- Wide array of customizable systems
- No long-term contracts required
- At-home and on-the-go systems
- Prices starting at $24.95 per month
- Free caregiver mobile app
- Unique features: At-home and on-the-go bundles
- Health and safety features (with select plans)
- Unused minutes carry over each month
- Budget-friendly plans with no contracts
Best Medical Alert Apps for Existing Subscribers
- Medical Guardian – MyGuardian App
- Bay Alarm Medical – Caregiver Tracking App
- Lively – Lively Link App
Best Stand-alone Medical Alert Apps
A medical alert app can send help quickly if you have a medical emergency, allowing your loved ones to stay informed. Many medical alert apps are available, but our experts narrowed them down to six that we consider the best options for seniors and their caregivers. Whether you’re looking for a free, basic app or a more robust paid app that complements your medical alert system, we’ve selected a variety of apps to meet most needs and budgets.
Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Medical Alert Apps
Through research, conversations with customer care, and hands-on testing, we learned the ins and outs of the most popular medical alert apps. The apps had to provide safety for seniors, offer innovative features, and deliver quality products at fantastic value to make our list. Below are a few of the most essential criteria we looked for.
- Safety: We’ve included the most trusted and well-reviewed apps on the market, so you can rest assured they will offer protection and safety in a medical emergency.
- Value: We included some free and budget-friendly options, plus higher-end apps for people who don’t mind paying more for advanced features.
- Innovative features: Access to a 24/7 emergency operator, fall detection, activity monitoring –– there is no shortage of innovative features in the medical alert apps we’ve researched. We aimed to include the most innovative apps so you can choose customizable features that fit your lifestyle.
What’s the Difference Between Stand-alone Medical Alert Apps and Supplemental Medical Alert Apps?
A stand-alone medical alert app is downloaded straight to your smartphone. Some apps can be paired with a wearable smartwatch, such as an Apple Watch, to track your location and heart rate and provide an emergency button to press if needed. Most stand-alone medical alert apps notify your pre-selected contacts when you have a fall or press the emergency button. They will not connect you to 911 or a trained emergency operator.
A supplemental medical alert app will complement your existing medical alert system. Since these apps work in conjunction with top medical alert systems, they are often more comprehensive and can connect you to emergency services and/or a trained emergency operator easily. These apps are usually included with your monthly service subscription or for a small monthly fee. Overall, a supplemental medical alert app will cost you a bit more, but provide more exhaustive protection. Below is a comparison of the two types of apps and their uses.
Supplemental medical alert apps | Stand-alone medical alert apps | |
---|---|---|
Features | Robust features | Simple features |
Emergency response | Connects you to a trained emergency operator | Alerts your emergency contacts (children, neighbors, etc.) when you need help |
Costs | Pricier since you have to subscribe to monthly service for your medical alert system | Budget-friendly option |
Best for | Those who need extra protection | Older adults who want simple peace of mind |
Best Medical Alert Apps for Existing Subscribers
Many medical alert companies provide users and their loved ones with an easy-to-use app that complements the system. Apps may offer GPS tracking, medication reminders, collaboration among caregivers, and the ability to check the status of your medical alert system, to name just a few. The table below explains our top picks for medical alert apps that pair with a medical alert system.
Medical alert company name | App name | Add. monthly fee | Vitals | Medication reminders | GPS tracking | Pairable with companion watch | In-app medical alert button | Device status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical Guardian | MyGuardian | None | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Bay Alarm Medical | Caregiver Tracking | None | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Lively | Lively Link | None | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
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1. Medical Guardian - MyGuardian Caregiving Portal and App
Pros About Medical Guardian
- Advanced location tracking
- Chat with care partners via the companion app
- Companion app accessible on mobile or desktop
- Appointment and activity alerts
- Billing management
- Care Circle management
- System status and reports for select systems
Cons About Medical Guardian
- May be complicated for seniors who are not tech-savvy
- Device status and connectivity is checked only once per day
- Some features that are free in the mobile app cost extra to use on the SOS Smartwatch
Our Experience With the MyGuardian App
During testing, we were impressed with all of MyGuardian’s features. We used the app to manage account and billing information, chat with our Care Circle, manage approved emergency contacts, and view the system’s location, activity, and connectivity status history. We could also set reminders for appointments or medications, which is ideal for older adults who struggle to keep up with their schedules. The app was easy to navigate and use.
