LifeFone vs. LifeStation

There are certain situations in which it may be difficult or impossible for someone to seek assistance during an emergency. A person with a medical condition that causes them to faint might not be able to call for help if they fall and hurt themselves, for example. Or, while experiencing something in their chest, a person may realize they're having a heart attack but not be able to get their phone out in time to call for help.

A medical alert system might be a lifesaver in these situations. Medical alert systems are intended for people of all ages who have medical issues that need close monitoring, regardless of their age. Medical alert system providers usually offer home-based systems for protection inside the home, mobile devices that can function anywhere with a 4G-LTE network signal, or a combination of both for more comprehensive protection.

LifeFone and LifeStation are two well-known companies that offer medical alert systems. Both have their own unique features and benefits, so it's important to compare them side-by-side to see which one offers the best value for your money. Let's talk about how these two companies compare in terms of pricing, features, and overall efficiency.

	LifeFone	LifeStation
Overall Grade	Overall Grade: A-plus	Overall Grade: A-minus
Costs
Monthly Cost Price	$29.95 - $45.95	$32.95 - $49.95
Device Cost	$0	$0 - $99.95
Shipping Fee	$11.95	$12.5
Cancellation Fee	No fee	No fee
Fall Detection Fee	$0 - $10	n/a
Cellular Fee	n/a	n/a
Spouse Monitoring	$39.95	$0 - $3.95
Features
Connectivity Option	Landline, Cellular or Cellular	Landline, Cellular or Cellular
Two-way Speaker & Microphone	Yes	Yes
Home-based Back Up Battery Life	32 hours or 30 hours	32 hours
On-the-go Battery Life	720 hours or 384 hours	120 hours or 120 hours
Button Range	1300 ft or 1400 ft	600 ft, 650 ft or 200 ft
Water Resistant	Yes	Yes
GPS Tracking	Yes, some plans	Yes, some plans
Caregiver App	Yes, some plans	Yes, some plans
Response Time	15 seconds	28 seconds
More Details	See All Plans	See All Plans

LifeFone

Pros:

• A reputable medical alert system provider for over 40 years
• Offers a device with a range of coverage up to 1400ft
• Every system comes with a 100% lifetime warranty.
• No activation and cancellation fees
• 24/7 monitoring, including holidays
• Offers a wide range of additional optional devices
• A variety of features such as daily safety checks, activity tracking and medication reminders can be added for a fee
• Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee; any unused prepaid amount will be refunded pro-rated
• Impressive battery life of up to 30 days

Cons:

• Prices and packages can be difficult to understand
• Website can be overwhelming
• Optional services and add-on features might cost a significant amount of money

LifeStation

Pros:

• Offers automatic fall detection feature
• Find My Loved One provides care providers with location-based services.
• Offers device with a beautiful jewelry-like appearance
• No long-term contracts and does not charge a cancellation fee
• 30-day money-back guarantee for new customers
• Low-cost monitoring for spouses and loved ones
• On-the-go devices can last up to days

Cons:

• Plans are considerably more expensive than other providers
• No landline connection for a home-based system
• No caregiver app
• Covers a radius of only 600 to 650ft

LifeFone Overview

LifeFone is a medical alert system provider that has been in business for more than 40 years, providing various products and services that can be tailored to the needs of elders and people with medical conditions. The company offers a wide range of products, from at-home to on-the-go devices with nationwide coverage, giving their customers plenty of options to choose from.

One of the best things about LifeFone is that it offers 100% lifetime warranty on all devices. This means that if your device ever breaks and stops working, you can get a replacement for free. The company also has a policy of no-activation and cancellation fees. Additionally, they offer the VIPX Caregiver Mobile App that adds a number of premium features to your plans such as a steps tracker and device ringer.

Medical Alert Systems

At-Home Landline

At-Home Landline is a home-based medical alert system that costs a monthly monitoring fee of $29.95. It connects to the user's home landline telephone, allows two-way communication, and has a range that covers up to 1300ft. The system also includes a backup battery that can power the device for up to 32 hours in case of power outages. Plus, the device can come with water-resistant wearable fall detection for an additional $5 a month.

LifeFone's At-Home Landline also includes a room temperature sensor that alerts the user's caregiver or family member if the temperature at home rises above or falls below their customized settings. Also, the device can answer incoming calls. So, if the user's landline phone rings and they are unable to reach it in time, they can simply press their help button and the device will answer the call for them.

At-Home Cellular

If you do not have landline service, LifeFone also offers an At-Home Cellular. This system uses AT&T's 4G cellular network and can be purchased for a monthly cost of $34.95.

This plan is similar to their At-Home Landline, they only differ in the type of connection used. And since this system is connected to a cellular network, it requires a strong network signal in order to work properly. Before signing up for a plan, we recommend asking LifeFone's customer service first to see if there's enough cellular coverage in your area.

At-Home and On-The-Go

This plan offers both at-home and on-the-go protection, making it a great option for those who are often away from home. The system is available for a monthly cost of $39.95. If users opt to add the optional automatic fall detection feature, it costs an extra $10 a month.

