MI Diaries vs The Memory Book
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MI Diaries
This app allows Michigan residents aged 3 and older to record and submit audio diaries about their lives. It's part of a project documenting changes and continuities in Michigan life, offering prompts and the option to feature stories on a public website.
- Record audio diaries
- Submit oral history recordings
- Receive weekly/monthly prompts
- Option to feature stories publicly
- Document life in Michigan
- Suitable for ages 3+
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The MI-Diaries app is part of the MI-Diaries project from Michigan State University's Sociolinguistics Lab, which is collecting audio diaries from Michiganders aged 3+ who are interested in submitting periodic oral history recordings. The MI Diaries project originally aimed to document life in Michigan during the lockdowns and immediately afterwards, as we moved back into normal life. However, the response from Michiganders was so positive that we have continued to collect audio diaries ever since. We are interested in all aspects of how life is changing or stays the same for Michiganders, from their daily routines to their language. Residents of Michigan can learn more about the project and sign up at the project website http://mi-diaries.org. Diarists receive weekly (or monthly) emails from the team, with a list of audio diary prompts, such as "Was there a headline that stuck out to you this week?". Diarists may choose to answer any or none of these questions - you may simply tell us about your day if you wish! Diarists may choose whether to have their stories be featured on the MI-Diaries website; each week we select a handful of stories that highlight what diarists have been experiencing that week.
The Memory Book
Easily capture and preserve family stories and memories through voice recordings. The app offers gentle prompts to guide storytelling and automatically transcribes audio to text. Create a lasting legacy by compiling these memories into a private, personal PDF or printed book.
- Voice recording of memories
- Automatic transcription to text
- Gentle storytelling prompts
- PDF and printed book creation
- Private and secure family archive
- Simple, user-friendly interface
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Memory Book — your family archive, easy to start and built to last. Every memory begins with your voice. One tap — and the story comes alive. Why it matters: Preserve the voices and stories of loved ones — for yourself, your children, and grandchildren. Record memories with a single tap — no complications. Gentle prompts help you share important moments with ease. Automatic transcription turns your voice into clear, accurate text. Collect everything into a PDF or printed book — to gift and to keep. Private and personal: no social media, only your family’s trust. What makes Memory Book truly valuable: Simple — even if you’re not used to technology. Warm — the tone and design feel personal and familiar. Lasting — a real book you can hold and pass down for generations. Memory Book is not just an app. It is your family. Your voices. Your legacy. The gift that remains when time has passed. Download Memory Book today and begin your family archive — easy, personal, and secure. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MI Diaries at none against The Memory Book's 2. MI Diaries also leads on ratings volume (12 vs 3). The Memory Book's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. The Memory Book sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. MI Diaries asks for nothing beyond the download.
The Memory Book holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 3 respectively.
MI Diaries ships an update fortnightly, The Memory Book every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MI Diaries | The Memory Book |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (12 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 12 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 22 MB | 77 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | Sergey Guzev |
Customer experience
MI Diaries
The Memory Book
In-app purchases
MI Diaries
No in-app purchases
The Memory Book
- Start Plan$4.991 Month
- Lifetime Plan$149.00
