5 Affordable Alternatives to Life Alert

March 11, 2022 amie-clark

Author: Amie Clark | March 11, 2022

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Bay Alarm Medical

Overall Rating:

4.8 / 5

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Call for best price:
855-675-0754

What We Like ↓

Medical Guardian

Overall Rating:

4.9 / 5

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Call for best price:
877-947-4512

What We Like ↓

ADT Medical Alert

Overall Rating:

4.6 / 5

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Call for best price:
855-571-0361

What We Like ↓

Medical Alert

Overall Rating:

4.3 / 5

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Call for best price:
877-909-6735

What We Like ↓

Lively Mobile+

Overall Rating:

4.1 / 5

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Call for best price:
833-695-0501

What We Like ↓

Regardless of your age, you’ve probably heard of Life Alert. As a result of their famous commercials, the phrase, “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!” is well known by many Americans. In fact, many of my clients — when planning to live alone — tell me they “need a Life Alert,” not knowing that there are better options.

Life Alert fits into a broader category of technology known as medical alert devices. While these devices vary in terms of shape and size, they all accomplish the same function. With the press of a button, a medical alert system allows a user to contact help in the event of an emergency.

While Life Alert can certainly accomplish this function, there are some major drawbacks to this company.

Why You Should Avoid Life Alert

High costs: Most medical alert systems cost about $30 to $40 per month, with affordable medical alert systems available for as low as $19.95 per month. Life Alert costs a minimum of $49.95 per month, in addition to a $96 activation fee.
Lengthy contracts: While most medical alert systems allow you to cancel your service at any time, Life Alert locks you into a three-year contract, which is practically unheard of in this industry. The only ways to get out of your contract are through death or transition to a 24/7 care facility.
No automatic fall detection: When it comes to Life Alert, most of my gripes are with the price; however, they are also one of few companies not to offer a medical alert with fall detection. If your loved one should fall and be unable to push their help button, they’ll have no way of contacting help.

FYI: Some medical alert systems come with no monthly fee. To learn more, read my rundown of the best unmonitored medical alert systems.

My Favorite Alternatives to Life Alert

One of the most important things to remember about medical alert systems is that there are better options than Life Alert. I have tested many devices and can attest to the quality of the following choices. Not only do they offer reliable equipment, but they are also more affordable and do not require a long-term contract.

Alternatives to Life Alert Compared

	Life Alert	Bay Alarm Medical	Medical Guardian	ADT Health	Medical Alert	Lively Mobile Plus
In-home system	$49.95 per month	$19.95 per month	$29.95 per month	$29.99 per month	$22.95 per month	Not available
Mobile system	$89.95 per month*	$29.95 per month	$39.95 per month	$39.99 per month	$42.95 per month	$24.99 per month
Activation	$96-$198	None on home systems; $99 on the mobile unit	None on home systems; varies on mobile systems	None	None	$49.99 one-time equipment fee
Contract	3-year contract required	Not required; discounts offered for annual contracts	Not required; discounts offered for annual contracts	Not required	Not required	Not required
Fall detection	N/A	$10 per month	$10 per month	$10 per month	$10 per month	$20 per month

* Life Alert does not currently offer their mobile system as a standalone purchase, so this price reflects the cost of the combined in-home and mobile system.

Pro Tip: Read my Life Alert review to learn more about my experience with this system.

5 Affordable Alternatives to Life Alert

1. Bay Alarm Medical

4.8 / 5

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Call for best price:
855-675-0754

What We Like Most:

30-day risk-free trial
Optional fall detection
Location tracking on mobile units
Plans start at $19.95/month

Overview

Bay Alarm Medical is one of the more affordable medical alert providers on the market. With their in-home systems starting as low as $19.95 per month, you could add on fall detection and still save significantly when compared to a Life Alert system.

Bay Alarm Medical alert systems include a traditional in-home system, a medical alert with GPS, an in-car system, and a medical alert smartwatch. You may also add on extra help buttons for $2 per month, making Bay Alarm Medical a great option for those who live with spouses or roommates.

Compared to Life Alert, Bay Alarm Medical does not require any long-term contracts, and they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you wish to cancel your service at any time, you may do so by returning your equipment, though you’ll have to pay the cost of shipping.

To learn more about this company, read my Bay Alarm Medical review.

Tip: To learn about my favorite providers overall, check out my rundown of the best medical alerts for seniors.

Pros

One-time $35 fee for additional help buttons
$15 per month for additional fall buttons
1,000-foot in-home range
Two U.S.-based monitoring centers
32-hour in-home backup battery
Water-resistant devices

Cons

Equipment fees for some systems
Extra cost for fall detection

2. Medical Guardian

4.9 / 5

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Call for best price:
877-947-4512

What We Like Most:

Excellent customer service
No long-term contracts or setup fees
$10 per month for extra fall detection
GPS location technology
Activity monitoring

Overview

What makes Medical Guardian one of the best medical alert systems is the variety of its equipment. With two in-home systems and three mobile systems, they have an ideal option for anyone looking to stay safe in or outside their home. What’s more, their customer support and U.S-based monitoring centers provide a stellar customer experience.

