StoryWorth vs. Remento vs. Life Story Film: Which Is the Best Way to Preserve Your Parent's Legacy?
You've been thinking about it for a while now – preserving your parent's stories before it's too late. Maybe you've started researching your options and come across StoryWorth or Remento. Maybe someone mentioned a professional life story film. And now you're wondering: which one actually works? Which one will your parent actually finish? And which one will your family actually treasure?
I'm going to give you an honest, side-by-side answer – including the real drawbacks of each option – so you can make the best decision for your family.
Full disclosure: I'm Margo Edgeworth, founder of Edgeworth Films, a professional life story film company based in Mesa, Arizona. I'll be transparent about that throughout this post. But I'll also be honest about the situations where the other options genuinely make more sense.
Because the goal isn't to sell you something. The goal is to make sure your parent's story gets preserved in whatever form works best for your family.
Why This Decision Matters More Than You Think
Before we dive into the comparisons, it's worth saying plainly: most legacy preservation projects never get finished.
People start them with the best intentions. They buy the subscription, they set up the account, they tell their parent about it. And then life gets busy, momentum fades, and the project sits unfinished – sometimes for years, sometimes forever.
I know this from personal experience. Both of my parents were given StoryWorth subscriptions as gifts. My mom never wrote a single story. My dad answered prompts for a month or two, then stopped. When my mom passed away suddenly from undiagnosed Stage IV cancer – just four days after what seemed like routine surgery – her stories were gone with her. I hadn't filmed her. I hadn't recorded her voice. I had assumed there would be more time.
That loss is a big part of why I do this work.
So when I compare these options, completion rate isn't just one factor among many. It might be the most important factor of all.
The Three Options at a Glance
Option 1: StoryWorth
What It Is
StoryWorth sends your parent a weekly email prompt with a question about their life, their memories, or their values. They reply with a written story (or record a phone response, which is transcribed automatically). After a year, the stories are compiled into a hardcover book.
Cost
$99/year — includes one printed 6"x9" book (up to 480 pages)
Extra color copies: $79–$99 each
Yearly renewals are optional
The Real Pros
Easy to set up and gift remotely
Questions are customizable — you can personalize the prompts
The finished book is a tangible, physical keepsake
Works well for parents who genuinely enjoy writing and reflecting
The Real Cons
Requires consistent participation for a full year — which most people don't sustain
Written stories capture what they said, but rarely how they said it — humor, warmth, and personality are difficult to convey in text
No text formatting (no italics, bold, or underline) — the final book can feel flat
Small font size can be difficult for elderly readers
You must scan and upload any photos you want included
The final product is a collection of unedited answers, not a polished narrative
Completion relies entirely on your parent's ongoing motivation and email engagement
Bottom Line
StoryWorth works best for parents who are natural writers, disciplined self-starters, and comfortable with technology. It's a beautiful concept but in practice, many subscriptions go unfinished. If your parent is not a consistent writer or tends to let things slide, this is a significant risk.
Option 2: Remento
What It Is
Remento sends weekly prompts that your parent answers via audio or optional video recording using any device with internet access. Responses are automatically transcribed. After a year, families can create a printed book featuring QR codes that link to the audio and video clips.
Cost
$99/year — includes one printed 8"x10" book (up to 200 pages)
Extra copies: $69–$99 each
Ebook option: $49.99
Yearly renewals are optional
The Real Pros
Voice and video recordings capture more personality than text alone
If selected, AI transcription and rewriting creates polished, readable prose from casual recordings
Professionally printed books with QR codes connecting readers back to original recordings
Lower barrier than writing for parents who prefer talking to typing
The Real Cons
Most users opt for audio only, skipping video due to lighting concerns or camera shyness
Self-recorded audio and video quality varies – without professional equipment, sound and lighting can be poor
If selected, the AI rewrites your parent's responses into polished prose, which means the final text may not reflect their actual voice or phrasing
Requires sustained participation across a full year – the same completion risk as StoryWorth
Your family must scan and upload any photos you want included
The book is a collection of separate responses rather than a cohesive, flowing life narrative
Bottom Line
Remento is a step up from StoryWorth in terms of capturing voice and personality, and it's a solid option if your parent is comfortable recording themselves and will genuinely follow through for a full year. But the completion risk remains real, and the quality ceiling is limited by casual, self-recorded audio and video.
