LifeFone Reviews
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About LifeFone
Lifefone is a medical alert system that provides emergency assistance to seniors. Systems are UL- and FCC-certified and include features such as wearable devices, in-home base stations and mobile apps. It has a 24/7 emergency response service with trained operators who can dispatch help when needed.
- No upfront equipment cost
- Lots of device options
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No contracts
- Costs extra for caregiver app
- Some complaints about billing
Helpful Reviews
LifeFone services
LifeFone offers the following services:
- Personalized emergency care instructions: Customers and caregivers input custom care instructions for specific situations so a call center operator can best assist the customer.
- Easy relocation: LifeFone systems are easily uninstalled and transferred to another residence. Placing a call to the emergency response center reactivates the system in the new location.
- 100% lifetime warranty: LifeFone backs all its equipment with a lifetime warranty that covers manufacturer defects.
LifeFone equipment

At-Home System
$24.95 or $30.95 per month
Includes a base station and a water-resistant help button that can be worn as a pendant or wristband. It has a range of up to 1,300 feet and a 32-hour battery life. Connects to a landline or cellular network.

VIP Active
$37.95 per month
Voice-in-pendant with optional fall detection. The device is water-resistant, and the battery lasts up to five days. Optional features include fall detection and GPS location request.

VIPx
$39.95 per month
LifeFone’s smallest alert device is water-resistant and has advanced location technology that uses cellular, Wi-Fi and GPS. The battery lasts up to 10 days. Available in black, white and silver.

Safe Watch Active®
$43.95 per month
Features include emergency help, heart rate monitoring, step tracking, weather updates and low battery warning. Runs on LifeFone's cellular service utilizing AT&T LTE.

VIP Flex
$39.95
Smallest, lightest and most versatile medical alert device. Can be worn on a wristband, a belt clip or a necklace. Location services via cellular data, Wi-Fi or GPS technology. Battery lasts up to five days.

Wall-Mounted Help Button
$39.95 each
The Wall-Mounted Help Button activates the medical alert system by signaling the response center exactly like a wearable emergency button. Mounts with Velcro.
LifeFone costs
With LifeFone, you only have to pay for the monitoring service, which runs between $24.96 and $43.95 per month. There are no equipment costs, activation fees or restocking fees. You also don’t have to commit to a contract, so you can cancel anytime without worrying about a cancellation fee.
You have to return all your equipment when you cancel services. Otherwise, the company will charge you for the devices.
LifeFone packages and pricing
VIP Active is a voice-in-pendant mobile medical alert device. The VIPx is similar, but it’s lighter and smaller. Both can be used at home or on the go.
| VIP Active | VIPx | VIP Flex | At-Home Landline | At-Home Cellular | Safe Watch Active | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile capabilities | ||||||
| GPS capabilities | ||||||
| Two-way voice communication | ||||||
| One-time equipment cost | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Starting monthly fee | $37.95 | $39.95 | $39.95 | $24.95 | $30.95 | $43.95 |
| Optional fall detection | $5 per month | $5 per month | $5 per month | $5 per month | $5 per month | $5 per month |
LifeFone caregiver app features
LifeFone also has the VIP XCaregiver Mobile App for iPhones and Androids. The app keeps you connected, providing real-time updates on your loved one’s welfare and activity levels. Some of the standout features include:
- View current location: Locate the device from anywhere.
- View button press history: Get a notification whenever the button is pressed.
- Check device battery level: Receive a notification when the battery is low or the power is off.
- Manually ring the device: Help the user find a misplaced unit.
How does LifeFone compare?
Compare LifeFone with similarly rated medical alert companies.
| Company | Monitoring fees | Equipment cost | Activation fee | Fall detection | Trial period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() LifeFone | Get Pricing | $24.95 to $43.95 | $0 | $0 | Yes | 30 days |
![]() ADT Medical Alert | Get Pricing | $31.99 to $41.99 | $0 (excludes add-ons) | $99 | $33 per quarter | |
![]() Lifeline | Learn More | $37.95 to $49.95 | $0 | $99.95 | $15 per month | |
![]() Medical Guardian | Get Pricing | $31.95 to $46.95 | $149.95 to $199.95 | $0 | $10 per month | |
![]() Life Alert | Get Pricing | Not disclosed | $0 | Not disclosed |
LifeFone FAQ
What is LifeFone?
LifeFone is a medical alert company that offers emergency response systems for those who spend most of their time alone. LifeFone’s home and mobile medical alert systems have nationwide cellular coverage, immediate assistance and personalized emergency care instructions.
LifeFone also has options for smoke and fire detection services. All LifeFone monitoring centers are located in the United States and staffed with experienced personnel.
How do LifeFone medical alert systems work?
The LifeFone medical alert system is activated by pressing an emergency help button on a wearable LifeFone wristband or pendant, base station or wall-mounted button. The alert system notifies the LifeFone monitoring station. An emergency care agent then tries to establish communication with the customer, and if the customer can’t be reached, the agent dispatches emergency services to the home.
Emergency care agents are available 24/7 to help with nonemergency situations as well. They can access your medical history, notify family members or caregivers, and follow your personalized care instructions to provide the right support.
Does it cost money when I press the button?
LifeFone doesn’t charge a fee when you press the button. However, there may be an out-of-pocket expense if your emergency requires a ride in an ambulance.
A reviewer in California said that LifeFone is “very good. They always answered my calls and were here within a few minutes” but was surprised to “charged $100 or more” after a trip to the hospital in “a professional ambulance truck.”
How fast is LifeFone’s response time?
Response times can vary, but most verified customers tell us it’s within seconds. A reviewer in New York said they got help in two seconds. Another in California said, “It’s probably within four seconds or even less when I push that button on my wrist that they’re on the line.
“The time it took for me to get to talk to the person at the other end felt like 30 seconds,” according to a reviewer in Pennsylvania. “That seems like a long time when you’re in that situation but it really isn’t.”
When was LifeFone founded?
LifeFone was founded in 1976 and is one of the oldest personal emergency response companies in the United States.
Is LifeFone’s fall detection reliable?
According to the company, it can detect approximately 95% of falls.
Still have questions?
Does LifeFone make a good medical alert?
Yes, the majority of customers we’ve talked to tell us that they would recommend LifeFone to a friend or family member.
Many appreciate the quick response times, and people often tell us that the fall detection is accurate and effective in triggering alarms. The system's ease of installation and setup process also comes up a lot. A very small number of reviews mention instances where the emergency dispatch was delayed or not received as expected.
However, some have expressed dissatisfaction with billing issues (often citing unexpected charges) or frustration with the cancellation process. A few told us about instances of technical malfunctions with the equipment, like false alarms or poor battery life.
Overall, we like the versatility of LifeFone because it can be used both at home and on the go. The GPS tracking feature is also valuable. It’s a good company to consider for yourself or a loved one.
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- We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
- Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
LifeFone Company Information
- Company Name:
- LifeFone
- Year Founded:
- 1976
- Address:
- 16 Yellowstone Avenue
- City:
- White Plains
- State/Province:
- NY
- Postal Code:
- 10607-1324
- Country:
- United States
- Website:
- www.lifefone.com






