What is an OTC CGM?
An over-the-counter CGM is a continuous glucose monitor that the FDA has cleared for sale without a prescription. You can buy one online, at a pharmacy, or at major retailers — no doctor visit required.
Until 2024, every FDA-cleared CGM required a prescription, creating a barrier for people who wanted metabolic health insights but didn't have a diabetes diagnosis. OTC CGMs use the same core sensor technology as prescription devices — a small sensor just under the skin that reads glucose every few minutes — but are designed specifically for people who don't use insulin.
In the US, Stelo and Lingo are cleared for adults aged 18 and older (Lingo) or people aged 2 years and older (Stelo, since June 2026) who do not use insulin. Follow the current device-specific indications and limitations, and consult your healthcare professional before taking medical action.
Who should use an OTC CGM?
Dexcom Stelo — OTC CGM
- No prescription — buy at CVS, Walgreens, Amazon
- Up to 15-day wear; model replacement instructions apply
- Device-specific FDA labeling; no assumed superiority
- App built for behavioral insights, not clinical data
- Food logging with glucose response correlation
- Apple Health and Google Health integration
- Not cleared for insulin users
- Coverage depends on plan
- No low glucose alarm cleared for hypoglycemia
- Back upper arm; upper buttocks additionally ages 2–6
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
Abbott Lingo — OTC CGM
- Lingo Count — proprietary daily total of identified spikes
- Slightly lower monthly cost than Stelo
- Lingo is based on Libre 2 sensor technology, not a Libre 3 accuracy study
- Educational content built into the app
- Apple Health integration
- 14-day wear (vs 15 for Stelo)
- Less established than Dexcom platform
- Coverage depends on plan
- Fewer third-party integrations than Stelo
Nutrisense — CGM program and coaching
- Registered dietitian reviews your actual data
- Personalized nutrition and lifestyle guidance
- The Nutrisense app syncs with Apple Health Kit and wearables such as Apple Watch, Samsung watch, Oura Ring, Fitbit and Garmin.
- Coaching access on selected plans
- Check the selected Stelo product and instructions
- Plan prices are set by the provider; compare in the cost calculator
- Check Nutrisense for current enrollment and plan options.
- Coaching response time varies
OTC vs Prescription CGM — Key Differences
| Feature | OTC CGM (Stelo, Lingo) | Prescription CGM (G7, Libre 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription required | No | Yes |
| Insurance coverage | Check exact device/plan | Check exact device/plan |
| Designed for insulin users | No | Yes |
| Insulin pump integration | No | Yes (select models) |
| Clinical glucose alarms (high, low, urgent low) | None in Stelo or Lingo (Stelo sends spike and low-pattern notifications instead) | Full clinical alerts |
| Wear time | 14–15 days | 10–15 days |
| Cost without insurance | Check price | Check price |
| Cost with insurance | N/A | Depends on plan |
If you use insulin for any reason — including Type 2 diabetes — use a prescription CGM. OTC devices are not cleared for insulin dosing decisions and lack the clinical alerts needed for safe insulin management.
OTC options compared
How to start with your first OTC CGM
Step 1 — Compare the exact model. Check intended use, wear limits, app features and exclusions in the manufacturer’s instructions. Treat Nutrisense as a service layer with plan-dependent coaching, not as a different sensor manufacturer.
Apply only at a site allowed for the device and age: back upper arm for Lingo; Stelo also allows upper buttocks at ages 2–6. Follow the supplied instructions.
Warm-up is approximately 30 minutes for Stelo and 60 minutes for Lingo. Stelo sensor transmission is five-minute, but app display updates are fifteen-minute; Lingo reports every minute.
Observe glucose alongside meal and activity logs. A personal trace shows association, not proof that sleep, stress or a particular meal caused a change.
Review observations with a healthcare professional before medical decisions. CGM does not measure insulin, fat burning or whole-body metabolic health.
Affiliate link. See our disclosure.
Ultrahuman's app, scores and coaching on top of third-party Abbott Lingo biosensors, delivered monthly. Ships to US addresses only; an NFC-enabled phone is needed to activate each sensor.