Option One
Reply to a Weekly Email
Each week, a thoughtful prompt arrives in their inbox. They simply hit reply and write. No apps to download, no passwords to remember, no learning curve.
Zero tech skills required
Kindred Tales vs Remento
vs StoryWorth
All three services help families preserve memories in beautiful books. But they take very different approaches, and come with different price tags. Here is everything you need to know to make the right choice for your family.
Get Started with Kindred TalesAt a Glance: The Three Services
Each service has different strengths. Here is how they stack up on the features that matter most to families.
Best Value
Kindred Tales
$90-$99
One-time purchase
- ✓400 pages included
- ✓Write or speak stories
- ✓Photos anywhere with captions
- ✓AI Biographer + speech-to-text
- ✓$45 per extra book
- ✓80# premium paper
- ✓Free PDF download
- ✓No subscription
Remento
$99/year
Recurring subscription
- ✗200 pages included
- ✗Voice/video only (no writing)
- ✗1 photo per story + end gallery
- ✗Speech-to-Story AI
- ✗$69-$99 per extra book
- ✗Premium photo paper
- ✗E-book $49.99 extra
- ✗Video + QR codes in book
StoryWorth
$99/year
Recurring subscription
- ✗300 pages included
- ✗Write or speak stories
- ✗Photos anywhere unlimited
- ✗No AI assistance
- ✗$39-$79 per extra book
- ✗70# standard paper
- ✗Free PDF download
- ✗Lifetime editing access
Complete Feature Comparison
| Feature | Kindred Tales | Remento | StoryWorth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | $90-$115 one-time | $99/year subscription | $99/year subscription |
| Pages Included | 400 pages | 200 pages | 300 pages |
| Can Write Stories? | Yes | Must record first, then edit | Yes |
| Speech-to-Text? | Yes (AI polished) | Yes (AI polished) | Yes (raw transcript) |
| Video Recording? | No (audio only) | Yes | No |
| AI Writing Help? | Yes (Ali AI interviews + first drafts) | Yes (Speech-to-Story) | No |
| Photo Placement | Unlimited anywhere with captions | 1 per story + end gallery | Unlimited anywhere |
| Extra Book Cost | $45 | $69-$99 | $39-$79 |
| Paper Quality | 80# coated (best) | Premium photo paper | 70# standard |
| Book Size | Standard hardcover | 8" × 10" (largest) | 6" × 9" (smallest) |
| Free PDF/E-book? | Yes | No ($49.99 extra) | Yes |
| QR Code Video/Audio? | Website download | Yes, in book | No |
| SMS Prompts? | Email only | Yes (email or SMS) | Email only |
| Post-Cancellation Access | N/A (one-time purchase) | View-only | Full editing forever |
| Years in Business | 2 years (2022) | 3 years (2021) | 12 years (2013) |
| Books Printed | Thousands | Thousands | 1+ million |
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full comparison.
The Details That Actually Matter
1. Pricing: One-Time vs. Subscription
This is probably the biggest difference. Kindred Tales is a one-time purchase, you pay once and you are done. No recurring charges. StoryWorth and Remento both require $99 yearly subscriptions.
Real Cost Comparison (Creating 1 Book + 3 Extra Copies)
Kindred Tales: $115 + $45 + $45 + $45 = $250 total (one-time)
Remento: $99/year + $69 + $69 + $69 = $306 in year one (plus $99/year to maintain editing)
StoryWorth: $99/year + $39 + $39 + $39 = $216 in year one (but keeps charging $99/year)
Over 3 years, StoryWorth costs $414 total ($99 × 3 + books). Remento costs $504 total ($99 × 3 + books). Kindred Tales stays at $250.
2. Photo Placement: A Critical Difference
This matters more than you might think. Photos bring stories to life when they are placed naturally within the narrative, right where they make sense.
Kindred Tales & StoryWorth
Both let you place unlimited photos anywhere in your stories with captions. Want to show your wedding photo right in the middle of telling that story? You can. Want to illustrate your childhood home exactly when you mention it? No problem.
Remento
You can only place one photo at the start of each story. Additional photos get dumped into a gallery at the end of the book, completely disconnected from the stories they relate to. This is one of the most common complaints in Remento reviews from users who did not realize this limitation upfront.
3. AI Assistance: Who Does It Best?
Kindred Tales: Ali AI Biographer
Ali does not just transcribe, she interviews you. She asks follow-up questions, helps you dig deeper into memories, and can create a first draft for you to edit. It is like having a professional biographer helping your parent tell richer stories. Plus, you still get standard speech-to-text transcription as a separate feature.
