Dexcom makes both the Stelo and the G7, and they look alike and run on a similar platform. They are cleared for different people, and the differences matter more than the shared name suggests. This guide compares them side by side, notes where sources disagree, and shows what each costs.
Quick answer: The Stelo is an over-the-counter CGM cleared for adults 18 and older who do not use insulin and do not have problematic hypoglycemia. The G7 is a prescription CGM, listed by ADCES as approved for people ages 2 and older with any type of diabetes, with real-time high and low alerts. Stelo lasts up to 15 days per sensor and costs about $89 to $99 per month in cash. The G7 is usually covered by insurance with a prescription. If you use insulin or are prone to lows, the G7 side of this table is the relevant one. This is education, not medical advice.
Stelo vs G7 at a glance
Figures below come from an ADCES comparison dated September 2024 (ADCES), a diaTribe overview of Stelo (diaTribe), and a Levels support page on Stelo pricing dated June 18, 2026. Dexcom’s own pages were not reachable for this guide, so confirm every number on dexcom.com.
| Feature | Dexcom Stelo | Dexcom G7 |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Adults 18+ not on insulin and without problematic hypoglycemia | People 2+ with any type of diabetes, including insulin users (per ADCES) |
| Prescription | Not required (over-the-counter) | Required |
| Sensor wear | 15 days plus 12-hour grace period | 10 days plus 12-hour grace period (15-day sensors also exist) |
| Warm-up | 30 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Real-time high and low alerts | No | Yes |
| Other alerts | In-app glucose spike alerts | Customizable alerts |
| Insulin pump or pen integration | None | Works with some insulin pumps and pens |
| Insurance | Not covered; FSA or HSA eligible | Typically covered with a prescription |
Who each one is cleared for
diaTribe reports that the FDA cleared Stelo for people 18 and older who are not on insulin therapy and who do not have problematic hypoglycemia. That group includes people with type 2 diabetes who do not take insulin, people with prediabetes, and, according to ADCES, adults without diabetes. The G7, per ADCES, is approved for people 2 and older with any type of diabetes. Check the FDA and Dexcom for the exact indications, since I could not read their pages directly.
Alerts: the biggest practical difference
The G7 gives real-time high and low alerts. Stelo does not. ADCES says Stelo has no real-time high or low alerts. What Stelo offers instead is in-app notification of glucose rises. ADCES describes it as a rise of more than 3 points per minute. That makes Stelo a learning tool for seeing how food, sleep, and exercise move your glucose, not a safety device. If a low could be dangerous for you, an OTC sensor is the wrong tool. Our which CGM for which goal guide covers that decision, and our Stelo vs Lingo comparison covers the other OTC option.
Wear time, readings, and where sources disagree
Stelo’s 15-day wear is longer than the G7’s standard 10 days. ADCES also notes Dexcom reports that about 20% of Stelo sensors may not last the full 15 days. On how often readings update, sources disagree. ADCES says both devices read automatically every five minutes. A diaTribe article written around the Stelo launch says Stelo shows measurements and trends every 15 minutes in its app. I could not settle this from Dexcom directly, so check the current spec before you rely on either figure. The range the app displays is another place to check. ADCES says Stelo displays 70 to 250 mg/dL, showing “below 70” or “above 250” outside that range, while G7 covers 40 to 400 mg/dL.
Accuracy
ADCES lists the G7 at 8.2% MARD and Stelo at 8.3%, though the Stelo figure appears without a MARD label in that table. The two are nearly the same, but remember that MARD is an average across many people and readings and does not predict your own sensor. Our CGM vs fingerstick meter guide explains how MARD works. Dexcom’s safety information for the G7 says to use a fingerstick value if alerts and readings do not match symptoms. The ADCES interfering-substances page lists high-dose acetaminophen and hydroxyurea for the G7, and it does not list Stelo.
