Dexcom G7 vs FreeStyle Libre 2: Choosing the Right CGM
Get a comparison of Dexcom G7 vs FreeStyle Libre 2 to explore which glucose monitoring system fits your needs.
The Dexcom G7 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System makes it possible to get accurate glucose readings without regular fingersticks.* Similar technology, such as the FreeStyle Libre 2 system, can also provide a view into glucose levels without using a blood glucose meter. While Dexcom G7 and FreeStyle Libre 2 both support glucose monitoring and management for those living with diabetes, the features and benefits of these systems aren’t the same.
Everyone experiences diabetes in their own unique way and no two people have the same needs when it comes to CGM. Comparing the latest CGM technology gives you the opportunity to explore which system might fit best with your lifestyle and your diabetes management goals.
What do Dexcom systems have that FreeStyle Libre devices don’t?
Dexcom G7 shares several features with its predecessor, Dexcom G6.
There are a few important features that these Dexcom CGM systems
have in common that aren’t found in FreeStyle Libre systems.
There are a few important features that these Dexcom CGM systems
have in common that aren’t found in FreeStyle Libre systems.
1. More Options for Sensor Placement
✓ Dexcom G7 can be worn on the back of the arm or lower abdomen and kids from two to six can also wear it on their upper buttocks. Similarly, adults can wear Dexcom G6 on the back of the arm or the lower abdomen while kids from two to 17 can wear it on their upper buttocks or the lower abdomen.†
𝗫 FreeStyle Libre sensors are only approved to be worn on the back of the arm.1
2. Supports More Types of People
✓ Dexcom CGM Systems are also approved for the broadest range of people who live with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Dexcom can be used by children as young as two. Dexcom G7 is also the only CGM system that’s approved in Canada for use during pregnancy and for those experiencing gestational diabetes.
𝗫 FreeStyle Libre devices currently available in Canada can only be used by individuals over four years old and the devices have not been approved for use during pregnancy.
3. Can Let You Know Before You Go Low
✓ Dexcom CGM Systems offer a predictive Urgent Low Soon alert that can let you know whether you’re headed for a serious low below 3.1 mmol/L within the next 20 minutes.
𝗫 FreeStyle Libre systems alert you the moment you reach high and low thresholds, not before.
4. Provides Alerts That Fit Your Lifestyle
✓ Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7 allow you to create a schedule that automatically switches your alert settings during a specified period of time—such as when you’re in a meeting.
𝗫 FreeStyle Libre systems do not offer an alert schedule feature.1
Dexcom G7 vs FreeStyle Libre 2
Both Dexcom G7 and FreeStyle Libre 2 take glucose readings via a sensor that’s worn on the body and send them to a display device so you can view glucose levels in the palm of your hand. Though there are some similarities between the two systems, they offer very different glucose monitoring experiences.
Accuracy and Overall Effectiveness
Dexcom G7 has the best accuracy of any CGM available in Canada, which means it has been shown to provide readings that are closest to clinical blood glucose readings.2,‡ But can CGM help you gain better control and lower your A1C? You’ll be glad to know that using Dexcom G7 is clinically proven to lower A1C over time. Dexcom G7 can even help you spend less time in your low range (hypoglycemia) and more time in your target glucose range.7-12
In terms of accuracy, you’re likely used to using your blood glucose (BG) meter to get your glucose readings so you should know that there is a difference between your BG reading and your CGM reading. There are slight differences in each so each may vary slightly while you compare.
Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Both Dexcom G7 and FreeStyle Libre 2 can provide real-time glucose readings. Data is sent from both devices to a compatible smart device or receiver (reader) for you to view your current glucose value. Both systems also give you a trend arrow to show how quickly your glucose might be rising or falling. Unlike FreeStyle Libre 2 which only displays 8 hours of glucose history, the Dexcom G7 can show up to 24 hours of your glucose value data.1,5
Dexcom G7 and FreeStyle Libre 2 both allow loved ones, parents, and caregivers to monitor glucose levels remotely with real-time updates. The Dexcom Follow app enables up to 10 people to view glucose data and get alerts from their loved one’s Dexcom G7 app on their own compatible smart devices. This is ideal for individuals who need extra support managing their glucose who may not be physically able to scan or who won’t remember to scan, such as children, elderly people, and those living with disabilities.
FreeStyle Libre 2 is the only FreeStyle Libre system that offers real-time glucose readings. Previous FreeStyle Libre systems only offered flash glucose monitoring (FGM), also called an intermittently-scanned CGM. This means that glucose readings can only be displayed after the device is scanned with a connected smart device or reader.
Dexcom has been developing CGM technology since 1999 and brought the first real-time CGM system that could display glucose data on a smart device to Canadians in 2016. Over 15 years of innovation and customer feedback stand behind the Dexcom G7 system to provide a real-time CGM experience that fits your lifestyle.
Sensor Application
Changing the Dexcom G7 sensor is more seamless than switching out a FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor. Dexcom G7 applicators come pre-loaded with a sensor, so you don’t have to worry about putting any parts together before applying it. The FreeStyle Libre 2, on the other hand, requires you to open the separate sensor packet and attach the sensor to the applicator.
Dexcom G7 has a painless,|| one-push applicator that makes it quick and easy to attach the sensor to your chosen wear location.2 FreeStyle Libre 2 has a similar applicator, but a key difference is that you must press firmly on the entire applicator to secure the sensor. The Dexcom G7 applicator has a button that you click like you would a computer mouse.
