Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) use a sensor on the back of your upper arm to track glucose levels all day and night†, while finger sticking with a blood glucose monitor (BGM) can only read your glucose at that moment.
CGM vs BGM: More data, less guesswork, no fingersticks*
FreeStyle Libre CGM systems show you the big glucose picture‡1—anytime†, anywhere§!
Libre CGM systems send glucose readings every minute of the day right to your smartphoneII.
See where your glucose is and where it is going to help you make more informed choices¶2.
Save time with no fingersticks* or logbooks. Set-up is made simple with step-by-step help in the Libre appII. All you need is your smartphone.
Customizable alarms# alert you if your glucose is too low or too high.
BGM measures only a single point in time when you use a fingerstick.
BGM can miss highs and lows3 due to data gaps, providing a less complete picture and making it harder to manage your glucose.
BGM requires painful and inconvenient fingersticks, logbooks, and BGM kit.
What makes CGM different from BGM?
Glucose levels can be checked two ways. Watch the video to see how.
The Libre 3 Plus sensor works in the background, so you can focus on what’s next.
The Libre 3 Plus sensor delivers accurate4 glucose readings straight to your smartphoneII every minute, around the clock†.
You can see how much last night’s pasta dinner impacted your glucose numbers—and how much your morning walk helped bring them down.
And with a sensor that lasts up to 15 days, it’s one less thing to think about.
“Thanks to the FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor, I can easily look at my smartphoneII and see my glucose reading and it provides me with a world of information, so I can make the best choices for my body.”
- Jeniese, FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor user
The views expressed should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice. Individual symptoms, situations and circumstances may vary.
Smarter glucose management¶2 starts with Libre systems.
Painless
The Libre 3 Plus sensor is painless to apply5 and comfortable to wear5 for 15 days—no fingersticks*!
Easy
Check your glucose levels with one quick glance at the Libre appII on your smartphone. You’ll see the impact of every meal, every workout, and every dose† in no time at all.
Accurate
Outstanding accuracy4,6 with real-time glucose readings sent to your smartphoneII every minute of the day†—whether you’re on the go or asleep.
Myth vs Fact: Learn the truth about CGM.
Myth: CGMs just tell me what I already know from fingersticks.
Fact: Libre CGM systems do so much more than fingersticks*!
- Libre CGM systems can spot glucose trends and identify patterns over time that fingersticks alone cannot capture.
- With Libre CGM systems, you have the power to take control before it’s urgent. Plus, CGMs have alarms# that can alert you before your glucose is too high or low.
Myth: CGM is a last resort for people with diabetes.
Fact: Libre CGM systems are a proactive step toward better glucose management**7,¶8.
- Libre CGM systems can help you understand what’s happening in your own body¶2. Then, you can decide what’s best for you.
Myth: CGM readings don’t match BGM readings, so CGM is not accurate.
Fact: Libre CGM systems provide real-time glucose readings along with trend arrows that indicate the direction your glucose levels are heading. Whereas BGM devices only offer your glucose reading at that moment.
- Glucose levels can change quickly, especially after meals and during exercise, which is why your CGM and BGM numbers may not match exactly.
Myth: CGM sensors fall off easily, especially during workouts or showers.
Fact: Libre CGM systems are designed to be water-resistant§.
- Even while bathing, swimming§, and exercising—they stick well.
Now that you know the facts, ask your healthcare provider if Libre systems are right for you.
Answers to your Libre CGM systems questions
Is there ever a need for fingersticks with CGMs?
While Libre CGM systems significantly reduce the need for fingersticks*, occasional checks may still be needed for calibration or double-checking unusual readings.
Talk to your healthcare provider about when you may need to use fingersticks.
* Fingersticks are required if your glucose alarms and readings do not match symptoms or when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol during the first twelve hours.
How accurate are CGMs?
Glucose readings from your Libre 3 Plus sensor are accurate. It has been well-studied in a clinical trial and shown to provide glucose information that you can use to safely make treatment decisions4.
The clinical trial also showed that the Libre 3 Plus sensor not only met but exceeded the FDA’s strict standards for accuracy performance4,9.
References: 4. FreeStyle Libre 3 User Manual. 9. Based on FDA iCGM special controls. Accessed September 2025 from: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-862/subpart-B/section-862.1355
How does the sensor stay on?
The Libre 3 Plus sensor has an adhesive to securely stick onto clean, dry skin for up to 15 days. The Libre 3 Plus sensor is designed to be water-resistant and stick well, even while bathing, swimming§, exercising, and during an MRI††.
