Top Family Website Services Reviewed and Compared: Your Complete Guide

Comprehensive comparison of the leading family website services to help you choose the perfect platform for your family's digital connection needs.

Why We Compare Our Competitors

It might seem unusual for a company to create detailed comparisons with competitors, but we believe families deserve transparent, helpful information when choosing a family website service. During our own competitive research, we discovered how challenging it can be to evaluate the dozens of family website options available today.

This comprehensive review provides families with the information they need to make informed decisions about their digital family platform, whether that leads them to choose Famlu or another service that better fits their specific needs.

The Family Website Services Landscape

The family website industry has evolved significantly over the past two decades, with services focusing on different aspects of family connection—from simple photo sharing to complex genealogy research to comprehensive family coordination platforms.

Understanding the strengths and focus areas of different services helps families choose platforms that align with their primary goals and technical comfort levels.

Comprehensive Service Comparison

Service Overview and History

Established Platforms:

Famlu (2004): Longest-serving dedicated family website platform
My Great Big Family (2005): Focus on extended family coordination
The Family Post (2005): Communication-centered family platform
Family Lobby (2006): Comprehensive family features
My Heritage (2006): Genealogy-focused with family features
Family Crossings (2009): Modern approach to family connection
My Family Window (2013): Newer entrant with innovative features

Pricing Analysis

Cost Comparison (Monthly Rates):

Famlu: $5.00/month - Most affordable comprehensive option
Family Crossings: $9.95/month - Mid-range pricing
The Family Post: $8.95/month - Competitive pricing
Family Lobby: $8.99/month - Standard industry pricing
My Family Window: $11.58/month - Premium pricing
My Great Big Family: $11.67/month - Higher-end option
My Heritage: Varies - Tiered pricing structure

Value Considerations: When comparing costs, consider the feature-to-price ratio rather than just the monthly fee. Some services offer more comprehensive features that justify higher pricing, while others focus on specific family needs at lower costs.

Feature Analysis by Category

Core Communication Features

Activity Feeds: Modern family websites benefit from activity feeds that show recent family updates and interactions:

✅ Famlu: Comprehensive activity tracking
❌ My Family Window: No activity feed
❌ Family Crossings: No activity feed
⚠️ Family Lobby: Limited activity feed
❌ My Great Big Family: No activity feed
❓ My Heritage: Feature unclear
❌ The Family Post: No activity feed

Notifications: Keeping family members informed about new content and activities:

✅ Famlu: Full notification system
❓ My Family Window: Notification capability unclear
✅ Family Crossings: Complete notification features
⚠️ Family Lobby: Limited notification options
⚠️ My Great Big Family: Basic notifications
❓ My Heritage: Feature unclear
❌ The Family Post: No notification system

Content Sharing Capabilities

Photo Sharing: All reviewed services offer photo uploading and sharing capabilities, making this a standard feature across the industry.

Document Sharing: Most services support document uploads for sharing family information:

✅ All services except The Family Post
❌ The Family Post: No document sharing capability

Video Sharing: Video upload and sharing varies significantly between platforms:

✅ My Family Window: Full video support
✅ Family Crossings: Complete video features
⚠️ Family Lobby: Limited video capabilities
✅ Famlu: Full video support
❌ My Great Big Family: No video support
✅ My Heritage: Video sharing available
✅ The Family Post: Video support included

Interactive Features

Polling and Voting: Useful for family decision-making and engagement:

❌ My Family Window: No polling features
✅ Family Crossings: Polling available
❌ Family Lobby: No polling capability
✅ Famlu: Complete polling system
✅ My Great Big Family: Polling features
✅ My Heritage: Voting capabilities
❌ The Family Post: No polling options

Event Planning: All reviewed services offer event planning and calendar features, recognizing this as essential for family coordination.

Modern Technology Integration

Mobile Support: Critical for modern family communication:

✅ Only Famlu offers comprehensive mobile support
❌ Most other services lack mobile optimization
❓ My Heritage mobile support unclear

This represents a significant differentiator, as modern families increasingly rely on mobile devices for communication and content sharing.

