LifeFone vs. Medical Guardian, Compared and Tested by Tech Experts
LifeFone offers a variety of systems and affordable fall detection, while Medical Guardian has sleek, high-tech systems.
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Key Takeaways
- LifeFone is our top pick for older adults looking for quality service and packages without equipment fees.
- Medical Guardian is best if you’re looking for a high-tech system with customizable add-ons.
When it comes to the best medical alert systems, LifeFone and Medical Guardian are two well-known companies. At a glance, the companies seem similar. Both offer landline and cellular solutions for at-home and on-the-go use, and neither company requires contracts. There are some key differences between LifeFone and Medical Guardian that you’ll want to know about when choosing your medical alert system.
Our tech experts have highlighted the must-know details about the medical alert systems, including plenty of side-by-side comparisons so you can easily see the differences. From pricing to equipment fees to battery life, we’ll cover how the systems compare so you can choose the one that’s right for you. We’ve also included insights from our work testing medical alert systems so that you can learn from our experiences.
A Side-by-Side Look at LifeFone vs. Medical Guardian
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| Price range | $29.95 to $47.95 per month | $29.95 to $44.95 per month |
| Discounts for quarterly or annual payment plans | Quarterly payments get the fourth month free and free shipping; annual payments get the 12th month free, free shipping, and a free lock box | Annual payments save 16% and get a free lockbox and free shipping |
| Equipment fees | No activation or equipment fees | No activation fees; equipment fees range from $0 to $199.95 |
| Long-term contracts | None | None |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | Prorated refund available for unused service period for monthly or annual subscriptions |
| Fall-detection cost | $5 per month | $10 per month |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Water-resistant equipment | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Two-way communication | Yes | Yes |
| In-home range | Up to 1,300 feet | Up to 1,300 feet |
| Battery life for on-the-go systems | 24 hours to 10 days | Up to five days |
| Cellular connection | AT&T’s 4G network | AT&T or Verizon |
| Language support | English and Spanish | English and Spanish; translation service available for other languages |
| Website |
About LifeFone
Testing out LifeFone's At-Home system
Founded in 1976, LifeFone has earned a reputation for providing quality monitoring and safety devices. LifeFone offers at-home, on-the-go, and smartwatch systems with affordably priced plans. U.S.-based customer-care agents are available to help you 24/7. Based on our experience with LifeFone, the at-home and VIP Flex units are easy to set up. We were quickly connected to a representative when testing the systems.
» Learn More: 2024 LifeFone Review
LifeFone’s prices are comparable to Medical Guardian’s costs if you pay annually, but some of its monthly rates are higher. There are, however, no equipment fees. LifeFone doesn’t have any contracts, and your monthly plan costs will never increase, which is a feature Medical Guardian doesn’t offer. You can also cancel anytime and get a full refund for the unused portion of your prepayment. LifeFone offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the system to ensure it fits your needs well. Medical Guardian doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee.
Pros About LifeFone
- At-home, on-the-go, and smartwatch systems available
- Fall detection is just $5 per month
- Monthly plan prices start at $24.95 per month
- Subscriber Price Guarantee means your service cost will never increase
- No activation or equipment fees
- LifeFone gives you a free month of service for every new subscriber you refer
- Monthly, quarterly, and annual billing options available
Cons About LifeFone
- Only English and Spanish are supported
- Services such as daily wellness checks cost more
- Spouse monitoring isn’t available with mobile systems
About Medical Guardian
Testing out Medical Guardian's MGMini Lite
Medical Guardian offers at-home, on-the-go, and smartwatch medical alert systems. U.S.-based monitoring services are available 24/7, and the company has translation services if you need help and speak a language other than English or Spanish. LifeFone doesn’t provide that feature. Medical Guardian’s plans are reasonably priced, but its equipment fees can significantly increase the overall costs.
» Learn More: Medical Guardian Review
Medical Guardian stands out for its add-ons and accessories, such as OnGuard alerts, which notify everyone on your care list if you experience an emergency. We found Medical Guardian’s customer-service representatives friendly and eager to help, and the website and mobile app were easy to navigate. The company’s equipment is also sleek with high-tech features. We enjoyed using the mobile app to track our system, receive real-time alerts, and view the system’s status.
Using Medical Guardians MyGuardian mobile app
Pros About Medical Guardian
- At-home, on-the-go, and smartwatch systems are available
- No contracts, so you can cancel anytime
- Monitoring centers are based in the U.S.
