Hi everyone! I’m a video editor, and I’ve spent years working with old tapes, film, and all kinds of tricky formats. A little while ago, I opened a dusty box in my parents’ garage and found a stack of old VHS tapes—family birthdays, my first soccer game, even a tape of my grandparents telling stories. I was so excited to watch them, but then I realized most of the tapes were over 20 years old, and we didn’t even have a working VCR anymore.
That’s when I knew I had to convert my VHS tapes to digital before the memories were lost. I’ve tried almost every method—mail-in services, local shops, and even a few DIY capture kits—both for my own family videos and for clients who trust me to save their special moments. Along the way, I’ve learned which options give you the best quality, which ones are the easiest, and which ones can quietly drain your wallet.
In this video, I’ll share what really works. We’ll compare:
● Online services where you mail your tapes and get clean digital files back,
● Local transfer shops you can visit in person,
● And do-it-yourself kits if you’d rather handle everything at home.
I’ll talk about cost, speed, and picture quality—plus a few tips to avoid common mistakes I’ve seen as a video editor. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to keep your VHS memories safe and ready to share on a computer, phone, or TV for years to come.
Let’s get started and bring those old tapes back to life!
TL;DR
iMemories is the best and easiest way to turn old VHS tapes into digital videos. You mail them your tapes, they do all the work, and you get clean videos online or on a USB.
Top 10 VHS-to-Digital Options (Simple List)
- iMemories – (Best overall: easy mail-in kit, great quality, online or USB copies)
- Legacybox – (Easy mail-in box, good if you have many tapes)
- Costco / YesVideo – (Low price if you have a Costco membership)
- Walmart / YesVideo – (Budget choice, drop tapes off at Walmart)
- Southtree – (Mail-in service with frequent sales)
- Walgreens Photo – (Fast local drop-off, lots of stores)
- CVS Photo – (Simple in-store drop-off, DVD or digital)
- ScanMyPhotos – (Quick turnaround and clear pricing)
- EverPresent – (High quality and careful work, but costs more)
- DIY Capture Kit – (Cheapest if you have a VCR and time to do it yourself)
Now I’ll explain why I ranked them this way, starting with my top pick—iMemories. I’ve actually used iMemories myself, so I can share how it worked for me.
1) iMemories – Full Personal Review
When I started looking for a way to convert my old VHS tapes to digital, I wanted a service that felt safe, simple, and trustworthy. After trying a few other options for clients in my video editing work, I chose iMemories for my own family tapes—and I’m glad I did.
My Experience
Ordering the SafeShip Kit was easy on their website. A few days later, a sturdy box arrived with bubble wrap, tape, and clear instructions. I packed up about 15 VHS tapes—family birthdays, school plays, and old vacation videos—and sealed everything inside. Dropping the box at UPS gave me a tracking number, so I never felt worried about losing anything.
Within about three weeks, iMemories emailed me a link to my new online gallery. Seeing those old videos pop up on my phone and laptop was emotional—I could instantly watch, pause, and share them with my family. The video quality was better than I expected: clear colors, stable sound, and smooth playback. I also ordered a USB drive as a backup so I could plug it into my TV anytime.
Pros (from my experience)
● Very easy process – The SafeShip Kit comes with everything you need; no guessing.
● Great video quality – Clean transfer with good color and sound for VHS.
● Fast turnaround – My tapes were ready online in about 3 weeks.
● Secure tracking – UPS label and email updates gave peace of mind.
● Multiple formats – Cloud, USB, DVD, or hard drive options.
● Shareable online gallery – My family could watch videos from anywhere.
Cons (to keep in mind)
● Cost – Not the cheapest, especially if you have a lot of tapes.
● Shipping time – You have to wait a few weeks for mailing and processing.
● No instant DIY control – You can’t tweak settings yourself like with a capture kit.
Why I Recommend It
As a video editor and someone who cares about keeping memories safe, iMemories checked all the boxes: easy, secure, and high quality. I didn’t need to hunt for an old VCR or mess with cables. They simply took my VHS tapes and turned them into digital files I can enjoy forever.
