Storyworth vs Tell Me Your Story
which is right for your family?

Storyworth is the best-known name in this space, and for good reason. Their weekly email format — one question sent every week, answered by reply, compiled into a book at the end of the year — is simple and has worked well for a huge number of families since they launched.

The annual subscription means you commit and pay upfront for the year, which some families find creates helpful structure and accountability. Others find that a year goes by, they've only answered a handful of questions, and they've still paid the full amount regardless.

Storyworth is a US company. UK customers are billed in dollars, and the printed book ships from the US — meaning longer delivery times, international shipping costs, and occasional customs considerations that don't apply to a UK-printed alternative.

There's no meaningful voice recording built into the core product. The finished book is written answers only — there's no way for a family member to actually hear their parent or grandparent's voice in the pages.

Storyworth has recently added AI features — Magic Questions, Magic Editor, and Magic Designer — which suggest follow-up questions and help polish the writing. These are genuinely useful, and a sign the product is still actively evolving.

Tell Me Your Story was built specifically around the idea that voice matters as much as the written word. When someone records a voice answer instead of (or alongside) typing it, a QR code is automatically placed in the printed book next to that answer. Anyone holding the physical book can scan it and hear the person speak, in their actual voice. This is something Storyworth simply doesn't offer.

There's no annual subscription. You start with 5 questions free, no card required, and work at your own pace — there's no pressure to keep up with a weekly schedule if life gets in the way for a few weeks. When you're ready to export or print, you pay once. Digital exports start from £3.99, and a printed softcover book starts from £21.99.

The printed book is produced in the UK by Lulu Press, with delivery typically within 10-14 days, no international shipping fees, and no customs delays — a meaningful difference for UK families compared to ordering from a US-based service.

Beyond the book, Tell Me Your Story also offers a tribute video export — turning the same questions and answers into a video keepsake, which can be a more accessible format for some families, particularly for sharing at a celebration of life or with family who live abroad.