Best apps for prediabetes (2026)
The best prediabetes app is one you'll stick with that helps you eat better, move more and track your A1C. Helsa is a free-to-start AI coach that needs no sensor; Omada and Lark offer CDC-recognized prevention programs at no cost if your employer or health plan covers them; and Stelo or Lingo let you see your real glucose response for a fee.
Last updated:
Disclosure: Helsa is our product. We aim to be fair: every fact about another app links to the public source we checked, and we point out where other apps are the better fit.
How we chose
- We looked for apps that support the lifestyle changes behind type 2 diabetes prevention: healthier eating, more activity and gradual weight loss.
- We included sensor-free apps, CDC-recognized programs and over-the-counter CGMs, and noted which ones need employer or health plan coverage.
- Every price, platform and feature comes from the company’s own website, help center or app store listing, checked on September 30, 2026. See the sources at the bottom of the page.
- Where we couldn’t verify something from a public source, we left it out and marked it “Not verified”.
- Helsa is our product, so we list it first, and we say plainly where another app is the better fit. We don’t use affiliate links.
Quick comparison
| App | CGM needed | Price | Platforms | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helsa | No | Free tier; Premium subscription unlocks all features (US App Store lists $9.99 and $79.99; 7-day free trial) | iOS and Android | Adults with prediabetes who want daily AI coaching on food, sleep, stress and A1C without a sensor |
| Omada | No | No cost to you when offered by your employer or health plan | iOS, Android and Web | People whose employer or health plan offers it and who want a human coach |
| Lark | No | No cost through participating insurance or employers; no self-pay option | iOS and Android phones and tablets (no desktop) | People with a participating health plan who want an AI coach inside a CDC-recognized program |
| January AI | Optional | Free tier; Premium listed on the App Store at $9.99/month or $59.99/year (lower-priced options also listed) | iOS (iPhone only) | iPhone users who want to see predicted glucose responses before they eat |
| Stelo by Dexcom | Yes | $99 one-time for 2 sensors, $89/month subscription (2 sensors), or $252 every 3 months (6 sensors) | iOS and Android, plus Apple Watch | People who want real glucose data and an AI coach, bought over the counter |
| Lingo by Abbott | Yes | $54 for 2 weeks (1 sensor), $89 for 4 weeks (2 sensors) or $249 every 12 weeks (6 sensors) | iOS and Android (no Apple Watch or iPad app) | People who want a short, low-commitment CGM trial |
The apps
1. Helsa (our app)
by Helsa Health
AI metabolic health coach app for blood sugar, weight and overall metabolic health that works without a CGM.
- Best for
- Adults with prediabetes who want daily AI coaching on food, sleep, stress and A1C without a sensor
- CGM needed
- No
- Price
- Free tier; Premium subscription unlocks all features (US App Store lists $9.99 and $79.99; 7-day free trial)
Pros
- No CGM or wearable needed to get started
- Holistic metabolic score that connects diet, sleep, stress, activity, body composition and blood markers
- Fast meal logging by photo or voice with AI nutrition analysis
- AI coach you can ask about meals, spikes and your blood test results
Cons
- Doesn't measure glucose itself — insights come from your logs, wearables and lab results, so they are less precise than real CGM readings
- A Premium subscription is required to unlock all features
- Informational only — not a medical device or a substitute for your doctor
2. Omada
by Omada Health, Inc.
Prevention and weight-health program with a dedicated human health coach, offered through employers and health plans.
- Best for
- People whose employer or health plan offers it and who want a human coach
- CGM needed
- No
- Price
- No cost to you when offered by your employer or health plan
Pros
- CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program with Full Plus recognition
- Every prevention member is paired with an Omada health coach
- Cellular smart scale that needs no Wi-Fi or setup
Cons
- Only available if your employer or health plan offers it
- Takes about 2–3 hours per week on average
3. Lark
by Lark Technologies, Inc.
AI-powered health coaching app, including a Diabetes Prevention Program, available at no cost through participating health plans and employers.
- Best for
- People with a participating health plan who want an AI coach inside a CDC-recognized program
- CGM needed
- No
- Price
- No cost through participating insurance or employers; no self-pay option
Pros
- CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program
- Real-time AI food coaching based on your questions
- Fitbit reward after 10 weeks of active engagement (eligible plans)
Cons
- Not available without participating insurance or employer coverage
- The prevention program isn’t designed for type 1 diabetes
- Doesn’t connect to CGMs
4. January AI
by January, Inc.
AI health tracker that predicts your blood sugar response to foods without any hardware and turns your lab results into insights.
Recent change: January now also sells its technology to other companies as an API; the consumer app is its “reference experience”.
- Best for
- iPhone users who want to see predicted glucose responses before they eat
- CGM needed
- Optional
- Price
- Free tier; Premium listed on the App Store at $9.99/month or $59.99/year (lower-priced options also listed)
Pros
- Predicts your blood sugar response to 54M+ foods with no hardware required
- One-tap import of lab results, medications and diagnoses from medical records
- Connects several data sources at once, e.g. Whoop, Oura and a Libre CGM
Cons
- Predictions start from an assumed fasting baseline, not your current glucose reading — even if you wear a CGM
- Free tier is capped at 5 meal scans and 5 describe logs per week
- Glucose predictions aren’t available for type 1 diabetes or intended for insulin dosing
- Listed as “Only for iPhone” — we found no Android version
5. Stelo by Dexcom
by Dexcom
Over-the-counter glucose biosensor and app from Dexcom for adults 18+ who don’t use insulin.