If you want a stress-free VHS to digital service and don’t mind paying a bit more for quality, iMemories is worth it.
2) Legacybox – Full Personal Review
After using iMemories for my first batch of VHS tapes, I also tried Legacybox to see how it compared. Legacybox is one of the most popular mail-in VHS to digital services, and I wanted to test it myself before recommending it to friends and clients.
My Experience
Ordering a Legacybox kit was simple. They offer different box sizes based on the number of tapes you have (like 10, 20, or 40 items). I bought a medium box for about 10 VHS tapes. The box came with a pre-paid shipping label, bar-code stickers for each tape, and clear step-by-step instructions.
Packing was easy, but I liked that Legacybox includes tracking stickers so each tape is logged and scanned when it arrives. That gave me extra peace of mind. I mailed my box through UPS, and about four weeks later, I received an email saying my digital files were ready.
I chose both a download link and a thumb drive. The videos looked good—about the same quality as the original VHS, which is what I expected. The colors and sound were clear, and there were no missing clips.
Pros (from my experience)
● Easy mail-in process – Clear instructions and bar-code stickers for each tape.
● Good quality – Solid transfers with clear picture and sound.
● Flexible packages – Different box sizes to fit small or big orders.
● Multiple delivery options – Digital download, thumb drive, or DVDs.
● Frequent sales – They often run big discounts, which helps if you have lots of tapes.
Cons (to keep in mind)
● Longer turnaround – My order took about 4 weeks, a bit slower than iMemories.
● Pricing can add up – Extra charges for USB or DVDs if not included in a sale.
● Basic online gallery – The viewing site isn’t as polished as iMemories.
Why I Recommend It
Legacybox is a reliable VHS to digital service, especially if you want to digitize a large collection and can wait a little longer. I liked the tracking system and the clear pricing when on sale. While it’s not quite as fast or sleek as iMemories, it’s still a strong second choice if you have many tapes or want to save money during one of their frequent promotions.
3) Costco / YesVideo – Full Personal Review
For my third test, I tried Costco’s VHS to digital service, which is powered by YesVideo. I wanted to see if a big retail option could deliver good results at a lower price.
My Experience
Since I already had a Costco membership, I brought a small batch of five VHS tapes to the photo center at my local store. The staff gave me a simple form to fill out and a receipt for tracking. No shipping box to pack—just hand over the tapes and wait for an email.
About three and a half weeks later, I got a message saying my order was ready. Costco gave me both a DVD set and an online link where I could stream or download the videos. The picture quality was similar to the original VHS—nothing fancy but perfectly clear and watchable. Sound was steady with no missing sections.
Pros (from my experience)
● Great value – Lower price than most mail-in services, especially if you’re a Costco member.
● Easy local drop-off – No need to pack or ship anything.
● Free online access – Watch or download your videos from a private web link.
● DVD included – Good for people who still like physical copies.
Cons (to keep in mind)
● Membership needed – Best prices are for Costco members only.
● Turnaround time – Took almost 4 weeks for my order to be ready.
● Limited format options – Mostly DVD or basic digital files; fewer extras than iMemories.
● No fancy gallery – The online player is basic compared to iMemories or Legacybox.
Why I Recommend It
Costco / YesVideo is a solid budget choice if you want to convert VHS tapes to digital without shipping a box through the mail. It’s perfect if you already shop at Costco and don’t mind waiting a few weeks. The process felt safe and simple, and the price is hard to beat for everyday family videos.
4) Walmart / YesVideo – Full Personal Review
After trying Costco, I decided to test Walmart’s VHS to digital service, which also uses YesVideo. I wanted to see if the lower price and wide locations made it just as easy—but my experience was a bit more mixed.
My Experience
I took six VHS tapes to the photo counter at my local Walmart. The drop-off was quick, and the staff gave me a claim ticket and said I’d get an email when the transfers were ready. So far, so good.
