Storyworth alternative: a year-long memoir, or one conversation you can keep?

Storyworth and Remento help you create a memoir over a year. Tellby starts much smaller: one conversation worth keeping.

The real choice is not whether they type or talk. It is: do you want to give them a year-long memoir project, or do you just want to finally record a story together? Tellby is not a year, and it is not a book.

What Storyworth actually is

Storyworth is a year-long memoir project that ends in a hardcover book. Each week it sends a question by email or text. The storyteller can write a reply, or voice-record with Story Calls. Storyworth’s Basic plan includes both. The stories collect towards a book you order if they stick with it.

Their published starting price is $59 for Basic: one year of weekly prompts, written or recorded responses, and a hardcover included. Color ($99) and Unlimited ($199) add more phone-based interviewing and family features.

Other memoir gifts, including Remento and Memowrite, are compared on this page. The choice stays the same: a year-long memoir, or one conversation you can keep.

When a year-long memoir is the right fit

A year of prompts is the point for some people. It fits when they want a book on the shelf, they like a long project, and a weekly question feels like a welcome nudge rather than a chore. Written or recorded, Storyworth is the known path to a memoir that takes a year.

When a year-long project might be too much

If what you really want is one story from your parent, a year of weekly prompts may be more commitment than you need. That is a question of fit, not a judgement on the product.

If you would rather keep one conversation yourself this weekend, you can record a voice memo. There is a calm guide on how to record your parent's voice and stories. That is free, and it is theirs.

Storyworth Magic Interviews

Magic Interviews is Storyworth's guided phone interviewer, on the Unlimited plan. You request a call. They phone the storyteller, ask follow-up questions, and turn the conversation into a narrative in the memoir. Basic or Color can upgrade. It is still a year-and-a-book project, with a guided call instead of a weekly prompt you answer alone.

Storyworth Family Calls

A Family Call puts a relative on the line while the story is told. Storyworth's Color plan includes one a month; Unlimited includes weekly Family Calls. Same year-long memoir shape, with company on the call.

Storyworth vs Remento

Remento is also a year-long project that ends in a hardcover. They talk; Remento writes a chapter. A weekly prompt arrives by email or text. They say there is no app and no login. Each printed page has a QR code that plays the original recording.

Remento publishes $99 for a year of prompts plus one colour hardcover. They offer a 30-day money-back policy. After the year they say you keep access to the recordings; you renew ($99 a year, or $12 a month on their FAQ) only if you want new stories.

Storyworth: a year-long memoir, written or recorded, ending in a book. Remento: a voice-first year-long project, with the original recording linked from the printed book. Neither is ranked here.

A Remento alternative

A search for a Remento alternative is usually this question: do you want another year-long voice memoir, or something smaller? Remento stays the voice-first year. They talk, Remento writes the chapter, and the hardcover can play the original recording. If that book is the gift you want, Remento is built for it.

If a year and a book is more than you need, the smaller shape is one conversation you can keep. Tellby is not a year, and it is not a book. You can also keep the recording yourself with the DIY recording guide.

Memowrite vs Storyworth

Memowrite and Storyworth are both book projects. Storyworth runs for a year: a weekly question, a written reply or a Story Call, collected towards a hardcover. Memowrite gives guided questions the storyteller can answer by writing or by speaking, then edits those answers into a hardcover. Both are a different job from one conversation this weekend.

The useful difference is pace and finish. Storyworth is the known year of prompts. Memowrite is a guided memoir its team edits into a book. If you only want one story kept in their voice, neither shape is the small one. Tellby is one conversation, not a year, and not a book. Neither product is ranked here.

Storyworth vs other memoir gifts

Storyworth vs others comes down to the shape of the gift.

• Storyworth. A year of weekly prompts. They can write, or record with Story Calls on Basic. Magic Interviews and Family Calls are still that year, and it still ends as a book.
• Remento. Voice-first, also a year, also a hardcover, with the original recording linked from the printed page.
• Memowrite. Guided questions, answered by writing or speaking, edited into a hardcover.
• One Tellby conversation. Not a year, and not a book. A private written-and-audio story card. They can pause, skip or stop. You read the memory card and approve it before the rest of the family sees it. Starting does not enrol them.

Phone-call gifts, such as Storii, sit on the voice memoir gift page. This page stays the year-long memoir compared with one conversation you can keep.

Where a short Tellby session sits

Tellby is not a year, and it is not a book. The early family pilot is one relaxed 10 to 15 minute conversation that becomes a private written-and-audio story card. The storyteller can pause, skip or stop during the conversation. You read the memory card and approve it before the rest of the family sees it. Starting does not enrol or consent for your parent or relative.

If you are buying for an occasion, story gifts for parents who have everything and what to get Dad when he already has everything sit next to this page. If you want to do it yourself this weekend, start with the recording guide.