The short answer Dexcom G7 and FreeStyle Libre 3 are both small, factory-calibrated continuous glucose monitors that send readings to your phone every few minutes. G7 has a strong ecosystem for alert sharing and pump integration; Libre 3 tends to have a lower cash price and a very simple setup. For most people, the deciding factors are what your insurance covers, whether you use an insulin pump, and who needs to see your numbers. Side by side Dexcom G7 FreeStyle Libre 3 Sensor wear 10 days plus a 12-hour grace period 14 days Warm-up About 30 minutes About 60 minutes Readings Every 5 minutes Every minute Wear site Back of upper arm (adults) Back of upper arm Alerts Customizable high, low, urgent low, and rate-of-change High, low, and signal loss Followers Up to 10 via Dexcom Follow Via LibreLinkUp Pump integration Works with several automated insulin delivery systems Integrations vary by system and region Who tends to prefer G7 People on insulin pumps who want automated insulin delivery to read glucose directly. Anyone who needs granular alerts — including a rising-fast or falling-fast warning, which matters for hypoglycemia unawareness. Families and caregivers who want multiple people following the same numbers in real time. Who tends to prefer Libre 3 People who want the longest stretch between sensor changes — 14 days versus 10. Type 2 patients not on a pump who mainly want trends and a simple low alert. Anyone paying more out of pocket, since Libre often lands at a lower monthly cost. Things people notice that spec sheets miss Compression lows. Both sensors can read falsely low if you sleep on them. Rotating the arm you wear it on helps. The first day. Readings are often least accurate in the first 12 to 24 hours after insertion for either device. If a number surprises you, confirm with a fingerstick before you treat. Phone compatibility. Check your exact phone model and OS version against the manufacturer list before switching. This trips people up more than anything else. Adhesive. Neither sensor comes with extra adhesive patches or skin prep wipes as a standard supply. If sweat, humidity, or exercise is knocking your sensor loose, ask us and we will add them to your order. How coverage usually decides it Many plans cover both, but at different tiers, and some pharmacy benefits favor one brand outright. Before you get attached to a choice, let us run a benefits check. We will tell you what each option costs you per month under your actual plan, and what documentation your prescriber needs to send. Switching later is normal Trying one and moving to the other is common and not a failure. Wear-site irritation, adhesive trouble, alert fatigue, or a new pump are all reasonable reasons to change. Talk to your clinician, and we will handle the paperwork side. Your next step today Write down the three things that matter most to you — cost, alerts, wear time, sharing, pump compatibility — and bring that list to your next appointment. Then contact us for a coverage check on both. 1100