Price and coverage: a worked example
Levels’ support page (updated June 18, 2026) lists Stelo at $99 for a one-time pack of two sensors, or $89 per shipment on subscription, matching the figures in the ADCES table. GoodRx, in an article updated August 26, 2024, gives a cash price for the G7 of $487.89 for a 30-day supply of 15-day sensors, or about $185 with GoodRx coupons, before insurance. That G7 price is two years old, and insurance can change what you pay a lot, so treat it as a ceiling.
| Three months of use | Math | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Stelo, subscription | 3 x $89 | $267.00 |
| Stelo, one-time packs | 3 x $99 | $297.00 |
| G7, cash list price (2024) | 3 x $487.89 | $1,463.67 |
| G7, with coupons (2024) | 3 x about $185 | $555.00 |
The gap is large: the G7 list price is about 5.5 times the Stelo subscription price over three months. Most G7 users with coverage pay far less than list, and Stelo has no insurance option. Neither figure includes a phone or receiver, sensor failures, or later price changes.
A year of cost, computed
Many people think in terms of a year. Using the same prices, a year of Stelo on subscription is 12 x $89 = $1,068.00, and a year of one-time packs is 12 x $99 = $1,188.00. A year of the G7 at the 2024 cash list price would be 12 x $487.89 = $5,854.68, or 12 x about $185 = $2,220.00 with the coupon pricing GoodRx quoted. If you have insurance coverage for the G7, your cost is what your plan sets, which could be far lower. The gap between Stelo and G7 cash prices is the reason Stelo exists as a category, but the two are cleared for different people, so a price comparison alone is not a decision.
What this comparison can and cannot tell you
A side-by-side table shows who each device is cleared for, how long a sensor lasts, whether it has real-time alerts, and roughly what it costs. It cannot tell you which will be more accurate on your body, how often your sensors will stay on for the full wear time, or whether your insurer will cover a G7. Those depend on you, your plan, and your clinician. It also cannot account for changes since the sources were written: the ADCES comparison is from September 2024, the Levels price page was updated June 18, 2026, and the GoodRx G7 figures are from August 2024. Check the manufacturer for current terms before you buy.
What the shared platform means
diaTribe reports that Stelo is built on the G7 platform. In practice that suggests similar sensor technology, which fits with the near-identical accuracy figures. What differs is the software and the cleared use. Stelo trims the feature set for people who do not use insulin and drops the real-time alerts that insulin users depend on. The G7 keeps them, plus the pump and pen integration that Stelo lacks. So “same company” tells you about the hardware family, not about what the product is meant to do for you.
What you get from Stelo that you would not get from a meter
For someone with type 2 diabetes who does not use insulin, the point of Stelo is pattern recognition. A finger-stick shows a few moments a day. A sensor shows what a meal, a walk, or a poor night of sleep does across hours. That is why guides such as walking after meals and the dawn phenomenon are easier to act on with a sensor than without one. A sensor does not tell you what to change, though. Bring the graph to your clinician and use it to ask better questions.
What to expect when wearing either one
- Warm-up: both need about 30 minutes after insertion before readings appear, according to ADCES.
- Grace period: both add a 12-hour grace period after the labeled wear time ends.
- Early sensor loss: ADCES notes about 20% of Stelo sensors may not last the full 15 days, so a replacement plan matters when you budget.
- Display range: Stelo shows readings from 70 to 250 mg/dL. Anything outside that is shown as below 70 or above 250, so it cannot tell you how low or how high you went.
- No pump link: Stelo does not connect to an insulin pump or pen, which matters only if you use one.
Reading the spike alerts
ADCES describes Stelo’s in-app alert as triggering when glucose rises faster than about 3 points per minute. That is a notice about speed, not a notice that you are high. A rapid climb after a bowl of rice can trigger it, and so can a climb that stays well within a comfortable range. Used well, it tells you which meals move you fastest, which you can then test against changes such as eating protein first or walking after the meal. Our posts on walking after meals and white rice show how those experiments work. Used badly, it can turn into worry about every bump. Agree with your clinician on what to do with the information before you start.
Stelo: pros and cons
| What works in its favor | What to weigh | |
|---|---|---|
| Access | No prescription; you can order it yourself | Not covered by insurance; FSA or HSA funds are allowed |
| Wear | Up to 15 days per sensor | About 20% of sensors may not last the full 15 days |
| Alerts | In-app spike alerts help with food learning | No real-time high or low alerts |
| Range | Shows 70 to 250 mg/dL | Cannot show readings outside that window |
| Who it is for | Adults 18+ not on insulin | Not for insulin users or anyone with problematic lows |
G7: pros and cons
| What works in its favor | What to weigh | |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Typically covered with a prescription | Needs a prescription; list price is high |
| Alerts | Real-time high and low alerts | Ask your clinician how to set thresholds |
| Range | Reads 40 to 400 mg/dL | Standard sensor lasts 10 days, shorter than Stelo |
| Integration | Works with some pumps and pens | More setup than an OTC sensor |
| Who it is for | People 2+ with any type of diabetes, including insulin users | Insurers may require documented criteria |
Scenarios by situation
The following are hypothetical illustrations of how the choice tends to play out. They are not case histories and do not replace your clinician’s advice.
