Best GPS Medical Alert Systems, Tested and Reviewed in 2025

Wearing Bay Alarm Medical's SOS Micro system

Bay Alarm Medical is my top pick for affordable GPS medical alert systems, with prices starting at $34.95 per month. Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Micro is a lightweight, wearable option for on-the-go protection. The system also comes with a companion mobile app, so I could easily track the device’s location. This was one of my favorite features, as I didn’t have to wait for an emergency alert text to know where the device was.

» Our Full Review: Bay Alarm Medical Alert System Review 2025

Bay Alarm Medical also offers the SOS Smartwatch, perfect for active older adults or those who want a discreet alert system. The touch-screen watch tracks your steps, sets daily health goals, and calls for help, much like Medical Guardian’s MGMove. Lastly, the company offers the All-In-One system, which is pretty similar to the SOS Mobile.

» Pricing Info: Bay Alarm Medical Plans and Pricing

Plans, Pricing, and Features

Expert Insights

From Linda Schlenker, M.S., M.A., O.T.R

In my professional opinion, the two most important features in a medical alert system are a waterproof design and fall detection. The number one place people fall is exiting the shower, precisely where one doesn't have their phone. It does not make sense to have to take off a medical alert bracelet for such a high-risk activity. I have also seen fall detection save many lives.

GPS Accuracy

Not only does Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Mobile offer a very accurate GPS tracking device for seniors, but it also makes it easier for caregivers to track their loved ones' locations. With the companion mobile app, I could see exactly where my grandma was at any given time.

I could see her while she was on the move (headed to the pharmacy), as well as when she was resting at home. The app has lots of other great features too, like step tracking, the status of the device’s battery life, and more.

Navigating Bay Alarm Medical's companion mobile app

My favorite app feature is the Locate My Device option. If I misplaced my system, all I had to do was press “Ring Device” in the app. Then, the SOS Mobile started ringing through its two-way speaker. If your loved one is forgetful like me, it’s a great feature.

You can ring a lost device in the Bay Alarm Medical app

Response Times

Bay Alarm Medical has solid response times. I tested out the response times on the SOS Smartwatch by pressing the watch’s help button on the side of the watch. After holding down the button for five seconds, I connected to an agent in around five seconds.

I let the agent know I was just making a test call, and she confirmed and verified my identity. These response times are very similar to Medical Guardian’s times for the MGMove smartwatch.

Testing out Bay Alarm Medical's SOS Smartwatch

Battery Life

Similar to most of the other companies on our list, the battery life will vary by system. The SOS All-in-One 2 has the best battery life of up to three days. During my testing, the device lasted for about three days, so that’s pretty accurate.

When my device hit 10 percent battery life, the system’s help button started flashing red every 26 seconds. I appreciate this reminder to charge your device.

Charging Bay Alarm Medical's SOS All-in-One2 system

The SOS Smartwatch lasts up to 12 hours, according to Bay Alarm Medical, which is pretty short for a medical alert system.

I still got a full day of use out of my watch before it was time to recharge. I set my watch on its charging station, and it took about two hours to fully recharge, which is pretty typical for mobile devices.

Watch our full video review of the SOS Smartwatch below to learn more about this GPS system.

Testing out Medical Guardian's MGMini Lite

Medical Guardian offers three GPS medical alert systems, including a pendant-style system, a small wrist-worn help button, and a sleek smartwatch option. All three include location tracking and 4G LTE service. While Medical Guardian’s costs are slightly higher than providers like Bay Alarm Medical, the company offers cutting-edge technology, discreet equipment, and reliable, U.S.-based 24/7 monitoring.

» Pricing Guide: Medical Guardian Prices and Deals

One of my favorite GPS systems that Medical Guardian offers is MGMove. It looks more like a smartwatch than a medical alert system! For active seniors or those who want a more stylish device, MGMove is a solid option. The watch comes with features like an emergency help button, advanced location tracking, step tracking, weather notifications, and calendar alerts.

Expert Insights

From Linda Schlenker, M.S., M.A., O.T.R

I love that there are high-tech options like smartwatches, but also simple systems for people who aren't comfortable with a lot of technology. There really is something for everyone.

Plans, Pricing, and Features

*You can save up to 16 percent on your monthly premiums by paying annually.

GPS Accuracy

I’ve tested out all three of Medical Guardian’s GPS systems and had a good experience overall with the location tracking accuracy. When testing the MGMini Lite, Medical Guardian’s wrist-worn system, I tried out the location detection using the MyGuardian mobile app. This app shows you the system’s location, along with other useful information like its status and alert history.

I wore the MGMini at home and while running errands. During that time, I frequently checked the mobile app to see if my location was indicated correctly. It always pinpointed me on a map right where I was!

