Key Similarities
- 24/7 monitoring: Both offer around-the-clock monitoring services.
- Fall detection: Both companies offer fall detection as an extra feature at an additional cost.
- Range of devices: Both companies have a variety of devices, from home-based systems to mobile options.
- Nationwide coverage: Both offer coverage across the United States with their mobile devices.
Key Differences
- Pricing: Medical Guardian’s pricing plans are a lot more flexible and customizable.
- Mobile app features: Medical Guardian’s mobile app offers more advanced features, such as activity monitoring, GPS tracking, and messaging.
- Device variety: Medical Guardian provides a wider selection of wearables and high-tech equipment.
FYI: If you’re looking for a smartwatch, check out our review of the best medical alert systems worn as watches. Surprisingly, Apple made our list, but you’ll have to read the article to find out more!
If you’re in the market for a new medical alert system, you’ve come to the right place. Medical Care Alert and Medical Guardian are two of the most well-known alert systems, so deciding between them can be tough. In our expert opinion, both companies offer reliable solutions, but there are some key differences you should be aware of before making a decision.
In this article, we get into everything you need to know about Medical Guardian and Medical Care Alert. Some of the categories we’ll go over include pricing, plans, customer-support options, and features. We’ll also dive deep into our personal experience testing the systems. Let’s get into it!
Medical Care Alert vs. Medical Guardian: Company Overviews
Our Experience
After testing systems from both Medical Care Alert and Medical Guardian, we found them to be modern, reliable, and easy to use. The purchase and checkout processes on each website were straightforward and fairly clear. There were instructions each step of the way, eliminating any challenges we may have come across.
Medical Care Alert, although functional, felt a bit outdated. Even its logo was a bit blurry at the top. Overall, we felt like the website could benefit from a design refresh to improve overall ease of use. Actually putting things in our cart and making a purchase, however, was seamless.
On the other hand, we appreciated how streamlined the entire experience with Medical Guardian was. From browsing to buying, everything felt much more pleasant and easy. Bold colors on the user interface and modern fonts directed us to more information and helped us learn things more quickly.
Medical Care Alert vs. Medical Guardian: Detailed Comparison
Response Times and Reliability
Response time is arguably the most important part of a medical alert system. If you use it during an emergency, the goal is to get help as quickly as possible.
After testing several Medical Guardian devices for hours at home, we found that they consistently outperformed all other company reviews with a typical response time of 20 seconds or less.
When we tested the MGHome Cellular, we began by pressing the red Help button. Less than a second later, we heard beeping sounds coming from our device. Within 20 seconds, a real human was on the other end of the line asking if we were OK.
When we tested our MGMove and MGMini devices, we got the same response times (15 to 22 seconds). Sometimes we got connected to a real person and other times we got connected to an automated voice.
Speaking to a real person naturally made us feel more at ease, but after asking the automated voice to speak to a real person, we were connected almost instantly. Knowing there would always be someone there to help if we were in an emergency made us feel a lot better.
When we reviewed Medical Care Alert, we found many personal accounts reported response times between 20 and 45 seconds. That falls within the industry standard, but a slower response can be detrimental in an emergency.
We also found that tests were routed to an automated voice instead of a real person more often than not. That’s one of the main things that puts us on edge when using an emergency help device.
Plans and Pricing
Medical Guardian and Medical Care Alert both offer plans that won’t break the bank. Medical Guardian offers a lot of custom options and flexibility, including month-to-month billing. Medical Care Alert also offers dependable choices with simple and to-the-point pricing without hidden fees or long-term commitments.
Medical Guardian
Medical Guardian has plans that can cover you while you’re both at home and on the go. Here’s an overview of Medical Guardian’s plans and pricing.
System | Device purchase | Cost | Includes |
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MGClassic | n/a | $32.95 per month |
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MGHome Cellular | $149.95 | $37.95 per month |
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MGMini | $149.95 | $39.95 per month |
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MGMini Lite | $149.95 | $44.95 per month |
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MGMove | $199.95 per month | $39.95 per month |
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Pro Tip: If you’re looking to get the best device for as little money as possible, take a look at our guide to the most affordable medical alert systems. You’ll be sure to get the most bang for your buck.