A person with type 2 who takes metformin only and wants to see food effects. This person is in the group Stelo is cleared for. They could use a few months of Stelo to see patterns, bring the data to their clinician, and then decide whether to continue. If the clinician wants continuous data with alerts, they could ask about a prescription CGM.
A person with prediabetes who is curious. Stelo or Lingo is an option. The sensor does not diagnose anything, and the labs your clinician orders remain the standard. See Stelo vs Lingo for how the two OTC sensors differ.
A person who starts mealtime insulin. They are outside the group Stelo is cleared for. The conversation is about a prescription CGM, and the G7 is one of several options. Our Libre 3 vs G7 guide compares it with its main rival.
A parent asking about a teenager. Stelo is for adults 18 and older. For anyone younger, the prescription route applies and the G7, per ADCES, is approved from age 2.
Someone with a history of low blood sugar. Real-time alerts matter here, and Stelo does not provide them. A prescription CGM and a conversation with the prescriber are the right starting points.
Decision table
| If this is true | Then consider | Because |
|---|---|---|
| You are under 18 | Prescription CGM such as the G7 | Stelo is for adults 18 and older |
| You use insulin | Prescription CGM | Stelo is not cleared for insulin users |
| You have had low blood sugar | Prescription CGM with alerts | Stelo lacks real-time lows |
| You have no insulin and want to learn | Stelo | Cleared for you, no prescription |
| You want insurance to pay | Ask about the G7 | Stelo is cash-pay |
| You are unsure | Ask your clinician | Your medicines decide the answer |
If you start on Stelo and your needs change
People move between categories. A person who starts insulin, or who begins having low blood sugar, is no longer in the group Stelo is cleared for. At that point the prescription side of this table applies, and your clinician can write for a G7 or another prescription CGM. Because the G7 is typically covered when hypoglycemia is documented, your Stelo history can still be useful as a record to show your care team. Read how to read CGM data before that visit so you know which parts of the graph to point to.
A month-by-month plan for a first Stelo trial
If you and your clinician decide a trial makes sense, a simple structure keeps it useful. This is an example of how to organize the time, not medical advice.
| Month | Focus | Cost at $89 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wear it with your normal routine. Note meals, walks, sleep, stress. | $89.00 |
| 2 | Test one change at a time, such as a walk after dinner or a smaller portion of rice. | $89.00 |
| 3 | Review the graph with your clinician and decide whether to continue. | $89.00 |
Three months at the subscription price comes to $267.00. If the data has taught you what you needed by month two, you can stop and save the third month, and the cost then drops to $178.00. Many people find that the first month shows the patterns and later months confirm them, but that is an observation about how people tend to use sensors, not a promise about your results.
A buying checklist
- Confirm that your phone model and operating system work with the app.
- Check the price, the subscription terms, and how to cancel.
- Ask what the policy is for sensors that fall off or fail early.
- Decide in advance how many months you want to try, and what you hope to learn.
- Tell your clinician before you start, so the data has somewhere to go.
- Plan for what you will do if you begin insulin or have a low, since that changes which device fits.
Where sources disagree, and how to handle it
Three details in this comparison come with disagreement or uncertainty. First, how often Stelo updates in the app: ADCES says every five minutes, while launch coverage from diaTribe said fifteen. Second, the displayed range: the 70 to 250 mg/dL figure comes from ADCES. Third, the Stelo accuracy figure appears in the ADCES table without a MARD label. None of these changes the main conclusion, which is that Stelo and G7 are cleared for different people. They do change what you should verify before buying. When a spec matters to you, check the manufacturer’s current page or call customer support, and treat any number in a third-party guide as a starting point.
