Life Alert Alternatives: Top 10 Affordable Options

If you've heard of medical alert systems, you're likely familiar with the common phrase "I've fallen and can't get up!" Originating from a Life Alert commercial in the early 1990s, the company coined the catchy saying and has since been one of the most prominent companies on the market.

Aside from its clever marketing, we wondered, "what does Life Alert have to offer?" Has Life Alert earned its top spot in the medical alert industry because its offerings are the most competitive, or is it simply because the company's marketing was so well done that consumers choose it for the sole fact that it's the most well known?

Unfortunately, after looking into Life Alert's offerings and reviews, the latter seems to be the most likely.

Here at Best Company, we have a list of top-rated medical alert systems. To earn a top spot on that ranking list, a company needs competitive industry offerings, such as an affordable monthly price, quality equipment, a robust equipment warranty, a reasonable contract, and, most importantly, a medical alert company should have positive customer reviews.

On our ranking list, 75% of a company's overall score is determined by its customer reviews. Basically, if you don't have positive reviews from your customers, you won't be a highly rated company on BestCompany.com.

With more than 80 medical alert companies ranked, Life Alert pops in at position 21.

The company not only falls behind its competitors in regards to pricing and other industry offerings, the majority of its customer reviews are also negative. We compare Life Alert against its top 10 competitors below, who are much more affordable, have better overall offerings, and have many more positive reviews, making them the best life alert alternatives on the market.

Just because Life Alert is the most well known, that doesn't mean it's the best option.

To help you determine which life alert alternative is right for you, we provide a breakdown of the top 10ranked medical alert companies below. We'll also give you a breakdown of Life Alert as well, so you can compare the company against these competitors.

These ratings are as of July, 2021. 

• #1 rated: Medical Guardian
• #2 rated: MobileHelp
• #3 rated: One Call Alert
• #4 rated: BlueStar SeniorTech
• #5 rated: Medical Alert
• #6 rated: LifeStation
• #7 rated: Alert1
• #8 rated: Florida Telehealth
• #9 rated: LifeFone
• #10 rated: ADT Home Health
• #21 rated: Life Alert

For each company, we'll expand on plan information, contract requirements, equipment warranty lengths, and just about everything you need to know about each company to make an informed decision. First, we'll compare the #1 and #2 ranked medical alert companies, Medical Guardian and MobileHelp, against Life Alert.

As you can see in the comparison chart above, Medical Guardian and MobileHelp blow Life Alert out of the water in regards to their overall score and customer review ratings. Nearly 90% of Medical Guardian's and MobileHelp's reviews are 4 and 5 stars, making negative feedback for both companies minimal.

Life Alert, on the other hand, has barely any positive reviews, with only 8% of its total reviews being 4 or 5 stars. 

Monthly Monitoring Price: $29.95–$44.95

Fall Detection Cost: +$10 per month

Equipment Fee: None*

Activation Fee: None

Contract: None

Warranty: Lifetime

Extra Protection Warranty: +$6.99 per month

Range/Distance from Base Station: 1,300

*The Freedom Guardian and the Mini Guardian have equipment fees

#1 rated medical alert company

Ranked against more than 80 competitors, Medical Guardian ranks at the top of the charts at #1. Its pricing is on par with competitors, if not better than most. You can choose from multiple plans, giving you the option to choose the more basic package if you're looking for a standard medical alert system, or opting to upgrade to one with more features.

Medical guardian equipment is completely free unless you opt for the smartwatch option or the Mini Guardian, and there are no activation fees or long-term contracts. Medical Guardian's offerings are customizable and are some of the best in the industry. 

$100 satisfaction guarantee

If you purchase Medical Guardian and are not satisfied after 30 days, Best Company will give you $100 — no tricks or loopholes about it. Since Medical Guardian has been ranked #1 on BestCompany.com for years, we've seen the company's reviews continue to outshine the competition and its offerings continue to improve and exceed what else is on the market.

Because customers are so happy with Medical Guardian, we wanted to create an extra guarantee for consumers so they could have additional peace of mind. Learn more about our Best Company Guarantee and buy with confidence. 

