlbumWALK® Integration | ✘ | ✔ |
| Easy on the Eyes® | ✘ | ✔ |
| Resources Center | ✘ | ✔ |
| DNA Integration | ✘ | ✔ |
How is Family Tree Maker Helps Useful?
Even when upgrading looks simple, things don’t always go smoothly. Some users face syncing issues, setup confusion, or just don’t understand how certain features behave in the newer version. Family Tree Maker Helps with installation, troubleshooting, and understanding these changes.
It becomes useful when something doesn’t work the way you expect.
Final Thoughts
You won’t really see the difference between Family Tree Maker 2019 and 2024 just by reading about it. It shows up when you use it. FTM 2019 still works but it feels like an older version of how things were done.
FTM 2024 doesn’t just improve things but it changes a few of them completely. And those changes start making sense once your tree grows or your work becomes more detailed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between Family Tree Maker 2019 and 2024?
Answer: FTM 2019 works well but has limitations in collaboration, hinting, and newer tools. FTM 2024 includes features like Connect Workspace, Relative Hint™, improved syncing, and DNA integration.
- Can I upgrade from FTM 2019 to 2024?
Answer: Yes, upgrading from FTM 2019 TO 2024 is easy. You can also take help if needed during the process.
- Can FTM 2019 handle large trees?
Answer: Yes, it can handle large trees, but its performance may slow down with larger or media-heavy trees. FTM 2024 handles larger and complicated trees better. Does FTM 2024 support multiple devices? Yes, syncing across devices is more reliable in the newer version.
- Does FTM 2024 support multiple devices?
Answer: Yes, Family Tree Maker 2024 supports multiple devices and data syncing is quite easy across the systems.
- Is FTM 2019 still usable?
Answer: Yes, FTM 2019 is still useful, but it lacks several improvements from FTM 2024. It is actually appropriate for those who have a smaller family tree and don’t spend much time in understanding their family histories.