§ Sensor is water-resistant in up to 1 meter (3 feet) of water. Do not immerse longer than 30 minutes.
†† MRI Safety Conditions: Sensor readings may be compromised during the MRI, but System function returns fully back to normal after 1 hour. Scanning between the pelvis and sternum (3T scanners) should be limited to 12 minutes maximum with a cooling period of 2 minutes in between scans. All other areas (1.5T scanners) can scan for up to 1 hour continuously without a cooling period.
Are CGMs collecting unnecessary data? Is my information kept private?
Data from Libre systems live on your personal device. You are in control of who is able to view the information and when.
The FreeStyle Libre 3 system includes the Libre 3 Plus sensor, Libre 3 sensor, Libre 3 app, Libre app, and the Libre 3 reader.
Medicare and other payor criteria may apply.
* Fingersticks are required if your glucose alarms and readings do not match symptoms or when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol during the first twelve hours.
† 60-minute warm-up required when starting the sensor.
‡ Study was performed with the US version of the FreeStyle Libre 14 day system. Data is applicable to FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 2 systems, as feature sets are similar as FreeStyle Libre 14 day system, excluding alarms.
§ Sensor is water-resistant in up to 1 meter (3 feet) of water. Do not immerse longer than 30 minutes.
II The FreeStyle Libre systems apps are only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check the Support section of our website for more information about device compatibility before using the apps. Use of the FreeStyle Libre systems apps may require registration with LibreView.
¶ Study was performed with the outside US version of the FreeStyle Libre 14 day system. Data is applicable to FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 2 systems, as feature sets are similar as FreeStyle Libre 14 day system, excluding alarms.
# Alarm notifications will only be received when alarms settings are enabled and turned on and sensor is within 20 feet (FreeStyle Libre 2) or 33 feet (FreeStyle Libre 3) unobstructed of the reading device.
** Study was performed with the outside US version of the FreeStyle Libre 2 system. Data is applicable to FreeStyle Libre 3 system, as feature sets are similar.
♢ Eligible patients will receive one (1) FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor or (1) FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor for users with a compatible mobile phone operating system at $0 copay. The expiration date of the voucher is 60 days from the issue date. This program is available for patients with Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes. Patients ages 18 and older are eligible to sign up and receive an offer for the (1) FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor or (1) FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor. Patients ages 2–17 are eligible to receive an offer for the (1) FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor or (1) FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor through their parent or guardian. This offer is void where prohibited by law. Abbott may modify or rescind this offer at any time without notice. The discounts are not available to beneficiaries of Kaiser Permanente, Medicare, Medicaid or other federal or state healthcare programs, residents of Massachusetts, or US territories (other than Puerto Rico). The free (1) FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor or (1) FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor is provided as a sample and is limited to one sample per eligible person per product identification number. The FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor or FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor cannot be re-sold, traded nor submitted to any third-party payer for reimbursement and is not provided as any inducement for future purchases. The free sample card is not health insurance.
References: 1. Unger, Jeff, Pamela Kushner, and John E. Anderson. “Practical Guidance for Using the FreeStyle Libre Flash Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Primary Care.” Postgraduate Medicine 132, no. 4 (2020): 305–313. https://doi.org/10.1080/00325481.2020.1744393. 2. Fokkert, Marion, et al. "Improved Well-Being and Decreased Disease Burden After 1-Year Use of Flash Glucose Monitoring (FLARE-NL4)." BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care 7, no. 1 (2019): e000809. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-000809. 3. Stone, Jenine Y., and Timothy S. Bailey. “Benefits and Limitations of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Type 1 Diabetes.” Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism 15, no. 1 (2020): 41–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/17446651.2020.1706482. 4. FreeStyle Libre 3 User’s Manual. 5. Alva, Shridhara, et al. "Accuracy of a 15-day Factory-Calibrated Continuous Glucose Monitoring System with Improved Sensor Design." Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology (2025): 19322968251329364. https://doi.org/10.1177/19322968251329364. 6. FreeStyle Libre 2 User Manual. 7. Leelarathna, Lalantha, et al. "Intermittently Scanned Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Type 1 Diabetes." New England Journal of Medicine 387, no. 16 (2022): 1477–1487. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2205650. 8. Evans, Mark, Zoë Welsh, and Alexander Seibold. "Reductions in HbA1c with Flash Glucose Monitoring Are Sustained for Up to 24 Months: a Meta-analysis of 75 Real-World Observational Studies." Diabetes Therapy 13, no. 6 (2022): 1175–1185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-022-01253-9.
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