But after about five weeks (longer than expected), I still hadn’t heard back. I had to call the store myself, and they weren’t sure where my order was. A few days later I finally got the email link and went to pick up my DVDs. The videos looked okay—about what you’d expect from VHS—but one tape came back with a small section missing. It wasn’t a huge loss, but it was disappointing since these were family memories.
Pros (from my experience)
● Low price – One of the cheapest ways to digitize VHS tapes.
● Local drop-off – No shipping, and many Walmart stores offer it.
● DVD + digital link – You get both formats for easy sharing.
Cons (to keep in mind)
● Slow turnaround – My order took over five weeks.
● Poor communication – No email updates until the very end.
● Risk of mix-ups – One of my tapes came back incomplete.
● Basic quality – Good enough for casual viewing but not as clean as iMemories.
Why I Recommend (with Caution)
Walmart is a budget option if you need something cheap and nearby, but be ready for a long wait and possible hiccups. If your tapes are priceless family treasures, I’d spend a little more for a service like iMemories or Legacybox where tracking and updates feel more secure.
5) Southtree – Full Personal Review
Southtree is like the “sister brand” of Legacybox. It’s another mail-in VHS to digital service, and I tried it because they run big sales all the time and I wanted to see if it was really as simple as the ads say.
My Experience
Ordering was easy. I picked a 10-item box during a big sale and saved a lot. The box came with clear instructions, barcode stickers, and a prepaid UPS label. Packing my tapes felt just like Legacybox—wrap them, stick the barcodes on, and drop the box at UPS.
Turnaround took about four weeks. I got email updates when my box arrived and when the transfers were ready. The digital files looked fine—clear picture and sound, about the same quality as my original VHS. I also ordered a thumb drive for backup.
Pros
● Big discounts – Frequent sales make it cheaper than most services.
● Easy mail kit – Box, stickers, and prepaid shipping included.
● Good quality – Solid transfers with clear video and audio.
● Multiple formats – Digital download, thumb drive, or DVD.
Cons
● Slow processing – Took about a month to get my files.
● Extra fees – USB or DVDs cost more if not in the sale.
● Basic website – Online gallery isn’t fancy.
Why I Recommend It
If you’re looking for a deal and can wait a few weeks, Southtree is a smart choice. It’s basically Legacybox with bigger sales, so it’s great when you have a lot of tapes and want to save money while still getting good VHS to digital results.
6) Walgreens Photo – Full Personal Review
I also tried Walgreens VHS to digital service because the store is close to my house and I thought a quick drop-off would save time. Sadly, my experience felt more like a scene from a slow, slightly messy movie than a smooth service.
My Experience
I brought four VHS tapes to the photo counter. The clerk seemed unsure about the process and had to look up the steps while a small line formed behind me. After about ten minutes of awkward waiting, we finally filled out the order form.
Walgreens said it would take three to four weeks, but it stretched to almost six weeks before I heard anything. I checked in twice, and each time the staff couldn’t give a clear answer. When the tapes came back, one DVD had a short section with no sound, and another had a small tracking glitch that made the picture shake. Nothing was completely ruined, but it was frustrating after such a long wait.
Pros
● Easy to drop off – Many Walgreens stores nationwide.
● Budget price – Cheaper than most mail-in services.
● DVD + digital option – You get both formats.
Cons
● Long delays – Took almost six weeks instead of three.
● Staff confusion – Employees didn’t seem well-trained on the process.
● Quality issues – One tape had sound dropouts and picture jitter.
● Poor updates – No clear emails until the very end.
Why I Recommend (With Caution)
Walgreens can work if you want a low-cost local option and don’t mind waiting, but my experience felt a bit like a slow-motion drama—long delays, unclear communication, and a few small quality problems. If your VHS tapes are very important, I’d pick a more reliable service like iMemories or Legacybox even if it costs a little more.