Option 3: Professional Life Story Film
What It Is
A professional life story film is a fully produced, cinematic documentary of your parent's life – think Ken Burns, not iPhone video. A professional filmmaker comes to your parent's home, guides a relaxed conversation with thoughtful custom questions, and captures hours of interview footage. Family photos are professionally scanned and woven throughout. The footage is then carefully edited – with music, chapter titles, color grading, and sound mixing – into a beautiful film your entire family can watch, share, and return to for generations.
Unlike StoryWorth or Remento, the filmmaker manages the entire process. Your parent simply shows up and tells their story.
It's worth noting that not all life story filmmakers work the same way. The quality, process, and what's included varies from one filmmaker to the next. Below I'll describe what's standard across the category, and where my own approach at Edgeworth Films goes further.
Cost
Starting at $825 for a professionally produced film
Unlimited digital sharing – the entire family can watch and download at no extra cost
The Real Pros — What Most Professional Life Story Films Include
Completed in a single, relaxed filming session – no ongoing commitment from your parent
No technology skills, writing, or weekly homework required
Professionally filmed with quality equipment – far above self-recorded audio or video
Captures facial expressions, laughter, mannerisms, and the full emotional presence of your loved one
Custom music and professional editing create a cohesive, engaging film rather than a collection of separate clips
Delivered digitally – the whole family can watch and share at no extra cost
Professionally managed from start to finish – completion is guaranteed
What Edgeworth Films Does Differently
At Edgeworth Films, I take several additional steps that aren't universal across the industry and that make a meaningful difference in the final product:
I scan your family photos myself. Your family doesn't have to figure out how to digitize or upload anything. I handle it all.
I edit my voice out completely. What remains in the final film is pure and uninterrupted – your loved one telling their story in their own words, without hearing an interviewer. Not all filmmakers do this.
I remove awkward pauses, revised answers, and "umms." The final film flows naturally and feels effortless to watch.
I organize the film into chapters for easy navigation, so family members can return to their favorite moments again and again.
Films are delivered within 8 weeks of filming – a clear, guaranteed timeline from start to finish.
The Real Cons
Higher upfront investment than DIY subscription options
Requires scheduling coordination for filming
Limited availability — I take on a small number of projects each month to ensure every film gets my full attention
Bottom Line
A professional life story film is the right choice for families who want a guaranteed, high-quality result without putting the burden of a year-long project on their parent. It's also the only option that truly captures your parent as a person – not just their words, but their presence.
The Completion Problem: Why This Is the Most Important Factor
Here's the uncomfortable truth about StoryWorth and Remento: most projects don't get completed.
It's not a criticism of the products – they're well-designed. It's simply the nature of asking anyone, especially an older adult, to sustain a creative project week after week for an entire year. Life gets busy. Prompts pile up. The guilt of falling behind makes it harder to start again. And before long, the subscription expires with half the stories untold.
With a professional life story film, completion isn't a variable. The project is scheduled, managed, and delivered. Your parent shows up for one afternoon. I handle everything else. The film is in your family's hands within eight weeks.
If there's one thing I've learned from losing my own mother before capturing her story: the version you actually finish is infinitely more valuable than the perfect version you never start.
What I Gave My Dad – and What I Wish I'd Given My Mom
Years ago, my grandparents wrote their life stories and self-published them in a book – something our family still cherishes. But the book didn't fully capture their fun-loving personalities or their sense of humor the way I believed a video could. So later, I created a life story film featuring both of them sharing their stories. Seeing their spark on screen is one of the most meaningful gifts I've ever given – or received.
My dad and my mom were each given StoryWorth subscriptions. But like many people, life got busy. My mom never wrote a single story. My dad answered prompts for a month or two, then stopped. Fortunately, I was later able to sit down and create a life story film with my dad – one that captures his spirit in a way written words never could.
I never got that chance with my mom.
She passed away suddenly, just two weeks after sharing news about health challenges she was experiencing. No interview. No video. No second chance. I would give anything to hear her tell her story in her own words – to see her face light up when she talked about her childhood or our family traditions.
That loss changed me. It's why I started Edgeworth Films. And it's why I believe so strongly in not waiting.
Which Option Is Right for Your Family?
