Key Similarities
- 24/7 monitoring: Both companies offer around-the-clock monitoring.
- Mobile and in-home options: Each company offers on-the-go and in-home devices.
- Fall detection: Both companies offer fall detection as an add-on
Key Differences
- Device variety: Medical Guardian offers a wider range of device options with more advanced technology.
- Mobile app features: MobileHelp’s mobile app has fewer features and is more basic than Medical Guardian’s app.
- Response time: Medical Guardian has faster response times than MobileHelp.
- Battery life: Medical Guardian’s mobile devices typically offer longer battery life.
Choosing the right medical alert system can certainly make your head spin, especially when there are so many great options on the market. Picking the right medical alert system will not only save you money and get you better features, but it can also make a difference in the safety of you or a loved one.
As experts on medical alert systems, we’ve spent thousands of hours researching and testing systems to help you make the best decision. When it comes to MobileHelp and Medical Guardian, that’s also true. From rating features to comparing response times, we’ll help you determine which company is the best fit for you. In this article, we’ll go over pricing, plans, add-ons, accessories, privacy policies, user experience, customer support, and much more.
>> Read More: Medical Guardian MGMove Review
MobileHelp vs. Medical Guardian: Company Overviews
Our Experience
When it comes to user experience, Medical Guardian came out on top for a few reasons. MobileHelp offers a decent user experience, but it doesn’t match Medical Guardian’s offerings.
Medical Guardian’s website is a lot more polished, modern, and user-friendly. When we purchased the MGMove smartwatch, the MGHome, and the MGMini, we found it to be one of the easiest checkout processes. We also never felt confused navigating the site, and we always walked away learning something new about the company’s products, services, and deals. Plus, the checkout process is seamless. We never questioned what each system came with or how much a plan cost. Medical Guardian lays everything out in the open.
MobileHelp’s site, on the other hand, feels a lot more outdated and overwhelming to navigate. Don’t get us wrong — it’s still functional. We just weren’t excited by its user experience, and we felt like we had more questions than we did before visiting the site.
>> Also Read: Bay Alarm Medical Plans and Pricing
If you prefer an easy checkout process and modern touches, Medical Guardian may be better for you. That green flag also foreshadows a solid experience on the company’s mobile app, which we’ll get into later.
Pro Tip: Medical Guardian offers a short quiz directly on the company’s homepage that helps you quickly find out which device is best for you.
Response Times and Reliability
When we tested several Medical Guardian devices, we got consistently faster response times than we did with MobileHelp. When we tested the MGMove and MGHome devices, our results averaged about 20 seconds. When we tested the MGMini, we got response times of 20 to 25 seconds.
MobileHelp response times, on the other hand, varied a lot more and ranged from 20 to 45 seconds. That’s still within a reasonable range, but it can affect how emergencies play out when every second counts.
Privacy Policies
Rest assured that both companies take data security very seriously. They each do a solid job of explaining what they do with your data and how they share it — if at all.
Medical Guardian’s policy is impressive and easy to read. From what we gathered, the company does not share any private or personal data with third parties without your consent. There are some necessary service details they may share, of course, but it’s limited and done to improve service.
It’s the same at MobileHelp. The company also has a thorough and transparent privacy policy, and it promises never to share your data with third parties. It may share a few details with service providers for legal requirements, but your health data is safe.
Customer Support
Customer support is important, especially with services that pertain to your health or a loved one’s health.
Whenever we got in touch with support agents at Medical Guardian, we felt helped, heard, and guided. The agents were always patient with our questions, and we never had to wait on hold for more than two minutes before speaking to a real human.
You can get in touch via live chat, phone, and email. The company also offers a ton of help guides and online resources that have answered our questions plenty of times.
FYI: We found that the best way to get answers for both Medical Guardian and MobileHelp is by calling. You will get responses when contacting them via email and chat, but calling will always be the fastest.
MobileHelp also offers support via phone, email, and help guides. It offers a live chat option, but it’s not very reliable. When we used it, it seemed more like another form of email. It’s never been actual live chat support, but instead just a waiting game. We should note that other users have gotten the chat to work like a live form of communication.
