LifeStation Medical Alert Cost and Pricing in 2025
LifeStation offers at-home and on-the-go systems, starting at $35.95 per month.
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LifeStation is a well-established, family-owned company with medical alert systems for at-home and on-the-go use. We found it to be a good option for price-conscious buyers. Their prices start at $35.95, they don’t require long-term contracts and they offer a generous 30-day money-back guarantee if the system isn’t right for you. There are even more advanced features available if you have some wiggle room in your budget.
LifeStation isn’t for everybody though. It didn’t make our list of the five best medical alert systems because it lacks some of the bells and whistles other medical alert systems provide. We still think it’s a great system, though, especially if the price is right. We spent about 50 hours scrutinizing LifeStation’s offerings. Read on to find out which packages our medical safety experts recommend.
LifeStation at a Glance
- Fall detection available
- No long-term contracts
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Quarterly and annual payment options (you get one month free with annual payment)
- Activation and shipping fees for select packages
- Lifetime warranty
- 24/7 U.S.-based monitoring
- Cancel at any time with no cancellation fees
- No hidden fees, installation charges or extra equipment charges
- Pay an additional $3.99 per month for an extra help button for your spouse and pay only one monitoring fee
- TMA award-winning, UL-listed, CSAA Five Diamond senior alert monitoring center1
The Fast Facts: LifeStation’s Equipment and Pricing
| System | Starting price | System type | Activation fee | Shipping fee* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sidekick Home | $34.95 per month | At-home cellular | $0 | $12.50 |
| Sidekick | $39.95 per month | On the go | $99.95 | $12.50 |
| Sidekick Smart | $46.95 per month | On-the-go smartwatch | $99.95 | $12.50 |
| Luxury | $46.95 | On-the-go jewelry pendant | $99.95 | $12.50 |
*Shipping fees waived with quarterly or annual payment plans.
Did You Know? If you move, you can take LifeStation with you. LifeStation can monitor your alert in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Just make sure to give customer service a call to update your address.
LifeStation vs. Other Medical Alert Providers
Some 54 percent of U.S. adults reported using alert technologies.2 With a 30-day money-back guarantee, optional fall detection and 24/7 professional monitoring services, LifeStation is a great choice for older adults who need a medical alert system. Unlike Medical Guardian and Bay Medical Alarm, however, LifeStation has no caregiver mobile app. Plus, LifeStation has a lifetime warranty, so you can think of LifeStation as a safe investment in your health and security. For seniors shopping on a tight budget, however, LifeStation’s monthly premiums and activation fees can be a little high. If you’re in the market for a medical alert system but want to find a less expensive option, check out these top-rated providers.
FYI: LifeStation partners with American Legion, VFW, Kaiser Permanente and more. They have a special offer for Aetna members starting as low as $19.95 per month.
A Closer Look at LifeStation’s Systems and Value
Sidekick Home for Flexibility
The Sidekick Home system is designed for in-home use for older adults without a landline, starting at $35.95 per month. The system is priced similarly to other cellular options, but it may be a few bucks more than some budget-friendly options. For comparison, Bay Alarm Medical’s monthly prices start at $29.95 for a cellular in-home system, while MobileHelp’s prices start at 24.95 per month.
The system uses an AT&T cellular connection3 and can be placed anywhere in the home, making it more flexible than a landline system. Plus, it has a range of up to 600 feet, making it suitable for bigger homes. The alert pendant weighs less than a half-ounce and is slightly bigger than a quarter, and it can be worn either as a necklace or on the wrist. We recommend the system for those who spend a good amount of time at home and live in an area with reliable cellular service. Even during a power outage, your system is designed with a backup battery to last up to 32 hours.