Smartwatch medical alert option

If you want your medical alert equipment to go beyond a simple alert button, Medical Guardian is a great option because its medical alert technology is one of the most competitive in the industry. In addition to your typical medical alert button and fall detection options, Medical Guardian also has a smartwatch option that has multiple capabilities, including text-to-speech messaging, reminders and alerts, daily weather information, location tracking, etc. 

Nearly 90% of customer reviews are 4 or 5 stars

Medical Guardian has some of the best customer reviews we've seen for medical alert companies and any type of company for that matter. With more than 11,000 reviews and 88% of those being 4 or 5 stars, Medical Guardian is at the top of our ranking list for a reason. We analyzed Medical Guardian's reviews and found that the most common feedback for the company included the following:

• Equipment quality and its ease of use
• Excellent customer service
• Fast response times
• Reasonable pricing

Free spouse protection

Medical Guardian protects spouses for free. If you purchase a second medical alert pendant, the company will waive the extra monthly monitoring fee. However, extra buttons cost an additional $2.99 per month.

Whether you're purchasing Medical Guardian for you, a spouse, your parents, or whoever it may be, you can take advantage of the company's two-for-the-price-of-one discount. 

Current Medical Guardian promotion

Medical Guardian has a current promotion that gives customers the following:

• Free month of service
• Free ground shipping
• Free lockbox
• Free additional pendant

To redeem the offer, get the four free gifts with the promo code "4FREE."

Monthly Monitoring Price: $19.99–$44.95

Fall Detection Cost: +$10 per month

Equipment Fee: None

Activation Fee: None

Contract: None

Warranty: Lifetime

Extra Protection Warranty: +$5 per month

Range/Distance from Base Station: 1,400 feet

#2 rated medical alert company

MobileHelp is similar to Medical Guardian in that it has multiple medical alert packages, an affordable monthly monitoring fee, no long-term contracts, free spouse protection, and free equipment.

$100 satisfaction guarantee

We also offer the Best Company Guarantee with MobileHelp. The same conditions apply as we explained with Medical Guardian's offering: if you're not satisfied after 30 days of purchasing MobileHelp's services, Best Company will give you $100. 

4.6/5 customer review star rating

MobileHelp has more than 10,000 reviews, averaging its star rating at 4.6/5. 92% of MobileHelp's reviews are 4 or 5 stars, making it clear the majority of its customers are happy and satisfied with its services. 

Refer-a-friend discount

If you refer a friend to MobileHelp, the company will give you a $200 Visa gift card per referral. Keep in mind, your referrals do have to be customers for 60 days or more before you will receive the gift card. 

Full suite of certifications

Sometimes it's difficult to find certifications for medical alert companies, and customers often wonder if the company has them at all. MobileHelp is completely transparent on its website and notes that it has the following certifications:

• FDA Registered — FDA Current Good Manufacturing Practice that regulates medical devices. 
• FCC Certified — Federal Communications Commission certification that ensures wireless signals are legal and approved. 
• PTCRB — Global cellular certification that ensures equipment meets standards and won't affect cellular networks.
• UL-1635 — Underwriters Laboratories Certification that regulates the safety of the digital alarm system. 
• UL-1637 — Underwriters Laboratories Certification that regulates health care signaling equipment. 
• AT&T Network Certification — Cellular network certification that gives MobileHelp access to the AT&T network.

Next, we'll compare the #3 and #4 ranked medical alert companies, One Call Alert and BlueStar SeniorTech, against Life Alert. As you'll see below, Life Alert's customer review scores are concerningly low compared to all of the other medical alert providers. It's difficult to trust a company when the majority of its customer review feedback is negative. 

One Call Alert and BlueStar SeniorTech both have high star ratings, close to 4.5/5, which is much better than Life Alert's 1.4/5.

Monthly Monitoring Price: $19.95–$44.95

Fall Detection Cost: +$10 per month

Equipment Fee: None

Activation Fee: None

Contract: None

Warranty: None

Extra Protection Warranty: +$5 per month

Range/Distance from Base Station: 1,300 feet

#3 rated company

With a few hundred reviews, One Call Alert has a 4.7/5 customer review star rating. More than 80% of its reviews are 5 stars, with customers appreciating its prompt service, stellar customer service, and quality equipment. 