Remento: Speech-to-Story
Remento's AI transcribes voice and video recordings and polishes them into readable prose, removing filler words and creating either cleaned transcripts or fully embellished narratives. This is genuinely impressive technology. However, some users report the AI-rewritten stories do not always capture their authentic voice.
StoryWorth: No AI
StoryWorth has no AI writing assistance at all. They do offer basic voice-to-text transcription, but it is raw, complete with filler words and pauses. You get exactly what was spoken, unpolished. For some people, that authenticity is actually a feature. For others, it is a limitation.
4. Video Recording: Remento's Unique Feature
Remento is the only service that supports video recording. When your parent records a story, they can choose audio-only or video. The video recordings are transcribed by AI, and QR codes in the physical book link directly to those videos, so readers can scan and watch grandma telling stories in her own words.
This is genuinely special technology. There is something powerful about seeing facial expressions and gestures, not just hearing the voice.
Kindred Tales and StoryWorth focus on audio recording and written stories. This keeps the technical barrier lower (no camera required) and makes seniors less self-conscious. For many families, audio recordings that can be downloaded and shared provide plenty of emotional connection without the complexity of video.
5. Writing vs. Voice-Only
Kindred Tales & StoryWorth: Complete Flexibility
Both services let you write stories from scratch, speak them, or mix and match. Some stories you might want to carefully craft in writing. Others you would rather just talk through. You have complete control.
Remento: Record First, Then Edit
Remento requires recording audio or video for every story. Once recorded, their AI transcribes it and you can edit that transcript. While this makes the initial capture very easy, you cannot sit down and write a story from scratch without recording first. This works well for people comfortable speaking everything out loud, but may feel limiting for those who prefer writing certain stories without being recorded.
6. What Happens After You Finish?
Kindred Tales
You maintain full access forever to edit stories and order more books at $45 each. It is a one-time purchase, there is no subscription to maintain or cancel.
Remento
Once you cancel your $99/year subscription, you lose editing capabilities. You can still view your content, but you cannot add new stories, make changes, or order new books without reactivating your subscription.
StoryWorth
You keep full editing access forever, even after canceling your subscription. This is genuinely one of StoryWorth's best features, you never lose the ability to update or order more books.
Who Should Choose Which Service?
Choose Kindred Tales if you want:
- ✓The best overall value with no ongoing subscription
- ✓The most pages (400) for longer life stories
- ✓AI assistance that interviews and helps write, not just transcribes
- ✓Complete flexibility to write, speak, or use AI for different stories
- ✓The lowest reprint cost ($45) for giving copies to family
- ✓Premium paper quality (80# coated, best in industry)
Choose Remento if you want:
- ✓Video recording to capture facial expressions and gestures
- ✓QR codes embedded directly in the physical book
- ✓A larger coffee-table format book (8" × 10")
- ✓A record-first approach (capture via video/audio, then edit)
- ✓SMS text reminders in addition to email prompts
- ✓A parent who is comfortable recording every story
Choose StoryWorth if you want:
- ✓The most established company with proven longevity (12 years)
- ✓Maximum trust (1+ million books, 45,000+ reviews)
- ✓Lifetime editing access even after canceling subscription
- ✓Phone support from real people, not AI chatbots
- ✓No AI involvement in your storytelling process
- ✓Peace of mind knowing the company will be around long-term
Ready to Start Your Family's Story?
Kindred Tales gives you the most pages, best paper quality, and complete flexibility to write, speak, or use AI assistance, all with no subscription required. Start preserving your family's legacy today.
Get Started for $90 (One-Time Purchase)Common Questions Answered
Which service is actually easiest for elderly parents who aren't tech-savvy?
All three work well for seniors. Remento requires the least setup (no app, no login, just click and record), but it requires comfort with being on camera. Kindred Tales and StoryWorth both offer simple email-based workflows, your parent just replies to a weekly email. The easiest really depends on whether your parent prefers talking on camera (Remento), or wants the option to write some stories and speak others (Kindred Tales or StoryWorth).
I heard Remento now lets you edit stories - how is that different from Kindred Tales or StoryWorth?
