Best Medical Alert Systems with No Monthly Fee

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There are a lot of medical alert systems that come with a monthly fee. This allows you many benefits but this may not be suitable for every user.
The good news is that there are many medical alert systems that do not have a monthly fee attached and these still give you many of the sample features but instead of connecting you to a help service, you will be connected to either 911 or friends and family of your choosing.
No Monthly Fee Medical Alert Systems Comparison Chart
Assistive Technology Services Freedom Talk Medical Alert System | LogicMark Guardian Alert 911 Phone | Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 | LiveLife 4GX LTE Mobile Medical Alert | MyNotifi | |
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Two-Way Communication? | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Fall Detection? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
GPS Tracking? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Range | 600 ft. from base unit | 600 ft. from base unit | Dependent on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection | Dependent on cellular connection | 100 ft. from smartphone |
Cellular/Landline? | Landline | Landline | Cellular (requires smartphone), Wi-Fi | Cellular (requires a cellular connection) | Cellular (requires smartphone) |
Type of Wearable Device? | Pendant or wristband | Pendant or wristband | Watch | Pendant | Wristband or belt clip |
Who Can Get Alerted? | Calls 5 user-programmed numbers (4 friends/family + optionally 911) | Calls 911 | Has SOS feature that can contact family/ friends in an emergency | Calls 6 user-programmed numbers (friends/family, 911) and sends text with the users exact location | Automatically sends text notifications to family/friends, and emergency services |
Water-Resistant | Yes | Yes (splash resistant) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Price |
How Do Medical Alert Systems with No Monthly Fees Work?
A medical alert system without a monthly fee typically comes in the form of a smartwatch or pendant. One of the biggest differences between these systems and those that come with a monthly fee is that they do not allow you to connect to a call center. This may be beneficial if you have a caregiver who can come to you whenever you call or if you prefer to be connected directly to the emergency services.
As a general rule, there are two different types of no-monthly-fee medical alert system, these are as follows:
- An indoor medical alert system will sound an alarm in the event of an emergency. If you live with your primary caregiver, this is a great way to alert them should you fall or become ill and are unable to call for help. However, if you live alone, this type would not prove to be useful.
- If you live alone or your caregiver spends a significant period of time each day away from you, then you need an alert system that will notify them when there is an emergency. This medical alert system can be clicked by the user and a pre-determined person will be called. In many cases, if your caregiver is unable to respond, an automatic call to 911 will be made.
What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of No Monthly Fees Medical Alert Systems?

No-monthly-fee medical alert systems are typically suited to those who are less high-risk. They give a degree of confidence to caregivers who do not live with their loved one.
However, as with any system, there are pros and cons. Let’s take a look at these in a little more detail.
Pros
- Without the need to pay a monthly fee, you will save money. The initial cost of the device is all you will need to pay.
- In addition to the above point, you will avoid being tied down to a contract. For some people, a medical alert system may be a temporary solution and when tied into a contract, it can be difficult to get out without paying a cancelation fee.
- When you end your contract with a pay-monthly medical alert system, you normally have to return the equipment since it is on loan to yourself. However, with these systems, once you purchase the equipment, it is yours forever. If you no longer need it, you can pass it on to a friend or family member who could make use of it.
- For the most part, a no-monthly-fee medical alert system is much easier to use which is great for people who are new to using this type of technology.
Cons
- Many of these medical alert systems do not come with fall detection. If you are unsteady on your feet, a fall detection feature can be very useful.
- The no-monthly-fee medical alert system connects you to a family member, friend, or caregiver, or the emergency services. This can be useful if you have reliable contacts however, you do not have the option to connect to a call center as you would when using a monthly subscription option. What’s more, if the caregiver is unable to answer the call, you may be left without assistance
- A lot of these systems do not make use of GPS tracking so they may not be suitable for users who are at risk of becoming lost or disorientated.
- The range on a no-monthly-fee medical alert system is generally much shorter than their subscription counterparts. This means that, if they come with a base unit, you will need to be nearer to this to benefit from the system.
- While a lot of paid medical alert systems have the option of connecting to a cellular network, the non-subscription ones don’t have this luxury and operate on a landline. For this reason, they generally cannot be used outside of the home. If they do have a cellular connection, this is normally through a Bluetooth connection which may not always be reliable and can drain the cellphone’s battery more quickly.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Unmonitored Medical Alert System
If you have decided that an unmonitored system might work well for you, there are several things that you need to consider.