Multiple payment options

One Call Alert has flexible payment options, making it simple for customers to select the plan that works best for them. Monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual payments are available. You'll save money if you go with the annual plans. 

Prices subject to change

Although One Call Alert has competitive prices, the company notes on its website that "prices [are] subject to change without notice." This means One Call Alert does not offer a price-lock guarantee and if the provider decides to increase its prices, it isn't required to notify customers. 

$100 satisfaction guarantee

The Best Company Guarantee also applies to One Call Alert. You can purchase One Call Alert's services knowing you have extra protection with our $100 guarantee on top of One Call Alert's 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Monthly Monitoring Price: $23.95–$44.95

Fall Detection Cost: +$5 per month

Equipment Fee: None

Activation Fee: None

Contract: None

Warranty: Lifetime

Extra Protection Warranty: None

Range/Distance from Base Station: 600 feet

#4 rated company

BlueStar SeniorTech is ranked fourth among our top-rated companies. Even though the company only has around 80 consumer reviews, more than 70% of its reviews are 5 stars, demonstrating a solid sample of satisfied customers. 

Discount for veterans

Veterans founded BlueStar SeniorTech, and they are passionate about giving back. If you're a veteran, you can receive 10% off any of BlueStar SeniorTech's products and services. 

Competitive rates for fall detection

Typically, medical alert companies charge $10 extra a month for fall detection capabilities. BlueStar SeniorTech charges half of that, making its fall detection one of the most affordable rates on the market. 

Stylish and discreet medical alert watch

One reason BlueStar SeniorTech stands out against its competitors is its sleek medical alert watch. It's one of the most unique medical alert options on the market. It has a classic watch design with medical alert capabilities. You'd never know it was a medical alert device by looking at it, which is great for customers looking for a medical alert option that is discreet as well as functional. 

The next two Life Alert alternatives are Medical Alert and LifeStation. Medical Alert ranks #5, and LifeStation ranks #6 on our medical alert rankings chart. Both companies have more than 1,000 reviews with the majority of the reviews being 4 and 5 stars. We'll break down each company's offerings below.

Monthly Monitoring Price: $19.95–$42.95

Fall Detection Cost: +$10 per month

Equipment Fee: None

Activation Fee: None

Contract: None

Warranty: Lifetime

Extra Protection Warranty: Free (with purchase of fall detection)

Range/Distance from Base Station: 600 feet

Free protection plan if you purchase fall detection

Most medical alert companies offer protection plans, but they often charge at least an extra $5 per month for the service. Medical Alert offers a free protection plan if you purchase fall detection for any product. This is especially convenient since most customers are interested in purchasing fall detection anyways.

Next-day delivery

If you want Medical Alert's equipment as soon as possible, the company offers overnight shipping so you'll receive your package the next day and can have medical alert coverage almost immediately. 

Multiple payment options

This is somewhat common within the medical alert industry, but Medical Alert offers a variety of plan options that allow you to pay monthly, semiannually, or annually. If you pay annually, you'll be paying less than you would if you opt for the month-to-month package. You also receive free shipping and a free lockbox if you pay annually. 

Medical Alert mobile app

Not all medical alert companies have their own mobile app to pair with their services. However, Medical Alert has a mobile app that allows you to check the medical alert device's status and receive push notifications when the customer is using the device. The app also shows if the device is in the middle of a test or if it's an actual triggered emergency. 

Medical Alert's mobile app is great for loved ones or caregivers who want to keep an eye on the medical alert user. Lastly, the mobile app allows for multiple subscribers, so if multiple loved ones want access in addition to a caregiver, that's a possibility. 

Monthly Monitoring Price: $21.95–$37.95

Fall Detection Cost: +$10 per month

Equipment Fee: None

Activation Fee: None

Contract: None

Warranty: Lifetime

Extra Protection Warranty: +$5 per month

Range/Distance from Base Station: 500 feet

Voice prompts for battery level notifications

The majority of medical alert companies have two-way voice technology, but they don't have voice-activated prompts for alerts such as battery notifications. LifeStation's medical alert pendant includes automatic voice prompts that give you battery-level updates. so you never have to worry about it dying before you're notified of the battery being low. 