Checking my system's location in Medical Guardian's MyGuardian mobile app

Testing out Medical Guardian's MGMove

Response Times

My grandma and I tested out the MGMove to see just how fast we could get an emergency response agent on the line. We held multiple tests by pressing the red button on the side of the watch and holding it down for five seconds, as the instructions say.

After that five seconds, a friendly agent answered our call in just four seconds, so it took us a total of nine seconds to get someone on the line. This was incredibly fast, especially compared to some of the other providers we tested, like MobileHelp.

» You Might Like: 2025 MGMove Review

I will say, I had a slightly slower experience with the MGMini when I was at home. To test the system’s emergency response, I pressed the button in the center of the device, and it turned blue. It took a full minute for me to connect with an operator.

However, I had faster response times of around 20 seconds when I tested the system away from home. I’m assuming this long wait time was due to poor cell service in my area at the time.

» Related Reading: Medical Guardian Review

Battery Life

The battery life for Medical Guardian’s systems varies by device. It ranges from around 24 hours for the MGMove to five days for the MGMini. When trying out the systems for myself, I experienced a similar battery life to what Medical Guardian advertises. This is pretty solid, though the battery doesn’t last as long as systems from some of the other providers on our list. For comparison, one of Bay Alarm Medical’s systems has a battery life of up to three days.

My grandma and I were most impressed with the MGMini’s five-day battery life, especially since I’m pretty forgetful when it comes to charging my devices. For the other two systems, I just got in the habit of charging the device by my bed each night.

Line up the gold pins on the MGMove with the gold pins on the charging cradle for a successful charge.

Charging my On-The-Go Emergency Response ADT Health system

ADT offers three medical alert systems. One of them, called ADT On-The-Go, includes GPS tracking. While we prefer providers that give seniors multiple options, ADT’s On-The-Go system offers great value. It has 24/7 monitoring and GPS tracking by ADT’s urgent response agents, optional fall detection ($11 per month), and a high-quality two-way speaker with adjustable volume controls. I had no issues hearing the agent on the other end or speaking into the mobile device.

» Learn More: ADT Medical Alert System Review

ADT offers their proprietary Premium Protection Plan with all systems at no extra cost. This protection plan is a step above Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian. Both offer a separate paid protection plan with only partial reimbursements for lost or damaged equipment. ADT’s plan covers the cost of battery replacements, along with equipment damage caused by regular wear and tear, power surges, and accidents. It doesn’t, however, cover the cost of lost equipment.

Plans, Pricing, and Features

*You can save up to $5 on your monthly premiums by paying annually, plus free two-day shipping and a free lockbox.

GPS Accuracy

Unlike Medical Guardian, Bay Alarm Medical, Lively, and MobileHelp, ADT doesn’t offer a companion app for caregivers. This is one of the provider's biggest drawbacks, since it means that caregivers can’t track their loved ones’ locations.

Instead, I had to wait to get a text or email from ADT to know if my device had been activated. That said, I was still able to test the accuracy of the ADT’s GPS tracking system by initiating a test emergency call.

» Pricing Guide: ADT Medical Alert Systems: Pricing and Getting the Best Deal

I walked to a specific corner in my neighborhood and held down the help button. When the agent answered, they were able to pinpoint my location down to the intersection. While ADT’s GPS tracking is highly accurate, I would love to see an app that caregivers could use to track devices.

Response Times

After conducting five test calls, I recorded average response times of around 20 seconds. This was faster than the results I got with MobileHelp, but nearly twice as long as Bay Alarm Medical and Lively. Still, 20 seconds is not a long wait, especially when some other providers can take a minute or more to respond.

Battery Life

ADT’s On-The-Go system has a convenient charging cradle that plugs straight into the wall. I just set the mobile device in the charger and waited for the light to indicate that the battery was fully charged. Unfortunately, this turned out to be a pretty long wait, as it takes the battery about three hours to get from zero to 100 percent.

» You Might Like: ADT Home Security Systems for Seniors

With a full battery, the On-The-Go system can last for up to 40 hours. This is nearly twice as long as Medical Guardian’s MGMove, but far shorter than the MGMini. It’s also comparable to Lively’s Mobile2 and Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Micro.

My grandma trying out the Jitterbug Smart4

Lively is a unique provider, as they offer hybrid cell phones and GPS medical alert systems. For the 94 percent of seniors ages 65-plus who own a cell phone, a phone with a built-in medical alert system offers the best of both worlds.

For those who are just looking for a medical alert device, Lively also offers a stand-alone GPS. Whether you go with a device or phone, you’ll have your pick of Lively’s health and safety features. For even more flexibility, you can use these features on your Apple Watch or Alexa-enabled smart speaker.

