Dexcom makes two CGMs — the prescription G7 and the OTC Stelo. They share the Dexcom brand and Clarity platform but serve fundamentally different users at very different price points. This comparison helps you decide which (if either) is the right Dexcom device.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare provider before making health decisions.
The G7 and Stelo are not competing products — they serve different users. Get the G7 if you have a prescription, use AID systems, or need clinical-grade monitoring. Get Stelo if you want Dexcom's platform OTC without a prescription. If cost is your priority and you don't need Dexcom specifically, Abbott Lingo at $89/month is the cheaper option, though Stelo's published MARD range is the lower (better) one.
| Attribute | Dexcom G7 | Dexcom Stelo |
|---|---|---|
| MARD accuracy | 8.2% | 7.3–9.1% |
| Sensor life | 10 days | 15 days |
| Reading interval | Every 5 min | Every 5 min |
| Calibration required | None | None |
| Warm-up time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Retail price/month | ~$350 | ~$99 |
| With insurance | Often $0–50 | Not covered (OTC) |
| Prescription required | Yes | No |
| AID system compatible | Yes — multiple systems | No |
| Apple Watch direct | Yes | Via iPhone only |
| Dexcom Clarity | Yes — full clinical | Yes — wellness mode |
| Wear location | Arm or abdomen | Back of upper arm only |
| Intended user | Diabetes management | Wellness, non-diabetics |
With and without insurance — plus every alternative.
The G7 and Stelo are not interchangeable options at different price points — they are designed for different users and cleared by the FDA for different purposes.
Dexcom G7 is cleared for diabetes management including insulin dosing decisions. It integrates with AID systems, supports data sharing with clinicians through Clarity, and is covered by insurance for qualifying patients. It requires a prescription.
Dexcom Stelo is cleared for wellness monitoring in people without insulin-treated diabetes. It cannot be used to guide insulin dosing, is not covered by insurance, and requires no prescription. It uses similar sensor technology to the G7 but with a different calibration profile optimised for non-diabetic glucose ranges.
Choose the G7 if you have a diabetes diagnosis and a prescription, use or plan to use an AID system, need to share data with your healthcare provider through Clarity's clinical interface, or want to wear the sensor on your abdomen as well as your arm.
Choose Stelo if you don't have insulin-treated diabetes, don't have or don't want a prescription, specifically want the Dexcom ecosystem and Clarity platform, and need the longest sensor life of any OTC device (15 days). If you don't specifically need Dexcom, Abbott Lingo at $89/month offers a lower price, though Stelo's published MARD range is the lower (better) one of the two.
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