Lightweight button

For most medical alert users, size and convenience is an important factor when selecting a medical alert button. LifeStation has a miniature lightweight button that weighs less than half an ounce. This means you won't be distracted by a bulky pendant, whether you're wearing it as a necklace or watch. Hopefully, it'll be small enough that you won't even notice it's there most of the time.

Positive reviews

LifeStation has more than 2,000 reviews on BestCompany.com. Of those reviews, more than 80% are 4 or 5 stars. Customers are happy enough with the company's products and services that negative reviews are minimal. 

Partnership with Uber Health

LifeStation is partnered with Uber Health to make sure medical alert users have transportation to get to their appointments. LifeStation's care specialists book rides to and from the user's appointment to make the process as seamless as possible. LifeStation's team will also stay on the phone with medical alert users if they desire until the ride is successfully completed.

Alert1 and Florida Telehealth have fewer reviews than the previously compared companies, but it is a big enough sample size to see general feedback from consumers. Florida Telehealth is especially impressive with 99% of its customer reviews being 4 or 5 stars. Find out more about both companies below. 

Monthly Monitoring Price: $19.95–$52.95

Fall Detection Cost: +$8 per month

Equipment Fee: None

Activation Fee: $19.95

Contract: None

Warranty: Extended

Extra Protection Warranty: +$8 per month

Range/Distance from Base Station: 600 feet

Cheaper if you pay for 10 months at a time

If you pay for 10 months of service at a time, Alert1 will waive the $19.95 activation fee. All package prices are also more affordable if you opt for the 10-month plan. If you compare a month-to-month plan to a 10-month plan, you'll save upwards of $100. Alert1 also offers a free month of service and free shipping if you pay for the longer plan. 

Competitive pricing for fall detection

Alert1 only charges $8 extra per month for fall detection. Most competitors charge $10 per month, so Alert1's pricing is a bit cheaper. 

Compatible with pacemakers

All Alert1 medical alert pendants are compatible with pacemakers. This is convenient for any customers who already have pacemakers and want to continue to use them with their medical alert system. 

Refer-a-Friend discount

Alert1 offers a referral program for all customers. If you refer a friend, both of you will receive one month of service for free. The discount will be applied at the end of your billing cycle. If you're enrolled in the 10-month plan, you may have to wait quite a while to receive the discount. 

Monthly Monitoring Price: $39–$85

Fall Detection Cost: +$10 per month

Equipment Fee: $99

Activation Fee: None

Contract: None

Warranty: 1 year

Extra Protection Warranty: +$5 per month

Range/Distance from Base Station: Cellular only

Family member text alerts

Florida Telehealth's medical alert product is called RescueTouch and includes text message capabilities so loved ones and/or caregivers can receive updates in an emergency. 

Family monitored medical alert option

In addition to a professionally monitored plan, Florida Telehealth also has a family monitored plan. If you choose this plan, rather than having a professional monitoring center respond to your emergency calls 24/7, you select family members to be notified instead.  

Fall detection available

Florida Telehealth has fall detection available for family monitored plans as well as professionally monitored plans. It's not an add-on similar to what other medical alert companies do; the company instead offers fall detection as part of its more robust plans. You can't choose to opt-out of fall detection for a cheaper monthly fee. 

Discounts available

Florida Telehealth offers discounts for AARP members, anyone with disabilities, nurses, first responders, as well as veterans.

The final two Life Alert alternatives are LifeFone and ADT Home Health. Both have mostly positive customer reviews and solid medical alert offerings we'll discuss below.  

Monthly Monitoring Price: $24.95–$39.95

Fall Detection Cost: +$5–$10 per month

Equipment Fee: None

Activation Fee: None

Contract: None

Warranty: Lifetime

Extra Protection Warranty: +$5 per month

Range/Distance from Base Station: 1,300 feet

High star rating

LifeFone has a 4.6/5 star rating with 78% of its reviews coming in at 5 stars. Its customer reviews highlight the company as a great medical alert provider with an impressive and friendly staff, rapid responses, versatile equipment and plan packages, and more. 