The system's base unit has more advanced features than the At-Home base unit as it features a lighted display that shows the time, date, and ambient temperature. It also has a backup battery that will last up to 32 hours in case of a power outage. Additionally, it has a signal strength indicator to help you find the best location for the base unit inside your home.

Moreover, the system uses AT&T's 4G LTE cellular network and has GPS location tracking, so you can be located as long as you're within AT&T's network coverage. With At-Home and On-The-Go, you'll be able to trigger the alarm from up to 1400ft away from the base unit, or up to 600ft away with the mobile device.

At-Home and On-The-Go VIP

The LifeFone At-Home and On-The-Go VIP plan includes a portable, all-in-one voice pendant that may be worn as a necklace or on a belt clip and works with a 4G-LTE cellular service to provide nationwide coverage. The device has a battery life of up to 30 days and is water resistant, making it ideal for those who are often away from home.

The device has a clear two-way voice communication, allowing users to communicate directly with a care agent. It also has GPS location tracking capability so users can easily be located when they are in need of assistance.

This system can be purchased for a monthly cost of $43.95. Unfortunately, this system cannot be paired with the optional fall detection feature.

At-Home and On-The-Go VIPX

This system includes a small, lightweight, and powerful device that uses Verizon or AT&T 4G LTE cellular service for nationwide coverage. The device is water-resistant so users can wear it in the rain or in the shower where accidents are more likely to happen and it has a clear two-way voice communication that allows you to speak directly with a response agent.

Additionally, the device has GPS location tracking and can be upgraded with the optional fall detection which costs an additional $5 a month. It also has a battery life that can last up to 16 days.

The At Home and On-The-Go VIPX system is available in black, white, and silver colors. It is slightly more expensive than the VIP plan at $45.95 a month. With this plan, an optional caregiver app can also be added for an additional $8 a month. The app allows caregivers to track the location, activity, first motion of the day, button presses, and battery levels of their loved ones.

LifeStation Overview

LifeStation has been in the business of providing medical alert systems for over 18 years. They offer both home-based and mobile systems, making them a great choice for those who want reliable protection both at home and on the go. However, it's worth mentioning that their devices only operate through a 4G-LTE network. This means that if you're in an area with poor cellular coverage, the system will not work as intended.

LifeStation offers standard features that are found in most medical alert systems. Their devices are waterproof and come with GPS location tracking and an automatic fall detection feature that can be really helpful in case of an emergency.

LifeStation has two US-based monitoring centers located in New Jersey and Texas that are staffed by care specialists who are trained to assist in any emergency situation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Both monitoring centers are UL-listed and CSAA Five Diamond Certified which means that they are held to the highest industry standards.

Medical Alert Systems

At Home Standard

LifeStation's At Home Standard plan costs $32.95 a month and consists of two devices: a base unit that works through the AT&T cellular network and a water-resistant help button that can be worn as a pendant or wristband. The system includes a clear two-way speaker and microphone, a backup battery that can last up to 32 hours in the event of a power outage, and a range that covers up to 650ft from the base unit.

At Home Supreme

At Home Supreme comes with a monthly monitoring fee of $44.95. This system consists of everything in the At Home Standard plan plus a free Lockbox that allows first responders to access your home if you're unable to open the door in an emergency. It prevents any damage to your property caused by forced entry and gives responders quick and easy access to get to you. This feature usually comes at extra cost with other providers but is included for free with LifeStation.

The system's monthly subscription plan already includes automatic fall detection. The base unit that comes with this plan has a backup battery that can last up to 32 hours, however, it only covers a range of up to 600ft.

Sidekick Standard

This on-the-go system costs $37.95 a month for monitoring, plus a one-time device cost of $99.95. It comes with a tiny, lightweight pendant with a built-in two-way communication help button that is water resistant and can last up to 5 days after being fully charged. It also has GPS tracking and a caregiver app called Find My Loved One so you can easily find out where your loved ones are if they wander off.

Sidekick Supreme

The Sidekick Supreme from LifeStation costs $49.95 a month for monitoring, plus a one-time device cost of $99.95. This includes everything in the Sidekick Standard plan, plus a fall detection feature that can automatically detect if a fall has occurred and send an alert to the monitoring center.

Sidekick Smart

Sidekick Smart is a great, low-key yet high-tech option for a medical alert system. For $43.95 a month and with a one-time equipment fee of $99.95 you will get a smartwatch that has built-in two-way communication, GPS location tracking, fall detection feature, as well as 24/7 access to emergency help.

Sidekick Smart also comes with a pedometer to track step count, a heart rate monitor to push you toward a healthier lifestyle, and a weather forecast feature so you can always be prepared for the day ahead. Plus, the smartwatch is water-resistant and can last up to 5 days on a single charge, so you don't have to worry about it running out of power when you need it most.

LifeStation Luxury

This stunning pendant is a must-have for fashion-forward seniors who don't want to wear or be seen wearing a traditional medical alert device. The pendant is made of high-quality materials, including a brass casing with rhodium-colored plating, a center-faceted blue resin stone, and a 30" brass chain. This on-the-go system costs $43.95 a month.

