Last Updated on October 2, 2025 by Emma
Using a private cord blood bank is an investment in your child’s future health. However, 24/7 monitoring is essential to ensure temperature regulation, disaster prevention and protection against tampering. How can you tell which banks offer this high-level service, and which is the best for your family’s needs?
Which Private Cord Blood Bank Offers Secure 24/7 Monitoring?
Reputable banks are accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), which requires stringent 24-hour temperature monitoring, emergency protocols and security. You can therefore be confident that all accredited private cord blood banks offer secure round-the-clock tracking, ensuring the safety of your baby’s precious cells.
However, companies do vary in what they offer besides this essential security. Here are five top private cord blood banks that stand out in different ways.
1. Americord
Americord stands out as the best private cord blood bank overall, offering secure 24/7 monitoring. It specializes in the collection, processing and storage of newborn stem cells, including cord blood and tissue and placental tissue. It also offers genetic testing. Americord is known for its advanced monitoring and proprietary Cord Blood 2.0 technology, which allows for higher stem cell yields.
In 2022, Americord became the first bank to offer exosome preservation, widening future potential treatment options for its families. It provides transparent pricing and flexible payment plans.
| Key feature: Americord’s combination of advanced technology and pioneering innovation makes it a top choice for parents prioritizing safety and advanced treatment potential. |
2. Cord Blood Registry (CBR)
Cord Blood Registry (CBR) is the largest private cord blood bank in the U.S., with over 1 million units stored and a long track record of successful transplants. It offers cord blood and tissue banking and has 24/7 secure monitoring.
CBR focuses on parent education. It provides free processing and five years of storage for newborns with a qualifying medical need. There is a referral rewards program, and families who choose delayed cord clamping can be easily accommodated.
| Key feature: Trusted for its scale, experience and proven transplant outcomes, CBR is a good choice for parents seeking a well-known bank. |
3. ViaCord
ViaCord offers cord blood and tissue banking, DNA testing and 24/7 monitoring. It has a strong focus on research and clinical trial access and has partnerships in regenerative medicine. Many families banking with ViaCord have participated in clinical trials at Duke University, including those into using cord blood to treat autism and cerebral palsy.
There is a family rewards program and a sibling connection program, offering free collection and lifetime storage for medically qualifying children.
| Key feature: ViaCord’s commitment to research makes it a good choice for families interested in future therapies. |
4. AlphaCord
AlphaCord offers cord, tissue and placental tissue banking, with 24/7 secure monitoring. It is known for affordable pricing and flexible payment plans, making private cord blood banking accessible to more families.
Parents can choose from an annual plan with yearly fees or a one-time payment that covers 20 years of storage upfront. It regularly offers promotions and discounts. Those thinking of signing up can schedule a free 15- or 30-minute consultation call.
| Key feature: AlphaCord’s affordability and flexible plans make it a popular choice for budget-conscious families. |
5. LifebankUSA
LifebankUSA stands out as the only bank offering storage of both placental tissue and placental blood, in addition to cord blood and tissue. It was involved in the world’s first cord and placental stem cell transplant and has contributed to the development of new therapies.
LifebankUSA offers a discount on enrollment and processing for families who have an existing child with autism or cerebral palsy. It also has a donation program where those who do not wish to bank can instead donate.
| Key feature: The inclusion of both placental blood and tissue is important to families seeking the broadest stem cell collection for future use. |
Comparing the Best Private Cord Blood Banks
All of these private cord blood banks offer secure 24/7 monitoring. However, they differ in important ways.
| Bank | Strengths | What Is Collected | Sibling Program | Failure to Engraft Guarantee |
| Americord | Best all-around for technology, innovation and value | Cord blood Cord tissue Placental tissue Exosomes | Yes — free collection, processing and lifetime storage | $110,000 |
| CBR | Largest bank with the most completed transplants | Cord blood Cord tissue | Yes — free collection, processing and five years of storage | $50,000 |
| ViaCord | Clinical trial access | Cord blood Cord tissue | Yes — free collection, processing and lifetime storage | $35,000 |
| AlphaCord | Budget-friendly | Cord blood Cord tissue Placental tissue | No | $85,000 |
| LifebankUSA | Broadest collection range | Cord blood Cord tissue Placental tissue Placental blood | Varies according to the existing sibling’s diagnosis | Not stated |
Methodology for Cord Blood Bank Selection
The following criteria were considered to identify the five leading cord blood banks:
- Accreditation: Only banks with AABB registration are included, ensuring adherence to 24/7 monitoring and strict safety, emergency and security standards.
- Strengths: Each bank was assessed for its specific strengths and differentiating factors.
- Failure to engraft guarantee: This ensures that if your baby’s stored cells are ever needed but fail to function, you will receive financial assistance to find another matching source.
- Sibling program: Vital for peace of mind if you have a child with a preexisting condition and are having another baby.
- Customer satisfaction and transparency: Priority was given to banks with strong reviews and transparent pricing and policies.
Choosing the Right Cord Blood Bank for Your Family
Selecting a bank is a personal decision based on safety, value and future treatment possibilities. Private blood cord banks offering secure 24/7 monitoring also provide other features for diverse family needs. By comparing these top cord blood banks and their unique strengths, you can confidently choose the best investment in your child’s future health.