In-Home No Landline system
Sidekick for Affordable On-the-Go Protection
Sidekick is LifeStation’s first mobile system, starting at $39.95 per month. That’s comparable to other mobile systems on the market, which typically cost $30 to $45 per month. Sidekick is an all-in-one mobile pendant with a built-in two-way speaker and help button. It weighs just 1.4 ounces and allows you to go out and about without feeling like you’re wearing it (the length and width is a little smaller than a credit card). It’s equipped with GPS, Wi-Fi and AT&T cellular coverage, so you can take it everywhere you go — even in the shower or bath. As long as you’re in an area with reliable AT&T service, you’ll be covered. Sidekick’s battery lasts five days, perfect for those who have a hard time remembering to charge devices every day. You won’t have to worry about a dead battery, because the system will give you an audible alert when it’s time to charge it.
Did You Know? LifeStation’s operators go through a rigorous six-week training program to ensure that they’re equipped to help you through any emergency.
Sidekick has a unique feature called Find My Loved One, which lets family and caregivers locate the user’s exact location by sending a quick text to LifeStation. It’s also compatible with Amazon’s Alexa. All you do is download the Alexa Skill app and pair it with your Alexa-enabled device. You can then tell it, “Alexa, locate Mom,” to monitor the user’s whereabouts. These high-tech features add a lot of value to the Sidekick system.
LifeStation Sidekick
Sidekick Smart for Top-of-the-Line Tech
Sidekick Smart is LifeStation’s high-tech smartwatch system, starting at $47.90 per month. Smartwatch systems are typically pricier than traditional medical alert systems, but Sidekick Smart is more expensive than similar options on the market. Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Smartwatch, for instance, starts at $39.95 per month with a one-time equipment fee of $199. If you’re sold on LifeStation, however, Sidekick Smart is an excellent wearable medical alert option for active older adults.
Pro Tip: Looking for a more affordable smartwatch? Head to our review of Bay Alarm Medical for a closer look at the SOS Smartwatch.
This smartwatch system can track your steps and monitor your heart rate, so it’s great for older adults who want to stay in shape. Plus, it looks like a typical smartwatch, making it the most discreet system in LifeStation’s lineup. In an emergency, you can use the touch screen to call for help and communicate with an operator through the built-in two-way speaker. Sidekick Smart also features GPS, Wi-Fi and cellular technology for on-the-go use and tracking.
LifeStation Sidekick Smart
Luxury
LifeStation’s newest addition to its lineup is the Luxury. Intended for women who want a discreet alert system, it’s a jewelry encasement for the Sidekick system. The 2.1-ounce Luxury is a brass case with rhodium-colored plating accented with a lapis blue resin stone in its center. A 30-inch brass chain accompanies the pendant with a magnet closure for easy handling. It has a range of up to 200 feet.
At a starting price of $46.95 per month, the product offers the same features and functions as the Sidekick system.
FYI: If you are unable to speak when you press the button, a LifeStation care specialist will contact anyone you have preselected, such as neighbors, relatives or EMS.
Compare LifeStation to Other Providers
Add-on Accessories: Pricing and Features
| Feature | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment protection plan | Plan that covers replacements for lost or damaged equipment | $8 per month (included with Sidekick Smart) |
| Fall detection | Sensor that automatically detects falls and connects to the monitoring center | $8 per month for Sidekick and Sidekick Home systems |
| Lockbox | Box with extra key that allows first responders to enter your home without damaging the front door | $2.95 per month |
How to Get the Best Deal With LifeStation
In this year’s review of LifeStation, we found that the company offers a free month of service if you pay annually. You can also pay quarterly to receive free shipping. You can choose a monthly, quarterly or annual plan, but you won’t be locked into a long-term contract. That means you can cancel service at any time for a prorated refund. Plus, LifeStation offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try any system without risk.
Is LifeStation Right for Me?
Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 or older,4 so we think it’s pretty clear that older adults need the added protection that medical alert systems offer. Automatic fall detection was the top special feature requested by respondents to a survey from the National Council on Aging (NCOA). But you may be wondering if LifeStation is right for you.
