Best Photo Digitizing Services: How to Digitize Your Memories

Photo digitization service refers to the process of converting a photo, print, or other visual material into a digital format (computer-readable file). To digitize photos, you can either use a professional photo scanning service or do it yourself using a scanner or an app.

The 10 best photo digitizing services are ScanMyPhotosDigital, ScanCafe, EverPresent, ScanDigital, iMemories, Memory Fortress, Legacy Box, DiJiFi, Memories Renewed, and FotoBridge. Check this list where we have listed the top 10 image digitizing services based on their working process, client reviews, years of experience, types of photo and slide scanning services, and responsiveness.

1. ScanMyPhotosDigital: ScanMyPhotosDigital is popular for its fast turnaround and affordable bulk scanning. It’s ideal for those who want to digitize photos quickly and securely.

2. ScanCafe: ScanCafe offers high-quality scanning with manual correction and editing. Their photo restoration service is well-regarded for handling old and damaged photographs.

3. EverPresent: EverPresent is known for its full-service approach, which provides scanning, organizing, and editing, along with cloud storage options for preserving your digital files.

4. ScanDigital: ScanDigital specializes in high-resolution scanning of photos, slides, and negatives, with professional restoration options available for damaged images.

5. iMemories: iMemories is a modern, app-supported service that converts photos, videos, and tapes into a digital format and provides cloud access to your memories. You can also convert your old photos (like VHS tapes, 8mm film, slides, and printed photos) into high-quality digital formats.

6. Memory Fortress: Memory Fortress focuses on security and high-quality scanning (600DPI) and restoration. With clear chain-of-custody procedures and a dedicated facility, they ensure your files are treated with respect and never lost, damaged, or shared. 

7. Legacybox: Legacybox offers an all-in-one kit for sending in your photos and media, with a simple process and regular updates throughout the digitizing process. If you want to experience customized options, you can try Legacybox.

8. DiJiFi: DiJiFi is known for its archival-quality scanning, professional-grade scanning, and multiple media formats, and caters to professionals and individuals looking for top-tier preservation. Also, you get color correction and restoration services. 

9. Memories Renewed: Memories Renewed is ideal for personalized service for photo albums, loose prints, and fragile items. Also, it supports versatile media digitalization and is trusted by institutions and for personal use.

10. FotoBridge: FotoBridge specializes in large-batch photo scanning, high-resolution scanning (300-600 DPI standard scans), automatic image rotation and orientation, multiple delivery options (USB flash drive, Cloud download, etc.), and maintains safety.

1. ScanMyPhotosDigital

ScanMyPhotos is a California-based boutique retail photo center that offers quick and affordable services. Though it started as photo processing for local clients, the agency now offers a wide range of digitization services for photos, film negatives, 35mm slide scanning, photo restoration services, and so on.

Pricing Details

ScanMyPhotos has structured pricing details. Here are those:

Pay-Per-Scan:

• Pay-Per-Photo (300 DPI and 600 DPI):
  • 300 DPI: 13¢ per photo 
  • 600 DPI: 30¢ per photo 
• Minimum Order: $40 

Slides:

• 2,000 DPI: 65¢ per slide 
• 4,000 DPI: 85¢ per slide 

Pros	Cons
Fast services	High side on price for startups
Low pricing
High-quality images
Accepts multiple media types

Client Testimonial

The results are absolutely priceless. – Jennifer Jolly

2. ScanCafe

ScanCafe is another high-quality photo and video scanning and digitization service provider. It offers digitized photo solutions by combining human excellence with artificial intelligence.

Pricing Details

ScanCafe offers a competitive pricing range along with discounts. The pricing details are as follows:

• Photo scanning starts at $0.48
• Negatives, slides, and other social media format scanning start at $1.48

Pros	Cons
High-quality enhanced photos	Turnaround time may take longer
Secure project handling and transportation
Facility for mailing the files or visiting local drop-off location

Client Testimonial

Good customer service, whether on phone or in ordering scans online. Subscription service available but easy to cancel. Scans come out great. Recommend. – Maria DeBenigno

3. EverPresent

EverPresent is on a rescue mission if you’re looking to revive your nostalgic memories with long-damaged photos. This family-run business offers photo and video digitizing solutions for damaged, lost, or severely worn images.

Pricing Details

EverPresent offers a wide range of photo digitizing services for photos, letters, slides, negatives, videos, etc. So, naturally, the pricing plans are different for both digitizing services and custom services based on categories, services, and project volume. In general, photo digitizing starts from $64.