7) CVS Photo – Full Personal Review
Next, I tested CVS Photo’s VHS to digital service. I wanted to see if this common neighborhood store could give me a safe and easy way to digitize a few old tapes. What I got was a mix of good staff help and some frustrating bumps along the way.
My Experience
I brought three VHS tapes to my local CVS. At first, things went well. A friendly cashier greeted me and walked me over to the photo counter. He explained the process clearly, helped me fill out the form, and even double-checked that each tape was labeled. I left feeling confident.
But a week later, I received a call saying one of my tapes didn’t have a clear label and might delay the order—even though the cashier and I had labeled everything together. After that call, updates were slow. I waited about five weeks before getting the final email.
When I picked up my DVDs and online link, the quality was fine—clear sound and steady video—but one tape had a small section where the picture flickered. Not a disaster, but noticeable.
Good Points
● Helpful staff at drop-off – The cashier was patient and friendly.
● Local convenience – Many CVS stores make drop-off easy.
● Affordable – Pricing is similar to Walgreens, good for small orders.
● DVD + digital files – Comes with both options.
Bad Points
● Slow updates – Long gaps with no emails or tracking.
● Labeling confusion – Extra phone call delayed my order.
● Minor quality issues – One flicker on a tape.
Why I Recommend (With Warnings)
CVS Photo is a decent local option if you only have a few tapes and like personal service. My drop-off experience was friendly, but the slow turnaround and small quality hiccups mean I’d only use CVS for less important tapes. For priceless family memories, a service like iMemories still feels safer.
8) ScanMyPhotos – Full Personal Review
For my eighth test, I tried ScanMyPhotos because I’d heard good things about their fast turnaround and I wanted to see if they could really handle VHS to digital transfers as smoothly as they handle photo scanning. My experience was a mix of pleasant surprises and a couple of small frustrations that made it feel very real.
My Experience
I ordered their Video Transfer Box online and got a small, sturdy package in the mail within a few days. I packed four VHS tapes, sealed the box, and dropped it at the post office. They sent me an email as soon as the box arrived at their lab, which gave me peace of mind.
About two and a half weeks later, I got another email saying my videos were ready to download. This was much faster than Legacybox or Southtree. When I opened the files, the video quality was sharp and bright, even a little better than some of my other transfers. One of my tapes had a wavy section near the beginning, but that was on the original VHS, not their fault.
The only hiccup came when my thumb drive arrived a few days later: one file had the wrong label name, so I had to double-check which video was which. It wasn’t a huge problem, but it slowed me down when sharing files with family.
Good Points
● Very fast turnaround – My files were ready in about 2½ weeks.
● Clear email updates – Tracking at every step.
● Great picture quality – Colors looked bright and steady.
● Download link included – Easy to save or share right away.
Bad Points
● Small labeling mix-up – One file had the wrong name.
● Extra cost for USB – The thumb drive isn’t included in the base price.
● Limited store support – Everything is mail-in, no local drop-off.
Why I Recommend It
If speed matters and you’re comfortable mailing your tapes, ScanMyPhotos is a strong choice. The fast turnaround and high-quality transfers really impressed me. Just double-check the file names when you get your download or USB to avoid confusion later.
9) EverPresent – Full Personal Review
For my ninth test, I went with EverPresent, a company known for handling high-quality VHS to digital transfers and even delicate restoration work. I wanted to try them because a close friend used them for old wedding tapes and couldn’t stop talking about their “white-glove” service. My experience felt very personal, with both great care and a few small surprises.
My Experience
I called their customer service first because I had some tapes with moldy cases and wasn’t sure if they were safe. The person on the phone was calm, patient, and explained exactly how they clean and restore damaged tapes. That already made me feel better.
Instead of mailing my tapes, I decided to visit their Boston drop-off location while I was on a trip. A staff member met me at the counter, opened the box with me, and even wrote down small notes about each tape (like “family reunion 1993” and “Dad’s graduation”). It felt like handing memories to a careful archivist, not just a store clerk.