Content Following: Ability to follow specific family members or content types:

✅ Famlu: Advanced content following features
❌ All other services: No content following capabilities
❓ My Heritage: Feature availability unclear

User Management

Member Directories: All services provide member directory functionality for family contact management.

User Profiles: Comprehensive user profile systems are standard across all reviewed platforms.

Content Moderation: Family-appropriate content management:

✅ Famlu: Report inappropriate content features
❌ Most other services: No content reporting systems
❓ My Heritage: Moderation features unclear

Service-Specific Strengths

Famlu Advantages

Longest Experience: 20+ years serving families
Best Value: Lowest pricing with comprehensive features
Mobile Leadership: Only service with full mobile support
Advanced Features: Activity feeds, content following, notifications
Family Focus: Purpose-built for family connection

Competitor Strengths

Family Crossings:

Modern interface design
Good notification system
Comprehensive polling features

My Heritage:

Strong genealogy integration
Professional family tree tools
Historical research capabilities

Family Lobby:

Balanced feature set
Reasonable pricing
Established user base

Decision Framework for Families

Primary Use Case Considerations

Photo-Focused Families: All services handle basic photo sharing well. Consider additional features like mobile access and activity feeds for enhanced photo sharing experiences.

Event-Coordinating Families: Look for services with strong calendar systems, polling capabilities, and notification features to streamline family event planning.

Genealogy-Interested Families: My Heritage offers the strongest genealogy features, while other services focus more on current family connections.

Tech-Savvy Families: Famlu offers the most advanced features like activity feeds, content following, and mobile optimization for families comfortable with modern technology.

Budget-Conscious Families: Famlu provides the most comprehensive features at the lowest price point, offering excellent value for cost-conscious families.

Technical Considerations

Mobile Usage: If your family primarily uses smartphones and tablets, mobile support becomes critical. Currently, only Famlu offers comprehensive mobile optimization.

Family Size: Large families benefit from advanced organization features like activity feeds and content following, while smaller families may prefer simpler interfaces.

Geographic Distribution: Families spread across distances need strong notification systems and mobile access for effective communication.

Making Your Final Decision

Trial and Evaluation

Most family website services offer free trials or basic free accounts. Take advantage of these to:

Test User Interface: Ensure the platform feels comfortable for your family
Evaluate Features: Confirm important features work as expected
Check Performance: Test site speed and reliability
Assess Support: Experience customer service quality

Implementation Planning

Family Training: Consider which service will be easiest for all family members to learn and use regularly.

Migration Needs: If switching from another platform, evaluate data export and import capabilities.

Long-Term Growth: Choose a service that can accommodate your family's changing needs over time.

Service Reliability and Support

Platform Stability

All reviewed services have operated for multiple years, indicating basic business stability. However, consider:

Update Frequency: How often services add new features
Performance History: Track record of reliable service
Customer Support: Quality and availability of help when needed

Data Protection

Family websites contain precious memories and personal information. Verify:

Backup Policies: How services protect your family content
Privacy Controls: Who can access your family information
Export Options: Ability to download your content if needed

Choosing Your Family's Digital Home

The family website service you choose becomes your family's digital home—a place where memories are preserved, connections are strengthened, and relationships are nurtured across distance and time. The "best" service is the one that fits your family's specific needs, technical comfort level, and communication style.

This comparison provides the factual foundation for your decision, but the final choice depends on your family's unique priorities. Whether you value comprehensive features, genealogy integration, simple interfaces, or budget-friendly options, there's a family website service designed to serve your needs.

Remember that switching services later is possible but involves effort. Take time to evaluate options thoroughly, involve key family members in the decision, and choose a platform that will grow with your family's evolving needs.

Disclaimer: Service features and pricing change regularly. This comparison reflects information available at the time of writing. Always verify current features and pricing on service providers' websites before making final decisions. We review services quarterly and welcome updates about changes that need attention.

Ready to start your family's digital journey? Explore these services to find your perfect family website platform.