Another thing we found a bit disappointing about MobileHelp’s support options was that its guides aren’t as thorough or detailed as Medical Guardian’s.
When it comes to speaking with agents, we’ve never had a negative experience. They are friendly, helpful, and patient. Getting through the automated sections of the call and waiting on hold has taken a bit longer than it takes with Medical Guardian, but it’s not a deal-breaker.
MobileHelp vs. Medical Guardian: Detailed Comparison
Plans and Pricing
Medical Guardian and MobileHelp offer a range of systems and pricing plans. Medical Guardian’s plans start at around $29.95 per month, while MobileHelp’s plans start as low as $19.95 per month.
Medical Guardian Costs
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: Medical Guardian and MobileHelp both offer competitive pricing across their plans. If you have some doubts and want to be extra sure, however, check out our guide to the best medical alert systems to review industry-standard pricing. You may find another brand you want to try.
MobileHelp Costs
System | Shipping | Cost | Includes |
---|---|---|---|
MobileHelp Classic | Free | $19.95 per month |
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MobileHelp Wired Home | Free | $26.95 per month |
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MobileHelp Solo | Free | $41.95 per month |
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MobileHelp Micro | Free | $29.95 per month |
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MobileHelp Duo | Free | $46.95 per month |
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MobileHelp Mobile Duo | Free | $49.95 per month |
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Who doesn’t love a deal? Every time we visited the Medical Guardian website over the past month, there’s been a new deal being offered. That isn’t new, since the company typically offers seasonal and holiday deals. If you’re interested and don’t see a deal, we suggest waiting for one to come along — if you have the privilege of waiting.
MobileHelp also offers deals, but, from what we can tell, they aren’t as frequent.
Medical Guardian and MobileHelp are both currently offering solid discounts. MobileHelp is offering $35 off its Classic and Solo Systems, as well as free expedited shipping, free equipment, and 50 percent off fall detention when you call.
Medical Guardian is running a 12 Days of Deals sale, in which you’ll get free activation, free installation, free shipping, a free lockbox, and more.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking to get the best device for as little money as possible, we suggest reading our guide to the most affordable medical alert systems. Our roundup of options is designed to get you the most bang for your buck.
Medical Equipment and Features Comparison
If you want a system that isn’t basic, medical equipment and features are important. Medical Guardian stands out in this department, considering it has more advanced technology and a wider range of devices. It also has more modern and stylish options, such as smartwatches and discreet pendants — both with longer-lasting batteries.
MobileHelp, on the other hand, offers slightly lower-cost devices and plans. That makes it a no-frills option and a lot more budget-friendly, which can be a great thing depending on your needs. We should also note that the lower cost of its plans also comes with trade-offs in terms of battery life and advanced features.
Feature | Medical Guardian | MobileHelp |
---|---|---|
Fall detection | Available on all devices | 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 | Limited health tracking |
Response time | 20 seconds or less | 20 to 45 seconds |
Device options | Smartwatches, pendants, bracelets, in-home systems | Pendants, bracelets, in-home systems |
Mobile app features | Comprehensive app with caregiver integrations | Basic app functionality |
Battery life | Up to 5 days on mobile devices | Up to 30 hours on mobile devices |
2-way communication | Crystal clear, available on all devices | Available on all devices |
Wi-Fi connectivity | Available on select devices | Not available |
Accessories and Add-Ons
Accessories and add-ons are great for people looking to enhance the system they choose. Options such as fall detection and an extra pendant can be incredibly important, especially for people who are prone to falling or who need a more mobile option on hand.
Both Medical Guardian and MobileHelp offer several accessories, with a few key differences. For starters, Medical Guardian offers more of a variety, catering to more needs. It has smartwatches, voice-activated wall buttons, and fall-detection pendants, and you can add lockboxes with every plan so emergency responders have a way to access your keys to get inside.