Setting reminders in Medical Guardian’s MyGuardian mobile app
If you’re looking for an app that keeps all the most important information for seniors and caregivers in one place, it’s hard to beat MyGuardian. Read our full Medical Guardian review to learn more.
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2. Bay Alarm Medical - Caregiver Tracking App
Pros About Bay Alarm Medical
- Location tracking
- Location history
- Notifications if emergency alert device is running low on battery
- Can be downloaded on multiple phones
- Supports multiple devices and profiles
- Available on both Android and iPhone devices
Cons About Bay Alarm Medical
- Only for caregivers, not seniors themselves
- Not compatible with SOS Home systems
- Must download a separate app for billing and account management
Our Experience With the Bay Alarm Medical App
Not only could we track our system’s location in real-time, but we could also view its location history over the past 30 days. That’s great if you worry about your loved one wandering or getting lost. Another great feature is the automatic low-battery notification. If your loved one forgets to charge their device, approved caregivers will be the first to know. Since we could download the app on multiple phones, having several friends or family members in the know at any given time was easy.
» Our Full Review: Bay Alarm Medical Alert System Review [2024]
The app offers unique features, including step tracking and a Ring Device button. When we pressed the Ring Device button, our system started ringing through its two-way speaker so we could easily locate it. That feature is excellent for people prone to misplacing their devices and seniors with memory loss.
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3. Lively - Lively Link App
Pros About Lively
- Apps for subscribers and caregivers
- Affordable plan prices
- Location tracking
- Emergency notifications
- Stand-alone app options
- Activity monitoring
- Low-battery notifications
Cons About Lively
- Available only on select Lively and Apple devices
- No chat function
- Equipment and activation fees may apply
Our Experience With the Lively Apps
We tested the Lively Link app and were pretty impressed with its functionality. We could check the subscriber’s location, activities, and emergency call history whenever. We tested the Urgent Response button on the Lively Mobile2, and we were pleasantly surprised to see an emergency notification via the Lively Link app in mere seconds.
Tracking my grandmas location using the Lively Link mobile app
We would have liked to see a chat function like the one available on the MyGuardian app, but otherwise, we had no issues using the Lively Link App. It’s important to note, however, that Lively Link doesn’t offer much for senior subscribers. Lively Link is specifically designed for loved ones, while Lively Health & Safety Service can be used by seniors to access Urgent Response.
Watch the video below to learn more about our experience with Lively and its mobile apps.
In-depth review of Lively’s Jitterbug Flip 2 Quick Tip: If you don’t see your provider listed above and you’re unsure if your company offers a companion app, check its website or call to inquire. You won’t want to miss out on the benefits!
Best Stand-alone Medical Alert Apps in 2025
Consider the stand-alone apps below if you’re looking for a medical alert app that isn’t attached to a medical alert system subscription.
App name | Monthly Fee | Vitals | Medication reminders | GPS tracking | Pairable with smartwatch | In-app medical alert button | Fall alerts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Red Panic Button | $0-$4.99 | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
FallSafety Home | $0-$4.99 | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Senior Safety | $0-$4.50 | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
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2. FallSafety Home
Pros About FallSafety Home
- Fall detection
- High-heart-rate detection
- Shares location during an emergency
- Built-in panic button
- Siren alarm through iPhone speaker
- Free to use with one emergency contact
Cons About FallSafety Home
- Compatible with only select iPhone and Apple Watch models
- Monthly fee to add more than one emergency contact
Our Takeaways From FallSafety Home
FallSafety Home is limited to Apple users but is still one of our top picks for stand-alone medical alert apps. Just $4.99 per month is far less than most medical alert systems, including those offered by Lively, Bay Alarm Medical, and Medical Guardian. FallSafety Home is also one of the few apps incorporating fall detection, heart rate detection, and multiple ways to alert others of an emergency. The siren can alert first responders or others in your area that there’s an emergency, while the automatic fall detection and panic button make it easy to reach up to five emergency contacts in seconds (with the paid version).
Expert InsightsFrom Linda Schlenker, M.S., M.A., O.T.RFall detection is a critical component in medical alert systems. I have seen it save people’s lives repeatedly in my career. I’ve seen people fall and unable to push their button from a cardiac event or hitting their head. Others are unable to push their button due to their positioning and injury during a fall. Some individuals forget they had a medical alert system when they fell due to the trauma and stress of the fall with injury.That said, it’s the most expensive stand-alone app on this list. Red Panic Button requires a one-time payment of $4.99, but you’ll have to pay that amount monthly to keep your emergency contacts active with FallSafety Home. If you’re worried about falls and want fall detection discreetly, FallSafety Home is an excellent app. If you’re on a tight budget, you may prefer the lower costs of Red Panic Button or Senior Safety.