Choose StoryWorth if:
→ Your parent genuinely loves to write and is a disciplined self-starter
→ You want a physical book as the primary keepsake
→ Budget is your primary constraint and a DIY approach is acceptable
Choose Remento if:
→ Your parent prefers talking to writing and is comfortable recording themselves
→ You want a multimedia book with audio/video clips linked via QR code
→ You're confident your parent will follow through for a full year
Choose a Professional Life Story Film if:
→ You want a guaranteed result, not a project that might go unfinished
→ You want to capture your parent's full presence: their voice, their expressions, their laughter
→ Your parent isn't a writer or tech-savvy, or has limited stamina for a year-long project
→ You want a cinematic film your whole family can watch together, not a book of separate answers
→ You understand that some memories and moments, once gone, cannot be recovered
Frequently Asked Questions
Is StoryWorth worth it?
For the right person – yes. If your parent is a consistent writer who genuinely enjoys reflecting and will follow through for a full year, StoryWorth produces a meaningful written legacy. For most parents, however, the completion rate is low. If there's any doubt about follow-through, a professional life story film is a more reliable investment.
What is the difference between StoryWorth and Remento?
Both are subscription services that send weekly prompts over a year. StoryWorth is written-based – your parent types or dictates their responses. Remento is audio/video-based – your parent records themselves answering each prompt. Both compile responses into a book at the end of the year. Remento captures more personality through voice, but both carry the same completion risk.
What is a life story film?
A life story film (also called a video biography, personal documentary, or legacy video) is a professionally produced cinematic film that captures a person's life story through a guided interview, woven together with family photos, home videos, and music. Unlike DIY options, everything is handled by a professional filmmaker – from filming and photo digitization to editing, sound mixing, and delivery.
How much does a life story film cost compared to StoryWorth or Remento?
StoryWorth and Remento start at $99/year and each include one printed book. Additional color copies cost $79–$99 each – and the copies add up faster than most people expect. Think about who would want one: your parent themselves, you and each of your siblings, and then your children and your siblings' children who will also want their grandparent's story on their own shelves. For a family with three or four siblings – each with kids of their own – you could easily need 10 to 15 copies or more. At $79–$99 each, that's $800 to $1,500 or more in extra books alone, on top of the annual subscription fee.
Professional life story films start at $825 and include unlimited digital sharing. That means every sibling, every grandchild, and every cousin can watch and download the film at no extra cost. When you do the math for a typical family, a life story film isn't just comparable in price, it's often the more economical choice. And unlike a book that sits on one person's shelf, a digital film is equally accessible to everyone in the family, wherever they live.
What if my parent is camera-shy?
This is one of the most common concerns – and one of the most reliably resolved ones. Most parents who are initially hesitant become genuinely engaged once the conversation begins. A skilled filmmaker creates a relaxed, comfortable environment where your parent isn't performing for a camera – they're simply having a conversation. By the end, most people say it was more enjoyable than they expected.
How long does a life story film take to complete?
Filming happens in a single session – typically two to five hours depending on the package, with breaks as needed. The finished film is delivered within eight weeks. Compare this to StoryWorth or Remento, which require a full year of weekly participation from your parent.
Is a life story film only for elderly parents?
Not at all. Life story films are meaningful for anyone whose stories are worth preserving – parents in their 50s, grandparents, individuals facing health challenges, or anyone whose voice and personality your family wants to hold onto. The best time to create one is before you feel urgency, not after.
What happens to the film after it's delivered?
Your film is delivered through a private digital gallery your whole family can access, watch, and download – with no limits on how many people can view or share it. Optional add-ons include lifetime cloud storage through FOREVER® (guaranteed for your lifetime plus 100 years), a written interview transcript, and USB drives for family members who prefer a physical copy.
Ready to Preserve Your Parent's Story?
If you're in the Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, or greater Phoenix area and want to create a professional life story film for your parent, I'd love to talk with you.
There's no pressure and no commitment on our first call – just a friendly conversation about your parent's story, the process, and whether this is the right fit for your family.
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation →
Watch sample life story films →
Download the free guide: 20 Questions to Ask Your Parents Before It's Too Late →
Not in Arizona? I encourage you to search for a trusted life story filmmaker or video biographer near you. Wherever you are, your parent's story is worth preserving – and the time to start is now.
