Alert1 vs MobileHelp

Through the life-saving technologies and services of medical alert systems, seniors can continue to enjoy freedom and independence even as their medical needs change or increase. These innovative systems equip seniors with often-wearable help buttons that connect directly to 24/7 monitoring centers. The centers’ trained dispatchers notify the appropriate service providers and personal contacts in case of medical emergencies, health concerns and events such as fires. The help buttons operate through landlines, cellular, or Wi-Fi connections, which gives seniors a choose of at-home or mobile services depending on their preferences and needs.

Since the industry’s beginnings in the 1970s, dozens of medical alert system companies have entered the market and the range of offerings and service packages has expanded dramatically. Many providers now offer features such as fall detection, medication alerts, and GPS location tracking.

Choosing the Right Medical Alert System

With so many choices available, it can be difficult for seniors to select a provider and package that best fits their budget and service needs. That’s why we’ve created an in-depth guide with side-by-side comparisons of some of the top medical alert system companies.

Below, we compare features and pricing plans offered by Alert1 and MobileHelp, two established U.S. companies that provide affordable plans with unique offerings, such as language translation services and a web application with activity tracking.

Side By Side Comparison	Alert1	MobileHelp
COSTS
Up-Front Equipment	$0	$15 ground shipping for Classic monthly payment plan $349.95 for Smart
Monthly Monitoring	$19.95 - $58.95	$19.95 - $41.95 +$10/month for optional fall detection monitoring with Classic, Solo, and Duo systems
Activation Fee	$0	$49.95 for Classic monthly plan
Contract	Quarterly, semi-annual or annual payment plans 30-day risk-free trial for semi-annual and annual payment plans	Month-to-month, quarterly, semi-annual or annual payment plans Free cancellations with prorated refunds
Optional Monthly Add-On Services	N/A	Medication reminders - $5 Wall-mounted help buttons - $2
FEATURES
Water-Resistant Wearable Devices	Pendant, wristband and belt clip protective case for On-the-Go shower-proof pendant	Pendant and wristband
Connection	Landline or cellular (AT&T network with option for T-Mobile with On-the-Go system)	Cellular (AT&T network)
2-Way Voice Communication	Through in-home base or On-the-Go portable device	Through In-Home base, mobile Solo device and Smartwatch-style device
Range (From in-home base unit for landline service)	Up to 600' for Home system Up to 400' for Home with Fall Detection	Up to 600' for Classic and Duo in-home systems
Battery life	24-hour backup for Home and Home Fall Detection systems Up to 30 days with On-the-Go Up to 5 days with On-the-Go Fall Detection Up to 24 hours with On-the-Go + Home Fall Detection	30-hour backup with Classic in-home system 24 hours with Solo mobile system 48 hours with Smart device
FALL DETECTION, LOCATION and RESPONSE SERVICE
Fall Detection	Included with Home Fall Detection, On-the-Go Fall Detection, and On-the-Go + Home Fall Detection	Optional monthly add-on with Classic, Solo and Duo plans
GPS Locator	Included with On-the-Go Fall Detection and On-the-Go + Home Fall Detection	Included with mobile Solo and Smart devices
Coverage Away From Home	Included with On-the-Go systems	Included with Solo, Duo, and Smart systems
24/7 USA Call Center	Yes; service available in over 190 languages	Yes
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
	Automatic Medication Dispenser and Organizers - $149.95 Voice Extender - $99 Fall Protection Package (wall-mounted help buttons, night lights, tub strips, and corner guards) - $200 Lockbox - $39.95 (included with semi-annual and annual plans) Wall-mounted help button - $39.95	Lockboxes - $0

Alert1 Overview

A long-standing presence in the medical alert systems industry, Alert1 was founded in 1988. The company offers users the option of five robust plans, ranging from a very affordable in-home landline system to its highest-priced plan offering mobile and home-based coverage with fall detection. While the company doesn’t accept month-to-month payments, seniors can cancel at no cost and add extra devices such as voice extenders, wall-mounted help buttons, and medication dispensers.

Alert1’s two monitoring centers work with the Voiance interpreter service to provide users with assistance in over 190 languages. Additionally, users can create a customizable Circle of Care contact list that allows them to designate which emergency personnel or loved ones they want to be called in an emergency.

Pros of Alert1:

Interpreter service provides assistance in over 190 languages
No one-time fees
Fall-detection plans available
Discounts for paying semi-annually and annually
On-the-Go system without fall detection offers AT&T or T-Mobile service
Penalty-free cancellations and 30-day risk-free trials with semi-annual and annual plans
Customizable Circle of Care feature allows users to choose contacts alerted in case of emergency
Automatic medication dispenser and organizer available
Extra features available such as fall detection package, lockboxes and wall-mountable help buttons

Cons of Alert1:

No option for month-to-month payments
No cellular option for base in-home plan
No activity monitoring
Fall detection not available with all systems

MobileHelp Overview

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, MobileHelp is a newer entry to the medical alert systems industry and serves users across the U.S. Its innovative offerings include cellular connections for each of its home-based and mobile systems. This lets seniors without landlines take advantage of the lowest-priced at-home plan.

Fall detection can be added to any of its three primary systems, or users can purchase a Samsung-designed device similar to a smartwatch that provides emergency call services, activity tracking, and weather forecasts without having ongoing monthly payments. Optional devices and medication reminder services are available for low monthly fees, and all users and their caregivers have access to the convenient and informative MobileHelp Connect app and online portal.

Pros of MobileHelp:

All plans available to users without landlines
No added fees for cellular service
Smartwatch-style Samsung device available
No long-term contracts required
Free cancellations with prorated refunds for any prepayments
Low-cost option to add medication reminders and wall-mounted help buttons
Free lockboxes
Caregiver web app with activity tracking and event notifications

Cons of MobileHelp:

Activation fee required with some plans
Fall detection not available with all systems
Medication dispensers and in-home voice extenders not available
No language translation service
Pricing Comparison

Pricing Comparison

Overall, Alert1’s and MobileHelp’s plans are affordable and similarly priced, but there are some differences worth noting. Because Alert1 doesn’t accept month-to-month payments, its users must pay at least quarterly to enjoy prices comparable to MobileHelp’s monthly plans. For those paying annually, for example, Alert1 charges the same $19.95 monthly rate as MobileHelp for a base in-home package without fall detection. However, the Alert1 base system requires a landline, while MobileHelp offers the same services through a cellular connection, making this low-cost option more widely available. MobileHelp annual users also save approximately $3 per month on mobile plans compared to Alert1.

Even though MobileHelp has three different packages compared to Alert1’s five, it offers fall detection for an extra $10 per month with any plan so users have as many customizable options. Additionally, MobileHelp provides free lockboxes with any plan, while Alert1 charges a $39.95 purchase fee for quarterly subscribers. MobileHelp provides wall-mountable help buttons at $2 per month, whereas Alert1 users must purchase them for $39.95.

Our Pick

Because each company offers unique additional devices and features, it’s difficult for us to choose a clear winner. Alert1’s language translation service is ideal users who speak languages other than English, whereas MobileHelp’s in-home package best serves those who don’t need mobile protection and don’t have a landline. Alert1 is best for in-home users who want to add a voice extender, fall protection, or can benefit from a medication dispenser and up to four medication reminders per day.

MobileHelp better serves seniors and their loved ones who need a caregiver and activity monitoring web application that tracks users’ data, whereabouts, and device usage. MobileHelp’s unique smartwatch-style device option also may interest those who want a convenient, simple mobile system with an upfront charge rather than ongoing payments.

Compare More Medical Alert Systems

Click on the links below to read about Medical Alert system comparisons.

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