Remento allows you to edit the AI-generated transcript after you have recorded audio or video. This is helpful for polishing the transcription. However, you must always record something first, you cannot sit down and write a story from scratch without recording. Both Kindred Tales and StoryWorth let you write stories from a blank page whenever you want, with no recording required. This matters for people who prefer writing over speaking, or who want to carefully craft certain stories without being on camera or audio first. It is the difference between record, then edit versus write freely from scratch.
Read our detailed Kindred Tales vs Remento comparison →Is video recording worth it?
Remento's video capability is genuinely special, there is something powerful about seeing grandma's facial expressions as she tells a story. The QR codes embedded in the book make it magical to scan and instantly watch those videos. However, this comes with significant tradeoffs: ongoing $99/year subscription, severely limited photo placement (only 1 per story), no ability to write stories, and higher book costs. Many families find that audio recordings combined with better photo integration and complete writing flexibility provide more overall value, especially when you are not paying $99/year.
Can I finish my book in less than a year?
Yes, all three services allow you to work faster than 52 weeks. You can answer multiple prompts per week or skip the weekly schedule entirely and work at your own pace.
What if my parent gets stuck and can't answer a question?
Kindred Tales' Ali AI Biographer specifically helps with this, she will interview your parent, ask follow-up questions, and help them remember details. Remento and StoryWorth let you skip questions or substitute your own, but they do not offer interactive AI assistance to dig deeper into memories.
Which book will actually last the longest?
All three produce archival-quality hardcover books designed to last generations. Kindred Tales uses the heaviest paper (80#), Remento uses premium photo paper, and StoryWorth uses standard 70# paper. In practical terms, all three will outlive you, the paper weight difference is about quality feel, not durability over time.
Can family members contribute stories too?
Yes, all three services allow multiple family members to contribute. This is great for adding context, sharing your own memories of events, or helping a parent who needs support with the writing/recording process.
What happens if the company goes out of business?
This is a legitimate concern with newer companies. StoryWorth has 12 years of proven operation and 1+ million books printed, they are clearly sustainable. Remento and Kindred Tales are newer (3 and 2 years respectively). All three let you download PDF copies of your book, which you would keep even if the company closed. With Kindred Tales, since it is a one-time purchase, you are not dependent on the company staying in business to maintain access to your content.
Which has the best customer support?
StoryWorth offers phone support with real people (no AI chatbots), which is rare and valuable. Remento and Kindred Tales offer email and chat support. For elderly customers who prefer talking through issues, StoryWorth's phone support can be a significant advantage.
The Bottom Line
There is no single best service, it depends on what matters most to your family:
If Budget & Value Matter Most
Kindred Tales offers the best value: one-time purchase, most pages, lowest reprint cost, and premium paper quality without ongoing fees.
If Video Preservation Is Everything
Remento is purpose-built for video storytelling with QR codes embedded in the book. The larger format and video-first focus make it ideal if your parent is comfortable on camera and you are willing to accept photo placement limitations and subscription costs.
If Trust & Longevity Matter Most
StoryWorth has 12 years of proven operation, 1+ million books printed, and 45,000+ reviews. If peace of mind about company stability is your priority, they are the safest choice, though you will pay $99/year ongoing.
Ready to Start Your Family's Story?
Kindred Tales gives you the most pages, best paper quality, and complete flexibility to write, speak, or use AI assistance, all with no subscription required. Start preserving your family's legacy today.
Get Started for $90 (One-Time Purchase)How will they tell their story?
Every person is different. Some love to type, others prefer to talk. Kindred Tales lets your loved one choose exactly how they want to share their memories.
Option Two
Write & Place Photos Where They Belong
Log in and write directly in our editor. Add photos between paragraphs, right where they belong in the story. No more dumping all images at the front or back like other services.
Photos go with the story, not after it
Option Three
Chat with Ali, Your AI Biographer
Ali asks thoughtful follow-up questions that unlock forgotten memories. Like talking to a patient friend who genuinely wants to hear the whole story. You can even ask her for creative chapter title ideas unique to your story.
Draws out stories they forgot they had
Read more about AliOption Four
Just Speak
Press record and talk. We transcribe every word in real-time. For parents who’d rather talk than type, this changes everything. Keep and and share the recordings with family as you progress.
Built for storytellers, not typists
Option Five
Upload Existing Recordings
Already have recordings of their stories? Upload audio files and we’ll transcribe them into chapters. Keep the originals as family heirlooms forever.
Turn archives into book chapters
Not sure which is right for them?
Good news: they can use all five methods. Mix and match however they like.
Start Their Story Today