Stelo vs Lingo vs Dexcom G7 –Comparing Top CGMs
Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) revolutionize glucose management by providing insights into your glucose levels. While they were initially a health tech tool to help manage diabetes, CGMs are also a good tool for non-diabetic users—helping make it easier for everyone to monitor their metabolic health to prevent conditions.
Understanding Your CGM Options
There are more CGM sensors and glucose biosensors in the market than ever, and companies like Nutrisense offer flexibility with multiple options that sync with a great app, so members can use their own CGM devices or access the glucose biosensors available with the program itself.
Currently, some of the most popular sensors in the market include the Stelo Glucose Biosensor by Dexcom, Abbott’s Lingo, and the Dexcom G7. And if you're trying to choose between them, you’ve come to the right place! We'll break down these CGMs and glucose biosensors their pricing, and app compatibility. We'll also provide other vital factors to consider before deciding on the best CGM for you.
Getting the Most out of CGM Data with Expert Support
While CGMs and glucose biosensors provide valuable insights into your glucose levels, interpreting this data on your own can be challenging. That’s where expert support from someone trained to work with this data makes a difference. For example, Nutrisense’s team of registered dietitians and nutritionists are all glucose-certified, which means they have a professional certification in CGMs and Glucose Management.
When you sign up with Nutrisense, you can choose to work 1:1 with a registered dietitian through insurance-covered video calls. Your personal dietitian will help you understand your glucose trends, optimize your diet, and make informed lifestyle adjustments.
What is the Stelo Glucose Biosensor?
The Stelo Glucose Biosensor is a pioneering over-the-counter (OTC) device, approved in early 2024. Since the summer of the same year, it’s been available to buy without a prescription across the United States.
It is designed for a broad audience—for example, people with type 2 diabetes who are not on insulin, those with prediabetes, and even those who want to learn more about how their eating habits affect their glucose levels. As one of the first non-prescription glucose biosensors, Stelo offers a simple, no-frills option for beginner glucose monitoring.
- Accuracy: Stelo provides reliable glucose readings. While sensors are designed to last up to 15 days, note that around 20 percent may not last the entire duration, and 10 percent may only last for 12 days.
- Pricing: Stelo offers budget-friendly options with two pricing models: pay-as-you-go for $99 (two sensors) or a subscription plan for $89/month. However, this only gives you access to the biosensor and basic tracking. When you sign up via Nutrisense, you get the Nutrisense App which gives you deeper insights, the ability to log meals and view their glucose scores, track sleep and more. You also have the option to work 1:1 with a glucose-trained registered dietitian via insurance-covered video calls.
- App Compatibility: The Stelo app integrates with Apple Health, providing basic glucose tracking without advanced analytics. When paired with Nutrisense, users benefit from deeper data insights and better tracking options.
What is Dexcom G7?
The Dexcom G7 is a prescription-only CGM known for its clinical-grade accuracy and customizable features. It's a valuable tool for insulin users and those managing diabetes, as well as people who want to monitor and optimize their health with comprehensive glucose monitoring.
Healthcare professionals trust the wearable for its precision and advanced features like customizable alerts and data analytics. However, you need a prescription.
- Accuracy: The Dexcom G7 delivers highly accurate, glucose readings with minimal delay, making it ideal for insulin users and those managing diabetes. It also features a 12-hour grace period for sensor changes, ensuring consistent monitoring.
- Pricing: The Dexcom G7 typically costs more than OTC options. Prices vary depending on the program and provider.
- App Compatibility: The Dexcom G7 app is compatible with both Apple and Android devices, offering features like customizable alerts.
What is Lingo?
Lingo, developed by Abbott, is another over-the-counter CGM approved by the FDA in June 2024. Targeted at wellness users rather than those managing diabetes, Lingo provides affordable and accessible glucose tracking for individuals interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
- Accuracy: Lingo offers dependable glucose tracking for wellness purposes but may lack the clinical-grade precision needed for diabetes management.
- Pricing: At $49 for a two-week sensor, Lingo is a cost-effective solution for those who need a basic option, but does not have advanced insights and personalized solutions.
- App Compatibility: Lingo integrates with Apple Health but does not currently support Android devices.
Pros and Cons of Each Glucose Monitoring Device
Stelo Glucose Biosensor
- Pros: Reliable accuracy, innovative design, affordable pricing, accessible without prescription.
- Cons: Limited advanced analytics and basic app functionality if not paired with Nutrisense.
Lingo
- Pros: User-friendly, data tracking, budget-friendly pricing, OTC availability.
- Cons: Basic data analysis and their app does not support Android devices.
Dexcom G7
- Pros: It has high accuracy for diabetes management, customizable settings.
- Cons: It initially comes with a higher price and can be complex for first-time users.
