MobileHelp vs. LifeStation

Medical alert systems are a great way to ensure that individuals can remain independent while still having access to help when they need it. Seniors, people with disabilities, individuals who suffer serious medical conditions and even those normal, healthy people who live alone can all benefit from having a medical alert device.

When it comes to finding the right medical alert system for your specific needs, it can be difficult to know where to start. If you're like most people, you probably have a lot of questions about how these systems work, and which one would be the best fit for you or your loved ones. With so many different companies and products on the market, it can be hard to know who to trust.

Luckily, Elderguide is here to help. We'll be comparing two of the most popular medical alert system companies: MobileHelp and LifeStation. We'll go over the key differences between these two providers, and help you make an informed decision about which one is right for you.

	MobileHelp	LifeStation
Overall Grade	Overall Grade: A	Overall Grade: A-minus
Costs
Monthly Cost Price	$19.95 - $54.95	$32.95 - $49.95
Device Cost	$0 - $49.95	$0 - $99.95
Shipping Fee	$15	$12.5
Cancellation Fee	No fee	No fee
Fall Detection Fee	$10	n/a
Cellular Fee	n/a	n/a
Spouse Monitoring	$0 - $2	$0 - $3.95
Features
Connectivity Option	Cellular or Landline	Cellular or Landline
Two-way Speaker & Microphone	Yes	Yes
Home-based Back Up Battery Life	30 hours or 30 hours	32 hours
On-the-go Battery Life	24 hours or 24 hours	120 hours or 120 hours
Button Range	1400 ft or 600 ft	600 ft, 650 ft or 200 ft
Water Resistant	Yes	Yes
GPS Tracking	Yes, some plans	Yes, some plans
Caregiver App	Yes	Yes, some plans
Response Time	21 seconds or 21 seconds	28 seconds
More Details	See All Plans	See All Plans

MobileHelp

Pros:

• Low-cost monthly monitoring fees
• Provides a touchscreen tablet-like base station
• Offers home-based systems that connect through either a landline or cellular network
• Does not require long-term contracts

Cons:

• Automatic fall detection comes with an additional monthly cost
• Does not offer a low-key, high-tech smartwatch mobile device

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

MobileHelp Overview

MobileHelp has been in the industry for over 15 years, providing individuals with peace of mind and a sense of security. The company offers a variety of system plans to meet customer needs, whether they're at home or on the go. With MobileHelp, you can rest assured knowing that help is always close by.

MobileHelp is popularly known for the bundle plan it offers that provides customers with two help buttons for the price of one. This means you don't have to pay for two separate contracts or monthly monitoring fees — a great perk for their customers!

Medical Alert Systems

MobileHelp Classic

The MobileHelp Classic is a combination of a base unit and a wearable waterproof help button. The base unit comes with a two-way speaker and microphone, a backup battery that can survive up to 30 hours in the event of a power outage, and a range of up to 1400ft. The system connects to a cellular network so there's no need for a landline. This plan can be purchased for a monthly cost of $19.95, plus a one-time equipment fee of $49.95. It can be paired with the automatic fall detection button for an additional $10 a month.

MobileHelp Wired Home

MobileHelp Wired Home uses a landline connection instead of a cellular network. If you live in an area with bad cellular service, this plan may be the best option for you. The system comes with a base unit and a waterproof wearable help button but it can only cover up to 600ft. This plan comes with a monthly monitoring fee of $24.95 plus an additional monthly cost of $10 if users opt to upgrade with the fall detection button.

MobileHelp Touch Classic

The MobileHelp Touch Classic costs $54.95 and features an 8-inch touch screen tablet that functions as a base station and a waterproof wearable help button that can be worn as a pendant or wristband. The touch screen tablet comes with a variety of features such as a rotating gallery of pictures, medication reminders, and cognitive games like Sudoku.

It also comes with a soft-key emergency button, two-way communication, and a backup battery that can last up to 30 hours in the event of a power outage. This system connects to a cellular network and has a range that can cover up to 600ft.

MobileHelp Solo

The MobileHelp Solo includes a waterproof mobile device and a personal help button that can be purchased for a monthly cost of $37.95. This system uses the AT&T cellular network, so it will only function in areas with good cellular service coverage.