» Plan Breakdown: Jitterbug Phone Plans for Seniors in 2025

Many older adults may avoid purchasing a medical alert system because of its appearance, so Lively’s phones are a great solution for discreet protection. My grandma owns a Medical Guardian system, but she loves that Lively’s devices look just like regular cell phones. Keep in mind that Lively charges an up-front equipment and activation fee for your chosen device. If you opt for one of Lively's phones, you’ll also pay a monthly talk, text, and data fee.

» Dive Deeper: Lively Medical Alert Review

Plans, Pricing, and Features

GPS Accuracy

We tested out the accuracy of Lively’s stand-alone medical alert system, Lively Mobile2, along with the Jitterbug Smart4 and Jitterbug Flip2. Our plan included Lively Link, which is a mobile app that lets me track my grandma’s location at any given time, comparable to Bay Alarm Medical’s companion app. I could also see an emergency call history, the status of her device, and receive alerts if she called for help.

Tracking my grandmas location using the Lively Link mobile app

We were both surprised by the accuracy of the GPS when testing the Jitterbug Smart4 and Jitterbug Flip2. Anytime I clicked “view on map” in the Lively Link app, it would automatically bring up an accurate map pinpointing my grandma’s precise location. I could also refresh the map to see if there had been any changes since I last checked.

» Also Check Out: Best Medical Alert Systems With Voice Activation

Response Times

Based on the test emergencies my grandma and I initiated on Lively’s three devices, the average response time was 10 seconds. These response times were the same as they were for Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian. During an emergency, every second counts, so I appreciate these speedy responses.

Placing a test call on the Lively Mobile2

Battery Life

The Jitterbug Smart4’s battery lasts up to 37 hours, which is pretty typical for a smartphone. My grandma and I noticed that the battery lasted much longer than the last iteration of this phone, the Jitterbug Smart3; I appreciate that Lively has improved the batteries of its devices over time. The Jitterbug Flip2 lasts up to 12 hours, so I just charged my device each night before bed.

» Related Reading: Jitterbug Smart4 Review and Jitterbug Flip2 Review

As for the Lively Mobile2, it lasts up to 40 hours. While that’s still pretty solid, Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS mobile has it beat with an extra 32 hours of battery life. As long as you remember to charge your device every day or two, it shouldn’t be an issue.

Charging the Lively Mobile2

Using the MobileHelp Micro system

MobileHelp provides GPS coverage and protection for two users at one affordable rate. While some providers (like Lively or Medical Guardian) require you to purchase two systems at full price or pay an extra fee for a second subscriber, MobileHelp offers multiple systems built for spouses or roommates. The Mobile Duo comes with two mobile GPS units, perfect for senior couples who are active outside of the home.

MobileHelp also offers the Duo bundle that combines their at-home and on-the-go GPS units, which is a great fit if you spend time on the go but your partner is more of a homebody. MobileHelp’s prices for spouse monitoring are competitive and, depending on the plan you choose, even more affordable than a one-person system from a carrier like Lively.

» Learn More: 2025 MobileHelp Review

Plans, Pricing, and Features

GPS Accuracy

When I went out for a walk, I tested the accuracy of the mobile unit’s GPS feature, and it was about as accurate as Medical Guardian’s MGMove. It would give me a general area (within about 30 feet), but it wasn’t always perfectly precise.

» Useful Resource: Best Cellular Medical Alert Systems

One potential drawback of MobileHelp’s system is the way that location tracking is tacked onto plans. I couldn’t just check my system’s location at any given moment. Instead, I had to “ping” my device’s location each time I wanted to check it, and I could only request the location 30 times per month.

If I needed to use it more often, I’d have to pay an extra $6 per month for another 30 location requests. I’m not a big fan of this limitation, as other companies like Medical Guardian and Bay Alarm Medical let you check the device’s location as often as you want. This system is not ideal for caregivers or family members who like to check on their loved ones more than once per day.

Response Times

When I initiated multiple test emergencies, I recorded average response times of 25 to 30 seconds. This is slower than other providers on our list, like Lively and Bay Alarm Medical. While every second counts in a real emergency, it’s hard to complain about a GPS medical alert system that can have an agent on the line in less than a minute!

Wearing a MobileHelp button as a wristband

Battery Life

MobileHelp’s GPS systems have a battery life of about one day. There are options with longer battery lives from companies like Medical Guardian and Lively. I do wish MobileHelp had some systems that offered better battery life.

However, as long as you remember to charge your device once a day, it shouldn’t be an issue. Plus, building a daily charge into your routine might be easier to remember than charging your device every three or four days!