MobileHelp also offers a range of add-ons, including fall-detection pendants, wall buttons, and lockboxes. One of our favorite add-ons is a service you get through the mobile app, which lets caregivers monitor a user’s status. Unfortunately, that’s all you can get. No stylish options like smartwatches or cute pendants (like Medical Guardian offers) — just standard systems that offer emergency help at the most basic level.
Pro Tip: If fall detection is a top priority for you, but your budget doesn’t allow for an extra monthly payment, all is not lost. There are options that include fall detection at no extra cost. Take a look at our guide to the best medical alert systems with fall detection to find a plan that fits your needs.
Mobile App
We love a good mobile app, because it can make using a medical alert system that much easier and more enjoyable. Who said health can’t be fun or high tech? Between Medical Guardian’s and MobileHelp’s apps, we prefer the former.
When we downloaded the MyGuardian app from Medical Guardian, we easily connected all three of our devices to it. Every time we opened the app, we were able to quickly switch between managing the MGMove smartwatch, the MGHome device, and the MGMini. Overall, the MyGuardian app is modern, easy to use, intuitive, and designed with seniors in mind.
It also tracks your activity levels (like counting steps), allows you to chat with loved ones, has a billing portal, and allows you to manage reminders. And that’s just scratching the surface. Out of every medical alert system we’ve reviewed, Medical Guardian’s app has always come out on top. It offers more than any of its competitors without feeling overly complicated or overwhelming.
MobileHelp also offers a mobile app called MobileHelp Connect, which allows caregivers to check the status of the device, view location information, and receive alerts if the user triggers an emergency. The app is useful, but it lacks some of the more advanced features found in Medical Guardian’s app, such as detailed activity tracking and a more intuitive interface.
FYI: If Medical Guardian’s smartwatch alert system caught your eye and you’re always on the go, that type of device may be the best choice for you. We suggest reviewing our quick guide to the best medical alert systems worn as watches to see all your options. Apple made it on our list, but you’ll have to read more to find out why.
Recap: MobileHelp vs. Medical Guardian
To sum things up, we want to point out that both Medical Guardian and MobileHelp deliver on their promises. Everything they say their products will do is exactly what you can expect. MobileHelp, however, offers significantly less than Medical Guardian.
It’s hard to beat Medical Guardian, because it has set the bar incredibly high for what a medical alert system company should be. That doesn’t mean it’s the best option for every individual, though, because there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to medical alert devices — or at least you shouldn’t look at it that way.
Pick MobileHelp if you’d like…
A no-frills system that offers protection at a more basic level. If you’re on a budget and you just want to feel peace of mind knowing help will come if you need it, this company is for you. It has both at-home and on-the-go devices to suit both sedentary and mobile lifestyles, and its systems are all straightforward and dependable without being overly complex.
Pick Medical Guardian if you’d like…
A variety of options and a plan that’s a lot more customizable. It has a great way of introducing a ton of features, accessories, and add-ons without overwhelming its customers. If we could describe Medical Guardian in three words, it would be intuitive, modern, and reliable. The company offers everything MobileHelp does, plus fun things such as activity tracking and messaging (depending on the device you get). Not to mention, its response times are also some of the fastest in the industry.
MobileHelp vs Medical Guardian FAQs
- Do Medical Guardian and MobileHelp offer fall detection?
Yes, Medical Guardian and MobileHelp offer fall detection as an add-on.
- Does Medical Guardian have faster response times than MobileHelp?
Medical Guardian typically has response times of less than 20 seconds, while MobileHelp’s response times range from 20 to 45 seconds.
- Can I use Medical Guardian or MobileHelp without a landline?
Yes, Medical Guardian and MobileHelp offer systems that work with cellular networks. A landline is not necessary for all its products, but its at-home devices will most likely require a landline connection.
- Do both Medical Guardian and MobileHelp provide caregiver tools and monitoring?
Yes, Medical Guardian and MobileHelp offer tools for caregivers so they can monitor their loved ones.
- Is there a trial period or money-back guarantee with Medical Guardian and MobileHelp?
Medical Guardian and MobileHelp offer trial periods with money-back guarantees. They typically last for 30 days, but they vary and may be affected by certain promotions or deals.