Preserving family stories is easier than ever with tools that save memories in formats like audio, text, and photos. These tools not only keep family history alive but also improve emotional well-being and strengthen connections across generations. Here’s a quick look at some of the best options available in 2026:
- Storii: Phone-based platform that uses automated calls with prompts to record and transcribe family stories. Outputs include audiobooks and PDFs. Pricing starts at $9.99/month.
- FamilySearch Memories: A free platform for uploading photos, stories, and audio clips, integrated with a family tree.
- Before You Memory App: Flexible app for capturing memories through video, audio, or text, organized by events and people.
- Storyworth: Email-based service sending weekly prompts to create a hardcover memoir over a year. Costs $99 annually.
Key takeaway: Choose a tool based on your family’s tech comfort and the type of keepsake you want - whether it’s voice recordings, digital archives, or a printed book.
How to Record Family Memories That Last Forever
Storii: Phone-Based Platform for Recording Family Stories
Storii is a memory-preservation service that makes it easy for families to capture and share stories. The platform relies on simple phone calls - no need for internet access, smartphones, or computers - to record cherished memories.
Main Features
Storii’s standout feature is its automated calling system, which schedules up to three calls per week to a family member’s landline or mobile phone. Each call includes a prompt, encouraging the recipient to share their stories. With access to over 1,000 pre-designed life story prompts, users can explore topics like childhood adventures, career highlights, or even create custom prompts tailored to family events or personal memories.
Once recorded, responses are automatically transcribed and enhanced with AI tools. The "AI Biographical Rewrite" organizes scattered memories into cohesive topics, while "AI Summaries" condense lengthy audio into digestible highlights. Families can download these stories as audiobooks or "Keepbooks" (PDF transcripts). To make the memories even richer, you can add photos, videos, or music playlists. Sharing these keepsakes is simple - secure links can be sent via SMS, email, or other platforms, with the option to connect unlimited family members.
In November 2025, Storii earned a $1.7M NIH SBIR Phase II Grant to explore its potential in reducing social isolation and boosting mental health for rural older adults through clinical trials.
How It Works for All Ages
Storii’s phone-based design eliminates the common challenge of navigating complex technology. As Helen Teegan shared, "The fact that it calls her directly on her home phone made a big difference as she isn't great at using technology". Users simply answer the phone, listen to a prompt, and share their stories. They can also call in at their convenience to record additional memories.
For families separated by distance, Storii offers a meaningful way to stay connected. Clayton Boeyink explained, "I live long distance from my mom and this is a great way to connect with her on a deeper level rather than just FaceTime talking about the weather". Setting up accounts and scheduling calls is easy, ensuring the process remains stress-free for everyone.
Pricing Options
Storii’s pricing is straightforward, with three options to suit different preferences:
- Monthly Plan: $9.99 per month
- Annual Plan: $99 per year (includes two free months)
- Gift Box: A one-time purchase of $119, which includes a physical package and 12 months of service
Tom Vander Well reflected on the platform’s impact, saying: "The chance to hear his stories, recorded in his own voice, will be treasured by generations in our family. It's so simple and so easy, yet so powerful".
Other Tools for Preserving Memories
FamilySearch Memories
FamilySearch Memories is a free platform designed to preserve photos, stories, documents, and audio recordings. It connects with the FamilySearch Family Tree, allowing users to tag ancestors in their uploaded memories. Audio recordings are limited to 15 minutes per clip, making it ideal for short, meaningful messages or stories. The platform also includes a "Family Feed", where family members can collaborate by viewing and interacting with each other's shared memories.
Before You Memory App
The Before You Memory App offers a flexible way to record memories using prompts. Users can capture video, audio, photos, or text, with stories organized by people, places, and events. This spontaneous approach is perfect for families who prefer capturing moments as they occur, rather than adhering to a rigid schedule. For those who appreciate more structure, options like Storyworth provide guided storytelling.
Storyworth
Storyworth takes a structured approach by sending weekly email prompts to storytellers over the course of a year. Responses can be submitted via text on the website, email, or even over the phone, with automatic transcription for convenience. Family members can engage with the stories in real-time, adding comments as they are shared.
At the end of the year, Storyworth compiles all the stories into a professionally bound hardcover memoir, complete with unlimited full-color photos. Since its launch in 2013, the platform has helped create over 35 million stories and more than 1 million books. The service costs $99 annually, which includes the weekly prompts and one hardcover book. Research from Emory University highlights that children who grow up hearing family stories often develop stronger self-esteem and better social skills.