Comparing CGM Apps
Stelo App
As a Dexcom product, the Stelo app offers quick access to glucose levels. Its features are limited compared to the Dexcom G7 app, as it focuses on basic tracking and integrates with Apple Health and Android smartphones. It lacks extensive customization or advanced analytics but provides a solid foundation for glucose monitoring and helps track glucose spikes.
Lingo App
Lingo's app provides glucose data in a simple, user-friendly format, perfect for wellness-focused users. It shows glucose levels continually, making data trends easy to understand.
The downside is that only Apple Health is supported. Currently, no Android devices are compatible.
Stelo Glucose Biosensor + Nutrisense App
The biosensor and app when combined with the Nutrisense App offers advanced analytics and tailored feedback, enhancing your glucose monitoring and management experience. Nutrisense boosts Stelo Glucose Biosensor's features with expert support and deeper data insights, making it ideal for comprehensive glucose monitoring.
Nutrisense CGM Integration with Nutritionist Support
Interpreting your glucose data without guidance can be overwhelming. Nutrisense offers expert support to maximize glucose or CGM readings. By offering membership and app access for various other CGM sensors and glucose biosensors, the Nutrisense program provides a nutritionist-backed platform that interprets data trends, makes personalized recommendations, and ensures accountability for healthy lifestyle changes.
Whether you're new to using CGMs or have experience with them, Nutrisense’s experts can help you make sense of the data and provide actionable steps to improve your health. Their support ensures you're not just tracking numbers but truly understanding how your body responds to food, exercise, and daily habits.
Stelo vs Lingo vs Dexcom G7 — Side-by-Side Comparison
| Stelo Glucose Biosensor by Dexcom | |
|---|---|
| Key Features |
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| Ideal Uses |
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| Nutrisense compatible? | Yes |
| Abbott Lingo | |
|---|---|
| Key Features |
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| Ideal Uses |
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| Nutrisense compatible? | Not yet |
| Dexcom G7 | |
|---|---|
| Key Features |
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| Ideal Uses |
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| Nutrisense compatible? | Yes |
Still not sure where to start? Take our quiz to get a CGM plan recommendation.
How To Choose The Best CGM for You
Each CGM or glucose biosensor offers different strengths, so the right choice depends on your unique needs:
For Glucose Optimization: Stelo Glucose Biosensor or G7
The Stelo Glucose Biosensor offers convenient integration and data insights, and is especially powerful with the Nutrisense app for advanced analytics. The G7 is a good option too but requires a prescription.
For Budget-Conscious Users: Stelo Glucose Biosensor
Lingo and Stelo are cost-effective OTC choices, providing reliable glucose monitoring.
For Active Lifestyles: Stelo Glucose Biosensor & G7
With similar waterproof ranges and designs, Stelo Glucose Biosensor and Dexcom G7 both offer durable designs with secure device attachment, suitable for active individuals, so you can swim and sweat worry-free.
For Weight Loss: Stelo Glucose Biosensor
The glucose data helps users identify how different foods and activities affect their glucose responses. But what sets it apart is its easy pairing with the Nutrisense App to log meals, view glucose scores, and experiment with foods. Also, paired with Nutrisense’s expert guidance through insurance-covered video calls with a weight loss expert dietitian, it enables better food and activity choices, helping to optimize fat-burning through tailored strategies.
For First-Time Users: Stelo Glucose Biosensor
If you want a comprehensive option while maintaining ease of use, try the Stelo Glucose Biosensor paired with Nutrisense! It’s a great option for beginners who do not want to compromise on advanced tracking and support.
Your CGM Experience with Nutrisense
Ready to take your glucose monitoring to the next level? Nutrisense offers expert support, flexible plans, and a user-friendly app that makes it easy to track glucose levels, log meals, and understand how different factors affect your metabolic health. Whatever biosensor or CGM devices you're using, Nutrisense provides the tools you need for your health goals.
You get to access glucose data with personalized insights from our team of glucose experts—working 1:1 with a registered dietitian or nutritionist will help you get the most out of your data.
Your questions
answered.
Still have questions? Here are some answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions.
- Stelo: The Stelo Glucose Biosensor can be worn for up to 15 days*, with a grace period of 12 hours between each sensor, and you get 2 CGMs in every shipment.
- Lingo: Provides two weeks of wear per sensor.
- Dexcom G7: Has a 10 day wear time and offers a 12-hour grace period for sensor changes.
*A study was conducted to assess the sensor life where 77.9% of sensors lasted the full 15 days. In other words, when using the product per the package labeling, approximately 20% of sensors may not last for the full 15 days, 10% of these sensors may last less than 12 days.
The Stelo Glucose Biosensor when paired with Nutrisense, provides the most robust app experience with data insights, advanced analytics, and personalized guidance.
*Disclaimer: The Nutrisense program is not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any conditions such as diabetes.