Pros	Cons
Quick turnaround	Pricing plans are pricey
Custom service
No upfront cost
Convenient pickup/drop-off locations

Client Testimonial

Staff was very professional. The process was meticulous which produced fantastic digital photos. My family is very happy I did this. We enjoyed reviewing many of the photos and strolling down memory lane. Highly recommend EverPresent! – Rhonda Hinton

4. ScanDigital

ScanDigital is a premier photo digitization service. Its processes are user-friendly, aiming to lead the digital conversion revolution. At present,t its service to digitize photos extends to different pictures, videotapes, films, and audio recordings.

Pricing Details

• Standard Image & Photo Scanning: USD 0.68
• Special Media Digital Transfers: USD 1.29
• Convert Video & Audio Tapes to Digital: USD 28.00

Pros	Cons
High-quality images and video	Limited format support
Top-notch services
Navigational website
Simple pricing options

Client Testimonial

I was very impressed with the service from scandigital. They kept me informed of the progress by email and at my request held the DVDS, until I had returned from my holiday.I am really enjoying the DVDS—much better than VHS tapes! – Joy D.

5. iMemories

iMemories holds 17 years of scanning and digitizing services in the photography industry. With a team of over 200 restoration specialists, they know how to get the job done faster and guarantee satisfaction.

Pricing Details

• Videotapes: $14.99
• Movie Films: $14.99
• Photos: $.49
• iMemories Cloud for only $7.99/month or $49.99/year

Pros	Cons
Offers price quote	The client’s video deletion is reported
Real-time updating
Mobile app available
Secure photo digitizing

Client Testimonial

We were able to see Dad and Mom’s honeymoon cuteness. We would recommend iMemories as the service to use. – Cindy

6. Memory Fortress

Memory Fortress has been in the business since 2015. It claims to incorporate the best equipment and most efficient manpower in the industry. Therefore, you are guaranteed satisfaction with your digital photo enhancement to the highest level.

Pricing Details

Memory Fortress offers a wide range of services. I am skimming through only the services related to photos here.

• Photo Scanning: Price starts at $0.42
• Slide Scanning: Starts at $0.54
• Scrapbook Scanning: $1.59

Pros	Cons
Easy to start the process	Web information is difficult to catch up
5 business days turnaround policy
Fast and well-responsive
Not in the ‘prepared box scam’

Client Testimonial

Memory Fortress transformed my grandmother’s old photos into brilliant digital copies. Their photo digitizing service breathed life into our family memories! – Anna L.

7. Legacy Box

Legacy Box is the world’s largest place to scan photos & home movies and digitize them. Serving the industry for over 10 years, it has perfected the art of old analog media to digital. It offers quality service across the US.

Pricing Details

Here is the pricing structure of Legacy Box:

• Starter- Convert up to 2 items: $35.98
• Family- Convert up to 10 items: $159.98
• Closet- Convert up to 20 items: $319.98
• Trunk- Convert up to 40 items: $629.99

Pros	Cons
Digitized services for photos, film reels,and videotape	The pricing structure is expensive for some services
Real-time customized digital updates
Has an order tracking system

Client Testimonial

Excellent started restoring and creating a great family legacy so far. To be continued. Thanks. – Hinkson / Tuttle Legacy

8. DiJiFi

Since its establishment in 2007, DiJiFi has been converting old media like photos, slides, audio, video, books, microfiche, microfilm, and whatnot to digital ones. The company’s motto, ‘Digitize once, digitize well,’ fulfills its promise of high-quality services.

Pricing Details

DiJiFi offers digitizing services for photos, slides, negatives, and many other formats. However, the agency doesn’t offer any specific pricing information. Interested clients can ask them directly, and they promise to answer all the questions regarding costs for media, resolution, and services.

Pros	Cons
Reliable, friendly, and timely delivery	Some customers reported slow service
Reliable customer service
Digitizes all types of outdated formats
Reasonable pricing

Client Testimonial

Quick turnaround on a small project, staff easy to work with, happy with results. – Brooklyn College Archives

9. Memories Renewed

Memories Renewed is a professional digitization service provider for different types of media. Since starting the business in 2005, it has offered custom work backed by a dedicated team. Though it is situated in  Fridley, Minnesota, the company offers services globally.

Pricing Details

Here are the photo digitization services pricing ranges from Memories Renewed.

• Photos: Starts at 50¢
• Negatives: Starts at 90¢
• Slides: Starts at 90¢ each

Pros	Cons
Simple to follow	No cons found
Made complex processes easier
Friendly services
High-quality editing

Client Testimonial

Memories Renewed provided excellent and friendly service in digitizing my personal collection of slides. The quality of the images is terrific!- Corb Moister, Jr

10. FotoBridge

FotoBridge is a private, well-funded company that offers superior services, the best in value. Aiming to restore digital photos, the company has served thousands of families and individuals until now and provided quality image digitizing services.

Pricing Details

There are other media digitizing options available. Here are the photo-related service pricing.