Each system will come with different features and what works well for one person may not be as useful to the next. Before you commit to any particular device, take a look at the following considerations.
Two-Way Communication
There are some medical alert systems that use an auto-dial system. This lets your chosen contact know that there is an emergency but this is all the information they receive. However, there are also systems that benefit from two-way communication which means that you can explain your issue to your contact before they arrive. If needs be, this will give them the chance to alert 911 or any other emergency professionals.
When you have two-way communication, your contact can provide you with reassurance as they make their way to you.
Who Can it Contact?
In the event of an emergency, you are going to want to access help as soon as possible. For this reason, it can be useful to invest in a medical alert system that allows you to store several numbers. For example, if you have three children and a spouse, being able to add each of them as a contact means that you are more likely to be able to access support.
If you are particularly vulnerable, having just one contact might mean that you have to wait for help to arrive. There are some systems that only allow you to call 911. This is excellent if you are having a serious medical emergency. However, if your situation doesn’t require this level of help, it can be limiting.
Water-Resistant
Many vulnerable adults find that they have slips and falls in the bathroom. With this being a humid and wet environment, it is essential that your medical alert system is able to cope with this. There are a lot of wearable systems that are water-resistant and some which are waterproof.
Waterproof means that they can be worn in the shower or bath whereas water-resistant refers to something that can withstand only a certain degree of moisture exposure. For example, you may be able to wear it in the rain but wouldn’t be able to swim with it on.
Fall Detection
A system that has fall detection is essential for people whose balance is not good. These systems will send an alert when the device falls and then remains still. In the USA alone, more than 30 million older adults fall each year and a small percent of these are fatalities.
Therefore, if you are at even the slightest risk of falling, this feature should be one of your main priorities. You should also make sure that your chosen contact is always able to quickly respond.
GPS Tracking
While not all no-monthly-fee medical alert systems have a GPS feature, some do and this is useful for people who spend a lot of time out of the home and who lead an active lifestyle. For some people, becoming lost or disorientated can be a problem but being able to call for help should this happen, can make a huge difference.
Caregivers are easily able to keep track of their loved one without worrying and this can lead to decreased stress for the caregivers.
Range
If you are using an in-home system then you should make sure that the range covers all areas of your home and yard. You need the freedom to be able to live your life fully but still be covered by your system. With monthly-fee systems, the range is normally very generous meaning that users may even be covered when visiting a next-door neighbor.
However, the range is typically shorter on an unmonitored system so this is something you should check. If you are going to be using the device outdoors, perhaps with a cellular connection, you will need to ensure that the device has unlimited range.
Comfortable
The last thing you want is a device that is heavy or feels uncomfortable to wear. The great thing is that many of the unmonitored medical alert systems are designed to be light enough to wear all day, every day without interfering with your activities.
It may be appealing to look for a wearable device that is aesthetically pleasing. Some people have a degree of embarrassment about having to use such a system but with a lot of brands offering wearables that are similar to jewelry, this can make a difference.
Best Medical Alerts Systems without Subscriptions
Once you are confident that you know what you are looking for, there are many products to choose from. However, it is still wise to carefully look over the features of each to ensure that you are getting a system that will work for you. These are our top picks:
1. Assistive Technology Services Freedom Talk Medical Alert System
Best Medical Alert System for Home Use – Assistive Technology Services Freedom Talk Medical Alert System
For users who spend a lot of time in the home, this easy-to-use medical alert system could be an ideal solution. It offers a very generous 600 ft range from the landline base and comes in the form of either a wristband or a pendant.
The system gives you two-way communication and allows you to connect with up to five users including 911. However, since there is no GPS or fall detection, this may not be suitable for users who are unsteady on their feet or who may wish to go out of the home.
The medical alert system has a very good battery life and you will be notified when the battery is running low so you will never be caught short. The wearable devices are water-resistant and offer one-button control for much easier use.
Key Specs:
- Two-way communication: yes
- Fall detection: no
- GPS tracking: no
- Range: 600 ft. from base unit
- Cellular/landline: landline
- Water-resistant: yes
Pros
Cons
2. LogicMark Guardian Alert 911 Phone
Best Simple to Use Medical Alert Systems without Subscription – LogicMark Guardian Alert 911 Phone
If you are looking for something simple that can help you to call for help in an emergency but do not need a lot of complex features, then the LogicMark Guardian might be right for you. It does not come with GPS or fall detection so may not be suitable for people who are especially vulnerable.
