CGM Pricing

Stelo Cost & Plans 2026: Every Way to Buy It

Reviewed by the GlucoseForge Editorial Team · Last reviewed July 2026 · Plan details verified against stelo.com July 2026

Dexcom's Stelo is the OTC glucose biosensor that started the over-the-counter CGM category — no prescription, no insurance paperwork. It comes in three purchase models: one-time, monthly subscription, and quarterly. This page breaks down what's included in each plan and who each one suits — for current pricing, check the official store.

What's in the plan

Every Stelo plan ships the same device: sensors worn up to 15 days each, two sensors per box (about a month of wear), paired with the Stelo app — a simpler, wellness-focused app, not the clinical G7 app. No prescription is required; Stelo is FDA-cleared for over-the-counter sale. It isn't covered by insurance the way a prescription CGM can be, but it is HSA/FSA eligible.

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Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. Stelo is not for people on insulin or at risk of severe hypoglycemia. Always consult your healthcare provider.

The three plans compared

Plan	What you get	Best for
One-time 2-pack	Two 15-day sensors, single shipment, no commitment	Trying CGM for the first time; occasional experiments
Monthly subscription	Two 15-day sensors auto-shipped every 30 days; pause or cancel anytime	Continuous wear — the default choice
3-month plan	Sensors shipped every 3 months for continuous wear	Committed users who want fewer shipments

Each Stelo sensor is worn up to 15 days, so a 2-pack covers roughly 30 days. The subscription auto-ships two sensors every 30 days and can be paused or canceled. A single-sensor entry option has also been offered as a first taste, alongside the standard 2-pack routes.

Buy Stelo if — or skip it

Buy Stelo if

You want OTC access — no doctor visit, no prior authorization
You don't use insulin and aren't at risk of severe hypoglycemia
You want to pay with HSA/FSA dollars
You're tracking general wellness or metabolic health, not managing insulin dosing

Skip Stelo if

You use insulin — you need a prescription CGM like Dexcom G7 or FreeStyle Libre 3, often through insurance
You want a device your insurance may cover — Stelo is a self-pay OTC product
You need clinical-grade features built for insulin dosing decisions

For a closer look at the OTC alternative, see our Stelo vs Abbott Lingo comparison. To weigh the cost side by side, use the CGM cost calculator.

Paying with HSA/FSA

Stelo is HSA/FSA eligible, so many buyers pay for it with pretax dollars — effectively discounting the cost by your marginal tax rate, which is typically worth more than a coupon. Insurance, by contrast, generally does not cover Stelo since it's an OTC wellness product; if you have diabetes and use insulin, a prescription CGM through insurance is usually the more appropriate route — see our CGM insurance coverage guide.

Stelo vs the other OTC options

Device	Sensor wear	Published MARD
Abbott Lingo	14 days	7.8%
Dexcom Stelo	Up to 15 days	8.7%

The two OTC leaders are close on what's included; the differences that decide it are app philosophy and accuracy — covered in depth in our Stelo vs Lingo comparison and full Stelo review.

Frequently asked questions

Which Stelo plan is cheapest?

The 3-month plan works out to the lowest per-sensor cost of the three options; the monthly subscription and one-time 2-pack cost more per sensor but offer more flexibility to pause or cancel. Current pricing for every plan is shown on Dexcom's official Stelo store.

Does Stelo require a prescription?

No. Stelo is FDA-cleared for over-the-counter sale to adults who don't use insulin. It's designed for people with type 2 diabetes not on insulin, prediabetes, or general metabolic health tracking — not for insulin users or anyone at risk of severe hypoglycemia.

Does insurance or Medicare cover Stelo?

Generally no — Stelo is an OTC wellness product. However, it is HSA/FSA eligible, which reduces the real cost if you have such an account. Insulin users typically qualify for prescription CGMs (Dexcom G7, Libre 3) with insurance coverage instead.

Can I pause or cancel the Stelo subscription?

Yes — Dexcom's subscription can be paused or canceled without a long-term commitment. That makes the monthly subscription lower-risk than the quarterly plan for first-time users who aren't sure they'll wear a sensor continuously.