Making the first two weeks count
A sensor is easy to ignore after the novelty fades, so give the first sensor a job. Pick three or four meals you eat often and keep them the same for the first week. Note the time you ate, what was on the plate, and whether you moved afterward. In the second week, change one thing and keep the rest steady. If the curve after your usual dinner looks different when you add a ten-minute walk, you have a small, usable finding. If nothing changes, that is also a finding. Keep notes short, because notes you will actually write beat detailed notes you will skip. When a reading surprises you, check how you slept, whether you were sick or stressed, and what medicines you took before you blame the meal. Bring a screenshot of one typical day and one surprising day to your appointment, along with your questions, so the visit is spent on decisions rather than on explaining the graph.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the same company means the same device. The alerts and indications differ.
- Using Stelo as an alarm. It does not give real-time low alerts.
- Using Stelo while on insulin. It is not cleared for that.
- Relying on old prices. Confirm pricing on the company sites.
- Trusting a single reading. Check trends and confirm with a meter if it does not match how you feel.
- Skipping the care team. Choose with your clinician, especially if you take diabetes medicine.
Questions to bring to your appointment
- Do my medicines put me at risk for low blood sugar?
- Am I a candidate for a prescription CGM, and will insurance cover it?
- If I use an over-the-counter sensor, what am I looking for, and when do I call you?
- Do any supplements or drugs I take interfere with sensor readings?
- Should I keep a backup meter?
Questions to ask Dexcom or your pharmacy
- What is the current price of Stelo and what does a subscription include?
- How often do readings update in the app, 5 minutes or 15?
- What happens if a sensor fails before day 15?
- Is the G7 covered under my plan, and what documentation does it need?
- Which devices and apps are compatible with my phone?
Bottom line by situation
| Situation | Bottom line |
|---|---|
| Not on insulin, adult, no lows | Stelo is built for you; confirm current price and terms |
| On insulin | Ask about a prescription CGM like the G7 |
| Prone to lows | Choose real-time alerts; that points to a prescription CGM |
| Under 18 | G7 route with a prescriber |
| Cost matters most | Compare Stelo cash price with the G7 coverage under your plan before deciding |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Dexcom Stelo the same as the G7?
They share a company and a similar platform, but they are different products. Stelo is over-the-counter, lasts up to 15 days, and has no real-time high or low alerts. The G7 requires a prescription and has real-time alerts.
Can I use Stelo if I take insulin?
No. Stelo is cleared for adults 18 and older who do not use insulin and do not have problematic hypoglycemia. If you use insulin, ask about a prescription CGM such as the G7.
Does Stelo have low glucose alarms?
No. Stelo does not provide real-time high or low alerts. It offers in-app spike alerts instead, so it should not be used as a safety alarm.
How long does a Stelo sensor last?
Up to 15 days, per ADCES, plus a 12-hour grace period. ADCES notes Dexcom reports about 20% of sensors may not last the full 15 days.
How much does Stelo cost?
Levels lists $99 for a one-time pack of two sensors and $89 per shipment on subscription (page updated June 18, 2026). Confirm current pricing on Dexcom and Stelo, because it changes.
Is the G7 more accurate than Stelo?
ADCES lists the G7 at 8.2% MARD and Stelo at 8.3%, which is nearly identical. MARD is an average and does not predict your own sensor.
Does insurance cover Stelo?
Stelo is generally not covered by insurance, but it is eligible for FSA or HSA funds, per ADCES. The G7 is typically covered with a prescription, depending on your plan.
Can I switch from Stelo to a G7 later?
Yes, but the G7 requires a prescription, so it starts with your clinician. If you begin insulin or have low blood sugar, that conversation becomes more important.
Why would I pay for Stelo if the G7 is more capable?
Access and price. Stelo needs no prescription and costs far less in cash. It is cleared for a narrower group and has fewer features, so it fits some people and not others.
Does Stelo work with insulin pumps?
No. ADCES lists no pump or pen integration for Stelo. The G7 works with some insulin delivery systems.
About the author: Charles Kirkland is the founder of Metabolic Clarity Labs and author of The Journey Back. He is not a physician. This is general education, not a medically reviewed treatment plan.
Sources checked October 31, 2026. Discuss personal decisions with a qualified clinician. Do not start, stop, or change prescribed treatment based on this article.
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