- Online member portal for device management
- Fall protection is available
- Add-ons and accessories let you customize your system
- Translation services are available for languages other than English and Spanish
Cons About Medical Guardian
- No free trial
- Equipment fees cost up to $199.95
- Offers only a 90-day warranty
Pro Tip: Features such as fall protection can summon help in case of a fall, but it’s even better to prevent the fall entirely. Review senior fall-prevention tips to help reduce the chance of a fall occurring.
Comparing LifeFone and Medical Guardian Medical Alert Systems
LifeFone
| System | Price | Equipment fee | Connection | Designed for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At-Home Landline | $29.95 per month | None | Landline | In-home | Older adults who spend lots of time at home and have limited cell reception |
| At-Home Cellular | $34.95 per month | None | Cellular | In-home | People who spend lots of time at home |
| At-Home & On-the-Go VIPx | $43.95 per month | None | Cellular | On the go | Seniors who don’t want to worry about recharging a battery often |
| At-Home & On-the-Go VIP Active | $41.95 per month | None | Cellular | On the go | Active seniors who often go out |
| At-Home & On-the-Go VIP flex | $43.95 per month | None | Cellular | On the go | Seniors who want a slim, simple watch without all the bells and whistles |
| At-Home & On-the-Go Safe Watch Active | $47.95 per month | None | Cellular | On the go | Older adults who want a sporty watch |
Medical Guardian
| System | Price | Equipment fee | Connection | Designed for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MGClassic | $29.95 per month | None | Landline | In-home | Older adults who spend lots of time at home and have limited cell reception |
| MGHome Cellular | $37.95 per month | $149.95 | Cellular | In-home | People who spend lots of time at home |
| MGMini Lite | $44.95 per month | $149.95 | Cellular | On the go | Seniors who want a slim, simple watch without all the bells and whistles |
| MGMini | $39.95 per month | $149.95 | Cellular | On the go | Older adults who want a slim, stylish, wearable device they can take on a walk, running errands, and more |
| MGMove | $39.95 per month | $199.95 | Cellular | On the go | Active seniors who want a device that can go with them |
Add-On Features and Equipment
Both LifeFone and Medical Guardian offer add-ons. You can customize the systems and services to your needs.
LifeFone
- Fall detection is optional and costs $5 per month.
- The daily check-in reminder service includes a daily call from LifeFone agents at a preselected time. It costs $19 per month.
- A wall-mounted help button can be attached to a spot in your home so you can press it if you need help. It costs $39.95.
- LifeFone offers a wall mount or hanging master lock box that allows emergency help to access a key to your home without breaking in. It costs $39.95.
Medical Guardian
- Fall detection is optional and costs $10 per month. When activated, it will send alerts to everyone on your caregiver list. These alerts can be either a text or email. The service costs $2.99 per month.
- OnGuard alerts will send everyone on your caregiver list a text or email if an emergency occurs. The service costs $2.99 per month.
- A wall-mounted button can be installed in a convenient location and connects you to the monitoring center when you press the button. The button costs $2.99 per month.
- A voice-activated wall-mounted button can be triggered by pulling a pull cord or saying a command. It costs $4.99 per month.
- With a lock box, emergency responders can access a key and get into your home without having to breaking in. That add-on costs $2.99 per month, but it’s included for free in some packages.
Pro Tip: Medical alert systems play a key role in helping to keep seniors safe, but they’re just one example of how technology helps seniors live better lives. Visit our guide to the different types of technology for seniors.
Our Final Thoughts on LifeFone vs. Medical Guardian
Both LifeFone and Medical Guardian offer a variety of at-home, on-the-go, and smartwatch medical alert systems that work for various users. LifeFone has slightly higher rates, but the company charges no equipment fees and offers discounts for quarterly and annual payments. Medical Guardian’s subscription plans are slightly less expensive but charge equipment fees for some packages, so you’ll need to be prepared for a higher up-front cost. Medical Guardian offers sleeker equipment than LifeFone, which is great for older adults who want a discreet system.
LifeFone is best for:
- Those who want a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Those who want affordable fall detection, at just $5 per month
- Those who want a system without equipment fees
Medical Guardian is best for:
- Those who want a high-tech system
- Those who are looking for lots of customization options
- Those who need response services in languages other than English or Spanish
