MobileHelp vs Bay Alarm Medical
MobileHelp offers our favorite systems for two users, while Bay Alarm Medical has affordable monthly rates and a high-tech smartwatch.
SeniorLiving.org is supported by commissions from providers listed on our site. Read our Editorial Guidelines
If you’re thinking about purchasing a medical alert system, you’ve likely realized just how many popular medical alert providers there are to choose from. To help you out with your search, we’re comparing two of the industry’s leading providers: MobileHelp and Bay Alarm Medical.
Overall, we highly recommend both providers, because they offer quality systems and reliable protection. Our comparison will help you understand the differences between the companies so you can pick the one that best aligns with your budget, safety, and health needs. MobileHelp is best if you and a roommate or spouse both need monitoring, for example, while Bay Alarm Medical is our pick if you’re on a tight budget and want a simple system. Keep reading to learn more about how they stack up!
Testing out Bay Alarm Medical's SOS Smartwatch
Side-by-Side Comparison of Bay Alarm Medical and MobileHelp
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Connection types | Landline and cellular (AT&T) | Landline and cellular (AT&T) |
| In-home range | Up to 1,400 feet | Up to 1,000 feet |
| Battery life |
|
|
| Water-resistant equipment | Yes | Yes |
| Redundant monitoring | Yes, two monitoring centers | Yes, two monitoring centers |
| Two-way communication | Yes | Yes |
| Language support | 240+ languages supported | 170+ languages supported |
| Fall detection | Yes | Yes |
| Price lock | Yes, with the purchase of MobileHelp Connect Premium | Yes |
| Free trial | None | 30-day risk-free trial |
| Long-term contracts | No | No |
| Website |
What Is MobileHelp?
MobileHelp is a medical alert company on a mission to “be someone’s hero, every day.” One of the first businesses to sell mobile medical alert systems, in 2006, MobileHelp was acquired by Medical Guardian in May 2024. MobileHelp’s medical alert devices use cell signals and GPS technology to keep seniors safe outside the home. Based in Philadelphia, MobileHelp has won awards for its medical alert systems and customer service,1 and in 2020 it was named among the fastest growing tech companies by the South Florida Business Journal.2
The company is well known for its two-in-one systems that let roommates or spouses each have their own system while paying only one affordable monthly rate.
Overview of MobileHelp’s Services
MobileHelp specializes in at-home, on-the-go, and hybrid systems, so there’s an option for almost everyone! Prices start at $24.95 per month, depending on the package you choose, making MobileHelp an affordable option. We’ll take a quick look at each of the six systems the company offers below.
Classic Cellular
This in-home cellular system comes with a base unit and a wearable, waterproof help button for $24.95 per month. It has a 1,400-foot signal range and requires AT&T cell coverage, so it’s best for seniors who live in an area with strong cell service. When we tested the system, we found that the equipment was a bit bulky, but the help buttons were easy to use. We could easily press the button and connect with the 24/7 monitoring team in under a minute.
Testing out MobileHelp's wearable help button
Classic Landline
This in-home system has a more modern-looking base unit that runs on a landline connection, so it’s great for seniors who live in rural areas or who don’t have reliable cellular coverage. It has a 600-foot coverage range and a wearable help button, costing $24.95 per month.
Solo
The Solo is an on-the-go cellular system with GPS technology. It offers a 600-foot signal range from the mobile device to a wearable button. The system works without the need for a base station. Users carry a mobile unit and wear a help button on their wrists or around their necks. That makes it a reliable option for seniors who spend a lot of time outside the home. Prices start at $34.95 per month.
Micro
Weighing less than 2 ounces — a bit more than Medical Guardian’s MGMini, which weighs just over an ounce — this mobile system is aptly named. The Micro includes two-way talk, GPS location detection, and optional fall detection (for $11 per month). Prices for this on-the-go system start at $34.95 per month.
FYI: MobileHelp Micro works best in places with strong AT&T tower signals. Check AT&T’s coverage map for more info.
Mobile Duo Bundle
Designed for roommates or spouses who are always out and about, this system includes two MobileHelp Solo units, GPS technology, and 24/7 monitoring for $49.95 per month.