Medical Care Alert
System | Device purchase | Cost | Includes |
---|---|---|---|
Home Medical Alert | n/a | $29.95 per month |
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Senior Smart Watch with GPS | $149.95 | $39.95 per month |
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Home & Away Mini GPS | n/a | $39.95 |
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FYI: All Medical Guardian devices you can add fall detection to are reliable, with one exception. When we tested fall detection on the MGMini, it worked only one out of every 10 or 11 times. For some reason, fall detection doesn’t work well on the MGMini, so we advise against it.
Current Medical Guardian Deals and Discounts (at the time of writing):
- 50% off top products using code HOTDEALS
- 40% discount on Groupon for August 2024
- 12 Days of Deals (free activation and installation, ground shipping, lockbox with purchase, and more)
Sometimes too many options can be too overwhelming. If you want just one simplified plan, take a look at our Bay Alarm Medical review.
Medical Equipment and Features Comparison
After reviewing and testing both companies’ equipment and features, we noticed some clear differences.
Medical Guardian provides a wider range of devices, including high-tech options such as smartwatches with health tracking and discreet wearables that blend into your outfits. The company’s systems and accessories also felt a lot more high-tech compared with Medical Care Alert. Medical Guardian’s devices feel more modern, offering more competitive features such as enhanced GPS location tracking and fast response times for emergencies.
It is worth mentioning that Medical Care Alert is reliable, and its systems do what they promise to do. The company provides a no-frills approach to medical alert systems and executes on its promises. It offers excellent equipment options, but they come with less cutting-edge technology. If you want something simpler and more to the point, Medical Care Alert will most likely satisfy that.
Feature | Medical Guardian | Medical Care Alert |
---|---|---|
Fall detection | Available on all devices for an additional cost | Available on all devices |
GPS location tracking | Advanced GPS tracking with pinpoint accuracy | Basic GPS tracking on mobile devices |
Health tracking | Available on smartwatch devices | Not available |
Response time | 20 seconds or less | 20 to 45 seconds |
Device options | Smartwatch, pendants, wristbands, in-home systems | Pendants, bracelets, in-home systems |
Mobile app features | Comprehensive app | Basic app functionality |
Battery life | Up to 5 days on mobile devices | Up to 3 days on mobile devices |
2-way communication | Available on all devices | Available on all devices |
Accessories and Add-Ons
Accessories and add-ons aren’t the most important parts of a medical alert system, but they can be make-or-break aspects for many people. When we compared offerings from both companies, we once again found Medical Guardian to be the winner.
Medical Guardian has an impressive selection of accessories and add-ons, including unique options such as voice-activated wall buttons and a stylish smartwatch. From wall-mounted help buttons to wearable pendants with fun designs, the company has thought of almost everything to fit all sorts of lifestyles. Plus, its accessories are affordable compared to the industry average.
Medical Care Alert has add-ons, but they’re not as impressive as other providers. The company offers some useful accessories, such as lockboxes and extra pendants, but its selection is more basic and not as customizable. If you’re looking for more flexibility and personalization, Medical Care Alert may not be the best choice.
Mobile App
Medical Care Alert and Medical Guardian both have mobile apps — an option that makes using any medical alert system a lot easier. Of course, some nuances can make one app better or worse.
When we looked at functionality and user experience, it was clear that Medical Guardian’s MyGuardian app came out on top. It’s made with seniors in mind, which means it’s incredibly intuitive. All the options are easy to find. When we used the app, for example, we loved how easy it was to hook up and manage all our devices. All we had to do was log in to the account we used to make the purchases, and all our devices were automatically added to the app for us.
We also liked that the MyGuardian app allows for real-time monitoring and comes with fun features such as messaging, activity monitoring, reminders, and a billing portal.
