Most family story apps follow the same formula: weekly email prompts, typed responses, printed book. Memorygram does exactly that. We built Storyworth to go further. If your dad doesn't want to type, he can call in his answers, and we'll transcribe them. If your family wants to collaborate on stories together, we make that possible. And if you need more than 300 pages or want to customize every detail of the book, you can do that too.

TLDR:

• Storyworth includes unlimited full-color photos and up to 480 pages per book with extensive customization options.​
• Storyworth supports real-time family collaboration, allowing loved ones to read, comment, and contribute throughout the year.​
• Storyworth is a family-owned company with 1,000,000+ books printed and nearly 50,000 five-star Trustpilot reviews.

What is Memorygram?

Memorygram is a memory book service designed to help individuals document their life stories. It operates by sending weekly email prompts that guide the storyteller through their personal history. The storyteller can write their stories or share them over the phone. Once the writing process is finished, these responses and photos are compiled into a printed keepsake book for the family.

What is Storyworth?

Storyworth was founded in 2013 as a dedicated memory book service to help families capture their most meaningful stories. Each week, we send an inspiring story prompt, such as ‘What is one of your fondest childhood memories?’ to the storyteller, and over the course of a year, these responses build a rich narrative of a life well-lived, echoing research that links family storytelling with higher self-esteem and better coping skills in children and teens.

At Storyworth, we designed our service to be accessible for everyone. Storytellers can reply simply via email or record answers over the phone, which we transcribe. You can easily add unlimmited photos to each story and design a custom cover for your book.  At the end of the year, we compile every photo and memory into a 6" x 9" full-color hardcover memoir. To date, our community has shared over 35 million stories, which have been printed in more than one million books. As an independent, family-owned company, we treat your personal history with the care and respect it deserves.

Question Library and Personalization

Memorygram

Memorygram sends weekly prompts from a standard collection covering basic life topics like childhood and family history. While users can choose from their library or write their own questions, the options generally focus on selecting existing prompts rather than crafting unique questions tailored to a specific narrative.

Storyworth

At Storyworth, our vast library covers diverse categories including Love & Relationships, Military & Service, and Life Reflection. We aim to spark meaningful stories with questions such as, “How did you meet your spouse? When did you know you wanted to marry them?”​

We also offer complete flexibility so the experience fits your family. You can edit any question, write your own from scratch, or use Magic Questions, which creates custom prompts based on your storyteller's life. Whether you rely on our curated list or write your own, the choice is yours.

Story Submission and Accessibility

Memorygram

With Memorygram, storytellers receive prompts via email and can type their responses or share them over a phone call.

Storyworth

Storyworth offers flexibility in how stories are captured, so storytellers can tell their memories in the way that works best for them.  They can simply reply to their weekly email or write directly on our site. We also provide a phone submission option. If typing is difficult or the story is easier to tell than write, the storyteller can request a call, and we record their answer verbally. We transcribe spoken memories into text and automatically add them to their memoir, making it easy to capture family history without  a keyboard.

Photos, Design, and Book Quality

Memorygram

Memorygram allows you to upload photos to accompany your narratives. The final product is a standard hardcover book created using set templates. While this results in a printed volume, the service offers fewer options for customizing the cover design or adjusting the interior layout compared to some other family story apps.

Storyworth

With Storyworth, you can include unlimited full-color photos with every story at no additional cost. You can place these images alongside text and add specific captions to visually enhance the narrative. For the final keepsake, we produce a 6" x 9" hardcover book made from archival-quality materials designed to last. You have creative control to customize the title, cover design, and color. Our standard book holds up to 300 pages, with an option to extend to 480. This commitment to quality is part of why we have nearly 50,000 5-star reviews.

Family Collaboration and Sharing

Memorygram

Memorygram allows multiple contributors to include stories in the finished book at a cost of $50 per contributor.

Storyworth

At Storyworth, we encourage connection throughout the year. You can invite recipients to receive your stories via email as you write them, and loved ones can reply with their own memories that you can include in your final memoir. Family members can also help edit stories, add photos, choose questions from our library, or write their own. If you want a book where everyone contributes, like for a birthday tribute or retirement gift, we offer a collaborative format called Celebrations, where family and friends can all share stories, advice, well-wishes, and photos together.

Why Storyworth is the Better Choice

Memorygram provides a straightforward approach, but we believe Storyworth is the better choice for families who want accessibility and depth. Studies show that young people who know more about their family history tend to have higher self‑esteem, stronger resilience, and better emotional well‑being, which makes capturing these stories an especially meaningful gift. As the original memory book service, families have trusted us with more than 35 million stories printed in over 1,000,000 books. Our community trusts us to keep their most important stories safe, which you can see in our nearly 50,000 five-star reviews.

At Storyworth, we include features that make storytelling accessible for everyone. If typing feels difficult, storytellers can answer via phone transcription, and we also support true collaboration by allowing family members to contribute memories and unlimited photos.​

Finally, our business model protects your legacy. We are family-owned and independent, with no outside investors. This independence means we can focus on privacy and security above all else. When you choose Storyworth, you select a partner dedicated to preserving your history for the long term.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a family story app comes down to flexibility and how well the service fits your family's needs. Storyworth believes storytelling should be easy and inclusive, which is why they offer options like phone transcription and true collaboration. Your family's memories are irreplaceable, and they deserve a service that treats them that way.

FAQs

How should I decide between Storyworth and Memorygram for my family?

Consider how your loved one prefers to share stories. If they're comfortable typing responses via email, either service could work. However, if they find typing difficult or prefer speaking their memories aloud, Storyworth offers phone transcription, making the process accessible to everyone, regardless of technical comfort.

What is the main difference in how family members can participate?

Memorygram focuses on a single storyteller working independently until the book is complete. Adding a second contributor will cost an additional $50. Storyworth allows family members to read stories as they're written, reply with their own memories, add questions and photos, and help edit, turning the memoir into a collaborative family experience throughout the year.

Can I customize the questions my loved one receives each week?

Yes, with Storyworth, you have full control over the prompts. You can select from our library covering topics like “What is one of your fondest childhood memories?” or “How did you meet your spouse? When did you know you wanted to marry them?” You can edit any question to make it more personal, write entirely new questions from scratch, or use Magic Questions to create custom prompts based on your storyteller's life.

What happens if my parent or grandparent isn't comfortable using a computer?

With Storyworth, they can request a phone call to answer any prompt. We transcribe the audio into text and add it to their memoir automatically. They can share their entire memoir just by speaking over the phone.