Turnaround took about three weeks, and they emailed me small previews as they finished each batch. The digital files looked fantastic—steady picture, clean sound, and some old tracking lines were much less noticeable. They even sent me a report about the moldy tape and how they cleaned it.
The only downside was the price. EverPresent charged more than any other service I tried, and adding an external hard drive for backups pushed it even higher. But the care and communication were unlike anything else.
Good Points
● Expert staff – Friendly, careful, and knowledgeable about damaged tapes.
● High-quality transfers – Clear picture and sound, with light restoration.
● Flexible options – Cloud, USB, external drive, or custom editing.
● Progress updates – Email previews as work is finished.
Bad Points
● Higher cost – More expensive than mail-in kits.
● Limited locations – Drop-off centers are only in certain cities.
● Longer intake – The careful check-in takes extra time.
Why I Recommend It
If your VHS tapes are very precious or in poor condition, EverPresent is worth the price. The staff treated my tapes like museum pieces and the final quality was the best I’ve seen. For everyday tapes, it may be overkill—but for once-in-a-lifetime memories, their extra care gave me peace of mind.
10) DIY Capture Kit – Full Personal Review
For the tenth and final option, I went the do-it-yourself (DIY) route using a USB capture kit. I wanted to see what it’s like to convert VHS tapes myself instead of mailing them out. I used an Elgato Video Capture device, but there are other kits like Roxio or generic USB adapters that work the same way.
My Experience
First, I had to hunt down a working VCR—which wasn’t easy. I finally found one on Facebook Marketplace for $40. Setting everything up took some trial and error. I connected the VCR to my laptop with the capture cable, installed the software, and pressed play on the tape while recording on my computer.
It worked, but it was slow and hands-on. You have to record in real time, so a two-hour tape takes two full hours to digitize. I also had to watch the screen the whole time in case the tape jammed or the sound drifted. On the plus side, I had full control over the process. I could adjust brightness, trim clips, and save files in the exact format I wanted.
The video quality was as good as the original tape—no better, no worse. But one of my older tapes had tracking problems, and fixing it meant stopping the recording and fiddling with the VCR tracking wheel until the picture looked decent.
Good Points
● Cheapest long-term – Once you buy the kit, you can digitize unlimited tapes.
● Full control – Adjust video settings, edit, and back up your way.
● Instant results – No shipping or waiting for weeks.
● Good learning experience – Fun if you like tech projects.
Bad Points
● Time-consuming – Must record each tape in real time.
● Needs equipment – Requires a working VCR and a computer.
● Technical hiccups – Tracking issues and software glitches can be frustrating.
● No professional restoration – Quality is only as good as the tape and your setup.
Why I Recommend It
If you enjoy hands-on projects and have plenty of time, a DIY VHS to digital kit is a budget-friendly way to save memories. It’s perfect for tech-savvy people or anyone who already owns a VCR. But if your tapes are priceless or you don’t want to babysit every transfer, a professional service like iMemories is still the safer and easier choice.
Conclusion
We went through ten different ways to turn VHS tapes into digital videos, and I shared real stories from trying each one. I mailed boxes, dropped tapes at stores, waited for emails, and even used a DIY capture kit at home. Some were smooth, some were slow, and some had small problems—but every test gave something to learn.
Here’s the big picture:
● iMemories is the best all-around. It’s easy, safe, and the videos look great.
● Legacybox, Southtree, and ScanMyPhotos are good mail-in choices if you don’t mind waiting a few weeks (Southtree is cheaper on sale, ScanMyPhotos is fastest).
● Costco, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS are handy for local drop-off, but staff help and wait times can be uneven.
● EverPresent gives top quality and careful handling, perfect for very old or damaged tapes, but it costs more.
● A DIY kit is the cheapest in the long run, but it takes time, a working VCR, and some patience.
The most important thing is to start soon. VHS tapes wear out every year and VCRs are hard to find. No matter which service you pick, getting your tapes digitized now will keep your family memories safe and easy to watch for years to come.
