References: 6 · Sensors compared: 2 · Prices checked Oct 12, 2026 · Status as of Oct 26, 2026
Jump to: Talk to your prescriber first · Side by side · Stelo · Lingo · What the readings can and can't tell you · Common questions
Two arm sensors, no prescription, 24/7 glucose on your phone. I lined up Dexcom's Stelo and Abbott's Lingo on wear time and the fine print on each label.
You can pick in one read.
A GLP-1 medicine works partly through blood sugar, so it makes sense to want to see your own numbers. Two sensors now sell without a prescription in the US.
Stelo: the pick for type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, not on insulin
Stelo comes from Dexcom, the company behind the prescription G7. It goes on the back of the upper arm with a push-button applicator and sends readings to the Stelo app by Bluetooth. The label calls it an over-the-counter integrated continuous glucose monitor for adults not on insulin, and says it "may also help the user better understand how lifestyle and behavior modification, including diet and exercise, impact glucose excursion."
Lingo: the pick for food and habit experiments
Lingo is Abbott's wellness sensor, worn on the back of the upper arm. The app shows your glucose curve after meals and sends a weekly report. Abbott says plainly that Lingo is not for diagnosing disease, and that readings should not drive "medical action" without a healthcare professional.
What the readings can and can't tell you
A sensor reads glucose in the fluid under the skin, so its number can differ from a finger-stick meter, especially when glucose moves fast. Stelo's label says to use a meter if readings don't match how you feel.
For a sense of normal, a 2019 study put a blinded Dexcom sensor on 153 healthy adults and children without diabetes. They spent a median 96% of the day between 70 and 140 mg/dL (Shah 2019, PMID 31127824). Spikes above 140 after some meals were normal in that group.
Wondering whether a sensor is worth it at all if you don't have diabetes? Read Is a CGM worth it if you're not diabetic?
Common questions
Can I use Stelo or Lingo while on Ozempic or Wegovy?
The label pages we read don't list GLP-1 medicines as a reason not to use either sensor. Both are for adults not on insulin, and Stelo's label adds problematic hypoglycemia. Ask your prescriber first, especially if you take other diabetes medicines.
Which is cheaper, Stelo or Lingo?
I took the prices off this page. Lingo is the sensor with a confirmed Amazon button. Stelo is sold by Dexcom. Compare them on the label and the wear time.
Do I need a prescription for Stelo or Lingo?
No. Both are sold over the counter in the US. Dexcom G7 and FreeStyle Libre 3 still need a prescription.
How long does each sensor last?
Stelo lasts up to 15 days plus a 12-hour grace period. Lingo lasts 14 days. In each brand's own study, about 1 in 5 sensors ended early, and both brands replace failed sensors.
Can a CGM tell me if my GLP-1 is working?
Neither sensor is labeled for that. Your prescriber judges how a medicine is working. A sensor shows how your glucose moves with meals, sleep and activity.
Is Lingo accurate enough for medical decisions?
Abbott says Lingo is not for medical use and its data should not be used for medical action without a healthcare professional.
If I could only buy one
If the label has to match prediabetes, buy Stelo from Dexcom. If you want the sensor I can link, it's Lingo, and it's the wellness one.
Best for people who want a food experiment on Amazon: Lingo by Abbott
Check Today's Price on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, Straight Up Peptides earns from qualifying purchases.- If you want the Amazon listing for a food experiment, get Lingo by Abbott.
What changed: Oct 16, 2026. Pete Scores now sit between 7.8 and 9.6. The strip is Lingo because Stelo has no confirmed Amazon button.
This page includes affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Straight Up Peptides earns from qualifying purchases.
Research information, not medical advice. Neither sensor is meant for changing medicines. Talk to your prescriber before acting on any reading.
Sources, methodology, and changes
Methodology. On October 12, 2026 we read the Stelo buy page and label text, the Lingo plan page, and the Amazon US listings for both sensors, recording price and seller from a New York delivery address. We did not wear or test either sensor.
Primary sources.
- Stelo buy page, indications, warnings and sensor-life study, checked Oct 12, 2026: https://www.stelo.com/en-us/buy-stelo-one-time
- Lingo plans, eligibility and sensor-life study, checked Oct 12, 2026: https://www.hellolingo.com/products
- Lingo support, "Can I use Lingo with diabetes?": https://support.hellolingo.com/hc/en-us/articles/15902948209170-Can-I-use-Lingo-with-diabetes
- Shah VN et al., 2019, J Clin Endocrinol Metab. CGM profiles in healthy nondiabetic participants: PMID 31127824
- Amazon US listings, Oct 12, 2026: B0DRVD8TH8 (Lingo 1-pack, sold by Amazon.com), B0FLYP6MDN (Lingo 2-pack, Amazon.com), B0HC474K26 (Lingo 4-pack, Amazon.com); Stelo B0DTZ616WZ ( sold by Cap Time Supply Co) and B0G1RDLRRZ ( Keigans Store) not linked: third-party sellers
- Stelo FAQ listing Amazon as a retailer: https://www.stelo.com/en-us/faqs/orders/where-can-i-buy-stelo
Changes. Oct 12, 2026: first published. Oct 17, 2026: shortened the top of the page so the product photo shows on a phone.