The device comes with two-way communication and GPS tracking capabilities as well as the option to add fall detection protection. It also has a battery life that can last up to 1 whole day on a single charge.

MobileHelp Micro

The MobileHelp Micro comes with a black, finely designed help button that can be worn as a pendant with its detachable lanyard or be carried in the pocket. The device is water resistant, making it usable in the shower or even when you're out in the rain. It comes with a high-quality audio speaker system for clear two-way communication, a battery life that can last up to 24 hours, and accurate GPS tracking capability so users can easily be located in the event of an emergency.

In addition, the device connects to AT&T cellular network ensuring that users can get help once they need it. This system costs a monthly fee of $33.95 plus an additional $10 a month if users opt for the optional built-in fall detection sensor.

MobileHelp Duo

The MobileHelp Duo consists of a base station, a mobile device, and a wearable help button that will give users protection and peace of mind no matter where they are. This system functions anywhere that has AT&T cellular coverage and is perfect for those who want to be prepared for anything and have the assurance that help is always available.

This system functions the same way as the Classic and Solo plans and can be purchased for a monthly cost of $41.95 and also be paired with the optional fall detection button for an additional $10 monthly.

Mobile Duo

The Mobile Duo comes with two waterproof wearable help buttons. This is great for couples, siblings, or any other two individuals who live together and want the security of knowing they can get assistance in an emergency.

This system costs $44.95 a month which is just $7 more expensive than the MobileHelp Solo plan. It's basically a 2-for-1 bundle so you're getting more value for your money. The Mobile Duo offers the same features as the other plans such as two-way communication, GPS location tracking, and compatibility with the optional fall detection button that costs an additional $10 a month.

MobileHelp Touch Duo

The Touch Duo system is the most expensive plan MobileHelp offers. It includes a portable, all-in-one medical alert device and a tablet that offers features that are unique to the system. The tablet and mobile unit work together for the benefit of users and their caregivers as they can be connected through the MobileHelp Connect web portal.

The plan also includes a wearable help button that can be used in times when users can't get to the tablet or mobile device. The MobileHelp touch is a great option for people who want all of the features that MobileHelp has to offer in one comprehensive system. This system can be purchased for $54.95 a month and can be upgraded with the optional fall detection button for an additional $10 monthly.

LifeStation Overview

LifeStation has been in the business for over 18 years, offering both home-based and on-the-go systems plus a Smartwatch and a luxurious pendant option that is unique in the market. 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. However, all their devices work only through the 4G-LTE cellular network and it can be a major consideration since not all areas in the country have a strong cellular signal.

LifeStation has two US-based monitoring centers located in New Jersey and Texas and both are staffed by care specialists who are trained to assist in any emergency situation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. This company is certified by The Monitoring Association and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, making it a reliable source for your medical alert needs.

Medical Alert Systems

At Home Standard

The At Home Standard plan comes with a monthly cost of $32.95. It consists of 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 features a clear two-way speaker and microphone, a backup battery that can last up to 32 hours in case of power interruption, and a range that can cover up to 650ft from the base unit.

At Home Supreme

The At Home Supreme comes with a monthly monitoring fee of $44.95. The At Home Standard plan comes with everything there is in the At Home Standard plan, plus a free Lockbox that will give first responders access to your home if you're ever stuck in an unfortunate circumstance and unable to open the door.

The system's monthly subscription fee 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 600ft.

Sidekick Standard

This on-the-go system comes with a monthly cost of $37.95, plus a one-time device cost of $99.95. It includes a small, lightweight waterproof help button with built-in two-way communication and a battery life that can last up to 5 days after being fully charged. The device comes with a GPS tracking capability 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 comes with a monthly monitoring fee of $49.95, plus a one-time device cost of $99.95. This includes everything in the Sidekick Standard plan, as well as a fall detection capability that sends an alert to the monitoring center if a fall has occurred.

Sidekick Smart

If you're looking for a more low-key and high-tech medical alert system, Sidekick Smart is an excellent option. This plan includes a smartwatch that has built-in two-way communication, GPS location tracking, and fall detection capabilities as well as 24/7 access to emergency help.

Sidekick Smart also comes with a pedometer to track step count, a heart rate monitor, 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. You can get this plan for $43.95 a month, with a one-time equipment fee of $99.95.