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3. Senior Safety
Pros About Senior Safety
- Location monitoring with geo-fencing to prevent wandering
- SOS Alert Alarm
- Round-robin calling feature for emergency contacts
- Fall-detection alerts
- Low-battery alerts
- Dangerous-situations alerts
- High-ambient-noise alerts
Cons About Senior Safety
- Compatible only with Android phones
- Most features require a monthly fee
- Since it’s not compatible with a smartwatch, seniors must have their smartphone with them for the app to work
Our Takeaways From Senior Safety
Like FallSafety Home, the Senior Safety app is available only on certain devices. It’s compatible only with Android phones. The lack of smartwatch compatibility is disappointing, especially since seniors may not want to carry their phones constantly. That said, Senior Safety offers more features than Red Panic Button, particularly if you’re willing to pay for the pro version. For $4.50 per month (or less if you pay for a year of service in advance), you can get an emergency button, location tracking, automatic round-robin call forwarding to emergency contacts, fall detection, low-battery alerts, inactivity alerts, and more.
» Learn About: Best Medical Alert Systems With Fall Detection for SeniorsSenior Safety is one of the most robust stand-alone apps on this list, followed by FallSafety Home. Remember that the free version lacks nearly all of the best features. It functions only as an SOS button to alert your emergency contacts. It provides round-robin calling until a contact can be reached. There’s also emergency health information storage. We highly recommend upgrading to the pro version to get all the bells and whistles, particularly GPS location tracking and fall detection.
What Is the Difference Between Stand-Alone Medical Alert Apps and Medical Alert Apps That Pair With a Medical Alert System?
A stand-alone medical alert app is downloaded to your smartphone and doesn’t require additional equipment, although some can be paired with other devices. You may, for example, pair certain medical alert apps with a wearable smartwatch, such as an Apple Watch, to track your location and heart rate and provide an accessible emergency button. Most stand-alone medical alert apps notify your preselected contacts when you have a fall or press the emergency button. They will not connect you to 911 or a trained emergency operator.
» Learn More: Best Medical Alert Watches of 2025
A medical alert app that pairs with a medical alert system will complement a physical system. Since the apps work in conjunction with top medical alert systems, they are often more comprehensive and can easily connect you to emergency services or a trained emergency operator. The apps are usually included with your monthly service subscription or treated as an add-on for a small monthly fee. Overall, apps paired with a medical alert system cost more but provide more protection.
Do I Need a Medical Alert App?
A medical alert app can notify loved ones when help is needed. Some apps connect you directly to a trained operator who can send emergency services. When considering a medical alert app, it is important to assess your medical history, lifestyle, and budget. Generally, we recommend every senior have some type of medical alert app just in case of an emergency. If you’re a healthy, active senior who just wants peace of mind, one of the stand-alone medical alert apps detailed above may be ideal.
FYI: If you’re looking for ways to pay for a medical alert system or app, just remember that Medicare will not cover the cost in most cases.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the majority of older adults living with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias receive care in their homes. For those who are cognitively impaired and still living at home, medical alert apps with tracking can provide a safety net for wandering, which is a common symptom of dementia. If you are a caregiver to an older adult with difficulty communicating or a history of falls, a medical alert app paired with a medical alert system provides great protection when away from your loved one.
FAQs About Medical Alert Apps
- How much does a medical alert app cost?
Depending on the features you’re looking for, and whether you choose a supplemental or stand-alone app, a medical alert app will cost between $0 and $39.99 monthly.
- Do I need a medical alert app?
If you or someone you care for lives alone or has a history of falling, a medical alert app is a great option for on-the-go protection.
- Are medical alert apps beneficial for caregivers?
Yes. Medical alert apps can help caregivers stay informed on the whereabouts of their loved ones when they are away. They also alert caregivers if their loved one is having a medical emergency.
- What does a medical alert app do?
A medical alert app allows users to alert emergency contacts if they are in an emergency and need help. Apps paired with a medical alert system have additional safety features, and some medical alert apps are specifically designed to help caregivers look after their loved ones.
AARP. (2020). Older Adults Keep Pace on Tech Usage.
National Library of Medicine. (2021). Approach to Management of Wandering in Dementia: Ethical and Legal Issue.