Dexcom G7 has the shortest warmup time of any CGM system, clocking in at less than 30 minutes from the moment the sensor is inserted—half the time of FreeStyle Libre 2, which takes an hour to warm up.1,2 This means you can get your glucose readings and some extra peace of mind much sooner.
Sensor Wear
Both Dexcom G7 and FreeStyle Libre 2 have discreet sensors that are about the size of a couple of stacked coins. Dexcom G7 gives you additional discretion when worn under clothes on the abdomen or upper buttocks, so you don’t always have to have the sensor showing on the back of your arm.
The Dexcom G7 sensor can be worn for up to 10 days while the FreeStyle Libre 2 can be worn for up to 14 days. Dexcom G7 has a bonus 12-hour grace period at the end of the 10-day session so that you can change out the sensor when it’s convenient for you. The Dexcom G7 sensor is also waterproof in as much as 2.4 meters of water for up to 24 hours. This means you can feel more confident wearing your sensor while you’re sweating, taking a long bath, or going for a swim. FreeStyle Libre 2 is only water-resistant up to one meter and can’t be immersed for more than 30 minutes.1
Glucose Alerts and Alarms
Dexcom G7 and FreeStyle Libre 2 both have alerts or alarms that can notify you when your glucose levels are high or low. Dexcom G7 has a wider range of customizable alerts and a built-in Urgent Low Alert that are designed to help you take proactive action to help increase time in your target range (generally defined by Diabetes Canada as 3.9–10.0 mmol/L6) and decrease highs and lows.
Dexcom G7 alerts are designed to help reduce notification fatigue so that receiving notifications is more convenient—and effective. Only use the alerts that you find most supportive throughout your day. The app has a large library of alert sounds, so you can select which ones you like best.
Here are some key alerts and alarm features exclusive to Dexcom CGM Systems:
On the other hand, FreeStyle Libre 2 low alerts only notify you when the thresholds you’ve set have been reached.1 This may make it more challenging to anticipate the steps you need to take to avoid potentially serious lows. It can also make it more difficult to treat hypoglycemia at night, when you aren’t awake to check whether your glucose is dropping. The predictive Urgent Low Soon alert with Dexcom G7 can sound 20 minutes before you hit 3.1 mmol/L so you can treat lows ahead of time and potentially avoid them. Get some additional piece of mind while you sleep, knowing that Dexcom G7 can alert you ahead of your low.
Find Out if Dexcom G7 is the Right CGM for You
Dexcom G7 is designed to support the way you manage diabetes. Its flexible features make it easy to personalize the experience so that you can get the most out of CGM technology and monitor your glucose levels with greater confidence.
* If your glucose alerts and readings from the Dexcom CGM do not match symptoms or expectations, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions.
† Sensors worn on the back of the upper arm have been found to be slightly more accurate than sensors worn on the abdomen.
‡ When compared with CGM systems commercially available in Canada as of October 2023.
§ For a list of compatible smart devices, please visit dexcom.com/compatibility.
|| Patients reported 94% of insertions were painless (mild, no pain).
† Sensors worn on the back of the upper arm have been found to be slightly more accurate than sensors worn on the abdomen.
‡ When compared with CGM systems commercially available in Canada as of October 2023.
§ For a list of compatible smart devices, please visit dexcom.com/compatibility.
|| Patients reported 94% of insertions were painless (mild, no pain).
1 FreeStyle Libre 2 User Guide.
2 Dexcom, data on file, 2023.
3 Brown RE, et al. Real-world glycaemic outcomes in adult persons with type 1 diabetes using a real-time continuous glucose monitor compared to an intermittently scanned glucose monitor: A retrospective observational study from the Canadian LMC diabetes registry (REAL-CGM-T1D). Diabet Med. 2022;39(11):e14937. doi: 10.1111/dme.14937
4 LibreLinkUp website. Accessed August 28 2023. https://www.librelinkup.com/faqs
5 Dexcom G7 User Guide.
6 Imran AS, et al. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada: Targets for Glycemic Control. Can J Diabetes. 2018:42(S42–S46). doi: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2017.10.030
7 Beck RW, et al. JAMA. 2017;317(4):371-378.
8 Beck RW, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2017;167(6):365-374.
9 Martens T, et al. JAMA. 2021;325(22):2262-2272.
10 Laffel LM, et al. JAMA. 2020;323(23):2388-2396.
11 Welsh JB, et al. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2022:19322968221099879.
12 Heinemann L, et al. Lancet. 2018;391(10128) :1367-1377.
2 Dexcom, data on file, 2023.
3 Brown RE, et al. Real-world glycaemic outcomes in adult persons with type 1 diabetes using a real-time continuous glucose monitor compared to an intermittently scanned glucose monitor: A retrospective observational study from the Canadian LMC diabetes registry (REAL-CGM-T1D). Diabet Med. 2022;39(11):e14937. doi: 10.1111/dme.14937
4 LibreLinkUp website. Accessed August 28 2023. https://www.librelinkup.com/faqs
5 Dexcom G7 User Guide.
6 Imran AS, et al. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada: Targets for Glycemic Control. Can J Diabetes. 2018:42(S42–S46). doi: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2017.10.030
7 Beck RW, et al. JAMA. 2017;317(4):371-378.
8 Beck RW, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2017;167(6):365-374.
9 Martens T, et al. JAMA. 2021;325(22):2262-2272.
10 Laffel LM, et al. JAMA. 2020;323(23):2388-2396.
11 Welsh JB, et al. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2022:19322968221099879.
12 Heinemann L, et al. Lancet. 2018;391(10128) :1367-1377.