Capture Family Memories: Top Storyworth® Alternatives for Australians

In today’s fast-paced world, preserving family memories has become more important than ever.

In the United States, Storyworth® has earned widespread popularity as a simple yet meaningful way to capture a loved one’s life stories. Each week, Storyworth emails a new prompt to the storyteller, who can type or dictate their answer. After a year, all of these stories are compiled into a printed keepsake book — a tangible heirloom designed to be shared across generations.

But for families in Australia, Storyworth isn’t the only option. This article explores the best Storyworth alternatives available locally, including Remento, Moving Memories, Origin Stories, and Chapters — each offering a different approach to preserving stories in ways that feel authentic, accessible, and deeply personal.

Context: Why Preserving Family Stories Matters

From the vibrant streets of Auckland and Wellington to the peaceful hills of Central Otago, family stories are the threads that bind generations together. Preserving these memories is more than nostalgia — it’s an act of legacy. Our stories give meaning to our lives, connect us to our ancestors, and help us pass on wisdom, values, and resilience to those who follow.

The act of documenting family stories:

• Strengthens family bonds: Fosters closer connections and understanding, enhancing familial relationships and support networks. (Learn more)
• Builds resilience in children: Learning about family stories, including past challenges and triumphs, can help children develop resilience by understanding the strength and perseverance demonstrated by previous generations. (Learn more)
• Supports enhanced cognitive function: Recalling and narrating stories engages memory and cognitive processes, potentially improving mental acuity and memory retention. (Learn more)
• Spurs validation and affirmation: Receiving acknowledgment and appreciation for one's life story can bolster self-esteem and confidence. (Learn more)
• Reduces feelings of isolation: Engaging with family through storytelling can alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation, promoting a sense of belonging. (Learn more)

By capturing these stories, we not only honor the experiences of our elders but also create a legacy of resilience, wisdom, and shared values that can inspire and guide our children and grandchildren. 

Storyworth: A familiar favourite

Storyworth has long been the most recognised name in this space. The US-based service emails your storyteller one question per week for a year, with 52 prompts total. They can type their answers directly into the email or use dictation to speak their responses.

Each story is compiled into a professionally printed book at the end of the year, which can be ordered in hardback form. The simplicity of Storyworth makes it appealing for families who prefer structure and consistency.

However, Storyworth’s dictation feature comes with limitations. While it allows storytellers to speak instead of type, the software transcribes every word exactly as it is spoken, including filler words and pauses, without punctuation or editing. That means storytellers must speak precisely how they want their words printed.

And while the book looks lovely, Storyworth does not preserve the storyteller’s actual voice. The audio is not saved, so families cannot listen back or hear their loved one’s tone, laughter, or emotion; only the written text remains.

For those who value ease and tradition, Storyworth still offers a trusted solution. But for Kiwis who want to preserve the sound and spirit of their loved ones’ stories, newer options offer something more immersive.

Learn more: Storyworth Reviews

Remento: A Leading Storyworth Alternative in Australia

For Australians wanting something deeper than text on a page, Remento brings storytelling into the modern age by combining warmth, technology, and design in a way that feels personal and human.

Instead of asking storytellers to type or dictate perfectly, Remento invites them to speak naturally, just as they would in conversation with family.

Then, Remento's Speech-to-Story technology turns those spoken memories into beautifully written narratives that retain the storyteller’s rhythm and tone. Families can choose between a polished narrative version or a lightly cleaned-up transcript that keeps their voice authentic.

What truly sets Remento apart is how it blends the written and spoken experience. Each hardcover book includes QR codes that link back to the original voice or video recordings, allowing readers to hear the storyteller’s voice as they read their words. For many families, that combination of permanence and intimacy is profoundly moving.

“It is one thing to read my mum’s stories,” one customer shared. “But hearing her voice tell them, that is the part that gets you.”

Every Remento journey starts with a simple invitation. Each week, storytellers receive a new question by text or email, some selected by the family and others from Remento’s expert-curated library. With a single click, they can record directly from their phone or computer, with no apps, logins, or passwords required.

Those recordings are then transformed automatically into written stories, which can be reviewed, edited, or compiled into a custom-printed book. The experience is designed to be effortless for older relatives while deeply rewarding for the family member who gifted it.

Why Remento is ideal for Australian families

Remento combines emotional connection with practical accessibility, a rare mix that works well across generations and time zones.

• No writing required: Ideal for storytellers who find typing tedious or intimidating. They can simply talk.
• Preserves both story and voice: Future generations can read and hear their loved ones through QR-linked recordings.
• Collaborative and family-friendly: Relatives can add photos, suggest prompts, and share reactions, making it a shared project rather than a solo task.
• Simple for older adults: Designed with accessibility in mind, using large text, guided steps, and clear instructions.
• Instant, heartfelt gift: Digital delivery means it can be gifted across borders, perfect for Australian families with relatives abroad.
• A legacy you can hold: Each finished book is printed on high-quality paper, bound in hardcover, and ready to become a family heirloom.