Home Duo Bundle
MobileHelp Home Duo bundles the base station from the Cellular Classic and the all-in-one Solo device. It’s best for monitoring two users (one at home and one on the go), or for those who want a hybrid system. You’ll pay $44.95 per month for the bundle.
MobileHelp Monitoring Center and Customer Service
MobileHelp partners with Affiliated Monitoring, which has been in business since 1977, to handle emergency calls and 24/7 professional monitoring. With two huge hubs in Union, New Jersey, and Houston, you’re always covered in an emergency — even if there’s a power outage in one location.
Did You Know? The average medical alert company takes 15 to 45 seconds to respond. MobileHelp keeps things speedy with an average response time of 17 seconds.
Feel most comfortable speaking a language other than English? MobileHelp has you covered. The company supports over 240 languages, ensuring all seniors feel confident when calling for help. Bay Alarm Medical offers similar language support, so this is one area where both providers excel.
What Is Bay Alarm Medical?
Bay Alarm Medical has 75 years of experience in the health technology industry, and the company founded Bay Alarm Medical, a subsidiary, in 2007. The company is currently headquartered in California and holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.3
Bay Alarm Medical delivers some of the best prices in the medical alert industry. Their SOS Home starts at $24.95 per month. That price jumps by $10 per month if you prefer an on-the-go mobile system.
Overview of Bay Alarm Medical’s Systems
Bay Alarm Medical sells three types of medical alert systems: in-home, a traditional mobile device, and a smartwatch. Bay Alarm Medical systems start at $24.95 per month. You can also bundle two of the company’s systems together for a discounted rate.
SOS Home
As the name suggests, this is an in-home system that features a 1,000-foot range and your choice of a landline connection for $24.95 per month. You can also go for the SOS Home Cellular system, which runs on a cellular 4G LTE connection, starting at $29.95 per month. Travel a lot? You can take the system with you and plug it in at any home.
Testing out Bay Alarm Medical's SOS Home system
SOS Micro
Bay Alarm Medical’s lightweight SOS Micro is a tiny mobile medical alert device equipped with a two-way speaker, optional fall detection, and GPS technology. Users have their choice of an AT&T or Verizon connection for at-home and on-the-go protection. Basic plans start at $29.95 per month, and you’ll also pay a one-time $99 device fee. The device was so lightweight and discreet that we often forgot we were wearing it during testing!
Trying out Bay Alarm Medical's SOS Micro
Caregiver tracking via a mobile app is also included to keep caregivers or family members in the loop. The mobile app is one of our favorite features. We could easily track our system, ring it if it was lost, and get notifications if an emergency call was placed.
You can ring a lost device in the Bay Alarm Medical app
SOS Smartwatch
The water-resistant smartwatch is Bay Alarm Medical’s most high-tech system. It features an easy-to-navigate touch screen, a two-way speaker, a traditional watch face (with digital or analog number options), GPS tracking for caregivers, step tracking, daily step goals, and an emergency help button. It’s a solid option for active seniors who want a more discreet system that also offers health and fitness features. We enjoyed using the watch, because it looks just like a regular smartwatch — perfect for those who want something discreet.
Testing out Bay Alarm Medical's SOS Smartwatch
SOS All-in-One 2:
Bay Alarm Medical’s most recent release, the SOS All-in-One 2, is designed for older adults who want both on-the-go and at-home coverage but don’t want to wear a bulky device. The system comes with a watch, a help button that can be worn on a lanyard or wristband, a belt clip, a charging device, and GPS caregiver tracking. The cost is $34.95 per month, or $44.95 per month with fall detection. Both versions have a $129 one-time equipment fee ($99 right now with a promotion).
Did You Know? Falls are the leading cause of injury among people over 65 and among the leading causes of death among older adults in the U.S.4
Bundles
Bay Alarm Medical allows you to bundle two of their systems. With the SOS Micro 360 Plan, your subscription includes an in-home cellular base unit with wrist/lanyard combo button, SOS Micro kit (includes wrist-worn unit and charger), Vial of Life, and a user guide. The SOS Micro 360 Plan starts at $54.95 per month, but a bundle allows you to save on your monthly bill compared to purchasing the two systems separately.