LifeStation Luxury

This beautiful pendant is a must-have for fashion-forward seniors who don't want to wear or be seen wearing a typical medical alert device. The pendant is carefully crafted with high-quality materials, including a brass case with rhodium-colored plating, a center-faceted blue resin stone, and a 30" brass chain.

The pendant pairs wirelessly via Bluetooth with LifeStation's Mobile LTE device, which connects to a 24/7 emergency monitoring center. In case of an emergency, the wearer can push the help button on the pendant that will trigger the Mobile LTE device to call for help. This on-the-go system costs $43.95 a month and the pendant has a 1-year life span and a range of 200ft from the base unit.

Let's take a look at how these two companies compare when it comes to cost. First, MobileHelp charges monthly monitoring fees that range from $19.95 up to $54.95. The company also charges a one-time equipment fee of $49.95 for its Classic plan.

LifeStation's systems, on the other hand, come with monthly monitoring fees priced from $32.95 up to $49.95. Plus, the company charges a one-time device cost of $99.95 for all Sidekick plans. Right off the bat, we can see that MobileHelp is the more affordable option when it comes to monthly monitoring fees and one-time equipment costs.

Another cost to be aware of is the shipping fee. Mobile Help charges $15 for shipping, while LifeStation charges only $13. Additionally, automatic fall detection comes with an additional extra monthly cost of $10 with MobileHelp, while the feature is already included with LifeStation's Supreme plans. Finally, an extra button for spouse monitoring costs an additional $2 a month with MobileHelp while LifeStation charges an additional $3.95 for the same service.

We can see that MobileHelp is the more affordable option considering all the costs associated with the two companies.

Now let's compare the features each company offers and see if their pricing is justified. The two companies offer both home-based and on-the-go systems. However, LifeStations offers systems that connect to a cellular network only. This can be a disadvantage if you live in an area with poor cellular reception.

When it comes to the base unit, MobileHelp provides devices with two-way communication, a 30-hour backup battery, and a range that can cover up to 1400ft. Whereas, LifeStation's base unit also comes with a two-way speaker and microphone, a 32-hour backup battery, and a range that can only cover up to 650ft. Moreover, MobileHelp and LifeStation offer water-resistant on-the-go devices with GPS location tracking capability and a caregiver app.

Monitoring Center

The monitoring center plays the most important role in a medical alert system as it is the 24/7 support that will contact emergency services in case of an emergency. Both companies offer 24/7/365 monitoring services with trained professionals.

MobileHelp is backed by Rapid Response Monitoring, a nationwide leader in emergency response monitoring for over 30 years. MobileHelp's systems are connected to Rapid Response's UL-listed, CSAA awardee response centers that are staffed by highly trained and experienced emergency response operators.

These operators can provide assistance within 21 seconds of an alert, and they are prepared to provide the appropriate assistance to the customer, whether that is contacting a designated caregiver or emergency services. They also have access to LanguageLine, an interpreting service that can translate more than 240 languages, for non-English speaking customers who speak Spanish or another language.

Whereas, LifeStation has monitoring centers that are always staffed by care specialists who know how to help during any emergency. You know you can rely on them as their monitoring centers are UL-listed and CSAA Five Diamond Certified - meeting the best standards in the business for quality and dependability. Their operators respond to alerts on an average of 28 seconds and they can even accommodate other languages so that everyone can get the help they need.

OUR PICK

When it comes to the monitoring center, both companies offer great services. However, we believe that MobileHelp makes a better option. First, we believe that nothing can top their 2-for-1 bundle that gives customers two help buttons for the price of one. This is a great deal for couples or roommates as they can both get the protection they need without having to pay extra.

Additionally, their partnership with Rapid Response Monitoring gives them an edge as they have access to the latest technology and innovations in the emergency response industry. This, coupled with their trained and experienced operators, makes MobileHelp more appealing to us.

Lastly, MobileHelp offers systems that can function through either a landline or cellular network. This means that you can still get the help you need even if there is a power outage or poor cellular reception in your area. On the other hand, LifeStation only offers systems that rely on a cellular network. This can be problematic as there are areas with poor cellular reception. In case of an emergency, you might not be able to get the help you need if your system is not connected to a landline.