But the price does not fully capture the value. For most families, the emotional impact of hearing a loved one’s voice tell their story is what makes Remento unforgettable. As one Kiwi customer put it:

“We got the book, but what we really got was Mum’s voice, forever.”

Remento vs. Storyworth: Key Differences in Australia

1. Storytelling method

Storyworth: Storytellers receive one email prompt each week and reply by typing or dictating their answers. It works well for those who enjoy writing or prefer a structured, text-based routine. While Storyworth does offer voice dictation, it transcribes speech exactly as spoken and does not save the audio recording, meaning tone and emotion are lost.

Remento: Instead of typing, storytellers simply speak their memories aloud on any smartphone, tablet, or computer. Remento’s Speech-to-Story technology automatically turns those recordings into polished written stories. Each one can be formatted as a cleaned transcript or as a narrative that reads like a memoir — and every recording is preserved alongside the text. The result keeps the storyteller’s natural voice, rhythm, and personality intact, without any need for writing or editing.

2. Ease of use

Storyworth: Storytellers reply to weekly emails or log in to write their answers. It’s generally easy to use, though it still involves typing or dictating responses and navigating through email prompts.

Remento: Designed for simplicity, Remento eliminates technical barriers entirely. There are no apps, logins, or passwords. The storyteller clicks a link, presses record, and begins speaking. The process is effortless — even for older relatives or those unfamiliar with technology — and can be done on any device.

3. Family involvement

Storyworth: Storyworth is mostly a solo experience. Family members can suggest questions and later enjoy the completed book, but only one storyteller participates at a time.

Remento: Storytelling is collaborative from start to finish. Families can upload photos, suggest or vote on prompts, comment on stories, and receive updates as new recordings are shared. It becomes an ongoing shared project that strengthens family connection rather than a one-person task.

4. Customization and prompts

Storyworth: Provides a fixed set of standard prompts, with the ability to add custom ones.

Remento: Offers an extensive, expert-curated library of prompts covering life stages, values, and cultural moments. Families can personalize each question, upload photos, or write their own. Every story can be tailored to the storyteller’s experiences, making it more meaningful for families everywhere.

5. Output and keepsake

Storyworth: Produces a color-printed hardcover book containing the written responses. Dictated stories appear as plain text only; the original audio is not included or saved.

Remento: Creates a full-color, customizable hardcover book that includes both the beautifully written stories and QR codes linking directly to the storyteller’s actual voice recordings. Readers can scan any page to hear the person behind the story — preserving tone, laughter, and emotion alongside the words.

Comparison Guide for Australia: Remento v. Storyworth

Learn more about the differences between Remento and Storyworth

Remento Reviews from Australians

• "The book arrived quickly and the quality is superb!" - Sarah H. (Melbourne)
• “I loved how easy it was to share my stories with my family, including those who live overseas.” - Sasha R. (Perth)
• “Digital content is great, but it’s nice to have something you can hold in your hands.” - Jessica L. (Sydney)
• “When my dad is no longer with us, my grandkids will be able to scan that QR code and see their pop pop laugh and tell those crazy stories.” - Dyan G. (Canberra)

Read more Remento reviews

Professional Interviewing Options

A Lasting Tale: Boutique Filmed Interviews

Unlike Storyworth's focus on written stories prompted by daily questions, A Lasting Tale emphasizes the power of spoken narratives. 

The company provides professional interviewers who conduct in-depth, personal interviews with family members, capturing their stories in their own voices. This audio-first approach preserves not just the content of the stories, but also the emotions, accents, and personality of the storyteller. A Lasting Tale then offers the option to transform these audio recordings into beautiful, professionally written and bound books, combining the best of both audio and written preservation. 

Additionally, as an Australian company, A Lasting Tale offers local support, understands the nuances of Australian culture and history, and is readily available to Australian customers – a significant advantage over Storyworth, which doesn't ship to Australia. This local touch, combined with their unique interview-based method, makes A Lasting Tale a distinctive and accessible alternative for Australians looking to preserve their family stories.

Capturing Memories

Capturing Memories offers a distinctly different approach to preserving family histories compared to Storyworth, with services tailored specifically for the Australian market. Unlike Storyworth's subscription-based model focused on daily questions, Capturing Memories provides a range of flexible options to suit various preferences and needs. 

Their services include professional biography writing, where skilled writers conduct in-depth interviews and craft polished narratives, as well as DIY options for those who prefer to write their own stories with guidance. A standout feature is their video biography service, allowing families to capture visual and auditory memories that Storyworth doesn't offer. 

Capturing Memories also provides workshops and courses on life story writing, empowering Australians to become proficient in preserving their own family histories. As an Australian company, they understand local contexts and can incorporate uniquely Australian experiences into the storytelling process.

Conclusion: A gift for the future

Preserving your family's memories is a priceless gift to future generations. With these Storyworth alternatives, Australians have excellent options to capture their unique stories and experiences. Whether you choose Remento for its user-friendly approach and beautiful books or one of the local, white-glove memoir services, the most important thing is to start preserving your family's legacy today.