Bay Alarm Medical Monitoring Center and Customer Service
Like MobileHelp, Bay Alarm Medical also offers language support for customers. Whether you’re a native English, Spanish, or Mandarin speaker, you’ll feel comfortable and confident talking with a customer-service representative.
FYI: Bay Alarm Medical’s average response time is 45 seconds. That isn’t as fast as MobileHelp’s response time, but it’s still within the industry standard of 15 to 45 seconds.
Alarm Medical’s average response time is 45 seconds. That isn’t as fast as MobileHelp’s response time, but it’s still within the industry standard of 15 to 45 seconds
MobileHelp and Bay Alarm Medical Price Comparison
Now that you’re familiar with both brands, let’s compare their monthly rates and other important pricing information.
| Pricing information | MobileHelp | Bay Alarm Medical |
|---|---|---|
| At-home systems | Start at $24.95 per month | Start at $24.95 per month |
| On-the-go systems | Start at $34.95 per month | Start at $34.95 per month |
| Hybrid packages | Start at $44.95 per month | Start at $59.95 per month |
| Payment options | Monthly, quarterly, semiannual, and annual | Monthly, quarterly, and annual |
| Fall detection | $11 per month | $10 per month |
| Price lock | Yes (for two years and $6.99 a month with MobileHelp Connect Premium) | Yes |
| Equipment cost | No | $99 to $159 |
| Free shipping | Yes | Yes, with some plans |
| Activation and processing fees | $49.95 to $99.95 for select systems with monthly payment plan | No |
| Additional fees | No | No |
Important Differences Between MobileHelp and Bay Alarm Medical
All-in-all, the two providers share a lot of similarities. Both have redundant 24/7 monitoring centers and landline and cellular options. So what are the significant differences between these two providers to consider?
MobileHelp On-The-Go Wrist Pendant
1. Spousal monitoring
MobileHelp offers two packages that make spousal or roommate monitoring more affordable — the Home Duo Bundle and Mobile Duo Bundle. Bay Alarm Medical offers complimentary spousal monitoring with their in-home device (with the purchase of an additional button). For an additional monthly fee, spousal monitoring is available for a mobile system at a greatly reduced price. Still, MobileHelp offers the best prices overall and is our top pick.
2. The cost of mobile monitoring
Bay Alarm Medical has a couple options for on-the-go seniors: The SOS All-in-One 2 starts at just $34.95 per month. Even more affordable, the SOS Micro starts at only $29.95. Lastly, the SOS Smartwatch starts at $39.95 a month. These prices are very affordable compared to mobile systems from other companies, even when accounting for the one-time equipment fee. The MobileHelp Micro cost $34.95 per month. When weighing cost considerations, remember that Bay Alarm Medical has a 30-day trial period to test their systems risk-free, which MobileHelp doesn’t offer.
3. Product lineup
Both providers offer in-home and on-the-go systems; however, MobileHelp offers six different systems, while Bay Alarm Medical’s lineup is limited to four. However, Bay Alarm Medical still offers solid variety with their smartwatch, mobile, and bundle offerings.
Pro Tip: Choosing a product bundle or hybrid system from either MobileHelp or Bay Alarm Medical can save you on your monthly bill. These savings could free up your budget for any add-ons you’re interested in, like a fall detection button or extra wall buttons.
4. Payment options
MobileHelp offers one way to save money all year long: by choosing a longer service plan. For most products, the longer the plan, the more you’ll save. Selecting an annual plan over a monthly one could save you around $5 per month or up to $60 per year. Bay Alarm Medical offers monthly, quarterly, and annual payment options, but the savings are limited to free shipping and a free month of service when they are running specials. This is one area where MobileHelp has a leg up on the competition.