• Photo print scanning, up to 250 photos: $69.95
• Slide & Negative scanning, up to 250 photos: $137.95
• Special format editing: Starts at $11.95

Pros	Cons
Easy to use  & convenient	No cons found
Secure and US-based facility
Flexible delivery options
Simple pricing structure

Client Testimonials

“The service at FotoBridge was terrific. Friendly, professional, and prompt – their offerings are priced competitively and they produce high quality results.” – Archie Rand.

What is Photo Digitizing, and Why Should I Use a Professional Service?

Photo digitizing or conversion service is the set of working processes that converts simple physical photos to digital ones, modernizes them for usage, manages, stores, and shares by preserving a photo’s look, enhancing the resolution & quality, and restoring it for future use on both online and offline purposes.

Though you can digitize your photo process by either hiring professional photo editing services or using the photo editing software by yourself, it is always safe to let a professional handle it.

Hiring professional services has its perks. For example:

• Access to Experts’ Skills, Knowledge, and Experience: Experienced people know how to do a certain job. By hiring professionals, you have the advantage of having their skills fully incorporated into your project with minimal effort.
• Management of Time and Cost: You get to lose nothing. As professional services providers handle numerous client projects, they know how to get the most. You can stay assured of the quality work, top-notch services, and financial gain for your end.
• Efficiency in Finance: Hiring professional services is not as pricey considering their expertise. Rather, they are affordable, adaptable, and manageable for the long term. You can consider them hiring for a prolonged period as well.
• Flexibility and Time Management: Photo editing is a complex work and requires mostly undivided attention, which busy professionals lack. By having professionals as your external team, you get ample time to improve where your attention is needed and quality work at your service.

What Types of Media Can be Digitized?

Any type of old physical images, documents, audio, videos, and reels can be digitized nowadays. There are no limitations; you can use different apps, software, or always hire professionals.

How Do You Choose the Best Photo Digitizing Service?

Choosing the best digitizing company depends on various factors. From reaching an agency for a project to receiving, there are many tasks involved apart from getting the images edited. This is not only about getting the job done, it’s also about the whole experience.

As there are plenty of scanning services out there, make sure to do your fair share of research to receive the most convenient experience and results. For that, consider the following factors.

1. How Long has the Business Been in the Industry? 

A fair question every service receiver should be curious about. I am not talking about some talented agencies that bloom within a few years of establishment. Succeeding with tenacity is important, but having experience and expertise has another level of confidence, which, as a professional or business owner, you should count on.

So, check the years of experience the business has in serving the industry.

2. How Flexible are They in Terms of Customization and Support?

Considering your business needs or photography style, you may require a non-traditional way of editing photos, requiring customization. So, from the moment you ping an agency, take note of:

• Their responsiveness
• Willingness to work on your project,
• Level of flexibility to compromise with your requirements, etc.

If these comply well, time to move on to the next factor to check in.

3. Check Their Project Samples

Check up on the agency’s service details to understand how well they can handle your project. Check their ‘Gallery’ page. Some companies are open for business, and they have their ‘Free Trial’ option left open. If your designated agency has that one, feel free to check first-hand with some sample images.

4. How Budget-Friendly are They?

Indeed, a sensitive section for everyone. Every penny matters for business, especially at the beginning. So, you need a level of assurance on what your editing partner can do for you, from quality service to budget considerations. Check for their pricing plans. Also, ask away if the company has any discounted policy for bulk amounts of image editing.

5. What’s Their Project Delivery Policy?

Digitizing takes a good amount of time to get restored or to bring out the digital output you want. Make sure you are checking out the turnout timing. Also, if the agency has many schedules lining up, you may get your projects handled later than expected. So, make sure to consider everything altogether.

6. Check People’s Reviews and Comments About Them

Last but not least, what other users are telling you about the agency you have listed down, take note of that portion as well. By reviewing other users, you will have a good tour of their services and processes from the beginning to the end.

Can Photo Digitizing Services Enhance or Restore Old Photos?

Yes, it does. As already mentioned, the digitizing process is a set of photo editing works that are required to enhance a photo’s look and resolution, remove damage, scratches, or other types of marks, adjust color & brightness, reduce noise, sharpen the image, and many more. Companies can either do this manually or through AI support. Though both ways you will get the results, precision requires attention to details manually.

This is where professional photo editing can help you get the best output. You will get your valuable & memorable photos revived with complete precision.

What Happens to Your Original Photos After Digitizing?

It depends. Many companies send back the original photos once the digitizing process is done, whereas others set a time limit, and if the clients don’t contact them, they destroy it. So, if you are hiring someone for the best digitizing service, make sure to come clean about this.

How are Your Photos and Media Protected During the Digitizing Process?

We have an NDA to secure the deal with our clients. Also, our system has an encryption system that secures credential details, only available to our clients specifically. Even one client can access other files. So, rest assured, your project will be handled with utmost caution.