We believe LifeStation is a solid choice for:
- Those who want location tracking
- Families or caregivers looking for smart-home integration
- Seniors who need an inexpensive in-home system
- Active older adults who want a smartwatch system
- Users who don’t need lots of accessories
LifeStation vs. the Competition
To compare LifeStation to the industry’s leading companies, here’s a quick summary of how LifeStation compares to the top brands.
LifeStation vs. MobileHelp
When we reviewed MobileHelp, we saw that it has six systems: two in-home systems, two on-the-go systems and two bundles starting at $24.95. It also has a system for couples or any two users who live together. The systems have a coverage range from 600 to 1,400 feet, and the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. MobileHelp also supports over 240 languages, so customers can feel fully supported by specialists when they call.
LifeStation vs. Bay Alarm Medical
Bay Alarm Medical is another system we reviewed that offers a 30-day risk-free trial and customer support in over 170 languages. Prices for their systems start at $24.95 a month, but you can bundle two systems for a discounted price. Fall detection is $10 a month and you can pay monthly, quarterly or annually. Plus, they have a price-lock guarantee. Equipment costs range from $99 to $159.
LifeStation vs. LifeFone
LifeFone offers a variety of at-home and on-the-go systems starting at $24.95 a month with optional fall detection for $5 more a month. We enjoyed a 30-day money-back guarantee when we tested LifeFone, and we also got access to 24/7 professional care assistance by U.S.-based care specialists. There are no activation or equipment fees, and spouses are protected for free with basic service. You can cancel at any time and pay for only the time used.
Our Methodology
Our team of experienced technology specialists dedicated over 50 hours to thoroughly assessing LifeStation. We researched product selection, both landline and cellular solutions, available device options, pricing, value, customer support and other key aspects. Below are some of the critical factors we took into account.
- Cost and affordability: We assessed LifeStation’s offerings by examining monthly subscription fees, installation charges, equipment costs and monitoring expenses, along with any additional fees. Our evaluation also factored in potential savings from discounts, promotional deals, referral incentives, and veteran and AARP discounts.
- Customer service: We evaluated the availability of a 24/7 monitoring center, language support availability, friendly customer service and modes of contact to reach support at any time.
- Senior-friendly design: We tested the medical alert systems’ ease of use, reliability and overall accessibility, and assessed the convenience of emergency-response activation and the effectiveness of fall-detection features.
- Emergency-response speed: We evaluated LifeStation’s response times by comparing them to industry standards. That involved making test calls to the monitoring center and assessing system performance in various real-life scenarios, such as during short walks outside.
Final Thoughts on Pricing and Value for LifeStation
$35.95 per month, there is an option for most budgets. LifeStation’s top-tier packages and smartwatch system are on the pricey end, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for an advanced system. High-tech features such as smart-home integration and location tracking make it easy for caregivers and family members to check in for peace of mind. With a 30-day free trial, it’s easy to give LifeStation a test run without putting a dent in your wallet.
Frequently Asked Questions About LifeStation
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How much does LifeStation cost if I include fall detection?
The Sidekick Home system costs $51.85 per month, and the Sidekick costs $55.85 per month.
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Is LifeStation the most reliable company?
LifeStation is a veteran in the industry that’s been working with seniors and caregivers for over 40 years. The monitoring centers are based in the U.S. and Five Diamond certified by The Monitoring Association (TMA)2. They have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and the company’s equipment is UL-listed.3
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What is LifeStation’s return policy?
You can return your LifeStation system at any time, for any reason. There are no binding contracts, and they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are unhappy with your system.
LifeStation. (2025). LifeStation.
Vicert. (2024). Medical Alert Systems: Challenges, Benefits, Statistics.
AT&T. (2021). Wireless Coverage Map.
CDC. (2024). Older Adult Falls Data.
NCOA. (2024). Our Experts Put the Top Personal Emergency Response Systems to the Test.
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