In the U.S., Dexcom Stelo and Abbott Lingo are the main over-the-counter continuous glucose monitors you can buy today without a prescription.
Dexcom’s Stelo runs $89 a month on subscription or $99 for a one-time two-pack, shipped to your door. Order direct, pay out of pocket, skip the pharmacy counter.
Fit, not access, is the tricky part. Each device covers a different group, and picking the wrong one burns both money and a month of readings.
Which Continuous Glucose Monitors Are Sold Without A Prescription?
Three: Dexcom Stelo, Abbott Lingo, and Abbott Libre Rio. All are cleared for adults 18 and older who do not use insulin, but each targets a different person.
Abbott followed with Lingo, built for general wellness rather than medical use, and Libre Rio, aimed at type 2 diabetes managed through lifestyle changes.
| Option | Who It’s For | Cost And Wear Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dexcom Stelo | Adults 18+ not on insulin: type 2, prediabetes, or no diabetes | $99 for two sensors or $89/month; up to 30 days per two-pack |
| Abbott Lingo | Adults 18+ not on insulin, tracking general wellness | One 14-day biosensor; not intended to diagnose disease |
| Abbott Libre Rio | Adults 18+ with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin | FDA-cleared June 2024; not yet on retail shelves |
The three are easy to confuse. Stelo stretches across type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and no diabetes. Lingo leans into wellness and is not meant to diagnose anything. Libre Rio is the narrowest, for adults with type 2 diabetes who manage it with lifestyle changes instead of insulin.
All three work the same way: a small sensor worn on the arm reads glucose through the skin and streams numbers to your phone every few minutes.
How To Order One And What It Costs
Stelo is the simplest to buy. Dexcom sells it on Stelo.com with no prescription, as a one-time purchase or monthly subscription, and it is eligible for FSA and HSA funds. $99 buys two sensors with up to 30 days of wear; the subscription costs $89 a month for two sensors delivered every 30 days.
Abbott sells Lingo through its U.S. site for adults 18 and older not on insulin, and each Lingo biosensor lasts 14 days.
Sensors expire on a fixed schedule, which is the point of the subscription — a fresh pair lands before the old one dies. Before you commit, our tested roundup of non-prescription CGMs lines the three up side by side.
Every over-the-counter CGM pairs a wearable sensor with an app on a compatible smartphone or smart device, so your phone is part of the kit.
Who Should Skip An Over-The-Counter CGM?
Anyone on insulin, anyone whose blood sugar drops low enough to need help, and anyone hoping for a diagnosis.
Lingo is not meant to diagnose anything, diabetes included. Abbott positions it for general wellness, so treat its numbers as feedback on daily habits rather than a medical finding.
Two more traps: the devices are not interchangeable — Libre Rio’s audience is narrower than Stelo’s and it does not double as a wellness gadget the way Lingo does. And over-the-counter does not mean on the shelf; Stelo and Lingo sell through the manufacturers’ own websites.
If you are 18 or older, not on insulin, and curious about how your body handles food, order Stelo or Lingo direct from the maker and start with a single sensor.
Common Questions
Does An Over-The-Counter CGM Need A Smartphone?
Yes. These sensors send readings to an app on a compatible smartphone or smart device, so your phone is part of the kit. The FDA describes Stelo as a wearable sensor plus an application on a user’s smartphone or other smart device. Check the manufacturer’s compatibility list before you buy, because an unsupported phone leaves the sensor unusable.
Are Stelo And Lingo Sold In Stores?
Not through retail shelves, based on current information. Stelo and Lingo are purchased through the manufacturers’ own websites, and Libre Rio had not reached commercial launch at the last report. Availability shifts as retail deals get signed, so check the manufacturer’s product page for current stock and pricing.
Can An OTC CGM Replace A Prescription One?
Not for people on insulin.
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “FDA Clears First Over-the-Counter Continuous Glucose Monitor” Confirms Stelo’s March 2024 clearance for adults 18 and older who do not use insulin, and the smartphone app requirement.
- Dexcom. “Stelo by Dexcom, the First Over-the-Counter Glucose Biosensor in the U.S., Is Now Available” Source of the $99 two-sensor price, the $89 monthly subscription, 30-day wear, and FSA/HSA eligibility.
- Abbott. “Abbott Enters U.S. Consumer Biowearables Market with Lingo and Libre Rio” Details Lingo’s 14-day biosensor, its wellness purpose, and Libre Rio’s type 2 diabetes indication.