Medical Guardian costs as little as $29.95 per month, making them nearly half the cost of Life Alert’s most basic system. Additionally, Medical Guardian does not require long-term contracts, meaning that you may cancel your service and return your equipment with little hassle and no extra costs.

To learn more about Medical Guardian, read my full Medical Guardian review, including my hands-on experience with Active Guardian, a portable medical alert system.

Pros

All-in-one mobile system
Landline and cellular options
Smartwatch option
Accurate location tracking
Fall detection available on most systems
No long-term contracts
Free month of service on annual subscriptions
Up to seven-day mobile battery life

Cons

Occasional false alarms with fall detection
Limited activity monitoring

3. ADT

4.6 / 5

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Call for best price:
855-571-0361

What We Like Most:

Waterproof help buttons
Optional fall detection
Quick response times
Straightforward pricing

Overview

While ADT is widely known for its range of home security systems for seniors, ADT offers a trio of reliable and durable medical alert systems. ADT medical alert systems include three products: Medical Alert Basic System for in-home use, Medical Alert Plus System, and On-the-Go Medical Alert System — all of which can be paired with fall detection.

ADT’s medical alert systems also cost far less than those of Life Alert. Their in-home, landline-based system starts at $29.99 per month, and their mobile system costs $39.99 per month. None of these systems requires a long-term contract, and includes free battery replacements.

To learn more about my experience with these systems, check out my ADT Health medical alert review.

Pros

Waterproof help buttons
No long-term contracts
Automatic fall detection
Personalized response plans
Quick response times
Landline options available

Cons

Relatively small in-home range
No smart features
No caregiver tracking

4. Medical Alert

4.3 / 5

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Call for best price:
877-909-6735

What We Like Most:

Simple Setup Process
At-Home and On-The-Go Options
Automatic Fall Detection
Full-Featured Mobile App

Overview

With systems available from $19.95 per month, Medical Alert is another solid option. They offer in-home systems and mobile systems. Like the other systems on this list, they do not require a long-term contract, and they also offer fall detection for the standard $10 per month. If you opt for their semi-annual or annual payment plans, you’ll get more discounts including free shipping and other perks like a free lockbox.

They also feature a handy smartphone app that allows caregivers to monitor their loved one’s device through the ability to check in on any distress calls and ensure that the device is functioning properly.

To learn more about these systems, check out my Medical Alert review.

Pros

No Equipment Fees
Affordable Monthly Costs
Monthly Contract Options
Discounts for Annual Contracts
In-Home and On-The-Go Options
Simple Setup
24/7 Professional Monitoring

Cons

No Option to Purchase Equipment

5. Lively Mobile+

4.1 / 5

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Call for best price:
833-695-0501

What We Like Most:

Uses Verizon’s Cellular Network
No Limit on In-Home Range
Fully Waterproof System
Fall Detection, Two-Way Talk, and GPS, All in One

Overview

Unlike the other providers on this list, Lively does not offer a traditional home medical alert system; rather, they offer two different on-the-go medical alert devices: Lively Wearable2 smartwatch and the Lively Mobile+.

In particular, the Lively Mobile+ impressed me with its small size, fully waterproof design, and quick response times. On average, Lively’s agents answered my calls in an average of 13 seconds. What’s more, this device can be paired with fall detection and caregiver tracking.

Lively medical alert costs as little as $24.99 per month; however, if you want fall detection and other services such as 24/7 access to registered nurses and board-certified doctors, then you’ll have to pay $39.99 per month. Still, this is far less than even the most basic system from Life Alert.

To learn more about this medical alert system, check out my Lively Mobile Plus review.

Pros

Waterproof Device
First 30 Days Are Free
No Contracts or Cancellation Fees
Add-On Features Included in Every Service Plan
Uses Verizon’s Cellular Network

Cons

Device Needs to Be Charged Daily
Higher Startup Costs
Can Only Be Worn as a Pendant

Life Alert Alternatives Frequently Asked Questions

What are the alternatives to Life Alert?
Bay Alarm Medical, Medical Guardian, and ADT are some of the best alternatives to Life Alert, and none of them requires a long-term contract.
Is any service better than Life Alert?
Bay Alarm Medical is a better medical alert provider than Life Alert, as they offer fall detection and don’t require a long-term contract.
Are medical alert systems covered by Medicare?
Medicare will not cover the cost of a medical alert system, as they are not considered durable medical equipment. Luckily, many medical alert systems cost less than $30 per month.
Can you get Life Alert for free?
While you likely can’t get Life Alert for free, local Area Agencies on Aging have been known to cover the cost of other medical alert systems. Reach out to your local branch to learn more.
What is the best personal alarm for the elderly?
While Bay Alarm Medical offers one of the best personal alarms for the elderly, Medical Guardian, ADT, Lively, and LifeFone are all solid choices. It all depends on the user’s preferences.

Written By

Amie Clark

Amie has been writing about senior care products and services for the last decade. She is particularly passionate about new technologies that help improve the quality of life for seniors and their families. Seeing her parents and grandparents age made Amie ask herself, “Would this be good enough for my loved ones?” In her spare time, Amie enjoys outdoor adventures and spontaneous road trips. Learn more about Amie here