What Really Happens When You Give Storyworth® as a Gift

Every holiday season, thousands of people turn to Storyworth® as a unique and thoughtful present for parents and grandparents. Instead of flowers or another gadget, Storyworth promises something deeper: a way to preserve stories for the next generation.

But what actually happens after you hit “purchase”? What do families love, and where do they stumble? Here’s what we’ve found after looking closely at how Storyworth works in practice.

The First Impression: Excitement and Curiosity

When Storyworth is given, the reaction is often delight. It feels like a personal, meaningful gesture. The recipient sees they’ll be asked questions each week, and the idea of a bound book at the end of the year sets the tone for something lasting.

For gift-givers, this stage is a win. It’s different, thoughtful, and memorable right out of the gate.

The Middle Months: A Year of Homework?

The heart of Storyworth is the weekly prompt. For storytellers who enjoy writing, this steady rhythm can be motivating — much like a guided journaling project. For others, keeping up with weekly responses can feel demanding, especially if typing long answers isn’t comfortable or time is limited.

Storyworth’s dictation feature helps reduce the need for typing by allowing storytellers to speak their responses. Those recordings are automatically transcribed into text, but the audio itself isn’t saved or included in the final book. As a result, families receive the written words but not the voice, tone, or emotion behind them.

While dictation makes participation easier, it may still require editing to turn spoken responses into polished stories. For some, that structure is welcome; for others, it can make the process feel more like writing than conversation.

The End Result

By the end of the year, participants receive a hardcover book compiling their stories and selected photos.

Many value the final product for its organization, clarity, and professional presentation. It provides a tangible record of shared memories and serves as a meaningful reference point for family history.

Others note limitations in the format. The uniform design offers little room for personalization, and the written stories can read more like transcripts than narratives. Because the book reflects only what was typed or dictated, it may not capture the tone or nuance of spoken storytelling.

Overall, the result is a well-produced keepsake that accurately documents what was shared, though it may not fully convey the depth or emotion of the original stories.

Why Some Families Look for Alternatives

Storyworth has real strengths — it’s simple, structured, and delivers a polished product. But it’s ultimately built for those who are comfortable writing or editing text. For families who want more than words on a page — the sound of a parent’s voice, the warmth of laughter, the spontaneity of storytelling — Storyworth falls short.

That’s where Remento offers something different.

Instead of text alone, Remento records stories in voice or video, transcribes them into polished writing, and includes QR codes in the book so you can read and hear your loved one’s memories. It’s designed for families who value both convenience and authenticity — capturing not just stories, but the storyteller.

Remento makes the process effortless for everyone involved. There are no logins, downloads, or typing required — just a simple link that opens to record a memory in seconds. Families can listen, react, and even help choose the next topic, turning storytelling into an ongoing shared experience. The result is a beautifully written and spoken family history that feels alive, combining technology and heart to preserve the voices and personalities that matter most.

Learn more: Storyworth v. Remento

Final Thoughts

Gifting Storyworth is a thoughtful act of care, and for many families, it fulfills that promise. The weekly prompts and final printed book create a sense of purpose and connection that can be deeply meaningful.

Still, behind that charm lies a process that often feels like a year-long writing (or dictation)project. The end result is touching, but for many, it captures only part of the story.

If your goal is simply to collect memories in written form, Storyworth does that well. But if you want a keepsake that preserves not only words but also the sound, tone, and personality of your loved one, Remento might be a better fit for your family.

Next up: Read more Remento reviews

Storyworth FAQ (2025 Edition)

Does Storyworth save audio recordings from dictation?
No. Storyworth’s dictation feature converts spoken words directly into text, but the original audio is not saved or included in the printed book. Families receive only the written transcription, which can sound more like a raw transcript than a polished story. For anyone hoping to preserve the sound, tone, or emotion in a storyteller’s voice, this feature can feel limited.

Can multiple family members contribute to one Storyworth account?
Not directly. Each Storyworth subscription is designed for one primary storyteller. While family members can read and comment on the stories shared, they cannot easily add their own responses or memories under the same account. Families who want a collaborative book with multiple voices must purchase additional subscriptions or manually compile stories later.

How many books are included with Storyworth?
The $99 subscription includes one hardcover book. Most families order extra copies for children or relatives, and those additional color-printed books cost $79 each. The price can add up quickly if several copies are needed, especially for longer books with more pages or color printing.

Are Storyworth books in color or black and white?
Storyworth books are now printed in color by default, but cost more ($79 v. $39). The overall quality is excellent, but customization options are limited. Fonts, layouts, and spacing are standardized, which means every book has the same overall appearance. Families who want a more creative or personalized design may find the options restrictive.

How easy is it to add photos to Storyworth?
Photos can be uploaded through the website, but not directly through email prompts. The process is functional but not especially intuitive, particularly for older storytellers or those less comfortable with technology. Placement is fixed within the story layout, and the photo quality depends on the original image resolution. While you can add as many photos as you like, they do not play a major visual role in the final book.

What happens if Storyworth prompts go unanswered?
Storytellers can return and answer missed questions at any time during their subscription, but the one-year timer continues to run regardless. Any unanswered prompts will simply be omitted from the final book. This can leave sections of a story incomplete, especially if a storyteller loses momentum partway through the process.

Does Storyworth offer international shipping?
Yes, Storyworth ships books internationally. However, shipping costs vary depending on destination, and delivery outside the United States often takes longer. Customers in Canada, Europe, or Australia have reported extended shipping times and higher delivery fees, so it is best to check estimated rates before ordering extra copies.

Does Storyworth provide refunds or returns?
‍No. Once a Storyworth book has been printed, it cannot be returned or reprinted unless there was a clear production error. This means families should carefully review stories, photos, and formatting before finalizing their order to ensure everything appears correctly in print.

What alternatives exist for Storyworth?
‍If hearing a loved one’s voice is important to you, consider platforms such as Remento, which record spoken memories directly. Remento transforms voice recordings into written stories while preserving the original audio in the final printed book through QR codes. It provides a similar keepsake but captures both the story and the storyteller’s presence.