Frequently Asked Questions
I thought Remento was the only service with AI and voice recording?
That's a common misconception from their marketing. Actually, Kindred Tales, StoryWorth, and other modern memoir services offer voice recording. Many (including us) use AI to enhance transcriptions. The real differences to consider are: pricing models (one-time vs. subscription), extra charges, photo placement flexibility, whether you can write stories, and the AI's role (transcription vs. interactive interviewing) against the desireability for video as the primary medium.
I heard Remento now lets you edit stories - how is that different from Kindred Tales?
Remento allows you to edit the AI-generated transcript after you've recorded audio or video. This is helpful for polishing the transcription. However, you must always record something first—you can't sit down and write a story from scratch without recording. Kindred Tales gives you complete freedom: write stories from a blank page whenever you want, speak them using speech-to-text, or use our AI Biographer for interviews. No recording required unless you want to record. This matters for people who prefer writing over speaking, or who want to carefully craft certain stories without being on camera or audio first.
Can I finish my book in less than a year with either service?
Yes! Both Kindred Tales and Remento allow you to complete your book faster than 52 weeks. You can answer multiple questions per week, skip weeks, or work at whatever pace feels right for your family.
What happens after I've printed my book?
With Kindred Tales (one-time purchase), you maintain full access to edit stories and order additional books at $45 each anytime you want. With Remento, once your subscription ends, you lose editing capabilities and can only view your content. You can't add new stories or make changes without renewing at $99/year.
How does the photo limitation work with Remento?
Remento allows one photo at the beginning of each story. Additional photos get placed in a gallery at the end of the book, separated from the stories they relate to. This makes it harder to illustrate specific moments within stories. Kindred Tales lets you place unlimited photos anywhere in your text with captions, just like a traditional memoir.
Does Kindred Tales support video recording like Remento?
Kindred Tales focuses on audio recording and speech-to-text transcription rather than video. This keeps things simpler for seniors who might feel camera-shy or uncomfortable being on video. You can upload audio recordings you've made offline or record directly on our platform. All recordings are downloadable and shareable with family—they're just not embedded in the book via QR codes like Remento's video feature.
Can my parent write some stories and speak others?
With Kindred Tales, absolutely—you have complete flexibility to write from scratch, speak, or use AI interviews for different stories. Remento requires recording first for every story, though you can edit the transcript afterward. Some parents prefer having the option to write freely without needing to record, while others are comfortable with the record-first approach.
Which service is better for someone who doesn't type well?
Both work great! Kindred Tales offers speech-to-text transcription plus Ali AI Biographer interviews—your parent never has to type a word if they don't want to. Remento also uses voice/video recording exclusively. The key difference is that Kindred Tales gives you the option to write when you want to, while Remento doesn't.
Is the video QR code feature worth the subscription cost?
This depends on your priorities. Remento's video QR codes are special, there is something powerful about being able to scan a code in the book and immediately see your grandmother telling a story. However, this comes with tradeoffs: A possible large object in every chapter of your book, which may not work down the road, the $99/year subscription, severely limited photo placement, and no up-front writing capability. Many families find that audio recordings they can download and share, combined with better photo integration and writing flexibility, provide more overall value even without the embedded video feature.
What's the real total cost if I want 5 copies for family members and a PDF to share?
Kindred Tales: $115 + (4 × $45) = $295 total, one-time. Remento: $99/year + (4 × $99) + $50 = $545 in year one, plus $99 each additional year you want to maintain editing access.