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Tool Comparison: Features, Access, and Formats
Comparison of Top Family Memory Recording Tools: Features, Pricing, and Best Use Cases
Feature Comparison Table
Different tools offer unique ways to preserve family memories. Storii, Storyworth, and FamilySearch Memories each bring something distinct to the table. Storii provides automated phone recordings with transcriptions, Storyworth uses email prompts to create hardbound books, and FamilySearch Memories offers free multimedia storage.
The tools also vary in how you access them and what formats they produce. Phone-based services make things simple by working with any telephone, while email-based platforms rely on digital prompts. App-based tools, on the other hand, require modern devices. The output formats range from audio recordings that preserve the original voice to polished text archives and digital genealogical collections. Some tools focus on capturing the voice and emotions behind the stories, while others lean toward creating detailed text or digital archives. This makes it important to pick a tool that matches your family's specific needs, especially when considering the accessibility challenges elderly family members might face.
Best Tools for Elderly Family Members
When it comes to seniors, simplicity is key. Phone-based tools are particularly useful because they eliminate the need for internet access or app downloads. Storii, for example, works with any phone - whether it’s a landline, flip phone, or smartphone. It schedules calls with questions from its library of over 1,000 prompts, turning the experience into a natural, conversational process instead of a technical hurdle.
"Phone-based services like LifeEcho are often the most accessible option for seniors and those with limited technology experience." - LifeEcho
For grandparents who are more comfortable with traditional technology, answering a phone call is far easier than dealing with passwords, navigating apps, or typing on tiny screens. Plus, phone-based tools capture more than just the words - they preserve the storyteller’s voice, laughter, and emotional depth, offering a richer way to keep family stories alive.
Conclusion: Selecting the Right Tool for Your Family
Finding the best memory-recording tool for your family starts with understanding your specific needs. Consider how comfortable your family is with technology and what type of keepsake - written, audio, or digital - feels most meaningful. This clarity helps identify the best fit, like Storii’s straightforward solution.
Storii is a great example of a user-friendly option, especially for families with older members who may not be tech-savvy. With a 4.8/5 rating from 26 users, its simplicity stands out: it works on any phone, requires no internet, and comes with a $119 Gift Box package. This includes automated calls, transcriptions, and the ability to download stories as audiobooks or PDFs, making it easy for everyone to contribute and cherish their memories.
Psychologists Dr. Fivush and Dr. Duke have shown that children who know more about their family history tend to experience better emotional health, self-control, and happiness. As Charlie Greene from Remento aptly says:
"Whether you choose a writing-based tool like Storyworth or an immersive, voice-preserving platform like Remento, the most important thing is to start recording today".
Don’t wait - pick the tool that aligns with your family’s preferences and budget, and begin preserving those precious stories before they’re lost.
FAQs
Why is Storii a great choice for preserving memories with elderly family members?
Storii makes it easier than ever to capture and preserve the life stories of elderly family members. Through automated phone calls, it provides seniors with over 1,000 carefully designed prompts, encouraging them to share their memories in a way that feels natural and familiar. And the best part? No internet or smartphone is required.
The platform goes a step further by transcribing these recordings, allowing families to save them as audiobooks or PDFs. This makes revisiting and sharing these stories simple and meaningful. With its emphasis on ease of use and secure sharing, Storii ensures seniors can comfortably contribute their memories, creating a timeless legacy for future generations. Families, in turn, gain a way to cherish and celebrate their loved ones' experiences for years to come.
How does Storii protect the privacy and security of my family memories?
Storii prioritizes the privacy and security of your cherished family memories with strong protective measures. You can share stories safely with trusted family members using private channels and controlled access settings, ensuring your recordings remain secure.
The platform also offers secure storage options and allows you to download your recordings as audiobooks or PDFs, giving you complete control over how your memories are kept and shared. These tools are designed to help you preserve your family’s stories with confidence for years to come.
Can I personalize the prompts for Storii's automated calls?
You can customize the prompts for Storii's automated calls to suit your needs. Whether you select from a library of over 1,000 life story prompts or craft your own custom questions, this feature lets you shape the experience to reflect your family’s unique stories and spark meaningful conversations.
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