- Best for
- People who want real glucose data and an AI coach, bought over the counter
- CGM needed
- Yes
- Price
- $99 one-time for 2 sensors, $89/month subscription (2 sensors), or $252 every 3 months (6 sensors)
Pros
- Up to 15-day sensor wear with a 12-hour grace period
- Glucose can go straight to Apple Watch even when your phone isn’t nearby
- Integrates with Oura and partner programs such as Nutrisense, Levels and Signos
- Glucose data refreshes every 5 minutes (app update of September 2026)
Cons
- Only available within the United States
- All sales are final — no returns or exchanges
- About 20% of sensors may not last the full 15 days
- No low-glucose alerts
6. Lingo by Abbott
by Abbott
Over-the-counter glucose biosensor and app from Abbott for adults 18+ who are not on insulin.
- Best for
- People who want a short, low-commitment CGM trial
- CGM needed
- Yes
- Price
- $54 for 2 weeks (1 sensor), $89 for 4 weeks (2 sensors) or $249 every 12 weeks (6 sensors)
Pros
- Real glucose readings streamed every minute
- 30-day money-back guarantee on first purchases
- Free replacement if a sensor stops working before 14 days
- Syncs with Apple Health and Health Connect
Cons
- About 23% of sensors may not last the full 14 days
- No Apple Watch, iPad or tablet support yet
- Not for people on insulin, and not intended to diagnose diabetes
Frequently asked questions
What is a CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program?
It's a lifestyle change program that meets CDC standards, led by trained coaches in person or online and covering topics like healthy eating and being active. The CDC says people with prediabetes who joined a structured lifestyle change program cut their risk of type 2 diabetes by 58% (71% for people over 60). Omada and Lark are CDC-recognized; Helsa is not.
Are prediabetes apps covered by insurance?
Omada is offered at no cost through participating employers and health plans, and Lark says it isn't available as a self-pay service. Stelo and Lingo are HSA/FSA eligible. Helsa is a self-pay app with a free tier.
Do I need a CGM for prediabetes?
Not necessarily. Many people follow their progress with A1C tests from their doctor and focus on daily habits. A CGM such as Stelo or Lingo shows exactly how meals affect you, which some people find motivating; ask your doctor what testing makes sense for you.
Can an app reverse prediabetes?
No app can promise that. What apps can do is help you build the habits that lower your risk, such as eating better, moving more and losing weight if you need to, and track your progress with tests like A1C.
Which prediabetes apps work without insurance?
Helsa, January AI, Stelo and Lingo can all be bought directly. Omada and Lark require coverage through a participating employer or health plan.
Sources
Prices and features change. We checked each source on the date shown; please confirm current details on the company’s own site.
- apps.apple.com/us/app/helsa-blood-sugar-coach/id6736939841 — checked
- play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=helsa.health — checked
- omadahealth.com/frequently-asked-questions — checked
- omadahealth.com — checked
- apps.apple.com/us/app/omada/id805711008 — checked
- play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.omada.prevent — checked
- omadahealth.com/resource-center/omada-introduces-nutritional-intelligence-to-transform-food-relationships-with-ai-driven-tools-and-human-care — checked
- omadahealth.com/product-innovation — checked
- dprp.cdc.gov/Registry — checked
- support.lark.com/hc/en-us/articles/49724342204180-What-is-Lark — checked
- support.lark.com/hc/en-us/articles/49724388024596-Can-I-use-a-Continuous-Glucose-Monitor-CGM-with-Lark — checked
- support.lark.com/hc/en-us/articles/49724361306516-Can-I-pay-for-Lark-out-of-pocket — checked
- support.lark.com/hc/en-us/articles/49724361730068-Can-I-use-the-Lark-app-on-a-tablet-or-desktop-computer — checked
- apps.apple.com/us/app/lark-health/id912530754 — checked
- support.lark.com/hc/en-us/articles/49724407518996-How-do-I-log-a-meal-snack-or-drink-in-Lark — checked
- support.lark.com/hc/en-us/articles/49724386395028-How-does-Lark-track-my-sleep — checked
- support.lark.com/hc/en-us/articles/49724383548820-What-is-the-Diabetes-Prevention-Program-DPP — checked
- lark.com/for-individuals — checked
- support.lark.com/hc/en-us/articles/49724384132884-I-don-t-have-health-insurance-Can-I-participate-in-Lark — checked
- apps.apple.com/us/app/january-ai-health-tracker/id6470235391 — checked
- january.ai — checked
- january.ai/faq — checked
- fitt.co/press-release/january-ai-health-app-combines-one-tap-medical-records-cgm-free-predictive-glucose-ai-and-wearable-data — checked
- stelo.com/en-us/buy-stelo-one-time — checked
- apps.apple.com/us/app/stelo-by-dexcom/id6475610406 — checked
- stelo.com/en-us/compatibility — checked
- stelo.com/en-us/app-download — checked
- stelo.com/en-us/nutrisense — checked
- stelo.com/en-us/how-it-works — checked
- stelo.com/en-us/hsa-fsa — checked
- stelo.com/en-us/partners — checked
- stelo.com/en-us/faq — checked
- fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-clears-first-over-counter-continuous-glucose-monitor-children — checked
- hellolingo.com/products — checked
- apps.apple.com/us/app/lingo-by-abbott/id1670445335 — checked
- hellolingo.com/blog/how-to-photo-log-meals — checked
- hellolingo.com/partners — checked
- hellolingo.com/lingo-experience — checked
- hellolingo.com — checked
- cdc.gov/diabetes-prevention/programs/index.html — checked
- cdc.gov/diabetes-prevention/hcp/lifestyle-change-program/index.html — checked