MobileHelp vs. Bay Alarm Medical Add-Ons
If you’re looking to add any extra features or equipment to your system, Bay Alarm Medical and MobileHelp both offer various add-ons. Below is a comparison.
| Add-on | MobileHelp | Bay Alarm Medical |
|---|---|---|
| Fall detection | $11 per month | $10 per month |
| Lockbox | Free for new customers ($29.95 value) | $30 each |
| Vial of Life | N/A | Free with purchase; additional kits $8 each |
| Wall button | $2.95 per month | $5 to $10 per month plus $35 per button ($130 for four) |
| Jewelry pendant | N/A | Bella Bands jewelry pendants for $17; four-color set for $60 |
| Product protection | MobileHelp Connect is free; premium features for $6.99 per month | Extended warranty for $2 to $3 per month |
Is MobileHelp or Bay Alarm Medical Best for You?
You have many factors to consider, especially if this is your first time researching medical alert systems. Below we’ve put together our recommendations based on the features and services offered by MobileHelp and Bay Alarm.
We recommend MobileHelp if:
- You and your spouse (or roommate) both need a medical alert system
- You want a simple system without bells and whistles
- You own a large home
We recommend Bay Alarm Medical if:
- You’re on a tight budget and need monitoring for only one person
- You want a caregiver tracking app
- You are looking for a smartwatch system
One last thing to remember as you decide which company to choose: MobileHelp relies on AT&T’s cellular network, but you have your choice of an AT&T or Verizon connection with Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Micro. If you live in an area with poor AT&T cellular service, Bay Alarm Medical will be your best bet.
If you need a mobile system that uses a carrier other than AT&T, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Medical Guardian and Lively medical alert systems, for example, rely on Verizon.
Our Methodology: How We Evaluated MobileHelp and Bay Alarm Medical Systems
Bay Alarm Medical – Wall Button
Our tech team spent 100 hours researching and testing MobileHelp and Bay Alarm Medical alert systems. Our evaluation took into account our personal experience testing the devices and previous testing data from similar products we’ve reviewed from other companies to see how their offerings measure up against each other and the industry as a whole. We considered the following criteria in our evaluation:
- Pricing and value. Cost can be a major factor for many seniors shopping for medical alert products. In our reviews, we take note of equipment fees, ongoing monitoring costs, and shipping and activation fees to give you an accurate picture of total costs for a system. We also investigate company discounts, seasonal promotions, whether there’s a free trial, and other ways to save.
- Buying process. We take careful notes during every step of the shopping and purchasing experience, including whether extra or ongoing costs and fees are clear and well explained.
- Setup. We note whether setup instructions are clear and easy to follow, and how quickly our testers were able to get systems up and running.
- Device testing. Durability and reliability are especially important in a medical alert device, because it’s crucial that the devices work the way they should during an emergency. We spend at least a week using the systems at home and on the go to see how they fare in everyday situations. We test them indoors, outdoors, and on walks. If a system is waterproof, we wear it in the shower. Then we make test calls to ensure the devices still work as they should.
- Response times. We test each system 10 times to determine the average response times and fall-detection accuracy. In fall detection tests, we mimic falls by falling onto couch cushions or dropping the pendant from chest height.
- Features for caregivers. Some seniors may choose to share health and safety information with caregivers and loved ones, so we investigate those features thoroughly. One of our favorite Bay Alarm Medical features is the caregiver mobile app, which lets users update billing information, add emergency contacts, build a safety plan with home-entry information, set reminders, and track the user’s whereabouts.
- Customer service. We spoke with each company’s customer-service agents multiple times to make sure they were able to offer kind and competent assistance when needed.
The Bottom Line on Bay Alarm Medical vs. MobileHelp
Whether you’re interested in Bay Alarm Medical’s smartwatch system or MobileHelp’s spousal monitoring, you will be in good hands with either provider. If you need only a bare-bones landline system or you’re looking for affordable on-the-go protection, Bay Alarm Medical is your best choice. If you’re looking for a touch-screen system or you and your partner both need monitoring, we recommend MobileHelp.
Be sure to keep in mind your needs, monthly budget for an alert system, and lifestyle as you determine which system to purchase. For additional information, check out our MobileHelp review and Bay Alarm Medical review.
MobileHelp. (2020). Our Mission.
Dun and Bradstreet. (2020). MobileHelp, LLC.
Better Business Bureau. (2020). Bay Alarm Medical.
NIH: National Library of Medicine. (2023). Trends in Deaths From Falls Among Adults Aged 65 Years or Older in the US, 1999-2020.
