Lifestyle
11 of our favourite tools and apps to record your life story
Your life is a remarkable story waiting to be told and you have so much wisdom to share! We’ve pulled together a collection of our favourite user-friendly platforms that transform your memories into beautiful keepsakes.
By Carolyn Tate
“Everyone has a story to tell, a lesson to teach and wisdom to share” – or so goes the old saying. Have you thought about sharing your own unique wisdom, and how you might want your story to be remembered?
Capturing your life story might seem like an overwhelming task – so many tales, and where do you start? Or maybe you think it’s too soon, and you’ll do it later. But recording your experiences and life lessons can also be a fun chance to wander down memory lane and celebrate an incredible life – and you can even talk about what you hope is still to come and keep on adding to it for as long as you like.
Recording your life story can also be a gift to your children, grandchildren and future generations, and a profound way to reflect on your life experiences with the benefit of wisdom and hindsight.
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Imagine your family being able to hear your voice, understand your perspectives, and truly know you beyond just photographs and memories, for generations to come. Forget sitting down with a ream of paper and a reliable pack of pens: with the incredible digital tools we have available to us these days, recording your life story is easier and more fun than ever before.
These are our favourite tools and platforms you can use.
A Life Lived
This Australian-developed app helps you record your life story one prompt at a time. With thoughtful questions to guide you, A Life Lived is like having a gentle interviewer in your pocket. Just speak your memories, and the app saves them in bite-sized recordings you can revisit or share. Perfect for those who want a no-fuss way to start capturing their past.
Something to consider: It’s currently only available in iOS. It’s also audio-only, so if you’re looking for a finished book or print option, this may not go the distance.
Where to get it: A Life Lived
Cost: Free with in-app upgrades
Remento
This platform makes storytelling super easy. With weekly prompts that spark meaningful reflection, Remento takes the pressure off traditional memoir writing. The genius lies in its simplicity: just speak your memories, and the platform does the rest, creating a personalised hardcover book that captures your voice – literally and figuratively.
Something to consider: Those who prefer traditional writing might find the voice-recording approach tough to get used to.
Where to get it: Remento
Cost: From USD$99 per year
MemLife
Think of MemLife as your digital memory vault. It lets you write, upload photos, organise by life stage and even collaborate with family. It’s private, flexible and designed for people who want to build their life story gradually, one memory at a time.
Something to consider: You’ll need to be comfortable writing your stories as there’s no voice recording or AI involved.
Where to get it: MemLife
Cost: Free
Storyworth
Perfect for those who enjoy structured storytelling, Storyworth sends weekly email prompts that guide you through capturing your life's most meaningful moments. What makes it truly special is how it transforms the potentially overwhelming task of life storytelling into bite-sized, manageable reflections. The weekly questions are thoughtfully crafted to draw out rich, nuanced memories you might have otherwise forgotten.
Something to consider: Requires consistent commitment to weekly writing.
Where to get it: Storyworth
Cost: From USD$99 per year
A Lasting Tale
A Lasting Tale offers a unique approach by pairing you with a professional interviewer who helps craft your narrative. It's like having a compassionate journalist dedicated to uncovering the most compelling chapters of your life. The professional touch ensures your story is captured with depth, sensitivity, and narrative finesse that goes beyond simple record-keeping.
Something to consider: Personalised services come at a higher price point. Spoken Memories is an Australian company offering a similar service with prices starting at $999 for a 2-hour recording.
Where to get it: A Lasting Tale
Cost: Pricing available on request (app is free to download)
Storii
Designed for the tech-reluctant storyteller, Storii uses phone interviews to capture your life story. It's a brilliant solution for anyone who might feel intimidated by smartphones and apps. The familiar comfort of a phone call makes sharing memories feel like a warm conversation with an old friend, rather than a technological challenge.
Something to consider: The phone-first approach might feel outdated for tech-savvy users, and you don’t have the chance to edit your answers before they’re sent off.
Where to get it: Storii
Cost: Pricing available on request
HereAfter AI
This futuristic platform transforms your recorded stories into an interactive AI chatbot that speaks in your voice, allowing future generations to "interact" with your memories. It's more than just a recording, it's a living, breathing digital archive that keeps your personality and stories alive. Imagine your great-grandchildren being able to ask you questions and hear your actual voice and perspectives, or your loved ones being able to talk to you long after you’ve departed.
Something to consider: The AI technology might feel a bit spooky or unsettling for some.
Where to get it: HereAfter AI
Cost: Free basic version with premium options
Memwah
This platform guides you through meaningful questions and helps create beautiful keepsake videos from your audio or video responses. What sets Memwah apart is its particular sensitivity to life transitions, making it especially valuable in aged or palliative care settings. The platform doesn't just record memories; it creates a dignified, emotional bridge between generations.
Caution: If you’re not comfortable speaking on camera you might prefer a different option.
Where to get it: Memwah
Cost: Pricing available on request
LifeTales
LifeTales offers maximum flexibility with documentation options including voice, video, photos and text. The platform understands that memories aren't one-size-fits-all, allowing you to capture your story in the most comfortable and authentic way possible. Its collaborative features also mean family members can contribute, creating a rich, multi-perspective family narrative.
Caution: Requires regular engagement and participation of others for the best outcome.
Where to get it: LifeTales
Cost: Free basic version with premium upgrades
Meminto Stories
Meminto Stories offers weekly prompts to help you to capture memories you might not think to record, ultimately creating a beautifully curated memoir book. The real magic is in the thoughtfully designed questions that go beyond surface-level recollections, encouraging deep, meaningful reflection. It's like having a personal memoir coach guiding you through the storytelling process.
Caution: Needs consistent participation with weekly prompts.
Where to get it: Meminto Stories
Cost: Pricing available on request
StoryKeeper
Using voice-to-text and AI-guided prompts, StoryKeeper helps you create a full, hardcover memoir without having to write a thing. Just speak your story and the platform turns it into a polished keepsake book. Think ChatGPT meets your family history.
Something to consider: The AI tone may need tweaking to sound like “you,” but it’s easy to edit before printing. This is something you’ll want to get right as the family can listen back to your recordings as well as read your book.
Where to get it: StoryKeeper
Cost: From $149 per book
So whether you’re a chatterbox with stories to spare, a quiet thinker with memories tucked away, or somewhere in between, there’s an app out there that makes sharing your life easier (and even a little fun). You don’t need to be a writer, a tech whiz or a famous adventurer to create something truly meaningful. All you need is a moment, a memory and a tool that helps bring it to life. Your story matters – so why not start telling it today?
Feature image: iStock/seven
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