Free spouse protection

Similar to other leaders in the industry, LifeFone offers spouse protection for free. If you purchase an additional medical alert device, LifeFone will offer monthly monitoring completely for free so you don't have to pay an additional fee every month. 

Optional daily check-in

You can opt into a daily check-in service that will ensure a Lifefone agent will give a call to the medical alert customer every day. This can be a simple check to see if the user is okay or it can be customized further to be more of a daily reminder call for whatever you'd like. You can also decide which time of day you'd like to receive the call. You can respond to the call by simply pressing a button on your base unit so it doesn't have to be a time-consuming call. 

Lifetime price and equipment guarantee

Lifefone offers a lifetime price and equipment guarantee for all of its customers. This means your monthly price will never increase unless you add additional services. Your equipment will also be ensured for as long as you have it, so you don't have to worry about a short equipment warranty expiring during the lifetime of your medical alert service. 

Current LifeFone promotion

LifeFone has a current promotion that gives customers the following:

• 1 month free
• Free shipping
• Free lockbox
• Free activation
• Price-lock guarantee

To redeem the offer, use code Safe20. 

Monthly Monitoring Price: $29.99–$39.99

Fall Detection Cost: +$10 per month

Equipment Fee: None

Activation Fee: None

Contract: None

Warranty: Lifetime

Extra Protection Warranty: +$5 per month

Range/Distance from Base Station: 600 feet

ForeveRate™ guarantee

ADT Home Health offers what it calls its ForeveRate™ guarantee. This ensures your monthly rate will never increase, no matter how long you have ADT's services. 

Free next-day shipping

As long as your order is placed by 2 PM, ADT Home Health will ship your medical alert system package by the next business day. 

Home temperature monitoring

A unique offering ADT has is home temperature monitoring for all its medical alert packages. This is great for customers who are also interested in home automation. 

Multiple payment plans

ADT Home Health gives customers a discount if paid quarterly or annually. You still have the choice to pay month-to-month, but it is cheaper if you pay for more months of service upfront. 

Monthly Monitoring Price: $49.95–$89.95

Fall Detection Cost: No fall detection available

Equipment Fee: $95–$198

Activation Fee: None

Contract: 3 years

Warranty: Lifetime

Extra Protection Warranty: Not available

Range/Distance from Base Station: 800 feet

Poor customer reviews

Life Alert's review score is 206.9% lower than the average review score of the top-recommended medical alert company, Medical Guardian. With more than 100 reviews, Life Alert's customer review score is 1.4 out of 5, with 83% of its reviews being 1 star. In a nutshell, customers aren't happy with Life Alert. The most common complaint is the company's three-year contract. 

Out of all of the four Life Alert alternatives we've discussed above, none of them require a contract, whereas Life Alert binds customers into a three-year contract, which is almost unheard of in the medical alert industry. . . almost.  

Three-year contract            

Customers are being locked into this 36-month contract and they aren't happy. With the majority of medical alert companies having month-to-month plans, it's disappointing Life Alert forces its customers into a lengthy commitment. 

No fall detection available

Life Alert is one of the few medical alert companies that does not offer fall detection. With fall detection being one of the main selling points of medical alert devices, Life Alert falls short by not offering this feature.

Fall detection is the medical alert capability that will notify the emergency monitoring center if a fall occurs while the user is wearing a fall detection pendant. Without this, medical alert users have to press the medical alert pendant manually, which may be impossible if the user is unable to move or is currently unconscious. 

If you want extra peace of mind, we suggest selecting a medical alert company with fall detection capabilities, especially if the potential medical alert customer is ever left alone. 

Limited online information

Life Alert has an outdated way of doing business. To receive pricing information, you have to request a brochure and you can't even request that the brochure be emailed to you; you have to wait for the company to mail the brochure to you and you must do this by calling Life Alert directly. This not only makes the researching and purchasing process more lengthy, but it's much more difficult when compared to all the Life Alert alternatives we've discussed in this article who state all of their pricing and package details online and even allow online ordering. 

Life Alert's website is also extremely outdated and provides little information. Unless you have the time to call and request a brochure and wait for it to be delivered, which may take weeks, Life Alert likely isn't worth it.