Oh hi there, fellow parent with approximately 3000 close up shots of your sleeping newborn.
If you’re anything like most parents, deciding what to do with those photos is tricky. Saving them on your phone is impractical because A) they take up space, and B) the potential for dropping your phone full o’ photos in a gnarly toilet is legit.
Fortunately, online free baby photo and video journals have emerged as a pragmatic solution for parents seeking reliable storage options for their child’s milestones and sharing photos of the cutest baby on the planet with family and friends.
Key Features to Look For
When selecting an online baby journal, here are some features to consider:
Easy Uploading and Editing: Look for platforms that allow intuitive uploads – if it’s difficult to upload, you won’t do it.Safety and Security Measures: Choose journals that offer strong data protection and backup services to prevent memory loss.Reminder Notifications: A good journal will send reminders to upload important moments, ensuring nothing gets overlooked (An homage to all the third children with no baby book.)Cost: Many parents try to find a free option for photo journals, but as the saying goes, if you aren’t paying for the product, then you are the product. Apps like these require an incredible amount of storage and very smart tech people to run them. It’s often worth the investment to pay for your online baby journal.
Top Online Baby Photo and Video Journals
Tinybeans
It is a safe and secure way to share moments with friends and family, has great reviews, and is affordable.
Available on web, Android, and iOSPrivate photo sharing with family and friendsCalendar view for tracking developmental milestonesEnables multi-device uploads and offers great photo editing options.The app is free to download, but access to the ad-free photo service is $7.99 a month or $74.99 a yearThere is also an ad-supported free version that allows up to 20 memories to be uploaded per monthCapable of multiple uploads (up to 20 photos at a time, but can be repeated), with 2TB storage availableIt can allow for multiple people to add photosFor more info, check out our review of Tinybeans here.
Notabli
Notabli is perfect for parents wanting a secure social network to share their child’s milestones with a chosen circle. Different from others because of ability to also capture sound clips, which seems random until you discover that your baby automatically stops what they are doing if they see they are being recorded, and instead just says “cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!”
Can be used on iOS, Android and the webFree, with paid premium service launching soonSupports not just photos and videos, but audio recordings and memorable quotes.Organizes moments by kid, date, location and moment typeAutomatically notifies followers when new moments are postedCan enable it to make a photo book every 50 photos automatically, or you can make them at your leisure ($39)Robust privacy options, including limiting who can view your contentExports content in full resolution for added flexibility
Moment Garden
Ideal for creating online scrapbooks, Moment Garden is a good choice if you’re a photo book fan.
iOS, Android and the webFree app, can upgrade to Moment Garden Star for about $4/monthSends reminders to record milestones based off birth dateCan add a note/story to photos or videosCan import from FacebookPrivate and secure, sends an email to friends and family when new moments are addedUnlimited photo and video uploads (under 20 seconds), can upgrade for additional optionsCan create photo books of different sizes, lengths, cover materials and paper quality, with prices ranging from as low as $9 to upwards of $50 depending on page length
Dayli
A horse of a different color. Not a photo journal as much as a unique way to capture childhood, one photo at a time.
$2.99, only available on iOSNot really a photo journal in the same way the above options are, but it is a cool option for people who want a non-traditional way to record memoriesPrompts you to take one photo per day and then creates one of those time-lapse videos that makes everybody cry when set to the right musicNo bells and whistles (no milestone trackers, or photo book options), but isn’t trying to be a journal
What features do an online baby photo and video journal provide?
These journals typically allow for uploading photos and videos, adding captions and notes, milestone tracking, and social media sharing capabilities.
What types of media files can I upload?
Most journals allow uploads of photos, videos, and sometimes audio recordings. Some may support scanned documents as well.
What privacy settings are available?
You can expect various privacy options, including password protection and restricted access to specific photos and videos. All of these apps allow you to control the people who you want to share your content with.
Are there any age restrictions?
There are generally no specific age restrictions for using these journals. However, it’s advisable to check the terms and conditions of each platform. Many sites will have a minimum age just to cover their butts legally.
To Sum Up Online Baby Photo and Video Journals
Free online baby photo and video journals are an excellent way to safeguard and celebrate your child’s life. These platforms are not just about preservation; they are about creating a journey of memories you and your child will treasure for years – and safeguard from accidental ‘phone flushings’.
Our next reco: The Best Custom Photo Books For Every Type of Parent