However, for those who spend a lot of time at home, this device that connects to your landline gives you up to 600 ft of coverage from the base allowing you to explore the home and garden without fear of being disconnected.
In the event of an emergency, the device will contact 911 and with a compact design that weighs just 1.6lbs, you won’t ever feel weighed down. The system also boasts a very generous battery life of up to one year when on standby. You also get as much as 30 minutes of talk time before the battery will drain. Operating on AAA batteries, it won’t cost a lot to replace them.
Key Specs:
- Two-way communication: yes
- Fall detection: no
- GPS tracking: no
- Range: 600 ft. from base unit
- Cellular/landline: landline
- Water-resistant: yes (splash resistant)
Pros
Cons
3. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Best Wearable Smart Watch with Medical Alert System Capabilities – Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Samsung is a powerhouse when it comes to creating portable technology and while this may not be a medical alert system in the traditional sense, it has a multitude of useful features that allow it to function in a similar manner. For example, the smartwatch comes with both GPS tracking that syncs with your smartphone and fall detection which frees you up to live a more active life.
What is most impressive is the SOS function allows you to send an emergency alert to a chosen contact that contains your last GPS location. This feature allows you to set up to four emergency contacts so gives you plenty of options should one contact be unable to answer.
The device is durable and water-resistance up to a depth of 50 meters. There is an excellent range of health monitoring features including sleep tracking and a heart-rate monitor which is excellent for when you are exercising and for keeping an eye on your overall well-being.
There are a lot of choices when it comes to smartwatches and each of them has its benefits. A lot of users err towards that Apple smartwatch but for users with vision problems, the larger screen on this Samsung device is advantageous.
Key Specs:
- Two-way communication: no
- Fall detection: yes
- GPS tracking: yes
- Range: dependent on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection
- Cellular/landline: cellular (requires smartphone), Wi-Fi
- Water-resistant: yes
Pros
Cons
4. LiveLife 4GX LTE Mobile Medical Alert
Best No Monthly Fee Medical Alert System with GPS – LiveLife 4GX LTE Mobile Medical Alert
The LiveLIfe medical alert system is extremely small and lightweight making it ideal for people who spend a lot of time on the go but need that extra bit of reassurance. It is incredibly easy to use, whether you want to change your contacts or check the battery level, everything is simple and clear.
This device has some wonderful features for the active person including fall detection and GPS tracking. However, users should bear in mind that this device comes pre-installed with a micro-SIM card. While you get unlimited calls from this, there is a charge for this from the second year. However, the benefit of this is that provided there is a strong cellular connection, you have unlimited range.
This is a pendant device that is water-resistant and benefits from two-way communication. Users have the option to sync up with as many as six contacts including 911. Contacts will receive both call and text alerts. With one-button control, it has never been easier to call for help.
Key Specs:
- Two-way communication: yes
- Fall detection: yes
- GPS tracking: yes
- Range: dependent on cellular connection
- Cellular/landline: cellular (requires a cellular connection)
- Water-resistant: yes
Pros
Cons
5. MyNotifi

Best for Fall Detection without Monthly Fees – MyNotifi
If you lead an active lifestyle and want the option to run errands, socialize, and live life to the full then you need a medical alert system with as many features as possible. This unmonitored system allows you to connect to friends and family as well as 911. But what is most impressive is that there is a timer function so if the system is idle for more than three hours during the day, a text will be sent to your contacts.
This is one of the many safeguarding features of the system. You will also get fall detection which has an accuracy of between 85-90% meaning this is a great choice for people with balance issues. However, in the event of an emergency, there is not the option for two-way communication which could be distressing if you are stressed or injured.
The system is water-resistant and comes as either a wristband or belt attachment. It operates on a cellular connection which allows you to use this both at home and when you are out and about. However, since it connects directly to your cell phone, you must be within 100 ft of your device. The system works with a handy app that is clear and easy to use.
Key Specs:
- Two-way communication: no
- Fall detection: yes
- GPS tracking: yes
- Range: 100 ft. from smartphone
- Cellular/landline: cellular (requires smartphone)
- Water-resistant: yes