It’s worth noting that Medical Care Alert’s Connect App has many of the same features. You can see your battery life, check the weather, set reminders, search for better signal strength, and share your location with emergency contacts. It lacks some other fun features, however, such as activity tracking, paying your bill, and messaging your contacts.
Pro Tip: If fall detection is a top priority and you don’t want to pay extra, take a look at our guide to the best medical alert systems with fall detection.
Privacy Policies
As medical alert system experts, we’ve read our fair share of privacy policies. They may be the last thing on your mind, but it’s important to at least get the gist of what a company does with your data.
When we read both company’s privacy policies, we noticed one big difference: Medical Care Alert promises not to sell or share your data with any third party. Medical Guardian, meanwhile, may share your personally identifiable information with third parties, including affiliates, service providers, and business partners.
Sharing your data may be a deal-breaker for many people, but there are ways to get around it. It requires some tech savviness, but maintaining your privacy is possible even if a company collects your data.
One way you can get around it is by using a VPN to encrypt your activities online. Companies can still collect data on you, but using a VPN can enhance your privacy and security online.
Did You Know? Bluetooth is the most commonly used technology in medical alert devices. Learn more about it in our guide to the best medical alert devices that use Bluetooth.
Customer Support
After browsing both companies’ support options, we found that they had similar ways to get in contact. The most important thing, however, is whether you feel helped after speaking to an agent.
When we got in touch with Medical Guardian’s support, we felt heard and understood. After waiting on hold for less than two minutes, the agent who helped us was patient, friendly, and informative. We felt that Medical Guardian’s support team was more knowledgeable and quicker to respond than Medical Care Alert’s customer support. You can get in touch with agents via live chat, phone, or email.
When we got in touch with Medical Care Alert, we were pleased with the support team. It took a bit longer to speak to a real human, but they were patient with us and answered our long list of questions. We also liked that they have a large library of self-help guides that make troubleshooting easy.
Recap: Medical Care Alert vs. Medical Guardian
After trying the two systems, we found that both Medical Guardian and Medical Care Alert offer top-tier solutions. Medical Guardian generally outshined Medical Care Alert in many categories, but the latter put up a fair fight and was consistent in keeping its promises.
Medical Guardian was the more modern and cool option, and it felt a lot simpler and more straightforward.
Pick Medical Care Alert if you’d like…
A straightforward and reliable medical alert system without all the extra fuss. It’s a great no-frills option for people who appreciate simplicity and just want something that works without fancy add-ons. It’s dependable, easy to use, and gets the job done — ideal for anyone who values practicality over everything.
Pick Medical Guardian if you’d like…
More than just the basics, because it has all the high-tech gadgets and smart features that make life easier, such as GPS tracking and a handy mobile app that even your grandkids would approve of. Medical Guardian is your best bet if you want a system that’s not only reliable, but also keeps up with the times. Plus, with its friendly customer support, you’ll never feel alone navigating the options. It’s a great choice for anyone who wants a little extra peace of mind with a modern twist.
Medical Care Alert vs Medical Guardian FAQs
- Do both Medical Guardian and Medical Care Alert offer fall detection?
Yes, Medical Guardian and Medical Care Alert offer fall detection as an optional feature. It may cost extra each month though.
- Can I cancel my plan anytime with Medical Guardian and Medical Care Alert?
Medical Guardian and Medical Care Alert typically provide monthly plans and have flexible cancellation policies. It’s best to get in touch with a customer service agent prior to making commitments, however, so you’re fully aware of each policy.
- Do both companies offer in-home systems?
Yes, Medical Guardian and Medical Care Alert offer in-home systems.
- Can caregivers or family members monitor the user’s status through a mobile app?
Medical Guardian’s mobile app comes with a caregiver integration that allows family members to track the user’s location. Medical Care Alert offers more basic app functionality, which does not include caregiver tracking.
- Do both companies provide warranty and repair services for their equipment?
Yes, both Medical Guardian and Medical Care Alert offer warranty and repair services for their equipment. The availability may vary based on the companies’ individual policies, the device type, and the plan.