The pendant pairs wirelessly via Bluetooth with LifeStation's Mobile LTE device, which connects to a 24/7 emergency monitoring center. If a problem or an emergency occurs, the user can push the help button on the pendant that will trigger the Mobile LTE device to call for help. The pendant has a 1-year life span and a range of 200ft from the base unit.

Let's take a look at how LifeFone and LifeStation compare in terms of cost.

LifeFone's monthly monitoring fees start from $29.95 up to $45.95 whereas LifeStation's fees start from $32.95 up to $49.95 a month. Right off the bat, you can see that LifeFone offers a more affordable option for those on a budget. When it comes to one-time equipment fees for their on-the-go devices, LifeStation charges $99.95 for the Sidekick Smart plan while LifeFone does not charge any upfront equipment fees.

LifeFone and LifeStation charge a reasonable amount for their shipping fees at $12 and $13, respectively. One major difference between the two companies in terms of pricing is that LifeFone charges an additional $5 a month for the automatic fall detection while LifeStation included the feature for free for some of its systems. Additionally, when it comes to extra buttons for spouse monitoring, LifeStation charges an additional $3.95 a month while LifeFone charges only a one-time payment of $39.95 upfront.

Taking all the costs into consideration, LifeFone seems to be a more appealing choice for those who are looking for an affordable medical alert system.

Let's now move on and compare the features that LifeFone and LifeStation's systems offer. Both providers offer a wide range of products with multiple features, giving customers plenty of options to choose from.

LifeFone offers five plans all of which come with devices that are water resistant and with a two-way speaker and microphone for clear communication. The company offers systems that can operate either through a landline or cellular network connection. LifeFone's home-based systems have backup batteries that can last 30 to 32 hours in case of a power outage. Plus, the systems can cover a range of up to 1300ft to 1400ft.

Meanwhile, the company's on-the-go devices can last from 16 to 30 days and can cover a range of up to 600ft from the mobile base unit. Additionally, the devices offer GPS location tracking capability which is essential in locating users' whereabouts in case of an emergency. Plus, Life Fone's VIPX can have access to their caregiver app for an additional $8 a month.

On the other hand, LifeStation also offers home-based systems that only work through the 4G-LTE cellular network. The company's device can only cover a range of 600 to 650ft. Nonetheless, fall detection is already included in their Supreme package so users won't have to pay an additional cost for the feature. Plus, they offer a free Lockbox that usually comes as an add-on to most medical alert systems. The company also has on-the-go systems that include a small mobile device that can be worn as a pendant or clipped on the belt. This device also has a two-way speakerphone, fall detection, and GPS tracking capabilities and can even last up to 5 days on a full charge. The company also offers a smartwatch with a pedometer for step tracking, a heart rate monitor, and a sensor for weather changes.

Moreover, LifeStation offers a water-resistant jewelry-like button that functions as a mobile device. It has a two-way speakerphone, fall detection feature, and a lifespan of 1 year.

Monitoring Center

Monitoring centers play a vital role in any medical alert system as they provide the 24/7 assistance that users need in case of an emergency.

Both companies have US-based monitoring centers that operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. LifeFone's monitoring center is TMA Five Diamond Certified, UL-certified, and FM-approved while LifeStation's monitoring centers are CSAA Five Diamond Certified. This means that both companies adhere to the highest standards in the industry.

When it comes to response rate, LifeFone's care agents can typically answer calls and alerts within 15 seconds while LifeStation has a longer response time of 28 seconds. This can be a major consideration since every second counts in an emergency.

LifeFone offers a unique emergency care plan that allows users, their caregivers, and family members to customize the company's care agents' response to fit their specific needs. A personalized approach is a great feature to have as it gives users peace of mind knowing that they will receive the right kind of assistance that they need in case of an emergency.

On the other hand, each call made to LifeStation's monitoring center is answered by two care specialists, one of them will remain on the line to give comfort and support until help arrives. This extra level of care is just one of the many ways that LifeStation goes above and beyond for its customers.

OUR PICK

Both companies offer high-quality medical alert systems with a wide range of features and options to choose from. However, we believe that LifeFone is the better choice for a few reasons.

LifeFone has more comprehensive packages that cover both home-based and mobile devices, giving users the best of both worlds. The company also offers devices with a wider range of coverage ideal for users who have larger homes. Plus, LifeFone provides both landline and cellular network connection options so users can pick the system most convenient for them.

Additionally, LifeFone offers more affordable subscription plans and prices its extra devices and features at a lower cost. Plus, it provides longer-lasting backup batteries for its home-based systems and extensive battery life for its on-the-go devices.

Furthermore, LifeFone also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee in case new customers are not satisfied with their purchase. This is a great way for users to try out the system risk-free and see if it's the right fit for them. Lastly, the company offers a 100% lifetime warranty on all of their devices, ensuring that your devices can be quickly replaced if anything goes wrong.